Chapter One

SHERIFF CHANCE FITZSIMMONS SAT on the desk in the front of the auditorium-style classroom at West Virginia University. Her good friend, Professor Scott Ross, had recruited her to speak on rural law enforcement challenges. She looked over her audience, the number of male students far outweighing the females by nearly three to one. She was proud to see that one of those females was her little sister, Kendra. Her near carbon copy sat front and center, a miracle of anything but genetics.

“Rural law enforcement differs a great deal from being an officer in a municipal setting. For instance, in a municipality, the distance between where you are and where you’re dispatched to can be a matter of a few minutes or blocks. In my jurisdiction, it could take twenty to forty minutes for me to reach a call location, more if its bad weather. What’s worse is your available backup could be on the other side of the county. That reality can have deadly consequences.” Chance used her clicker to advance her presentation. A large picture of her father in his uniform appeared on the screen. “This officer died in the line of duty on a domestic call. His backup was very far away when an enraged husband threatened his wife with a gun.” She turned to the audience again. “Deputy Ray Fitzsimmons died when he shielded the female victim from gunfire. That deputy was my father, and he died on the scene from a gunshot wound to the head. He was doing all the things he’d been taught, including wearing a vest and using caution. Unfortunately, humans rarely survive gunshot wounds to the head. My dad saved a life that day. It cost him his.”

Chance watched as the students stared at the screen. She could see that Kendra’s eyes were directed firmly at her. “Firefighters have a saying. You risk a lot to save a lot. You risk little to save little. I spent many years jumping out of a perfectly good airplane into wildfires. I know what that means. I also know the cost of putting your body between an innocent and a bullet. It’s one of the reasons all of my road deputies have a K9 unit with them. They are never alone.”

A hand went up in the back of the room. Chance nodded to acknowledge the request. A young man, who couldn’t have been more than nineteen, stood to ask his question. “Didn’t it worry you, when you became an officer, that you might face that same fate as your father?”

Chance gripped the edge of the desk, her chest tightening at the question. She thought about her father every day she put on her badge. It was a part of her morning ritual, as she stretched her scar tissue and repeated something Maggie had said to her when she’d been in the burn ward. Steel is tempered by fire, and gold is refined by it. How could she explain what she felt about being an officer? “My dad was my hero. Every day, I watched him put on his uniform and pin his badge over his heart. Ray Fitzsimmons believed in honor and duty, and he taught me those same values. In life, you have to find something you believe in from inside the marrow of your bones, something that’s elemental.” Her hands reached up and unpinned her badge. “My dad told me there are five points to this badge.” She placed her finger on one of them and touched the next point with each word she spoke. “Honor, duty, courage, integrity, and empathy. He believed that the empathy part is the hardest for an officer because it requires finding balance. He said I’d clearly understand that when I was wearing the badge. His words hold even greater truth today.”

Chance made eye contact with the students in the room before stopping at Kendra. “Some of you will become officers, some lawyers, and maybe some will find this field isn’t for you at all. What I can tell you is, the day you decide to enforce the laws of our land, you will use each of these five points in the performance of your duties.”

She touched one of the points again. “Some of you will rely on your courage, and some will rely heavily on duty. I encourage you to lean on the one my father said would be the most difficult, empathy. When you’ve dealt with the same addict for the third time in as many days, when you’ve arrested the same abusive partner over and over only to have the other party rescind a domestic violence petition again, when you’ve put the same thief in jail for the fifth time, you’ll find that empathy is the most tenuous to achieve. You’ll feel like you’re getting nowhere more often than you’ll feel like you’ve made a difference.”

Chance held her badge in the air. “I can only hope that one day, someone will walk up to you and say you’ve been their role model and their reason for choosing this profession.” She let her eyes settle on Kendra for only a moment. It was enough to feel the connection she and her adopted sister shared. She fastened the badge back on her uniform. “You’ll remember why you pin the badge on every day and stand as the thin blue line between order and anarchy.” Zeus barked his approval and the class released a small laugh. Chance reached down to pet him. “He’s listened to this speech enough he could give it himself. Thank you for your attention today. I’ll leave a stack of business cards with Professor Ross if you have any other questions.”

A round of applause came from those in attendance, as chairs shuffled, and backpacks were hefted. Scott Ross stepped to her side and held out his hand. “Thanks, Chance. Having you come in and talk with them, as a current law enforcement officer, really makes an impact.”

Chance pulled on his hand and embraced him in a hug. “It’s always a pleasure.” She pushed him back but held him by his shoulder. “What makes an impact is having a professor like you who’s been neck deep in the trenches. You can tell them the truth beyond what the recruiting posters portray.”

Scott chuckled softly. “It does differ slightly. Regardless, I am in your debt for so many reasons.”

Chance shook her head. “Scott, there’s no debt between us, ever. I mean that. I enjoy coming down here. Gives me a chance to take Kendra to lunch and get an eyes-on report for the moms-squared. Isn’t that right, pain in my ass?”

“You’re buying, so I’ll agree.” Kendra smiled with a look of genuine mirth.

Chance pointed to her. “See what having a kid sister thirty years younger gets you? An empty wallet and a truckload of sarcasm.” She playfully shoved Kendra.

Scott’s laughter was contagious. “Hell, having a brother two years younger gets you the same thing.”

Chance was aware of Scott’s brother, Miles, who’d been in and out of rehab several times. Scott’s parents had died over a dozen years ago, and he’d taken it upon himself to try and keep his younger brother on the straight and narrow. “I have no doubt.”

Scott put his foot up on a chair and leaned forward, exposing the ankle section of his prosthesis. “The debt goes beyond your guest lecture and you know it.”

Chance lowered her gaze for a fraction of a second before meeting his eyes. “We’ll have to continue to agree to disagree on that point, my friend. Any time you need a lecturer for a day, give me a call.” She snickered when Kendra’s stomach growled out a protest. “I need to feed the beast over there. I’m pretty sure that’s a lion trying to claw its way out.”

Kendra blushed.

Scott shook Chance’s hand. “Don’t think I won’t. I’m glad you’re doing all right after this summer. We’ve both had enough knocks for a lifetime, I think.”

“Mags and Dee will certainly agree.” Chance nodded her own agreement.

“You’d better include your fiancée. I don’t mess with Jax. She’s tough.” Kendra pointed her finger at Chance.

Scott snapped his fingers. “That’s right. You’re finally taking the plunge. Congratulations. I hope to meet this miracle worker someday.”

“We’ll have to do dinner sometime, with you and your wife. I’d venture to say they’d be two peas in a pod. It was great to see you, Scott. Call me anytime, and if I can work it in, I’m there.” Chance hugged him again.

“Dr. Ross is busy delivering babies today. I don’t know how she does it. She’s the most sought after obgyn in the area, and I have no idea what she ever saw in me. Kendra, I’ll see you next week.”

“Thanks, Professor Ross. I’m looking forward to the session.”

Scott pointed to Kendra. “She reminds me so much of you; it’s scary. Kendra’s going to be a fantastic officer someday. She’s got a great role model to follow.”

Chance blushed. “I think her professors have a bit to do with that as well.”

“You two are embarrassing me, and I’m starving. See you next week, Professor Ross.” Kendra hefted her backpack to her shoulder and grabbed Chance’s sleeve.

Chance slipped on her Stetson. “I think that’s my cue to leave. Call me sometime, Scott.”

Once they’d left the classroom, Chance asked the obvious question. “Where do you want to go?”

Kendra didn’t even hesitate. “Colasantes.”

“Okay, you’re on.”

“And I have a favor, well more of request.” Kendra dropped her eyes.

“I can’t say yes or no until you tell me what you want.” Chance adjusted the brim of her hat.

“Can I bring a guest?”

“I don’t see why not. Who do you want to join us?” Chance watched Kendra. She was sure she was about to learn who her sister had been spending an inordinate amount of time around. Try as she might, she struggled for the name she’d heard Kendra use in one or two of their phone conversations.

“Brandi.”

“Do we need to pick her up somewhere, or is she close by?”

Kendra cleared her throat and rubbed a hand across the back of her neck. Chance grinned at the blush her little sister was sporting. Kendra pulled out her phone and tapped the screen a few times, then waited. “She’s over at the Mountain Lair. She can meet us at your vehicle in ten minutes.”

Chance put a hand on the younger woman’s shoulder. “Breathe, Bullseye. I promise I won’t interrogate her.”

Kendra’s nervous laughter made Chance smile. One deep breath later, Kendra met her eyes. “I’ve wanted to introduce her to everyone for a while. She’s…well, special.”

“I gathered that.”

They started walking toward the parking garage, Zeus on their heels. Hordes of students were rushing from one place to another, earbuds in place while they stared blankly at their phones. It amazed Chance how they were able to navigate without falling over something. One second later, Chance noticed one of the enraptured students walk into traffic. Chance was moving before she could say a word. Her boots gained traction against the blacktop, as she ran toward the oblivious young woman. Three more feet. Chance looked at the truck that was barreling down at her. She heard the motor decelerate before she heard the squeal of tires as the brakes were applied. Her arm went around the waist of the unsuspecting student, as she pulled her close and dove for the grassy area on the other side of the street. The two of them tumbled, and Chance wrapped her arms around the woman to protect her from the fall.

The frightened young woman was wide-eyed, as she jerked her earbuds out. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Saving you from becoming a hood ornament.” Chance pointed at the truck only feet from them that was now sideways from the force of the sudden need to brake. She winced at a pain in her shoulder from the impact.

Kendra dropped to the ground beside her, as Zeus came to her side. “Chance!”

“I’m fine, Kendra.” She turned to the startled young woman who sat beside her shaking. “Another day at the office.”

The driver of the truck yelled out the window. “Are you two okay?”

Chance waved him off. “We’re good.”

A young man in ratty jeans and a WVU T-shirt ran across the street and knelt by the shell-shocked young woman. “Lisha, what the hell happened?”

The young woman shook her head. “I don’t know, but I think she just saved my life.”

Chance held out her hand. “Sheriff Chance Fitzsimmons. I’m just glad I was here. I hope you’ll try and be a little more aware of what’s going on around you. If I hadn’t been watching, this could have resulted in more than just a skinned knee.” Chance pointed to the scrape marks on Lisha’s knee.

“I’m Lisha’s brother, Ian. I don’t know how to thank you. I had her here on campus to visit before she enrolls in the spring. I don’t know what I’d have done if something happened to her.”

Lisha put a hand on Ian’s forearm. “I’m okay; I just wasn’t watching. I was texting Jacob.”

Chance stood and dusted off the grass clippings from her uniform. “It’s really important to keep your eyes on what’s going on around you. There are dangers far beyond walking in front of a truck. You two, be careful.”

Ian stood and extended his hand to Chance. “Thanks again.”

“Anytime.” Chance watched the two walk away. She picked up her Stetson from the ground. “Kendra, promise me you’ll never be so consumed with your phone, or anything else, that you lose sight of the objects in front of you.” She pointed her hat to indicate the student to Kendra. “When you’re an officer, that will get you killed.” She examined a tear in the shoulder of her uniform shirt. “Damn.”

“Looks like you’ll have to beg the boss for a new one. I promise, Chance, I try to be aware of what’s going on around me all the time. You taught me that. It serves me well with this madhouse down here.”

They continued their way through the throng until they reached the open concrete structure. Chance saw a petite girl about Kendra’s age pacing near her vehicle. Dark hair cut in a pixie style framed delicate features. “I thought you guys got lost.”

Chance grinned and extended her hand. “We had a little delay.” Chance pointed to her shoulder where the department patch was hanging by the torn part of her uniform shirt. “I’m Chance, Kendra’s sister.”

With a voice belying her small stature, Brandi answered in kind. “Brandi, Brandi Antolini. What happened?” Her eyes were an unusual green.

Kendra shook her head and laughed. “Don’t mind me. I think I was supposed to make that introduction.”

Brandi cocked her head. “Then speak up. You know I don’t have a shy bone in my body. If I did, we would still be waving at each other in biology class.”

Chance nearly burst out laughing. She’s got Kendra’s number. “How about we make our way to the restaurant and Kendra can tell you about our adventure? We can order while we get better acquainted.” Chance pointed a thumb at Kendra. “This one gets hangry if she doesn’t eat every two hours.”

Brandi looked down at Zeus. “Especially in the morning, she’s really cranky before coffee and sustenance.”

Kendra cleared her throat and raised her hand. “Kendra here, present and accounted for, don’t mind me.”

Brandi knelt. “Who is this beautiful creature? And I’ll never mind you.”

“No, you won’t, even when it’s in your best interest. Brandi meet Zeus, Chance’s K9 partner.” Kendra extended her hand and scratched Zeus.

“Is it okay if I pet him?” Brandi asked.

Chance nodded her consent. “I’m sure he’d like that.”

Brandi presented the Malinois her hand. Zeus leaned forward and sniffed before looking to Chance, who nodded again. He put his nose under Brandi’s hand and bumped it. She stroked over his head and ears. “Wow, he’s all muscle.”

“He and I spend a lot of time keeping in shape. It’s important for our job, and he’s all about the job.”

Kendra leaned down. “When I go to work for Chance, I’ll have a K9 too.”

Chance watched a smile light up Brandi’s face.

“And I’ll take care of it.”

Kendra stood. “Brandi’s a veterinary medicine student from California.”

Chance couldn’t help laughing as the irony was not lost on her.

Brandi stood and furrowed her brow. “What’s so funny about that?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Chance stared gape-mouthed at Kendra.

“Tell me what?”

“That my fiancée is a vet, who moved back to West Virginia after a twenty-year practice in Northern California.”

Brandi punched Kendra in the upper arm. “How did you forget to mention that?”

Kendra winced and smiled. “Ow. I didn’t think about it.”

Brandi put a hand on her hip. “Start using that head for something other than your good looks. You’re getting a sister-in-law who’s a vet? Kendra, that’s pertinent information.”

Kendra furrowed her brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Chance cleared her throat this time and leaned close to Kendra. “Let me help you out here before you dig that hole so deep you’ll need the rope rescue team to get you out.” She turned to Brandi. “Let’s chalk that up to being starstruck by your charm. I say we go eat.”

Kendra shut her eyes and put her head back. “Please, God, save me.”

Brandi leaned over and kissed Kendra on the cheek. “I’ll let you make it up to me later. Can we go? I’m starving.”

Chance hit the locks and opened the rear hatch for Zeus to load. “That we can.”

 

***

 

Two hours later, Chance was on her way back to Tucker County, a smile playing across her face. She made a call to Jax who answered in the first two rings.

“Hey, you. On your way back yet?”

“I have one more stop, beautiful. Anything you’d like me to bring home for supper, or do you want me to grill?”

“Such a sweet talker. Any chance you’re coming home by Clarksburg?”

“Going right through there. I need to stop in at the sheriff’s office for some information.”

“Then I say you bring home Los Loco’s tamales and chips with salsa.”

Chance would be happy to stop in and see how Anita was doing. “Your wish is my command.”

“Be careful on your way home. I love you. Tell Anita hi for me.”

The words Jax spoke never failed to warm Chance from the inside out. How her life had changed. “Will do, and I love you too. See you at home.”

It took forty minutes to make it to downtown Clarksburg. Chance wanted to check with her fellow sheriff and friend, William Andrews, about the heroin pipeline that seemed to be streaming into their state. The overdose rate in his county was much higher than in her own. He had a major city in his jurisdiction and the intersection of two major roadways. Interstate 79 traversed the state north and south, and Route 50 east to west.

The natural gas business had brought in more than economic growth with their out-of-state employees. Thousands of gas well workers were staying up to fifty miles away from the well sites. When those workers were present, the opportunity for illicit drug sales and prostitution skyrocketed. She parked her new Suburban in a lot close to the courthouse, where the sheriff’s personal office was. The road officers and detectives were in another location.

Chance and Zeus entered the courthouse. An old colleague was acting as security and ushered her through the array of metal detectors and X-ray machines. She stopped at the receptionist’s desk and announced herself. Minutes later, Will appeared and invited her into his office.

“How the hell are you, Chance? When we got the word what happened up there, we were all ready to load up and bring in reinforcements.” Will sat behind his desk and rocked back in his chair.

Chance pulled off her hat, placed it on her knee, and rubbed a hand through her hair. “I’m doing really well. No lingering injuries from either dustup. We’ve been back to being a sleepy little county for a few months. With the Leaf Peepers festival coming up, I’ll get busier than I’d like to be.”

Will reached into his desk and pulled out a pack of nicotine gum.

Chance pointed to the gum he held. “You still trying to quit smoking?”

“Yeah, for the ninety-seventh time. My doctor chews my ass, and my wife threatens pieces of it if I don’t. Hard habit to break when you started at sixteen. I’m still not sure how I made it through the academy some days.”

“I’m grateful that’s one vice I never indulged in. Took in enough of it when I was smoke jumping. Got a few questions for you. Anyone have a bead on the flood of heroin that’s floating around? I’ve got a suspicion mine’s coming out of Baltimore, but no real proof.”

Will reached for the keyboard of his computer and tapped several keys. He motioned for her to come around. “We’ve been tracking the overdoses and trying to pinpoint when this shit is coming in for sale. Problem is, these folks are getting it from all over. Gas well workers from out of state with too much money and not enough sense. We’ve had a few traffic stops with them coming back from Texas or Oklahoma that have yielded some significant product. The bulk is coming out of Pittsburgh by the usual suspects, with a few more heavy hitters pulling the strings. Huntington’s pipeline is out of Detroit. Only the low-level guys below the middleman get caught. Our taskforce squeezes them. Unfortunately, they’re more afraid of ratting out the kingpins than they are going to jail.”

Chance rolled her hat around in her hands. “I’m worried what ski season will bring. We’ll have idiots, like your visiting cowboys, crawling over the mountain with too much money and far away from home.”

“I think I’d still take your crazy over mine. The view alone is worth it.”

“I can’t argue with you. I wish I had a better handle on this heroin thing. We’ve beefed up our emergency medical service with extra Narcan and will have heavy police presence during the festival. No way to keep track of the amount of out-of-state visitors, though I’d really like to put up the license plate reader that came in. I’ve got the money from a grant; it’s the privacy issues I’m tiptoeing around. No matter how many times I explain that this camera won’t be used for traffic violations, it’s a hard sell. I’ve explained over and over that the only thing it keys in on is a plate already in the system for a warrant or a be-on-the-lookout. I still have resistance. Hell, I’ve got sovereign citizens residing in my county, who are calling it unconstitutional even though they don’t believe in a single law, constitutional or not.”

Will chewed his gum with a furious barrage of pops and cracks. “Those citizens”—he made air quotes—“are nut jobs. Remember that class we took last year at that law enforcement convention? They don’t think anyone has rule over them. One of my deputies stopped one a few years ago for having no tags on a vehicle. The guy had no registration and no insurance. I’m still fighting all that in court. The amount of discovery he requested is far outweighing what the fine would have brought. Makes no sense except that they like to fuck with law enforcement. Dangerous as hell too. You be careful.”

Chance slipped her hat back on and rose from her seat, as Zeus stepped to her side. She reached out her hand to shake Will’s. “I’ll do just that. Now, I’ve got to get out of here and over to Los Loco to pick up dinner, or I may be sleeping on the couch.”

Will rose and shook her hand. “I may run over there and do the same. Congratulations, by the way. I thought you’d end up marrying that doctor, but it looks like you found someone who will put up with you and your K9 there.” He nodded toward Zeus.

Chance brushed a hand across Zeus’ well-healed ear and thought of the care Jax had given them both when they’d been injured. “Sometimes, things work out for the best. Thanks, Will. Keep in touch.”

Will waved her out of his office and Chance made her way back to the vehicle. “Let’s go make Momma happy.”