Michael sat at the round table in the back room of the constabulary. He pulled out a spiral notebook from his pocket to check his list. If I keep busy, I won't be able to feel sad, he reminded himself. This philosophy had worked for the past couple of years, as he tried to grapple with his depression.
So far he felt okay. This year Janis Jets was a help. She'd arrived a month ago and his days already felt more full. They'd remained friends over the past year with texts and email.
Finally she got the Lily Rock assignment in writing. She'd shown up within the week, the first official full-time police officer the town had ever known. Half of the community was delighted to finally have a police presence. The other half thought she was entirely unnecessary.
At the sound of Janis Jets coming through the door, he grinned and nodded toward an empty chair at the table.
"Hey, Mike." She smiled at him. "Checking your list twice for Santa?" Jets nodded at his notebook and then walked toward the counter. She poured herself a mug of coffee and turned to him. "Want more?" She waved her mug in the air.
"I just got a refill," he assured her.
Jets sat down next to him, leaning over to look at his list. "So what's that about?"
He closed the notebook. "Every year around this time… Actually the week before the week before Christmas."
"Wait a minute. Is that a thing?" Her eyebrows lifted.
"It is for me. Since Lily Rock amps up their community spirit every year the week before Christmas…"
"With the parade, and the lights, and the candy canes, and all the rest. I think they're having a reindeer exhibit in the center of town this year." Jets shook her head.
"Oh that's not the half of it. There will be bake sales and carolers from the music academy. Everywhere you turn some kid is playing Jolly Old St. Nick on their instrument asking for change."
He took a sip of coffee. "So that's why two years ago I instituted the week before the week before Christmas. That's when I check my to-do list preparing to go back to work the first of the year."
"What kind of to-dos?"
She actually looks interested. He felt his gut clench. For a fleeting moment he considered telling her the truth, that Christmas brought up so many memories and even the good ones hurt. Naw, I don't have to upset her Christmas just because it's a problem for me. He'd learned to avoid his friends over the years, just to give them the space to enjoy the holiday without feeling sorry for him.
He cleared the lump in his throat. "I have four projects in various stages of development. The constabulary is one of them. I know we're done with phase one, but it's time to make a punch list and get going with phase two."
Jets looked around the break room. "This works for me. I don't have any staff at the moment. I mean, Lily Rock isn't a mecca for murder and mayhem."
"You've been here a month and are already restless?" Michael's eyebrow raised.
"Once I moved here I thought I'd find a few bad guys. At least I hoped. But after the fire at Lola's nothing has come up. Even the bikers have found another place to drink. Kinda dull."
Her downcast expression made him smile. "So you're the cop who wants more crime?"
She chuckled. "I want to be busy and do the job they pay me for."
Michael grabbed his pencil. "Short of robbing the bank to keep you busy, I do have a plan. So give me your punch list for the constabulary. I'll get it down and then tackle the first task right after New Years. How's that?"
"We can begin with the door," Jets said promptly.
"Which one exactly?"
"The one that separates the office from the cells in back."
Michael scribbled in his notebook as Janis continued to explain. "I need some kind of security. Maybe one of those doors with a keypad or a clicker? That way, when I get an administrative assistant, they can keep surveillance over the door."
"You don't want anyone to walk through unannounced. I get that." Michael made another note on his list.
"Lily Rock is used to going straight to the person in charge. It's a small-town thing that I'd like to change," Jets admitted.
As if on cue, a loud voice interrupted. "Yoo-hoo," she called.
Michael glanced to the doorway. Dressed in knee-high boots, an expensive purple puffy jacket, and skin-tight jeans, Skye Jones swept her hand in front of her. "So this is your break room. Rather rustic, isn't it?" She addressed Michael. "I thought all of your designs were distinctively modern and sleek."
The hair on Michael's neck rose. He knew he had a problem with Skye. From the first time they met, he'd not trusted her. She's like a spider that makes me instinctively recoil. Then to keep himself calm, he added the mantra, Don't bite the hook. He forced a smile on his face.
"We were just talking about that." His voice sounded calmer than he felt.
Jets glared at Skye. "So what can I do ya for?" she asked. Her voice sounded caustic and annoyed.
"I want to talk to you about that woman. The Old Toy Train proprietor. She's gone one step too far this time." Skye stepped closer to the table and pulled out the chair next to Janis. Michael felt his gut clench.
"What is it this time?" Jets said calmly. "Has her nutcracker become a nuisance, other than his hourly announcement? I can't do anything about that. I've tried. No one is willing to sign a complaint. Plus the town council gave her the okay."
Skye's eyes flared. "I would sign a complaint without a problem. Except Doc asked me not to. He thinks a softer approach is better. But I'm not so sure."
Michael finished his coffee. He pushed back his chair and stood. "I'll leave you two. I gotta get going to finish by today."
"See you later," Skye said, her eyes on Janis.
Michael walked toward the door. He could hear the two women in animated discussion. Sounds like they're trying not to argue. Making his way down the hall, he passed through into the constabulary reception room. Turning around, he stared back at the doorway. I can measure it now and order the door. It may arrive by the first of the year. That would be a good first step.