A Detective's Heart: A Novel. Sioux Dallas

      At the end of the hall was a rest room with a sink, a wall dryer, two stalls, a five by three vertical mirror and a comfortable couch.. The two windows were about two by three and high on the outer wall. A small closet held supplies. Mahogany and tan tiles were on this floor.

      At the very end was an emergency door with an alarm. Bright motion lights were outside over the door and safety lights on poles over the small parking space for the office. They walked to the front where Victoria reigned behind a large, polished oak desk. On it was a rolodex and a complicated phone system. A computer and a printer were on a table in the corner sitting on an L to her desk. She only had to swing her swivel chair from one to the other. Behind her were four large filing cabinets and a police scanner sitting on top of one of the cabinets. Across from her desk was a water fountain and paper cups in a dispenser beside it. A cream-colored wastebasket sat proudly between the dispenser and a waiting area.

      Four comfortable chairs were spaced along the wall with a glass-topped table holding magazines. The walls here were cream and the carpet was the same blue color that was in the private offices. A public restroom was in the corner.

      There were two wide front doors that could both be opened to permit a large object to come through. Six by eight tall windows were on either side of the front door. Inside under each window was a shelf built to hold plants or whatever suited the occupants of this office.

      By the end of the day two floral shops had sent small plants and potted trees for the front office. Several business people had stopped by to welcome them to the street and to satisfy their own curiosity.

      Outside, flanking the front door, were two lovely, large terra-cotta pots. Inside each pot was a Dwarf Alberta spruce, suitable for decorating such as at Christmas. A built-in window box held petunias and snapdragons.

      The office was open for business by nine each morning. Hannah usually jogged for three miles starting at six AM and then ran home for a shower and to dress. She ate breakfast when she came to the office. She waved and called a greeting to all she saw on her way to work. Everyone seemed to respect and like the young woman. Everyone that knew her said, “Hannah has a heart of gold and it is as big as all outdoors.”

      Hannah and her staff were so tickled with the first ad for the business that was in the local paper that Herb also framed that and hung it in the front. Hannah had been very careful to notify the public that she would be willing to listen to any problems without charging a fee and any fee would depend on how much time and work had to be done. Privately she had told Victoria and Herb that they would represent anyone free of charge that was in financial trouble that wasn’t their own fault and if they needed help.

      The business had only been open for a week, but Hannah was pleased with the response they’d gotten. She felt in her heart that the business would build to fill all of the filling cabinets with documents. A plaque hung on the wall for all to see as soon as they entered the agency. The plaque read:

      I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

       Chapter Two

      They had been open two months and had a pleasing amount of clients and work. Victoria was proving to have a keen mind and was learning a lot about laws and court proceedings. She was working toward earning her license to be a detective.

      One morning, while on her run, Hannah saw a man sitting on the grass beside City Hall, 937 Broadway, not far from her office. He was dressed as a homeless person might be dressed and hadn’t shaved in a long time. As she came near him, he looked straight at her and she was shocked to see intelligent grey eyes. She waved but he quickly ducked his head and looked away.

      Her heart went out to him hoping he was going to the shelters and getting food and a bed. He seemed to be in the general vicinity each time she saw him. She never got close enough to see much about him or to talk to him.

      She didn’t see him for a few days, and, since the weather was getting cooler, she hoped he was inside somewhere. He had previously played a guitar and sang. A few people were dropping coins in a box in front of him.

      On a Thursday, in late October, she was late starting her run because a stray dog had shown up at her door and she fed him and made a bed for him in her garage. She had left a bowl of water with the intention of going back during the day to check on him.

      She had run an oval through town and about a half mile outside of town through a less than desirable neighborhood. Crossing the street, she started running back. Between the first house in the neighborhood and the main street was an empty lot that was usually full of trash consisting of beer bottles, food containers and other trash. She saw a pile of clothing and thought someone had tossed trash out.

      It’s time we citizens took the responsibility of cleaning this eye sore up. I’ll see what that is and come back later with bags to pick up some of this.

      Jogging closer she was shocked to see a person inside the rags. Dropping to her knees beside the person, she felt for a pulse and was relieved to find one, weak, but there. She turned the body slightly and saw that the person was a man who had been beaten and apparently left for dead. Looking more closely she gasped when she recognized the homeless man that she had seen several days before at City Hall. His guitar and coin box were gone.

      Pulling her cell phone from a pocket she touched 9-1-1 and waited for help to come. Paramedics and police came. The officer that took the report seemed to be annoyed that she could not give him any information. One of the paramedics was a young woman who told Hannah they would take him to Seacoast Medical Center. Hannah told them she would go home to shower and dress and then be in to sign the papers as person responsible for the bills.

      “That’s a real nice woman,” the paramedic said.

      The officer grunted. “She can afford to be. Her grandfather left her a fortune and her husband was killed in an explosion that was caused by the carelessness of his employer. She got a nice sum from his death. She was working in a place that made software computer parts.

      “Well, I still say she’s a nice woman. I’ve heard how she gives to the needy and helps the underdog. She could have been selfish and stuck up and kept it all for herself.” The young woman jerked her head at the officer as if to say, “so there”.

      In the excitement Hannah had almost forgotten about the dog. He was obviously glad to see her and wanted to play and be friendly. He seemed to be healthy, but was a little thin as if he had not eaten lately.

      She called Jim Martin, a veterinarian friend and told him of the dog. “He’s young. I’m guessing him to be a little over a year old. He’s a black Labrador and still puppy playful. I’m feeding him and giving him water, but I’d like for you to check if he has a microchip.”

      ’Sure, Hannah. Bring him in. That tears me up. Some people move off and leave an animal behind because they can’t have one where they’re going. Or sometimes one is stolen and it gets away and wanders in a strange place bewildered and wondering why he isn’t loved. I’ll look at him for you. Are you going to keep him?”

      “No. I wish I could. He’s a darling, loving dog, but I’m not always here all day and sometimes I’m gone for several days. It wouldn’t be fair to an animal. Could you please help me find a good home for him?”

      “I’ll try. Have you named him?”

      “Oh, no. If I name him, it will be even harder to give him up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      She hugged and petted the dog for a minute and then apologized to him.

      “I’m sorry little man. I know I just got home, but duty calls and I have to go out again. You’ve been fed and have water and I’ve made you a nice soft bed here. I’ll even leave a stuffed toy with you. Please don’t tear it apart for I’ve had it for years. Be a good boy.”

      Hannah hurried into the medical center, her hair still damp from her shower. She had to stop at the main desk and fill out some papers that she would be