Page 13 of Justice for Samara

She remembered it well. “That was your dad?”

“Yeah. He was the county judge executive. The mayor and the county attorney were on the plane too. I was super close to my dad, and he and my mom were high school sweethearts. It’s been really hard, and I felt like she needed me there, at least for a little while.”

She nodded. “Yeah. I can see that.”

“And the reason I’m not living in my house is because it’s a fixer-upper. But I’m almost through with it and when I am, that’s where I’ll be living. And between my savings and the insurance money my dad left me, it’s completely paid for. I’m paying for the renovations as I go, so when I move in, I’ll be on the hook for taxes and utilities. Nothing else. Which I think is a pretty good thing.”

“No, it’s a really good thing.” Samara was impressed. The guy had thought it all out, and being kind to his mother had also allowed him a financial advantage that most people wouldn’t have. “Can I see it sometime?”

“Sure. Whenever you want. If I’m not on duty, I’m usually there working on it, except to sleep.” He stopped and closed his eyes, then opened them again. “Everybody except Carter has made fun of me, but they won’t for long when they’re making mortgage payments and I’m living in a house that I own free and clear.”

“I’ll say. That’s never gonna happen for me.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Don’t say that. If you’ll stick with Carter, you’ll have a career for life. He’s a great guy to work for.”

There was another question she’d been dying to ask. “Are those his kids in the picture on his credenza?”

“Yes and no. The older girl, Chelsea, is his wife’s daughter. The boy, Lionel, is his wife’s nephew. They’re raising him. His sister, Tamara, was the one who killed TrooperPalmer.”

“Oh my god. Yeah. He was my training officer. A trooper and a veteran.”

“Yeah. That’s how they met. Carter’s bullet was the one that killed the girl, but Sharla understood that he was just protecting himself. It was a tragic time, but they made it through to the other side and they’re very happy. Oh, and the baby was dropped in the drop box outside the station during that tornado we had a while back. Turns out she was the granddaughter of his cousin on his dad’s side, and the mother said she’d only put it up for adoption if a relative would take it. So she signed off on Carter and Sharla adopting her. He’s also adopted Chelsea and Lionel, even though they’re adults now. As far as he’s concerned, they’re his kids too.”

Oh my god, what a nice guy, Samara heard her inner voice whisper. He’d taken on a teenage boy of another race, a baby, and a teenage girl, even though he didn’t have to. “Wow. My respect for him just shot through the roof.”

“Everybody in the county respects him. And we share a common bond.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Both of us have mothers that drive us absolutely crazy. Don’t worry. You’ll meet Marjorie and WildaFern soon enough,” Michael said with a laugh and took a bite of the bread the server had left on the table. “What about you? Husband? Kids?”

“No. Never had time. Too busy trying to stay in the game that the big boys wanted to exclude me from.”

“I hear ya.”

“Hey, what’s up with Watson?”

Michael chuckled. “He’s royally pissed. He thought he should have the chief deputy position, but Carter gave it to me, and he’s really frosted about it. I’m expecting to have some trouble from him when he just can’t rein it in anymore.”

“Most likely.”

“Yeah, and we’ve got another new deputy coming on board in a couple of days. We were afraid Watson would walk, and that would leave us shorthanded. Plus I hear he’s going to give you a lot of detective duties.”

“Yep.”

“Good. We need somebody to do that.”

“He said he’d help me get my education and certifications.”

“If CarterMelton tells you he’ll do something, it’ll happen. He’s a man of his word if ever there was one. So, your family?are they here?”

“No, and I’m staying in a little motel over on Highway41 for right now, but I’ve got to find somewhere to live.”

“Yeah, I’ve been watching and so far, nothing, but I’ll keep watching. Would you mind living out in the county?”

“No. That would be fine.”

“Then hang on just a minute.” He pulled his phone out, punched on the screen a few times, and put it up to his ear. “Hey, don’t you know Mr.Ramsey? Out at the cattle farm? Yeah. Yeah. Okay, well, I have somebody who needs a place to live, and I just remembered that he has a cabin on that property. Can you call him and ask about it? Thanks. Love you too. Bye.” He pressed the screen and slipped the phone back into his pocket. “My mom. The Ramseys go to the same church she does. She’ll call Mr.Ramsey and ask him.”

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