The Deputy's Baby. Tyler Anne Snell

looked across the top of the woman’s desk and was trying his best not to look petulant. He knew a very bad thing had happened the day before, but he didn’t want to get benched because of it. Not when he’d done nothing but key himself up with thoughts about his future in Riker County the night before. He knew change was inevitable, but that didn’t mean he had expected it to start so quickly after joining the department.

      “Listen, I get it, I really do,” he returned, trying. “I’m the new guy. It only makes sense that the sheriff’s case takes precedence over taking me around town and explaining the lay of the land. But isn’t there some way I can speed the process up? Maybe have someone write down the places I need to know and I can go when I’m off duty?”

      Suzy gave him a flat stare. She looked as tired as he felt. “The idea was to pair you with people who have grown up in the various towns and city in Riker County. It’s a process Billy started up when he was elected sheriff and one that I truly believe has helped every new addition to the team. Even support staff has been paired with one of us or a senior deputy to learn, as you said, ‘the lay of the land.’” She pointed to herself. “Billy and I were your guides along with Deputy Mills, but now... Well, now plans and priorities have shifted, and as much as I hate it for you, you’re going to be sitting at your desk until all the dust settles.”

      Henry didn’t like that. Not one bit. Billy might have stabilized, but regardless of his condition he wouldn’t be back to work for months. Which meant Suzy would hold the title of acting sheriff until then. Which meant there might be some shifting around of the deputies, picking up the things that might fall through the cracks of a sudden management shift.

      Which meant he might be saddled to his desk a lot longer than he wanted.

      “What about Cassie?” The words left his mouth out of desperation. It wasn’t until he saw them register in Suzy’s face that he himself wasn’t keen on the idea. Still, desperation bred desperation. He pushed on. “She’s not due back to work until next week, right? Maybe she wouldn’t mind showing me around, all things considered. I heard she grew up in the county.”

      Henry wasn’t about to say he’d heard that from the woman herself, months ago and in between the sheets at his hotel room. The bottom line was that he’d made a point. One Suzy seemed to be considering.

      “She spent a few years in Darby, but yeah, the bulk of her childhood wasn’t spent too far from where Billy and I grew up.” Suzy made a pyramid with her fingers, then tapped two of them together in thought. “Truth be told, I would like to get you out into the field sooner rather than later. I know Billy probably already told you this, but you’ve got an impressive résumé. I’d rather you use your skills out there trying to keep the county safe than stuck behind a desk.”

      Henry felt a stab of guilt in his gut. He was proud of his career, sure, but in his mind that career had all but died when his partner had. Being praised for any of it now felt wrong. It hadn’t mattered how good he was at reading people, how fast his reflexes were, and how good a shot he could be, at the end of the day, none of it had saved his friend.

      And if he couldn’t save Calvin, what made any of them think he could save anyone else?

      That thought scorched across his mind so quickly he nearly stood from his seat to distance himself from it. Doubting his role as a deputy would definitely get someone hurt. Even him.

      No. He needed to be ready for anything.

      That included Cassie Gates.

      “Let me give her a call and feel it out,” Suzy declared with a nod. She grabbed the phone but paused before picking it up. “But if she isn’t up for it, you’ll go to a desk until we can find someone else. Understood?”

      There was no malice or annoyance in the woman’s tone. Just a boss needing to make sure her charge was on the same page.

      And he was.

      “I won’t push the issue,” he said. “Scout’s honor.”

      She smirked at that and dialed Cassie’s number without another word. Henry was wondering if he should leave the room when a song started to play out in the hallway. They both looked to the open office door as the song got closer.

      “You rang?” Cassie said, popping her head into the room, surprising them both. At seeing Henry there, she faltered but finished her thought. “Or are ringing, I should say.” She held up her phone as Suzy hung up hers.

      “You’re here? Is everything all right?”

      Cassie nodded hurriedly. “Yeah, I just thought I’d bring in some lunch for everyone.” Her cheeks reddened a little. She groaned. “Which I left in the car. Because pregnancy brain is real.” Her eyes flitted to Henry’s. Instead of looking away, she held his stare. “I was also distracted by someone in the parking lot looking for you.”

      “For me?” Henry asked, once again surprised. Outside of the people who worked in the department, he’d made no friends in Riker County. He didn’t even know if he could give the people he worked with that title yet. Not to mention no one from his life in Tennessee even knew where he’d gone. At least, no one who would have bothered to visit. And surely if it had been his brother he would have called. “Who was it?”

      Cassie pulled a plastic bag from her purse and passed it over. “His name was Michael. He was at the Carter Home yesterday when you came by with Billy. He didn’t know your name but knew you were the new deputy.” She shrugged. “He was in a hurry, so I said I’d make sure you got it.”

      There was curiosity in her voice. Henry heard it plain as day. Yet it paled in comparison to his own.

      He looked at the bag between his fingers. He didn’t open it. He’d recognize the ring anywhere. A warmth that had no business belonging to him started to spread in his memory. Just as quickly it turned ice cold. He looked back to Cassie. If her expression was any indication, she’d caught on to the unwelcome change in his demeanor. Apparently she wasn’t the only one.

      “Deputy,” Suzy said, breaking their stare, “what’s wrong?”

      Henry met his boss with an even look that he hoped gave nothing away but the facts. He held up the bag. “The last time I saw this ring was a year ago.” That cold feeling began to spread as he took a moment before finishing. “It belonged to Calvin Fitzgerald.”

      By the change in her demeanor, Henry knew Suzy recognized the name. And why it was significant.

      “A year ago...” she said, fishing.

      Henry took the bait.

      “The day of the fire,” he offered. “The day he died.”