ChapterSix
Mark
Every day I did something to show Layla I noticed things about her, remembered things from the past that she liked, to prove I cared. Some of it had backfired spectacularly, and others had worked perfectly.
I was currently sitting in our training/meeting room, grinning down at my phone, while the others filed in and took their seats.
Me: Do you still snore? X
Layla: I’ve never snored. I just breathe loudly while I sleep, so people know I’m still alive. It’s an act of caring so they don’t worry about me.
“Wow, check out that smile,” Reid muttered as he sat beside me. “Have you met the new guys yet?”
We’d had four new starts arrive today. They’d been training for five months before they started because of a new initiative Hurst and DB had decided to try out. As part of the mandatory academy training, they spent a month working with some of the experts who came to do refresher courses and new police technique rollouts with us, hence the reason for the delay.
“Okay, folks, I’m helping out on this one this morning,” Hurst said as he came into the room and shut the door behind him.
I didn’t miss the glare he shot at me as he walked to the front of the room, and I had to figure no one else had either.
“As you’ll no doubt see, we have the new guys with us now,” DB took over. “Obviously, y’all will already recognize Major Crew.”
Major was the older brother of Katy Klein, Reid’s brother’s wife.
“Hey, why the hell didn’t you tell me this was why you were missing most of the time,” Reid yelled across the room.
Smiling widely back at him, Major raised an eyebrow. “Bet it drove you nuts not knowing.”
Something blindingly obvious about how Major was dressed should have told Reid he’d misread the situation, but he was too focused on what he assumed was going on.
“I could have helped you out. You’re meant to hate Jarrod, Bond, and Canon, not me. I’m the lovable Klein that everyone likes.”
DB sighed and rubbed his face tiredly. “Regardless of what Reid thinks, Major isn’t here to join the department—although it’d be nice if he did. The mayor has appointed Major as the town’s legal counsel, and we want him to sit in on the welcome briefings from now on. Not only are they a welcome to new members, but they’re a reminder for ones who’ve worked with us for a while.”
Going to where the new recruits were seated at the far end of the table, DB began introducing them. “Here we have Spencer Walters. Spence previously worked for the British Army before joining his local police force in England.”
Moving to the next guy, he said, “Gareth Hughes, formerly of New South Wales Police Force in Australia.”
Gareth seemed more relaxed than Spence had because he waved his hand and smiled at us all while DB moved on to the next guy in line.
“Now onto Zeke Lancaster, whose former job involved working for the military.”
“Ten bucks he was a defense contractor or one of those guys who designs special parts for weapons,” Carter mumbled. “We’ve got some of the best technology thanks to them, but that work can drive you insane.”
“No way I’m taking that bet when I agree with what you’re saying,” I whispered back, watching as DB moved onto the fourth guy.
“Finally, we have Carson Dalgleish, from Edinburgh, Scotland. Carson is also former military, having served with The Royal Highland Fusiliers before joining the police.”
It was slightly awkward for both groups to go through this. We wanted to make them feel welcome and learn about them, but there was only so long you could hold a smile. On the flip side, having been in their shoes, it was hard to know the best response while you were being introduced.
Carson, though, well, he got it right.
“Nice to be here, great to meet you, and no, I didn’t have to wear a kilt while I was in the army. It’s also personal preference if you wear your boxers under it and if you’re comfortable with the possibility of flashing your bits at wee kids and poor old ladies when the wind blows. Any other questions?”
We all raised our hands and then lowered them again when DB cleared his throat.
“You can interrogate him after we’re done.” Turning to the mayor, he gestured with his hand. “Your turn, Hurst.”
Hurst frowned. “I had questions to ask Carson, too.”