Page 52 of Barron

“Same arrangement as the other day, Nugget. Call or text, and I’ll pick you up whenever you’re ready. Will you talk to the captain?”

“I have to.” She smiled. “I need more clothing from my place. I hope the investigation is over and we’re allowed to go in.”

“That’s right,weare allowed to go in. ’Cause you’re going nowhere alone, babe.”

Yoanni giggled. “Exactly what I thought you’d say.” She threw him a discreet air kiss and opened the door. “See you later.”

“Have a good day and be careful, all right? I don’t careif you’re in a police station. Keep your eyes and ears open, and order in for lunch. Don’t go out alone or with one of the girls. Not until this guy is picked up.”

“I’ll be careful, Daddy.” Smiling, she slid down, closed the door, and waved.

Barron drove off, and she entered the station, her soul brimming with warm, fuzzy feelings. A stark contrast to the sharp anxiety and doubts that had riddled her when she came from Miami. Barron loved her. He’d demonstrated his affection in ways no one could deny, including suffering a blow to the back of his head. Still, they had to figure out some details. With a little honesty and open communication, they would sail right through any problems.

Humming a tune from a popular singer she’d heard on the way over, Yoanni walked through the station’s receiving area. It was quiet at the moment. She wiggled her fingers at the officer on duty behind the shatterproof plexiglass divider, tapped her code into the side door’s lock, and pulled it open.

Officer Durbin waved at her. “Wait, Miss Sanz. Before you go to the back…”

“Yes, Officer Durbin?” she said.

“This came for you.” He lifted a crumpled brown paper bag. The top edges were rolled down.

Now, he piqued her curiosity. “For me?” She stepped closer.

“Yes, ma’am. A boy dropped it off less than fifteen minutes ago.”

“How strange.” She frowned. “I’m not expecting anything. Are you sure he said it was for me?”

“I’m sure, ma’am. He gave your name and the captain’s.”

He left his spot behind the plexiglass, holding the bottom of the bag. She tried to open the top, but he moved the bag away.

“Hold on. Does the bag look familiar to you? Did you leave it in a store or someplace else and forgot?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Did the boy say anything? Did he give you a name? Was he alone?”

“He came in and inquired about you. Miss Yoanni Sanz, Captain Weaver’s assistant. I told him you weren’t in yet. He asked if he could leave it on your desk. When I said no, he shrugged and put it on the counter. He didn’t seem too interested in the bag or bothered that you hadn’t arrived. When I pressed him, he said a nice man had paid him ten dollars to deliver the bag. I suppose I should’ve pushed him harder. Do you mind if I take a quick peek?”

“If you think it’s safe.”

The officer carefully pulled the opening aside. “Well, so far, it’s nothing but old pens, used pencils… I see a couple of pads, paperclips, and a couple of boxes of staples.”

Eyes wide, she glanced at the officer. “Oh my God.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Those things were taken from my desk.” Sighing, Yoanni gave him a quick rundown of her return from Miami and the items missing from her desk. “I’ll take the bag. Even though I’ve replaced most of the stuff that’s inside, I’m not going to throw away anything that works.”

Frowning, Officer Durbin drew the bag out of her reach. “I don’t like how this sounds, Miss Sanz. Your items disappear, and now a strange boy drops them off like it’s no big deal. My mistake, I should’ve kept the boy until you or the captain arrived. I want to take a closer look, but not in the building.” Holding the bag at arm’s length, he walked from his post toward the exit. Yoanni followed him.

Two officers coming from the parking lot crossed paths with Yoanni and Durbin. One had the probation vibe all over him; the second officer had been around awhile.

“What are you doing with that supermarket bag, Durbin?” the older officerasked.

“Checking the contents, Murray,” he replied.

“For a delayed explosive?” The probationer chuckled. “The way you’re handling it, the thing should’ve detonated already.”

Durbin scowled. Obviously, he didn’t care for the comment. “There’s a time and place for everything, probationer. I don’t want to hear your wisecracks. Make yourself useful and bring me some scissors. Now.”

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