As she and Bender drove to the station, Josie hated the idea of being pulled out of the field to drive a witness downtown to RHD. She worried a big caper would occur while they were stuck on the freeway.
It amazed her she was getting paid to do her job. She loved being on patrol in the black and white where something exciting could happen at any moment.
But being in training meant she needed to be exposed to a lot of different situations…like going to the police department headquarters, or PAB as it was known by employees.
She would have been more enthused if Bender hadn’t cursed and complained about working overtime and fighting the freeway traffic. He was so ticked off he’d even hinted he might let her drive back to the station from downtown.
“We’re picking up the R/O of the car that ran over Dolby Sinclair.”
It only took her a second to know he was talking about the registered owner of the vehicle.
“Her dad is some big Hollywood muckity muck. Simon something or other.”
“Simon Cowell, from those TV talent shows?”
“Nah. A director of movies, I think.”
“Are we driving him downtown, too?”
He shrugged and sighed. “No clue. With these kinds of assignments, I do as I’m told and don’t ask too many questions.”
“Got it.”
After arriving at the station, they shuffled into the watch commander’s office.
“Here we are, Lieutenant,” her partner said.
“Great. Perfect timing. They arrived a few minutes ago. They’re with the captain, where I suspect our boss is trying to finagle getting an autograph from the husband.”
Bender’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I thought it was just the mother and daughter we were transporting. We’re taking the dad, too?”
Mancuso shook his head. “No. He isn’t here. Something about him in the hospital last night. You’ll take the wife Tami, and the daughter Chloe.”
“Okay. Anything else we should know?”
“Don’t refer to the daughter’s car or how it was used the other day. However, if they make any spontaneous statements regarding the car or the mall incident, you can jot those down in case it might mean something to RHD.”
Bender turned to her. “Got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s get this done.” Her partner sauntered out into the hallway that led to the administrative section.
She bit the inside of her lower lip. She’d seen the captain only once when she filled out required paperwork in the admin office. He’d peered at her, bobbed his head, and remarked, “Welcome to Devonshire.”
She glanced to see if her boots held their morning spit shine.
The commanding officer sat in his office behind his desk. A woman and young girl sat across from him in black faux leather guest chairs.
“Ah,” he said, as he spotted the two of them. He rose from his chair. “Here are Officers Bender and…” he glanced at her name tag on her uniform pocket, “…Price, who will safely transport you downtown.”
The two females stood.
“This is Tami Conrad and her daughter, Chloe.” His deep tan made his whitened teeth more brilliant.
Her partner mumbled a hello.
“Nice to meet you,” she said.
The mother, dressed in a tasteful navy business suit, extended her hand.
He dutifully shook it.
The daughter picked at her cuticles, but when she raised her gaze, her eyes darted around the room as if an axe murderer might jump out at them. Her dress appeared expensive, but the girl’s posture and down-turned lips ruined the ensemble.
“Well, ladies, if you’ll follow me, we’d better get going,” Bender said.
Their boss smiled. “Mrs. Conrad, please tell your husband it would be an honor to have him play in our charity golf tournament. It’s in mid-September.”
“I’m sure if he’s available, he’d love to.”
Bender led the Conrads out of the admin area as she brought up the rear.
The more carefully she looked, Josie realized the girl resembled a sullen ingenue. A small tattoo on the back of the girl’s neck ruined that naïve image.
She took longer steps to read the inked message revealed through the teen’s parted hair.
Too hot to handle.
As she walked, she wondered if the sentiment of the young girl’s ink was true—and how her parents felt about it.