Page 54 of Beneath Still Waters

She shook Kevin’s and Heath’s hands. “Don’t be strangers.”

Kevin said, “We’re heading back to the field office in Denver tomorrow. Our time in Piper’s Ridge is done.”

Maddie’s lips went flat. “All good things must come to an end.”

Ferd backed away from the conversation. It hit a little too close to home. Which good thing would be coming to an end for her?

FORTY-TWO

The sergeant’s office was far too cold. Ferd shivered as she waited for him to return. This felt like a setup. Make the rookie sweat. It was working. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Hunter at a desk in the administrative section. Typing and scowling. He hadn’t noticed her yet.

Was he on administrative leave? Hunter never would’ve agreed to a desk job unless he was forced to. What caused that? She blinked twice as Sergeant Cooper returned and set a file down on the desk.

“Sorry I wasn’t prepared.” He shuffled around to his chair and sat down heavily, making the chair squeal loudly.

“It’s fine.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. “Did you get my notes earlier? I also brought copies today. Just in case.” She ran her fingers along the fold of the three letters, one from each doctor she’d been seeing.

“You look like you’ve been run through a washer. What happened to you?” He nodded toward the bandage around her neck.

She could lie. It would help her keep her career. One she’d worked hard to get. But her faith wouldn’t allow her to do that.Even the consideration was momentary. “I was recruited to help with a murder investigation back in Piper’s Ridge. They only had one investigator, and I happened to be there when the body was discovered. I was resting though. And running to keep fit. It gave me something to do daily to keep up my muscle strength as best I could.” She held out the physical she’d had the day before Carl and George were arrested. Had that only been two days before?

He held up a hand. “I saw it. I’ll be honest with you. I had one person come forward and tell me a long tale about you. The other recruits who graduated with you, when asked about it, told a different story. They defended your actions. I’ve put Hunter on administrative duties until further notice. I can’t have a cop running around who thinks it’s okay to harm people so he can rush in and look like he saved them. I’m sorry I didn’t see it.”

He hadn’t mentioned the shooting. “Did you ever find out whose gun the bullet came from? Who shot me?”

He looked away for the barest of seconds. “No. We still don’t know. It’s possible it was the perp and he tossed it away when he ran.” His body language said he knew the truth but had no proof.

“Sure, that’s possible,” she said, because if she stayed, she needed him on her side.

“I’m leaving the decision up to you, Delferdia.”

She closed her eyes. Of course he’d use her full legal name. “I wasn’t expecting to have a choice.”

He tapped her file with a meaty finger. “I’m only giving you one because of the situation. I know how hard it will be to come back here with Hunter still employed. I can give you one more month to decide if you need it. From everything I've read, you're physically fit for duty.”

“I’m not though.” Almost drowning for the second time and having a killer go after her had proven just how dangerous Hunter really was. He’d pushed limits that never should’ve beenpushed. What if he’d kept going? What if he eventually followed through?

“It’s up to you. Let me know your decision by Wednesday.” He tapped his desk again and stood. “I think you’ll make a good officer, Kincade. You just need some time.”

After what had happened so far, she wasn’t sure time was a guarantee anymore.

FORTY-THREE

The crunch of Ferd’s footfalls kept her company. Running was lonely. The throbbing in her leg would be a companion for a while, but it wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind. Her new running shoes wrapped a little too tightly around her arches, sending slicing pain to the center of her foot.

Why do I do this?

Footsteps on gravel behind her sent tension up her back. Duke fell into step alongside her, forcing her to release her breath and grin.

“Didn’t expect to see you around these parts so soon?”

She waited a few paces to answer. “Got back yesterday evening. I have one more month to rest and I’m going to take it.”

“Is that a threat?” Duke chuckled.

“No. It’s a promise.”

He ran alongside her in silence for a while. “I was able to keep my phone number. In case you need it.”