Page 3 of Barron

Searching for her missing pad and pencil, Yoanni winced at the new assistant, Betty, who sat one desk over from her. “Yikes, he’s in a mood,” she muttered, scratching her head. Her desk had been emptied out.

Betty rolled her eyes in response. “That’s nothing. He’s been worse.”

Yoanni took a deep breath, first to control her temper, and then to shake off the uncomfortable feeling of knowing astranger had rummaged through her workspace. Before she flew to Miami on leave, she’d stored her personal tools of the trade in the top drawer, which included an outdated plug-in calculator, a gift from her father to celebrate her first day at the station. All her belongings had been neatly arranged and ready for her return. But now… Except for a box of paper clips, the drawer was empty. The set of locked drawers on her right appeared untouched. Thank goodness, no one had attempted to force the lock open. This was where she kept confidential documents and the captain’s private correspondence.

She pulled out the single drawer on the left side. This one was much deeper and the one she used to store assorted supplies.

What the hell is going on?

Not only was this drawer empty, someone had wiped it clean, down to the last speck of dust. She shoved it closed with a thud, then stomped from her desk to the hallway office closet. Pressing her lips into a tight line, she grabbed a fistful of pens and two pads, then hurried back, feeling the captain’s impatient gaze on her. As she returned, she stopped before Betty’s desk. The young woman’s attention was glued to several documents.

“All my things are gone. Can you believe it?”

“Huh?” Dark eyes wide, Betty startled. Her loosely pinned hair collapsed in a mass of black curls to her shoulders.

“Has anyone been rummaging around my desk?” Yoanni asked. “Maybe one of the temps looking for supplies?”

“Umm. No…” Betty gathered her hair into a haphazard bun. “I realize you’ve been away on leave and all, and your desk was left unattended. But you’re the captain’s senior assistant. No one would dare touch your belongings.”

Yoanni tightened her forehead. Did she detect a hint of sarcasm in Betty’s response, or had she read too much into her comment?

In truth, she’d worried about taking the family leave. Sixmonths was a long time to be away—people forgot you, and loyalties changed—and she’d felt guilty about leaving Captain Weaver. She’d worked at his side for years. No one humored his quirks and needs as well as she did.

Whether Betty knew it or not, she’d struck Yoanni’s sore spot dead-on.

“That’s so weird,” Yoanni grumbled, staring at her desk.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, if you don’t know, then you don’t, right?” she replied. “I can always ask the captain to look at the videos.”

Betty blinked. “Videos? As in theoffice surveillance videos? Isn’t that a bit over the top?”

“Someone went into my desk. My calculator is gone. The thing was old and barely worked, but my father gave it to me when I started. The brazenness of the act pisses me off.”

“Miss Sanz, you’re testing my patience,” Captain Weaver thundered from his office.

Yoanni jerked. “Maybe looking at the videos won’t sit right with him. I better go.”

“Hurry, please. Save us all.” Betty chuckled. “He’s been impossible without you.”

Dropping the supplies she didn’t immediately need back on her desk, Yoanni held on to a pad and pencil and strode into her boss’s office.

“Sorry.” She closed the door behind her. “I had to go to the stock closet and get supplies. Someone went through my desk while I was away and emptied me out.”

“Important things?” He frowned. “Should I have the desk dusted for fingerprints?”

“A little late for that. My smudged fingerprints are all over it.”

“I’ll have the station reimburse you for lost belongings. I don’t like it.” He shook his head. “Of all places, a police station should be the safest place to keep personal items. Unfortunately, theneed to hire new personnel arose while you were on leave. We hired a couple of applicants on probationary basis. No one really worked until we found Betty. They were specifically told your work area was off-limits. I hate to think they went through your things.”

“That’s all right. Most of it was office-related stuff except for the calculator. It was old and had to be plugged in to work, but it had sentimental value. Papá gave it to me when I started here. It can’t be replaced.”

“Again, my apologies, Yoanni.” He sat back against his chair. “If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll make sure the department reimburses you.”

“I’ll get over it.” She sat, tucking her straight black skirt under her thighs. Holding her pad and pencil ready to start, she waited for Captain Weaver to begin his letter. She studied him while he gathered his thoughts. Had his hair lightened to a silverier hue while she was away? Six months of separation gave her a better perspective to notice the changes. The captain was still a vibrant man, and his dark gaze was as sharp as ever, but while she’d been away, he’d picked up a few extra wrinkles around his eyes and lost weight. What used to be dimples had lengthened to deep lines.

“Captain, is something troubling you?”

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