“Not long.”
I nodded. “Your detail is up. I’ll be speaking with your superiors soon, and next time, don’t let yourself be sent off this way. Last question what’s the precinct?”
“BR1047. Hollis and Woodshire.”
“Good. I’ll meet you there.” I walked off, not giving him any time to speak again. I briskly moved toward my car, adding one more stop to the list of things I needed to do before I retired home to my man.
After studying the plate number, I pulled out of the alley and cut a left on a side street before merging onto Hollis. I arrived at the station in seconds, not even parking my car. Instead, I hazarded right out front, hopped out, and popped the locks. I wouldn’t be here long.
I was aware of the hierarchy of a police building, so my first stop was the desk sergeant who I didn’t greet. Instead I flashed my badge and demanded the captain of the precinct immediately.
The desk sergeant got on her phone while three other officers in the vicinity watched in awe.
“Captain Charles will see you now.” She pointed toward the back where a door was open and a short stocky man stood looking in my direction.
Calmly, I walked to his office, eyes piercing before I entered and he closed the door behind me.
He took a seat, looking me over. “Is there something I can help you with Agen?—”
“Pierce.” I paused, then gave his office a quick glance. He had pictures of people everywhere, a family man I assumed.
“Whatever curiosity Sergeant Nick Morrow has regarding me needs to end immediately. The next time I find a patrol unit trailing me without proper cause or paperwork, this conversation leaves this building. Take this as a courtesy because I won’t be so forthcoming next time and neither will my superiors.”
He looked confused. “I’m sorry, Agent Pierce. I was unaware.”
“As was the rookie patrolman following me. License plate number BR2147X.”
He immediately began typing. “Again, Agent Pierce, I apologize for the inconvenience. Rest assured it will be handled immediately.”
I nodded then turned to open the door and leave. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Captain.” I was gone that fast and moving to get into my car. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hit Sergeant’s ass with a mean left but I had to handle him a different way than I would have anybody else crossing boundaries. I was trying to build a life here and the last thing I needed was for my cultured recklessness to create an unnecessary situation.
By the timeI reached the pawn shop, the sun was exiting the sky and the day had died down. I found a park right out front and just sat in my car for a moment. Sometimes, with the way my mind flowed, I needed a moment to breathe.
After that moment, I exited my car, moving to the entrance of my father’s shop. As normal, he was behind the counterinspecting something while old school blues played in the background.
“If it ain’t my daughter. Heard that engine roaring earlier and just knew it was you.”
I laughed. “I don’t rev it that much.”
He laughed. “Shidd. That’s why I wouldn’t let you behind the wheel of my Caddy when you were younger. You liked to test speed even back then.” He set whatever he was inspecting down and moved to the shelf. He returned a second later and handed me a gold envelope.
“Somebody must be suing you,” he said out of nowhere.
“Not that I know of.” I inspected the envelope with my name on it before I opened it. I reached inside and pulled out a set of keys and a stack of papers. I was confused, but when I inspected the paperwork, I knew exactly what it was. Adela had transferred her business assets and building into my name. In front of the state-signed paperwork was an envelope with my name in her handwriting.
“Well, what is it? Don’t keep an old man in suspense.” My father’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“Adela left me her business.” I set the stack of legal papers down and began opening the envelope.
“Let me see that.” He reached for those papers just as my eyes locked on the handwritten letter. I felt my heartbeat in my throat. Something told me this was one of those Dear John letters. The one I probably should have waited until I got home to read, but didn’t.Curiosity killed the cat.
The letter read:
Liora Pierce, the sister my mother and father never blessed me with. I thank you for your friendship and most of all your presence. Before you came back I was alone in that damn range, going out of my mind and stuck in my ways. Then you came, more stuck in your ways than I could ever be.
I decided not to come back to Briar South because I’m dying, Liora. I refuse to die there. I refuse to die all alone because I was so stuck in my ways that I didn’t see what was on the other side of the wall. Don’t be like me. Don’t give all you got until you find yourself alone with nowhere to turn. Don’t forget to live. And damn sure don’t forget to love.
All the paperwork for the range and my house have been signed over. Nope, I didn’t need your signature, especially ’cause I didn’t have any kids or anybody who would fight you for rights. Anyways, all you gotta do is get yourself qualified, pass the background check, and update the license… all things I know you know.
