An Angel To Watch Over Her
What about the devil inside?
By Aoife
A/N - As I look to challenge myself, I was intrigued by the
Pandemonium 2024 writer's challenge
. I present my attempt in the Non-Human category. Though I don't think I am very skilled as a writer, I do try and I do enjoy it. This idea came to me one early morning over my second favorite morning ritual, coffee. Here is my pseudo take on promising your soul and getting what you want.
Though this story is posted to the Non-Human category, this story does contain Sapphic love and exclusively lesbian sexual activity. If this type of story isn't to your liking, I understand and I appreciate you stopping by.
This storyline as well as the characters and names are purely fictional. If there is a chance of any misrepresentation of reality, it is pure coincidence and not intended.
I can not thank Nicole enough for her work and edits. Props to her and for tolerating me. Any mistakes you see are mine; these eyes aren't what they used to be.
*****
Sgt. Mary Alice Barnes stood in front of the Chief of Police. Her Captain and her Lieutenant were also present but stood off to the side. It had been a long night. A long stressful night as she completed just over two hours of paperwork and then the almost hour long interrogation.
She knew it was a good shoot. The piece of shit, drug dealing, and local gang member thug was threatening the poor woman, Maria Elise. He had a gun on her as she stood behind the counter of the Dairy Mart Xpress store. Maria Elise had always been kind to Mary Alice when she would stop in for her coffee. This was a good shoot, it was a justified shoot. In Mary Alice's perspective and her professional judgment as a tenured law enforcement officer, there were no questions in her mind.
"Chief Gibbins," Sgt. Mary Alice Barnes spoke. "This is a good shoot. This bastard was robbing her, again! This piece of shit meth head needed to be put down as soon as he pulled the trigger killing Maria Elise."
The Chief held his hand up which silenced Sgt. Barnes immediately. "Department and City policy seven days administrative duties pending a full investigation."
"Aww come on Chief that is bullshit and you fucking know it." She raised her voice louder and louder as she spoke.
She turned to her Captain as he spoke. "Sgt. Barnes, you need time off. These things have to cool, you just can't go back on the street, not yet."
She looked between the two, the Chief and her Captain. Then she turned to her mentor, her longtime friend, they had served together in the Marines Corps, and they knew each other.
"Nate, tell them this is bullshit. Tell them this white fucking scum threatened and when he shot Maria Elise killing her. I followed my steps and the use of force guidelines, the fucker shot her then turned on me. It is a justifiable fucking shoot!"
Lieutenant Nathaniel Peters knew it was a good shoot. He trusted Mary Alice now, just like he trusted her then as a Military Police Officer in the Marine Corps during OIF.
He spoke firmly but directly at her. "Sgt. we must investigate this, you know that." He turned to the Chief, "I recommend a supervised or at a minimum unsupervised with daily check in leave of absence. Sgt. Barnes has too much vacation time saved up."
The Chief looked up at the Lieutenant. "Go on?"
"I have a friend; she is ABI, Alabama Bureau of Investigations. She and I collaborated on a few things in between my discharge from the Marines and me coming here. I can make a call and have Sgt. Barnes take a week away while the investigation is going on. This way, she stays out of town, away from here, and is supervised."
Lieutenant Peters turned to Sgt. Barnes. "Or stay here held up in your condo and be watched while this works out. I know you don't want that."
All Marie Alice heard was the one single word from the deep baritone voice of the Chief; 'Done', the decision was made.
*****
Monday Morning
It took two days for her to get the flight book, and her stuff packed. So yes, two fast paced days later she exited the rideshare and stepped into the airport. She checked her bag at the kiosks of her favorite airline, the one with the 'Open Seating' policy. She stepped to the counter, with her checked bag, her backpack, gun case, and all of her documents in hand.
The agent smiled at her, "Well Officer Barnes everything looks in order; welcome. I will let the Gate Agent know you will have your carry-on case. I am sure you are aware you must turn it over to the Gate Agent when you board the plane. They will stow your case with the Captain."
Mary Alice nodded, she knew the routine. She had flown with her personal firearm before. She put away her Real ID, her CCP, and her phone and made her way to TSA. Getting through TSA was not an issue at all. She handed the agents her documents, having everything in order. She was just pulled to the side and walked to the secure screening area where all professional courtesies were extended.
She then made her way to the gate area, the case now in her backpack over her shoulder, and made her way to the coffee shop for a coffee and bagel, waiting on her flight to Nashville and then the two-hour ride off to Huntsville Alabama.
Just five hours later, Sgt. Mary Alice Barnes came to a stop in front of the address which she plugged into her phone maps app. She put the rental car in park. She checked the app address once more then sent her Lieutenant a text. 'Are you sure this is the right address?' Sgt. Barnes snapped the address and sent it as well.
'Yes Mary Alice, trust me please?'
I responded, ensuring that I trusted Nate implicitly, and that I was safe and sound at the address that he had provided. It was less than thirty seconds later that the expansive front door opened and out stepped a very tall athletic looking woman.
Mary Alice was slow to exit her rental car but left it parked on the street. She stood looking upon the front of the house. She could only describe it as pure southern charm. The front of the home exuded charm and warmth. It was set back a bit from the road. The front yard was spacious. There were blooming flowers surrounding the three smaller trees on the left. There was a beautiful row of trimmed hedges which lined the left side. The lawn was the greenest she had ever seen. The sidewalk was inviting and led straight to the front porch.
The wide front porch spanned the entire width of the house, and sturdy white columns dotted the four corners. Three rocking chairs and a settee all white as well were placed perfectly for sitting and enjoying conversation.
I heard her footsteps as her sandals crunched the ground rock and pebbles of the driveway. It shook me from my daydream. "Welcome, I am Janie. Janie Angelea Pearson. Nate just sent a text. I thought I should come greet you."
Now I'm not sure if 'shockingly beautiful' would properly describe her. She was so much more. Janie was tall but as she walked she exuded grace and elegance. She appeared to be a beautiful runway model. She stood well over me, at least a full head taller. I stepped back slightly as her presence immediately dominated my thoughts and held my tongue and lips closed.
Goodness, she was so beautiful. Her hair is long and dark, the darkest chestnut brown hair I have ever seen. There was sheen to it and as she moved her hair flowed effortlessly, I was amazed. I was then immediately drawn to her eyes. They were bright, shiny, and a deep, deep brown as well. Even more amazing was the tone of her skin. It was sun-kissed to perfection. There was just a tiny bit of makeup. Her darker eyelashes were thick. I found her eyes hypnotizing. My heart was fluttering; she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.
I was shook from my gaze when she smiled again and touched my hand. "My apologies Janie, thank you for your hospitality. When Nathanial suggested ..."
I paused, that wasn't the truth, he demanded almost. "When he forcibly suggested that I take a break, a supervised break. I really wasn't certain that I needed a vacation until I got on the airplane."
Janie smiled and still hadn't let go of my hand. "Come on up, let's have some iced tea. We can unpack your car later when it cools and after dinner, we can relax with a glass of wine and chat some more."
Janie walked me into her home, the hall and foyer were painted a soft wheat color and the beach scenery paintings which were placed perfectly on the walls drew me in deeper to this escape from reality. The accent pieces on the hall table matched perfectly. In the corner was a tall black colored umbrella stand. It reminded me of my grandmother's house.
We walked into what she called the sunroom. It was through the hall, through the main living room and off the back of the house. There were two padded rocking chairs, a sofa, and an ornate camel back seat. On the side table was a pitcher of iced tea with mint already in it. It was floor to ceiling windows all the way around. Magnificent thin sheers hung from the ceiling and appeared they could be closed if needed.
"Please have a seat and tell me about the horrific life being from Pennsylvania." She offered me the rocker or the sofa, so I decided on the rocking chair. As I sat she poured me a tall glass of iced tea, and then sat on the rocker next to mine.
"I hope you don't mind sweet mint tea. It's a favorite of mine."
I smiled in gracious appreciation. I went on to tell her a little bit about life as a seasoned female police officer living in the city. I did 'okay' and went on to explain that I was glad that spring was turning into summer. I really wasn't a fan of winter. I commented at one point, she smiled and winked at me agreeing with me. I told her a little bit about my family. I was an only child from a broken home, truly raised by my grandmother, and that my grandfather had died serving in the Marine Corps.
