This story is part of an ongoing series.
The chronological order of my stories is now listed in WifeWatchman's biography.
Feedback and
constructive
criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas.
This story contains graphic scenes, language and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racial language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above.
Part 1 - Prologue
"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Fox Two News!" shouted the lovely redheaded MILF reporterette from in front of City Hall at 7:00am, Friday, April 27th. "Fox Two news has learned that the Ward Harvester Park opening ceremonies will be held Sunday, May 6th!"
"After the Christmas Eve explosion that destroyed the main warehouse and offices and several other buildings, Mr. Thaddeus Ward declared that he would not rebuild the facility, but would turn the area into a public park dedicated to those who have served the Town & County in the Police and Fire Departments. Plans for the ceremonies are not being disclosed, but sources tell Fox Two News that a statue will be unveiled, dedicated to our Peace Officers and remembering Captain Teresa Croyle's heroism in rescuing young Carole Troy!"
"In other local news," said Bettina, "politicians from the region and the State will be pouring into our Town & County, as the Police Department's Promotions and Medals Day is going to be one of the biggest in some time! Fox Two News has confirmed that Damien Thompson will be promoted to full Captain as he takes the role of Public Relations Officer, making him the first Person of Color to become a Police Captain in Town or County history!"
"There will also be other promotions and awards," said Bettina, "and Commander Donald Troy has invited elementary schoolchildren as well as the Senior Citizens of the Veasley Community Center to attend. He did not elaborate on what he has planned."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Aw, that's awesome!" gushed Detective Joanne Cummings Warner. "Do you know what they're going to unveil, Captain?"
"No." said Teresa. "That was the first I've heard of it---"
*BOOM!* *BANG!* *WHUMP!*
"What the heck?" asked Joanne. Teresa was already moving towards the door to the hallway.
Workers were moving furniture out of my office, in this case the sofa-bed that Cindy always sat on. Helena, Cindy, and I had removed the drawers with files in them from our desks and put them in the empty office next to the Chief's, on the left side as opposed to the Chief's conference room on the right side of his office. I'd also removed everything from the walls that could be removed, as well as my personal mementoes.
The workers had not removed the most very heavy mattress from the sofa-bed and they were struggling with it. Captain Croyle gave them some remedial instruction, and also told them to be a lot more careful, lest they damage a wall or door frame and thus give us a real repair job to have to fix.
And then Captain Marc Aaron came down the hall. As he was in charge of Physical Properties, Teresa let him supervise what was looking like a near-disaster, and went back to MCD. Jerome Davis poured her some coffee.
"Thanks, I need this." Teresa said. "Maybe spiked with something. No wonder Commander Troy took the day off and got far away from here."
"Are they renovating Captain Ross's old office, too?" asked Joanne, in a sneaky and less-than-subtle attempt to gain intel on who the next Captain of Detectives might be.
"Not until Sunday." said Captain Aaron, coming into the room. Jerome poured him some coffee into one of the disposable cups. "Wow, strong." said Aaron. "Were you in the Navy, Davis?" Everyone broke out laughing, and Jerome grinned.
"My dad was, retired Chief Petty Officer." Davis said proudly. "He knew how to make coffee, and taught me, sir."
"No doubt." Captain Aaron said. "Yes, as I was saying, we're doing Commander Troy's office first, then the Deputy Chief's office. We'll renovate the Captain's office on Sunday."
"And none of you had better be here on Sunday." Teresa warned. "Unless there's a huge case brewing."
"Here? In
this
County?" Joanne asked, as if totally stunned. "No one
ever
commits a huge crime
here!
" Everyone laughed. Even Captain Aaron understood the underlying sarcastic humor in Joanne's joke...
Part 2 - Flashback: Winter Heat
Saturday, January 13th. While the TCPD dealt with the 'Lost Drone' case, Phyllis Troy was shopping at the Mall northwest of Town. She was wearing a snug, form-fitting sweater that showed off her large breasts and saucy shape, and stockings and snug-fitting black boots that looked good on her shapely legs. Her silver-gray hair, somewhat enhanced with frosting, was cut in a way to frame her pretty face, hanging straight (not curly) down the sides of her cheeks.
As she walked out of a store, she saw a young man peer over at her, his eyes liking what he saw. Then he began walking up to her. He was blonde, in good shape, and handsome. He was wearing a sweater and blue jeans that enhanced his hard male ass.
"Hi." he said to her as he came up. "Weren't you that Detective in the Jeremy Moreland case?" (
Author's note: 'The Knave of Jacks', Ch. 01.
)
"Yes, I was." said Phyllis, recognizing him and remembering. "How are you, Carl?"
"Good, Detective... er, Troy." Carl said. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
"Sure," said Phyllis, "but call me 'Phyllis'..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As they sat at a table in the hallway outside the coffee shop, Phyllis said "So how are things in your life, Carl?"
"Okay." said Carl. "Stella had her baby, a boy. I told her I was ready to help raise him and be a father to him, but she went to live with her parents. They tried to get a restraining order against me. I didn't have much money, but a guy who is a lawyer helped me out to stop that and get me some visitation rights. The restraining order was squelched, but no visitation. I can't even see my own son."
"That's too bad." said Phyllis. "But it's very good that the restraining order was crushed. That could've followed you around as you try to get jobs."
"And it definitely would've stopped me from getting a concealed carry permit." replied Carl. "That's why I fought it so hard. Anyway, I've been paying the lawyer what I can every month, and that'll be over in two months."
"That's very honorable of you." said Phyllis. "So what work are you doing? You've graduated from School?"
"Yes, in December." said Carl. "I was a broadcast journalism major; I did those theater plays on the side. I got lucky; I know Nick Eastwood pretty well, and he helped me get on with KXTC. I do a lot of the prep for the sets, and write some of the news scripts for the 6:00pm broadcast."
"Are you dating anyone?" Phyllis asked, giving the young man a flirtatious look, and feeling as well as seeing him look at her with desire in his eyes.
"Not seriously." Carl said. "It's hard to find women that I like that will date me. I prefer... more mature women, women that know what they're doing. Trying to date a woman my age in this day and age isn't worth the effort, sometimes."
"Well, a handsome young man like you should have no trouble finding women of any age to date." said Phyllis.
"Including you?" asked Carl, taking Phyllis's hand in his. "How about dinner tonight."
"Maybe next weekend." Phyllis said. "By the way, where are you living right now?"
Carl got the hint. "An apartment across from Campus." he said. "Why don't I show it to you..."