Page 25 of Madden

"For a long time, the county and city kept track of who they found making moonshine and selling it, too. Those records are what would influence the state to sign The Moonshine Task Force into existence." He looks up at a picture on a shelf in the corner. "That's the first one, right there. Then that's the last one before we became The Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team." He points to another picture on a wall.

"Is that you?" I get up, looking at where he pointed. "I didn't know you'd been a member."

"It is. I started there, went directly onto the team after I was sworn in as an officer. I stayed there, then transferred to LSERT when it was formed. Eventually Holden Thompson retired, and I took the job. It's been one of the most rewarding times in my life, which is why this surprises me so much." He taps his knuckles on his desk. "I've never heard anything about someone making moonshine in school. It was never mentioned, and from what I saw, it was a big operation."

"Would it make a difference to anything that's happening right now?" I ask, crossing my legs. "Would you break apart the LSERT to reform the MTF? I mean, if you're right, then this stuff is decades old."

He folds his hands in front of his mouth and inhales deeply. "No, it's not going to change anything that we already do, but I'mcurious, and I'm sure once we release the information, everyone else will be, too."

This is exciting, even if it sounds like a wild goose chase. "So, what do you want me to do?"

"See all those boxes? They are the records I was talking about. Back in the day, we did everything by hand. None of it is electronic, no matter how bad we've wanted to convert. I'd like for you to input the information into our records electronically. You'll be pulled off of dispatch until you finish. At the same time, I'd like for you to read the reports and see if you can figure out who this moonshine belongs to." He finishes, rubbing at the beard on his face.

"This sounds fun. I'd love to help. Would I keep my same schedule as dispatch?" I'm hoping I'll be able to be full-time first shift as long as I'm doing this.

He shakes his head. "No, I'd keep you on the first shift. I wanna be here in case you have questions, and if anyone can answer those, it's me. Once you finish this, we'll take a look at what else we have going on around here, and see if you can help in other areas. I know you've taken custody of your nephew, and if I can be helpful for you not having to secure childcare for him, I will."

"Thank you, Chief Harrison."

"You're welcome. Right now, there's not an office for you. There will be one in a couple of weeks when Lori leaves. Until then, you can either use Madden's, or you can continue to use your dispatch desk."

It's dark in the dispatch room, and I think I'd prefer to sit where Madden typically does. It'll make me feel like an actual girlfriend, even though we haven't discussed it. For some reason, it's striking me as reminiscent of a girl wearing her boyfriend's letterman's jacket in high school. "I'll sit at his desk. I'll ask him about it to make sure he's okay with it. Is it good ifI start going through the boxes today? That way, when I get started tomorrow, I can immediately begin with the electronic transcription?"

"Sure, I'll be heading out to have lunch with members of the Chamber. My least favorite day of the week. If you need anything, let me know. My cell number is on the desk, on my card."

"I don't think I'll need help for anything, but I appreciate it."

He gives me a smile and grabs his hat. "I'll leave you to it. Thanks for your help, Rebecca."

"No, thank you."

For the first time in months, I feel as if my life is changing, and this time for the better.

CHAPTER 17

MADDEN

Finally,I'm getting ready to record for the first time in weeks. I've set my phone up, and I'm stretching my neck from the left to the right, loosening it up. After I do that, I move one arm in front of me, and hook my other around the elbow, extending the stretch. When I'm done, I walk over and click the phone on, and begin the workout that's kept me sane for the last year.

I get in the zone, my mind blanking out as I go into the push up, and hold it, before continuing. There is sweat rolling down my body, and my muscles are aching when the alarm I've set on my phone goes off, signaling that I've been working out for over an hour. I shut the phone off and relax with my back against the wall, drinking down a bottle of water.

Donut sees me, and tippy taps over to where I'm sitting. "Hey buddy, do you wanna go out in the backyard?"

He wags his tail, a smile spreading across his face.

"Okay, let's go."

I open the back door and encourage him to run out into the yard. When he does, there's a knock at my front door. I'm not expecting anyone, but I realize I have the sleeves that I wear when I'm working out, still on. It's one thing I've done my best tokeep hidden. The sleeves are the one thing I keep the same every time I make a video. The doorbell rings again. "Be right there."

I take them off and then sling them into my pantry, because I don't know where else to put them. Once I have them hidden, I head to the door. Glancing through the window, I'm surprised to see Becca and Mick. "Hey..." I greet them as I open it. "What are y'all doing here?"

Becca looks a bit embarrassed, her cheeks pink. "I should've texted you, but we were at the grocery store, and I realized how close we were to your house. You've done so much for us, I'd love to cook you dinner if that's okay with you?"

No one has ever cooked me dinner before, besides the couple of times my mom did. "Yeah, if you want to."

She smiles. "I do, and Mick mentioned he might like to see Donut, if he's here."

"Yeah." I step back, allowing them inside. "Donut's in the backyard. Feel free to go out there and hang out with him."

---