Dead Woman Crossing J.R. Adler (early reader chapter books txt) 📖

I never had an office in the NYPD, so this is a massive upgrade.” Kimberley nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Really? Even as a detective?”

“Yup. No room for it. Detectives sit in cubes. Patrol officers don’t even get that usually. They have to share space. Only captains and above got offices and those were still smaller than this.”

“Well, welcome to your mansion then. At least we were able to one-up the NYPD in one area,” Sam quipped. “I’ll issue your badge and gun tomorrow. Your car is in the shop for inspection and won’t be ready ’til the end of the week. Sorry about that. Do you have a way to get around in the meantime?” Sam raised his mug to his lips and took a large gulp, peering at her over the cup.

“I’ll make it work.”

Kimberley walked to the other side of the desk and set her cup down. She looked over everything, pulling out drawers, and inspecting the chair. She sat down and adjusted it to the height that was most comfortable, while the sheriff observed her.

“Good.” Sam rocked back on his heels and then opted to take a seat in the chair in front of her desk, facing Kimberley. “So, let me tell you a little bit about the team first.”

Kimberley looked up at him, eager to know more about the people she’d be working with.

“You met Burns out there. He’s a good kid, just a bit green.”

“I gathered that from his toy-soldier salute.”

Sam cracked a smile but continued on. “I also mentioned Deputy Bearfield. He’s been on the force for about eight years. He’s thorough and reliable, but I must warn you, he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder right now.”

Kimberley raised an eyebrow. “About what?”

“You. He applied for the position of chief deputy, and obviously I went with an outside hire.” Sam gestured to Kimberley. “He’s a good deputy, but let me know if he gives you any grief.”

Kimberley slightly narrowed her eyes. She didn’t like coming into a situation where people she didn’t even know had an issue with her.

“Will do. Anyone else already have a problem with me?” Her tone was a mix of sarcasm and her New York attitude, which sometimes she just couldn’t help.

Sam sighed. “No, and his issue should be more with me than you. I’m the one that didn’t hire him. We also have Deputy Hill. He’s new to day shift. I had to remove him from the night shift after he accidentally discharged his weapon during a suspected DUI violation.” Sam rubbed his forehead.

“Jesus. Did he shoot anyone?” Kimberley sat forward in her seat.

“Yeah, his own foot. He’s recovered now, got a bit of a limp and a severely bruised ego, but he’s determined to work his way back up, so he’ll fall right in line.”

“You got quite the team here,” she said sarcastically.

“Now you can see why I hired you.” Sam smirked. “And let’s not forget our crown jewel, Deputy Lodge. You won’t meet him for a while as he’s on suspension.”

“They just keep getting better.” Kimberley shook her head. “What’s he on suspension for?”

“Domestic violence.”

“And he’s still working here?” Kimberley already hated the man, and she hadn’t even met him.

“Trust me. If I could have fired him, I would have. His dad is on the county board and I know that doesn’t sound like anything where you’re from, but here it means something. Like I said, you won’t meet him for a while though, so no need to worry.”

“How long is his suspension?”

Sam looked down at his watch. “He’s got another five weeks, pending AA and therapy completion.”

“Good.” Kimberley nodded. “I respect that you’re holding him accountable.”

Sam folded his arms in front of his chest, not commenting any further on the matter. “So, that’s the daytime team. Any questions?”

“Not about the team. I’m sure I’ll get to know them all well in due time.”

Sam nodded and scratched his head as if he were thinking of what more to tell Kimberley.

“Oh, yes. Barb’s got a map in that binder you’ll get tomorrow of the area of Custer County we patrol, so you’ll have that for a visual. There are twenty-seven thousand residents in the county, but we tend to stay away from Clinton and Weatherford as they have their own dedicated police departments. Those two communities account for twenty thousand residents. We help them when needed, but otherwise we leave it to them.”

“This department is responsible for only seven thousand people?”

Sam nodded. “Yeah, I know. A big dip from NYC’s eight million plus residents. We cover the smaller towns and everything between them, so Anthon, Thomas, Custer City, right here in Arapaho, Butler, and good old Dead Woman Crossing.”

“Well, alright then.” Kimberley clapped her hands together.

“And you mentioned on the phone, you’re living over in Dead Woman Crossing on the Turner Farm?”

“That’s right.” Kimberley nodded.

“Well, since you’re living there, let me tell you a little bit about Dead Woman Crossing.”

“What’s there to know?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Not a lot.” Sam chuckled. “But I’ll give you the basics. This ain’t New York. I’ll shoot straight with you. You and I both know that in New York you saw more shit in a one-week period than most of my boys have and will see in their entire careers. Your expertise and experience will be highly valued and don’t ever forget that. Around here most of the crimes we come across are traffic incidents, DUI’s, some burglaries, domestic abuse incidents, a little bit of drug possession, mostly meth, and every now and then a missing/stolen livestock incident.”

“Livestock and meth? Sounds like a riot.” Kimberley smiled.

Sam squinted his eyes slightly, caught off guard by her directness. He brought his foot up and laid it across his knee, getting a little more comfortable in his chair.

“We have some town troublemakers. You’ll encounter them plenty, I’m sure. I had Barb put together some of the main ones with past offenses, photos, where they live, etc. You’ll get those with