Page 28 of Cooper’s Passion

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Carrying a serving tray laden with yogurt, fruit, pastries, and a selection of water and sodas, Cooper entered his office. He’d picked up the food from the H lounge, the Scanguards lounge meant for human employees and visitors, while Anita was making phone calls. She was still on the phone.

“I could have prevented this,” Anita said into the phone, sounding agitated and louder than what he was used to from her. There was a short pause, then she added, “No, Dad. You just never wanted to believe me. You have no confidence in me. I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m a cop. A good one. But you can’t handle that, can you?”

Cooper placed the tray in front of her, and she looked at him.

“Let me talk to him,” Cooper murmured and reached for the receiver of his landline.

With a huff, Anita handed it to him. “He’s infuriating.”

Cooper kissed her on the forehead, before he pressed the speaker button and put the phone back on the cradle. “Sheriff Diaz? I’m Cooper Montgomery. I work with the SFPD.”

“Officer Montgomery,” Sheriff Diaz replied.

Cooper didn’t correct him. He’d mentioned the SFPD on purpose, and he hadn’t lied. He indeed worked with the SFPD, just not for them.

“Is it true what my daughter is saying? Janet Fillmore was found murdered in San Francisco?”

Anita looked annoyed, gesturing toward the speaker, whispering. “See what I have to deal with?”

“Yes, sir, every single word. We found Mrs. Fillmore dead last night. And if it hadn’t been for your daughter, she would still be a Jane Doe. We’re immensely grateful to her for her diligent police work.”

“Hmm. Well, we trained her well here in Elko County.”

Anita’s mouth gaped open, and Cooper could see that she was about to hurl an insult at her father for taking credit for her work. But Cooper put a finger to her lips and shook his head. A shouting match would help nobody and only damage Anita’s relationship with her father even further.

“Yes, Ms. Diaz is an exceptional law enforcement officer.” He put his arm around Anita and pulled her to his side. He felt her relax in his arms.

“But this talk about a serial killer,” the sheriff said, “that can’t possibly be true. That must be an exaggeration.”

“I’m afraid it’s not,” Cooper said firmly and held Anita’s gaze. She looked at him with gratitude. “I’ve looked at the evidence your daughter has collected, and I have to agree with her. There’s a serial killer on the loose. And I have reason to believe that he’s in San Francisco.”

“Oh.” The sheriff appeared to be taken aback by his statement. “Well, that’s, uhm… I guess she was right after all.”

It sounded like it was hard for him to make that admission.

“Sheriff, I know your daughter is currently on vacation, but I’d like her to work with us on this case until we’ve apprehended the suspect.”

“Is that what she wants?”

“Yes, Dad!” Anita said firmly. “I have more knowledge about this serial killer than anybody else. And I saw Janet disappear.”

Cooper snapped his gaze to her. “You saw her with the killer?”

“Yeah, sorry, forgot to mention it. I’ll give you the details after this.” She motioned to the phone.

“Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t believe you,” Sheriff Diaz said, his voice softer now.

Anita sighed, looking much calmer than at the beginning of this conversation. “It’s all right, Dad. I probably wouldn’t have believed myself either.”

“What can I do from here? I should call Janet’s husband.”

“I’ve already spoken to him,” Anita said. “I told him we’ll be in touch regarding the transport of the body once it’s been released.”

“I should have known you already thought of that.”

Cooper exchanged a look with Anita, who now rolled her eyes. Her father was switching from disbelief to praise so quickly that they were both getting whiplash.