I've looked around and involuntarily sighed because I really did not want to end up in a dump like this. Some weird county in a middle of nowhere and this small town looked like it would not have any of the luxuries I have been used to. It was not ugly or dirty per se, just really out of the way of everything modern. Just few hundred people and their houses in the middle of wilderness. At least the hotel looked clean and somewhat stylish, but I did not expect to go clubbing tonight or do anything fun for that matter. I should have expected that from my work assignment, but girl should have at least some fun while working right?
Speaking of which I checked my phone again and brought up two files. One was about a man that got arrested in this town and was currently rotting in one of two jail cells they had available here. The other one was apparently chief of local police force -- and boy was he anything else than I expected to find here. Thirty years old, with chiseled jaw and grey eyes with hair that had ruggedly handsome quality. Maybe there will be some fun to have here after all.
***
"Mike, Mike, have you heard about the new girl?"
"What about the new girl?" I said calmly while still reading my morning newspaper.
"She checked in to a hotel wearing stunning dress, pair of high heels and sunglasses like some kind of a movie star. Or maybe a model."
"Please calm down Bob. We are not so far out of civilization that you never see a cute girl here. Please tell me that you did not bother her," I eyed him over the newspaper page. My deputy could be pretty awkward obnoxious at times, but he was a good guy and a good friend.
"I did not!" he puffed his chest. "I only greeted her and told her she was welcome to check out our town. But she did not look that impressed by me. She did, however, asked about where she could find you," he winked at me.
"Me, that is weird? Did she say what was it about?"
"No, not really, but I told her you would be at the station later today if she needs to sort out anything important."
"Well, she might as well, I will be stuck doing all the paperwork since you guys suck at it so much."
"You know, she is really hot."
"I have girlfriend Bob, do you remember?" I replied disapprovingly.
"Yeah? And how often does she return back from her travels? I swear she does not deserve you."
***
I was well in the second half of the giant stack of forms when the mysterious girl wandered into the station. She crossed the entrance hallway very slowly, so there was plenty of time to check her out and in the back of my mind I had to apologize to Bob. She really was stunning -- long blond hair and piercing blue eyes, maybe 5'2" looking very slim and petite, almost innocent at first glance. Elegant tight black dress and high heels were clear signal, that she knew very well how good she looked at the moment. I had to stop myself from staring at her hips too intently, because she swayed them lightly with each slow step.
Instead, my eyes shifted to her face and I had to admit that she really could have been a model or an actress. Beautiful symmetrical features, full lips and of course those deep blue eyes that were simply enchanting. Perfectly applied make up only accented her features without being too vulgar and her lipstick was a dark red shade with slight gloss that kept catching my eye. I have never been one to be easily swayed by pretty girls but right now I had to gather all my professionalism and tried to pretend that girls like that were everyday business here.
I almost pulled it off when she finally stepped close to security glass that separated front desk from visitors. It was far from air-tight and I suddenly breathed in something lovely and there was no question in my mind, that it is her fragrance, she smelled so exquisitely. I wanted to lean in closer, but at the same time some small alarm bell went off back in my mind. There was something wrong here, but I was not sure what it was precisely. I managed to pick up my coffee mug and get a big sip in me in the hopes it will clean up my head and the strong smell of cheap coffee helped somehow.
"Good afternoon miss, can I help you?" my question went out in a firm tone, so I was proud of myself.
"Just Linda will be fine, sir. And what should I call you?" she had a lovely voice also.
"I am Mike Henderson, chief of the police force here. But you already know that, since you have been asking about me in town."
"I am sorry sheriff, I just wanted to know where to find you," she shrugged apologetically and leaned closer to the window and I again got a hit with more of her perfume.
The fragrance was still beautiful, but it was somehow muted by the awful smell of coffee that I still held in my hand. And the alarm bells in my head started ringing even more. Instincts always served me well so I stepped back and looked at a paper from the stack while pretending to read it. It felt like she wanted to flirt with me but I was not going to give her a chance. She may have looked like a girl from any guy's dream, but I was pretty sure that she was trouble.
"Well now you have found me," I replied matter-of-factly looking back at her through the glass. "How can I help you?"
"Have I offended you somehow sheriff? Wouldn't you rather come out here to talk with me than stay hidden behind your glass?" she threw a dazzling smile my way.
"I am not a sheriff and no, not really. I have a ton of work to do and no time to spare. If you do not have anything to report, I will have to ask you to leave my station."
Her smile was replaced by confusion -- she looked really surprised that I denied her and was clearly processing what to do next. But only few seconds after that her face changed into hurt expression and she almost managed to get tears in her eyes. She was good, I was pretty sure she could play most guys with that, but I already saw through her. She was dangerous in a more than one way and I was going to keep eye on her until she leaves my town, but from a distance. But then, she pressed her face closer to the window in glass and whispered.
"Please sir, I did not want to be disrespectful. I really need your help," she started pleading and looked so apologetically, that I almost believed her.
"Okay," I sighed and came a little closer because I could not hear her properly. "Let me know what you want, but be quick about it."
"Thank you, sir. I apologize again for my previous behavior."
Her fragrance was very intense this close and as I was looking at her sad face, I suddenly started to feel ashamed and my hands were a little shaky. I was irritated with her a second ago, but now I was not sure why precisely. She had not committed any crimes and she apologized to me. Her eyes looked so beautiful up close and so inviting.
"It is okay, miss. No harm done, please let me know what can I do for you?"
