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“Good afternoon,” the man answered back, reaching for Fleet’s information. “Do you know why I stopped you?”
Fleet wanted so badly to throw out something sarcastic, but he bit his tongue. “I have no idea, sir,” he responded politely.
“I understand this is a rental, but the registration decal on the plate is expired.” He unfolded the registration papers Fleet had provided, and… “Ah. Here it is,” the cop snorted. “They renewed, but somebody at the agency forgot to put the sticker on your plate.”
Fleet let his shoulders relax just slightly. The officer didn’t seem combative.
“Let’s just put this on. Then I’ll write the rental company a citation, and you can be on your way.”
Now Fleet let out a relieved sigh. “That sounds good. You want me to do it?”
“No problem. I’m already here. It’ll only take me a minute.”
The officer went to the back of the car and squatted, affixing the proper decal.
“See?” Talia said almost smugly. “Not only was he a professional, he’s also a nice guy.”
Fleet didn’t want to say that once upon a time, something like this would have been an anomaly in the city of his birth, but he knew he’d simply end up sounding bitter, so he agreed.
“Yup. A nice guy.”
“Don’t smile so widely,” Talia goaded. “Your face might crack.” She took another look at him and relented. “Fleet honey, I know this place gives you the skeeves, but try to keep an open mind, yes? It’s been sixteen years since you’ve been here. A lot can happen in that amount of time.”
Fleet didn’t want to disagree, and Talia might just be right. He’d try to be more receptive to the idea that things could have changed for the better.
“All set,” the officer told him, approaching again to hand back Fleet’s credentials along with a ticket for the rental agency. “I see you’re from Maine.” He bent down and tipped his hat at Talia. “Are you here for business or pleasure,” he asked.
Here we go, thought Fleet. Pulled over for a minor infraction, then grilled for any nefarious intent.
Fleet answered through stiff lips. “I actually grew up here,” he said. “We’re helping my parents pack so they can move to Maine near us.”
“Wow. They’re going to miss the mild winters here,” the cop replied conversationally. He shook his head. “I don’t think I’d be able to brave all that snow.”
Oddly, Fleet couldn’t see the conversation taking any dire turns, so he responded spontaneously. “It’s not so bad. And the skiing is a real plus.”
“You can have it,” the officer countered. “Between that, the moose and the bears…”
Talia leaned over and chimed in. “Don’t start on bears,” she teased. “Wasn’t I just reading about them becoming more prevalent here, even in the city?”
“Yeah. We’ve had a few calls. But I tell you what. The next one we catch, I’ll ship it up to you.”
Talia laughed easily. “Nah. Just keep it. We have plenty.”
The man actually gave them a jaunty salute and chuckled. “It was nice to meet you two. Enjoy your stay,” he told them, and walked away.
“Shit. Did that just happen?” Fleet questioned the interaction.
“It did. And hah!” Talia returned. “You see? Not all cops suck.”
“Fine. First point to you. But don’t gloat too hard. I’m sure your bubble will be burst before too long.”
“Cynic,” she teased.
“Idealist,” Fleet countered with cheekiness, but he couldn’t help feeling a little more upbeat. He’d had his first run-in with Huntsville’s finest, and it had gone well.
Five minutes later, he pulled up to the house in the historic district where he’d spent so many years. His mother emerged from the good-sized bungalow style home, his father on her heels.
“Fleet! Talia!” she exclaimed excitedly. “It’s so good to see you.”
