Chapter Thirty-Nine
Two months later
Breanna stood withher hand on the doorknob, willing herself to turn it and go inside. This was the first time she’d been back to the office since the incident with Special Agent Raley. She’d followed the doctor’s orders to a T, and when he gave her the green light to return to her job, she’d had mixed feelings. On one hand, she’d been bored out of her mind, but on the other, she was afraid the memories of that night would incapacitate her from doing her job.
She concentrated on breathing deeply, visualizing her body relaxing and all anxiety flowing out of her. She swallowed hard and turned the knob. A blast of frosty air covered her, and she glanced around the room. Except for new carpet, the room looked just like it had a short two months before.
“You’re back,” Joel’s familiar voice washed over her. “I wasn’t sure if you were ever coming back.” He smiled weakly at her. His gaze was tentative.
“I was just waiting for the doctor to clear me. Has it been crazy busy around here?”
“Yep. Janet and I have been slammed. We’re glad you’re back. The department kept telling us they’d send over a temp, but they never did. So, you can see it’s the same song and dance.” He pulled out a paper cup from the dispenser, filled it with cold water, and drank it in one gulp. “You got a stack of cases waiting for you on your desk.”
She chuckled. “It’s comforting to know some things never change.”
He threw the cup in the trash. “I still can’t believe that Raley was the one orchestrating the drug and food stamp schemes. I never saw that one.”
Breanna shook her head. “Neither did I.”
“And he just took off. It’s strange, though, because he left all this incriminating evidence behind. He even left his laptop.”
“Really? That is strange.” She rubbed her arms and looked around. “Is Agent Powers still here?”
Joel nodded. “I think he’s transferring to Indiana next week. He closed the case on the food stamp fraud. It turned out that Roy’s Market was involved. You called that one.”
“Breanna! How are you?” Janet rushed over and hugged her warmly. “You’re looking great. It’s so good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back. I wasn’t sure at first, but now I am.”
Janet gripped her hand. “I bet it’s strange being here after the ordeal you went through.” She lowered her voice and leaned into Breanna. “And to think Agent Raley was doing all those horrible things and acting like he was Mister Cop of the Year.”
“And making us sit through all those bullshit meetings. He should get life in prison just for that,” Joel said as the two of them laughed.
“Welcome back, Breanna.” Agent Powers nodded at her.
“Thank you,” she said as her gaze scanned his. His face looked paler and thinner than the last time she’d seen him. “I hear this is your last week.”
“It is.” He licked his lips, then walked over to the water cooler and filled up a paper cup. After downing it, he crushed the cup in his hands and threw it in the trash. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about what happened to you. You know, with Raley and all that.”
She smiled. “It wasn’t your fault. Anyway, I’m doing fine, and the drug and food stamp problems are finished, so that’s a good thing.”
“Well… they’re curbed for now.” He ran his fingers through his short hair. “That’s the best we can hope for. I always feel angry and disgusted when a fellow officer betrays the badge.” He crossed his arms, and she and her fellow coworkers watched him. He shrugged and then walked out of the room.
Breanna exhaled and straightened her shoulders. “I guess I better get to my desk and start to tackle the stack of files Joel warned me about.” Janet and Joel snickered as they trailed behind her.
When she passed Raley’s old office, a shiver ran down her spine. Shaking her head as if to dislodge any unpleasant images, she went to her cubicle. Eyeing the pile of manila folders, she smiled broadly.It’s sure good to be back.
***
When Steel cameout of Get Inked, his eyes landed on Sheriff Wexler reclining against the squad car, his arms folded across his chest. Steel clenched his jaw as he approached the lawman.
“How’s business?” The sheriff jerked his chin toward the tattoo shop.
“Good.” Steel took the keys to his Harley out of his pocket. He walked toward his bike parked in front of Wexler’s SUV.
“Everything going okay with you?”
Steel narrowed his eyes. “Cut the shit, Wexler. What do you want?”
