That said, these things had started before she was assigned to New Hope. Which would be smart on Beckett’s part, if she did it before her name came on the radar. The thing is, her name has already been on it since she told me who her brother was.
Now I'm waiting to hear back from the sheriff's office. I want the details on how she came to be here. For the time being, I can keep an eye on Beckett, but I still need to keep possibilities open. I also need to understand her motive.
If she knows the truth about her brother and that I killed him, why not come for me? I suppose she could do that through Kindred to get to me. I took her brother from her, so she'll take Kindred from me? Is Beckett that far off the rails?
All the shit that went down with her brother was classified, so I’m not sure how she would have even gotten ahold of that sort of information. Something really isn’t adding up.
I glance over at Beckett; she is bouncing her foot, bored. I don't know if she keeps asking about the break-in at Kindred’s because there isn't much else to handle around here or because she's fishing for information. Is she trying to feel me out to see if I suspect her?
"Do you know how formal the wedding is? I'm not sure what to wear," Beckett asks.
"Not a clue." I have a bunch of suits in the back of my closet.
"Are you going to stay mad at me?" Beckett stands and leans up against her desk.
"You were careless with your service weapon."
"A person was running toward me while we had two people in custody."
"Detained," I correct. "So that means you wave your weapon around? Mind you, there were other options at your disposal." A stun gun would have sufficed.
"A giant crowd was forming. That girl of yours thinks she runs this town and can just rush into a crime scene." I don’t miss the way she saysthat girl of yourswhen referring to Kindred. As though she ate something bitter and wants it out of her mouth.
"It wasn't a fucking crime scene."
"Because you didn't arrest them. As you should have."
"You think what you're saying is proving your point when you're only digging your grave deeper. A crowd was forming. Annoying, nosy people, and there you are waving a gun around." I have to bite back harsher words.
Fuck me. When I glance up at her rare silence, I see her eyes are filled with tears. "That's not how things are done. Both of them should have been arrested."
"Beckett."
"Katie, why won't you call me Katie?"
"We're not friends. We're colleagues," I remind her. "Here's the thing."
"You're firing me."
"No." Not today. Not when I think she might be behind this shit with Kindred. I'll keep her ass close. The tears in her eyes clear, and I see the relief has her shoulders and chin dropping back down. "But you need to think long and hard about staying here in New Hope. You don't care for the way I do things. This might not be a fit for you."
"I don't understand how it is for you. I read up on your time in the Army and as a Ranger. You don't have any strikes against you. Only medals." She smiles. "You got one for trying to save my brother."
That's what she believes. My service history is half bullshit. Ethan’s is as well. He’s still a Ranger.
“If you think my service was so great, then why don’t you trust what I’m telling you?” Beckett purses her lips. “Say it.” Not sure why she’s holding her tongue now. In fact, she talks far more than she should, and I’m not saying that to be a dick. Kindred is always saying girls flirt with me. I have no clue what she’s talking about, but could Beckett be doing that?
“I already told you. I think when it comes to this town, you’re biased.” That chin of hers juts up again. Everything she does irritates me. Ethan had been eyeing her up, and not for the same reasons as I had. I haven’t filled him in on how she’s connected to us.
I want to send her out to patrol. Oftentimes when it comes to policing, it’s about simply being around. I drive around with that purpose alone. I can’t do that. I don’t trust her in any which way. Not with Kindred and not with this town. All of the people here mean way too much to me to put their safety at risk.
The door to the station pushes open, and in hops Tinsley with her older brother right behind her.
“Mission accomplished,” she announces. “I made Christmas explode all over your house. What’s next?” Tinsley rubs her hands, wanting another task. The cheerful expression on her face falters when she sees Beckett.
"You got anything else for us?" Tim asks.
"You all haven't had enough?" I’m not surprised they got done so quickly. Tinsley is a ball of energy. Every time I see her, I wonder if my daughter with Kindred would be the same. If we have all girls, I'll have my hands full.
