Under my breath I confess to him, “Just thinking about last night, Washington.”
“What’d you do last night?”
“Ask your mother.”
He guffaws so loudly it turns heads, inspiring smiles from desk-cops who wish they’d heard what was so funny. He tells my grin, “I knew you’d get me back for that. What I didn’t know was how soon you’d pounce!”
“My dad always says, an element of surprise must be maintained.”
We stroll out of here, but not before I share a heated glance with parole officer Adams. Those breasts would make a grown man kneel down and bark if she was naked and asked him to.
I know.
I did.
It was a low, deep bark right into her…
“Stop right there Cocker!”
Washington waits with me as we’re approached by the woman in charge — Chief Linda Fiore — a muscular female you wouldn’t want to mess with in an argument or a fight. Not only could she kick the asses of most men I know, but her razor-sharp tongue can make your intellect feel smaller than the pre-cum on your cock.
My smirk defies my better judgement. “Yeah, Chief? Not sure if I heard it right, but I think you called my name.”
Or shouted it.
But whatever.
“Drop the smile, Cocker. I’m not in the mood.”
“It’s a permanent fixture.” We stare at each other and I drop the smirk. “What do you need?”
Since we’re in earshot of the desks, she marches to her office.
It’s implied we’re to follow.
Washington and I exchange a wary look, wondering what’s up. As my partner, he’s privy to anything the Chief’s got to say.
In her office he controls his natural strength, the click quiet as he shuts the door.
Fiore assumes a strong stance behind her semi-messy desk. She just transferred in two months ago when our old Chief moved to Florida to care for his ailing mother. Guess Fiore’s still not caught up with the workload he left.
“Being a police officer is about protecting and serving the people of our city. I take this very seriously.”
“So do I. About the smirk…it’s who I am—”
“—A badge isn’t a way to achieve stardom, Cocker.”
I blink, “Sorry?”
“I don’t find your fan club amusing. I’ve no doubt your enormous ego loves it, but put a stop to it.”
I look at Washington.
He shrugs.
I turn back. “Sorry Chief, you lost me.”
Her glare shifts to the screen where she points out a social media website with a group page titled: “Cocky Cop.”
My lips fall open and I step up, click around, curiosity through the pressed-tin ceiling. Washington is also craning to look at candid photographs in themed posts.
Pull OverPlease hosts images where I’m issuing tickets on various roads within our beat.
Coffee Time is me with my morning caffeine fix — in line, shaking two packs of sugar into a steaming cup, or carrying one to our navy-blue patrol car often while sliding sunglasses into place, trademark smirk where it should be.
Drive Copper Drive is, of course, me behind the wheel.
Washington mutters, “Damn, those zoom lenses on phones have gotten so good.”
We glance to the sound of steam pouring from Fiore’s nostrils like a cartoon character only scary.
“How is it that an entire police force was unaware until this morning of this ridiculous website? Not only did nobody know about this bullshit, but my best detectives have no clue that one of my deputies is under surveillance by civilians twenty-four-fucking-seven.”
Washington jokes, “We should get these women on the payroll. Looks like some men, too.” His smile evaporates under her stare. “I was just uh…sorry, Chief.”
She shuts down the screen. “We aren’t a circus. It’s bad enough I’ve got female officers ogling your every move when you’re at the station, distracted from work, but now my force is mocked by a following reserved for half-naked models?!”
My eyes narrow.
I cross my arms, needing time to process this.
Sucking on her teeth for a couple tense seconds, Fiore sizes me up, weighing options. “I can’t fire you for your looks or that blasted smirk you’re so fond of, but watch yourself, Cocker. I want you off of my force. One false move, and you’re out. Let’s see how much they love you then. Go.”
“I’m a good cop!”
“This is bigger than you.”
“It’s about me!”
“What we are doing here as police officers is bigger than you and your fanbase! Now go!”
My chest bursts into flames. “Fine. I’m gone.”
Washington’s pace is slower, and I beat him to daylight. I tear keys from my pocket and throw them across the lot, skipping over hoods of cars before clattering onto boiling asphalt.
Washington takes his place at my side. “You gonna get those?”
“You get ‘em.”
“You’re outta your damn mind,” he chuckles, leaning on our car and crossing his arms. “I’m waiting.”
CHAPTER 2
SAME TIME ACROSS TOWN
DIANA
With her slow and gentle southern drawl, May Cocker begins, “When I was your age, I was married to the most handsome man who ever walked this great green Earth!” May’s blue eyes are so bright it gives her a youthful appearance, despite being born over a hundred years ago.
Residents of Silver Linings Senior Living facility tend to start stories with when I was your age — a charming commonality I never tire of. While placing boardgames back on the common room’s overcrowded shelves, I chuckle, “He was really that cute, huh?”
“Diana, my Jerald was exceptional and he knew it!” Her smile becomes private while she stares at his memory.
Afternoon naps were calling to most of the seniors, but not May. She and her friend, Alice, normally remain talking for another hour or so here while we leave them to it. It’s not a mandatory sleep-period, merely an option, and they prefer to spend it together. May has so much enthusiasm for life. Her friend, the same.
But today Alice wasn’t feeling well and opted to go to her room after lunch, skipping game-hour altogether.
Lucky me.
I get rare alone-time with the woman whose sharp mind, knowing blue eyes, and sweet drawl have made her my
