Chapter Three
Jude
The drugstore is only a few blocks away, and when we pull up, Liam swears under his breath. I glance over and find him scowling. “What’s wrong?” I ask, unbuckling my seat belt.
“That’s Sara Rourke. Caleb’s daughter.” He gets out of the car.
I follow, but I hang back a little. I’ll let Liam handle this situation. I’m not about to arrest the local pack leader’s teenage daughter my first day on the job. That would most definitely put me on the guy’s shit list.
There’s a middle-aged wolf standing next to the young girl. He’s bald with a goatee and he looks stressed. But there’s also a stubborn tilt to his jaw. The young girl next to him is blonde, pretty, and currently looking anywhere but at the small bag the older man is holding.
“Hey, Mr. Patterson,” Liam says as he approaches the pair.
“Officer M… Martinez,” Mr. Patterson stammers. “I caught Sara trying to leave the store with these items. It’s a bunch of makeup and stuff. She… uh… d… didn’t pay for them.”
I glance at the girl Sara. She’s staring at her shoes, arms wrapped around herself. She’s definitely not a hardened criminal. Her cheeks are bright pink and there’s obvious shame in her eyes.
“Did you take those things without paying, Sara?” Liam asks quietly. There’s authority in his voice, but also a gentleness.
“Yes,” she whispers.
“That doesn’t sound like something you’d do.” Liam frowns.
“I know,” she whimpers.
Back in Atlanta I handled a ton of shoplifting cases. Most of those people were insolent. Unrepentant. Sara looks like she’s about to pass out from embarrassment. Whatever her motivation was, it most certainly wasn’t for the thrill of it.
“Can you explain to me why you’d steal something?” Liam studies the young girl. “It’s not like your family is struggling financially.”
She wilts. “I know. It wasn’t about money.”
“Then what was it about?” Liam coaxes.
She wipes at her eyes. “Some of the kids at school said I’m… I’m spoiled. Pampered.”
I narrow my eyes. “And you thought stealing makeup would somehow prove you’re not spoiled?”
Liam gives me a warning glance and I stop talking.
Sara meets my gaze and her bottom lip trembles. “They said I’m weak. They said because of who my father is I live in a perfect little bubble.”
Even though a part of me thinks those kids aren’t completely wrong, I feel for the kid.
It’s obvious she’s being bullied about who her father is.
Even though I’ve never been accepted into a pack, I know how packs work.
Being the daughter of the local pack’s alpha gives her privilege, but that also comes with a built in resentment from others.
There are always jealous people who like to tear others down.
Being the pack leader’s kid doesn’t protect her from that pettiness.
“Did they want you to bring them the makeup?” Liam asks.
She nods. “They said if I was willing to steal something for them, that would prove I didn’t think I was better than them. They said I was probably too cowardly to risk it.”
I chuff. “Sounds to me like they just wanted some free makeup.”
“Yeah, I agree.” Liam sighs. “Sara, you’re not a coward, and you sure as heck don’t have to steal to prove that.”
“But maybe I am,” she says in a hushed voice. “How would I know? I’m pretty sheltered because of my dad.”
“Well, sure, he’s protective of you. But weak?
No, not even close. I mean, you’ve been helping your dad take care of your little brother ever since your mother died.
That sure as heck hasn’t been easy. Give yourself some credit, Sara.
For three whole years you’ve played mother to Thomas.
You’re probably one of the strongest girls I know.
You may be Caleb’s daughter, but you haven’t had it easy. ”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I try my best to help Dad.”
“Yes, and it shows. Because of you and your dad, Thomas is thriving.” Anger flashes across his handsome features. “Anyone who calls you weak or cowardly is a fool.”
She sniffs. “I just want to fit in with the regular kids.”
My heart aches for her. I know exactly how she feels. While I’m not the offspring of a pack leader, I’ve definitely felt the pain of not fitting in. What happened to me in Atlanta just confirmed my inability to be accepted.
“I understand you want to fit in,” Liam says. “But what would you say if you caught Thomas doing something this crazy?”
She bugs her eyes. “I’d be horrified.”
“Well, think about that next time you get the urge to give in to peer pressure.” His tone is chiding. “You’re supposed to be an example for your brother.”
I nod. “Plus, anyone who’s a real friend would never tell you to do something that might get you in trouble.”
“Yes,” Liam agrees. “Officer Collins is absolutely right. Friends want the best for you. They don’t set you up to get in trouble.”
“Yes, sir.” She sniffs. “I know you’re right. I just kind of lost my head for a minute there.”
Watching Sara, Mr. Patterson shifts his weight. “Look, I don’t want to make a big deal out of this. Sara’s a good girl. Maybe you guys can let her off with just a warning? I have the makeup back so no harm done.”
Sara’s relief is obvious. “Really? You’re okay with me just getting a warning, Mr. Patterson?”
He grimaces. “Yeah. Just, don’t do that again, okay?”
“I won’t. I swear I’ll never steal another thing as long as I live.” She drops her head, looking embarrassed. “I feel like a fool for letting myself get pressured into doing something so dumb.”
“Oh, you’re just a kid,” Mr. Patterson says gruffly. “We’ve all made mistakes growing up.”
Liam watches Sara. “I believe you regret this bad decision, Sara. I’m not going to tell your father about this either, okay? Let’s just forget this ever happened and move on with our lives.”
Sara looks like she’s about to start crying for real now. “Thank you so much, Officer Martinez, and you too, Mr. Patterson. I want my dad to be proud of me. I don’t want to cause him any more worries. I really will do better.”
“I know you will,” Liam says gently, patting her shoulder.
I find it ironic that the first call I get in Golden Peak is settled by showing compassion to someone, considering my last call in Atlanta almost cost me my career for doing the same thing. But I believe Liam handled this call correctly. Sara’s no criminal. She’s just a kid trying to fit in.
When we get in the car, I ask, “Are you really not going to tell her father?”
“I don’t see how it would help things. Sara’s a good kid.” He starts the car. “If she screws up again, then I’ll tell Caleb. But I don’t think she will.”
“I don’t either.”
The rest of the morning passes with Liam driving me around Golden Peak’s residential areas, chatting happily about being a cop in a small town.
He asks me questions about my life back in Atlanta, but when I don’t give him detailed answers, he doesn’t push.
I appreciate that. He’s got an easy way about him that makes conversation feel natural rather than forced.
I find myself relaxing, and offering more than one-word answers as the day progresses.
Early afternoon the radio crackles. “Unit 12, welfare check requested at 442 Pine Ridge Road. Neighbor reports not seeing or hearing from Helen Hutchins since last evening.”
Liam presses his shoulder radio. “Unit 12 responding.”
He explains as we drive. “Helen is eighty-three, lives alone since her husband died. She’s independent as hell, doesn’t like people fussing over her. But her nearest neighbor Jenny worries about her and keeps an eye on her. Calls her every day to make sure she’s doing okay.”
“I see.”
“It’s worrisome Jenny hasn’t been able to get hold of Helen. Of course, it could be nothing,” he says. “Maybe she went to visit her daughter in Missoula. But better to check.”
“Absolutely.” I understand Mrs. Hutchins’ desire to remain independent, but when you’re in your eighties, things can happen.
Pine Ridge Road winds up into the foothills.
Mrs. Hutchins’ house is a small blue bungalow with a frozen over birdbath in the front yard.
Liam knocks on the door while I check the perimeter of the house.
I check the windows and doors, but there are no signs of forced entry, so I return to my partner.
“Helen? It’s Officer Martinez,” Liam calls through the door.
Nothing.
“Maybe you’re right and she did just go to visit her daughter,” I say.
“I don’t know.” He grimaces. “She’d usually tell Jenny if she’s going to see her daughter.” There’s obvious concern in his voice.
“Maybe she forgot.” As I stop talking, I hear a faint groan in the distance.
“Did you hear that?” Liam asks, glancing toward the corner of the house.
“Sure did. I think that came from around back.” I turn and retrace my steps to the back of the house.
We begin searching the backyard and I’m mortified when we find Helen lying on the ground near a big wood pile.
She’s wearing a pink robe and slippers. Her teeth are chattering and her lips are slightly blue.
I can’t believe I didn’t see her when I first came around the back of the house.
I’d been focused on the interior of the home, assuming she was inside, not out in the cold.
When she sees us, she whimpers, “Oh, thank goodness.” There’s obvious relief in her voice. “I thought I was going to freeze to death out here.”
“What happened?” I ask, kneeling beside her as Liam radios for help. I take off my coat and lay it over her.
“I fell. I… I think I broke my darned ankle.” She grits her teeth. “I lost my balance when I slipped on some ice.”
I’m surprised when she slips her hand into mine. Her fingers are freezing and I capture them between mine, trying to warm them up. “It’s okay. We’re here now. Officer Martinez is already calling for help.”
“Thank you,” she says, teeth still chattering.
I think she’s right about her ankle. It’s blue and swollen. It could be a sprain, but something about the angle makes me think it’s probably a break.