LITMIR.BIZ

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      Rebecca noticed all the cells were empty. “Often?”

      “On the weekend it picks up. A few people who can’t hold their liquor. Occasionally there’s a fight. If we’re lucky that’s all. I’m proud to say there hasn’t been a serious crime in Oakview in a year.”

      “How many police officers do you have?”

      “Twelve besides myself. Today you should meet some of them. When you get settled in, Mabel will show you how to dispatch messages to the patrolmen out on the beat.” He led her into the main room and pointed toward his office. “That’s mine, but you already know that.”

      Rebecca’s gaze fixed on Mabel’s desk, which stood guard outside Gabriel’s office. “Who gave her the nickname Dragon Lady?”

      Gabriel chuckled. “A man who wanted to see me, and she kept telling him that I was busy.”

      “Did he get to see you?”

      “No. He had to come back later. Mabel has her pluses.”

      “You didn’t want to see him?”

      “He was a salesman, and he had a hard time understanding the word no. Mabel helped the poor guy with its meaning.”

      Gabriel gestured toward another door. “That leads to the rest rooms and the courthouse. Now you’ve been on the grand tour such as it is. Any questions?”

      “When’s lunch?”

      “Don’t let Mabel hear you ask that question on your first day.”

      Rebecca ignored the twinkle in his eye and said, “I have to let Granny know when I’m going to be home for lunch. She’ll need to keep Josh up so I can do his physical therapy with him after I eat.”

      “Mabel goes to lunch at noon, so you can go before or after her, whichever works best for you.”

      “I’ll try one today, and see if that works best for Granny and Josh.”

      “Just let Mabel know—”

      A commotion at the front door caused Gabriel to turn. He sighed and strode toward an officer, a small, elderly woman and a young man with a beet-red face who appeared as though he would have a stroke at any moment.

      “Ben, what can I do for you?” Gabriel asked, eyeing the cuffs on Bess Anderson. “I think, Officer Morris, we can remove those. I doubt Bess is a flight risk.”

      “She’s a menace to society.” Rebecca recognized the man speaking as Ben Cross, the owner of a clothing store. “She took a bottle of perfume this time.” Anger was in the young man’s face as well as his voice. He stepped forward until he stood only a foot from Gabriel. “I demand that something be done this time. You promised you would take care of her.”

      Gabriel plowed his hand through his hair and drew in several deep breaths. “Now, calm down, Ben. Why don’t you come into my office and we’ll talk about this?”

      “No!” Ben stiffened, his hands balled at his sides. “I want satisfaction this time.”

      A picture of the young man dueling at dawn popped into Rebecca’s mind, and she clamped her lips together. When she couldn’t contain her grin any longer, she covered her mouth with her hand.

      “Mabel fixes a great cup of coffee. Come on into my office and have a cup while we talk this over.”

      “No! I can’t have this—” Ben floundered for a word to describe Bess “—woman in my store. If people hear I let her get away with this, I’ll be robbed blind.”

      Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck. “Then by all means fill out a report on Bess Anderson. I wouldn’t want anyone taking advantage of you.”

      Ben glared at Gabriel. “Are you making fun of me?”

      “I wouldn’t do that. A crime has been committed, and you have a right to report it.”

      Rebecca observed Bess standing next to the officer who had brought her in. She whispered something to the young policeman, then brushed a piece of lint off his navy blue shirt. Next she pulled out a handkerchief and began to polish the officer’s badge, all while Ben demanded justice in a loud voice.

      “Where’s the paper I need to fill out?”

      “Come into my office, and I’ll fill it out for you.”

      “What are you going to do about her?” Ben jerked his thumb at Bess, who continued to rub the policeman’s badge.

      “My staff will make sure she’s processed.”

      While Ben stalked into the office, Gabriel hung back and said, “Make sure Bess is comfortable, Officer Morris. She can sit at Rebecca’s desk.” Gabriel gave Rebecca a look that spoke volumes. This was not a part of the job he enjoyed. “Rebecca, please get Bess something to drink until I can have a word with her.”

      When the door to Gabriel’s office closed, Officer Morris motioned for Bess to follow him. “Ma’am, you need to have a seat over here.”

      “Where will you be, young man?”

      “I need to fill out a report on this incident.”

      “You’re going to leave me alone?”

      Rebecca moved forward. “No, I’ll keep you company. Chief Stone wanted me to get you something to drink. What would you like?”

      “Tea, with honey and lemon, if you have it.” Bess sat in Rebecca’s chair, placed her black pocketbook on her lap, then straightened her white gloves and gripped her purse handle.

      “Now if I can only find where to get the tea,” Rebecca mumbled and plodded to Mabel’s desk. “Excuse me. I hate to bother you, but where can I get—”

      “Through that door next to the women’s rest room is a kitchen. There should be hot water and some tea bags. I don’t know about the other stuff. Most of the people around here drink coffee, black.” Mabel pulled open a drawer in the bottom of her desk and rummaged through her purse until she produced a packet of honey. “Use this.”

      “No lemon slices in that purse?”

      Mabel almost smiled. “Afraid not.”

      “Thanks.” Rebecca made her way to the kitchen, amazed that the Dragon Lady had a heart, after all.

      Five minutes later Rebecca entered the police station with a cup of tea minus a lemon slice but sweetened with honey. As she crossed the room, she heard Ben’s raised voice followed by Gabriel’s soothing one and cringed. Evidently Gabriel was having a hard time calming the man down.

      “Oh, my, that young man is really angry at someone.” Bess took the cup Rebecca handed her.

      “He says you took some perfume from his store,” Rebecca said, pulling up a chair next to Bess in hopes of being able to get some work done while the older woman was at her desk.

      “Oh, my, why would he say that? I’d never steal a thing from anyone. Goes against my beliefs.”

      Rebecca peered at the high pile of folders that still needed to be logged in, shrugged and replied, “Perhaps you didn’t realize it.”

      “Not realize I stole something? Oh, my.”

      The hair on the nape of Rebecca’s neck tingled. She peered at Mabel. The Dragon Lady shot her an exasperated glare. Rebecca sent her a look that silently asked Mabel what was she to do, toss Bess out of her chair? Rebecca glanced away before she received her answer.

      “Maybe you forgot you had it.” Rebecca concentrated her full attention on Bess, determined to ignore the look she was receiving from Mabel. Rebecca chose to remember the packet of honey Mabel had given her. That gave Rebecca hope that just maybe she and Mabel could get along.

      “I so like to shop, and the home won’t let me go to

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