Second in Command, page 24
part #1 of Fairview Station Series
Emory grabbed her in a hug and held on. “Are you all right, darling?”
She let out a long sigh. “Better now. I wondered if you’d talk to Shea. I’m not taking her back to that Sheri person or Karen, especially after what I just heard. I want somebody I trust to make sure she’s…she hasn’t been—”
“I know.” Emory lowered her arm around Jazz’s waist, and they walked toward the house.
“A couple of things you need to know before we go in.” Jazz kissed Emory and pulled back breathless. “I told G-ma and Mama about your surgery. It just came out with everything else going on this morning. I wanted us to tell them together, but—”
“It’s all right, darling, as long as they know.”
“And they’re fine with it, with us.”
“I never doubted they would be.” Emory stroked the side of her face. “What else?”
Jazz told her what Shea said about calling Karen, and her intention to file criminal charges if she could prove it through phone records.
“Unbelievable, just when I thought I couldn’t dislike that woman anymore.” Emory opened the door and waited for Jazz. “Are you going to sit in while I talk to Shea?”
Jazz nodded. “Not long.”
Emory hugged G-ma, Mama, Bennett, and Kerstin, joined them at the table, and struck up a casual conversation with Shea. In a few minutes, they were laughing and talking easily while Jazz marveled at the exchange. Emory thought she wouldn’t make a good parent. If she could see herself through Jazz’s eyes, she’d know the truth.
“I have to go,” Jazz said and gave Shea a fist bump and Emory a quick kiss. “I’ll check in later.” Emory followed her to the front door and kissed her so deeply Jazz didn’t want to leave.
“Shea seems fine on the surface, but I’ll dig deeper. Don’t worry about her.”
“I trust you. I’d never seen you interact with a child before.” She cupped Emory’s cheek and stared into her beautiful green eyes. “You were great with her.”
“Maybe I’m not such awful mother material after all?” Emory gave her a play shove. “Remember that I love you.”
“And I love you. Can we get together later? I need to track down some phone calls first.” Jazz felt a tangible connection between her and Emory pulling taut as she walked away. She wanted to stay, to start their life together now, but she needed to tie up some loose ends.
“Won’t you be at the USAA board meeting this afternoon?”
“Of course. See you there with enough ammunition to bury Karen Patrick.”
Chapter Twenty
Emory clenched the straps of her briefcase and refused to make eye contact with Karen sitting on the opposite side of the USAA reception area in a designer suit. Emory unconsciously tugged her sweater tighter and noticed it didn’t feel quite as snug as usual. Those spin classes must be paying off. She straightened in her seat and flashed Karen a faux smile. She wanted to confront Karen about so many things—trying to seduce Jazz, accessing her medical files, selling children to the highest bidder, ignoring Shea’s cries for help—but Emory’s agenda could wait until Henrietta finished with her.
Karen returned a blazing smile, apparently unconcerned by what awaited her behind the conference room doors, but she didn’t know Henrietta Goldstein the way Emory did. Henri didn’t take prisoners when it came to business or ethics, especially when her family name was involved. Emory could warn Karen what was coming, but before the idea took hold, Karen walked toward her and stood several feet away as if Emory’s off-the-rack style might rub off.
“Do you have any idea why I’ve been summoned to an emergency board meeting and why you’re here?”
For the first time, Karen looked ruffled, and Emory took more than a little pleasure in her discomfort. “I might.”
“Care to share?”
“The way you shared my personal medical information?” Karen’s eyes sparked with heat but when she blinked, it dissolved into icy blue. “Some things deserve to unfold in the moment.”
“One day very soon, Ms. Blake, you’re going to wish—”
The waiting room door opened and Jazz walked in looking gorgeously official in her uniform. She stopped between Emory and Karen. “Am I late?”
“I’m so glad you’re here, babe,” Karen said, rushing to Jazz’s side. She glanced between Jazz and Emory. “Can we have a minute in private before this circus starts?”
Before Jazz could answer, the conference room door opened and Henrietta announced, “We’re ready for you.” She waved Emory in with a smile and addressed Karen. “All of you.” Henrietta preceded Karen in but didn’t wait for her to sit. “Come with me, Ms. Patrick.”
Karen’s gait lacked some of its usual swagger as she followed Henrietta to the front of the room. “What’s the purpose of this meeting, Henri?”
“It’s Ms. Goldstein, and you’re about to find out.” She handed Karen a document. “Is this the privatization proposal you presented to the state?”
Karen glanced through the stack of papers. “It is.”
From her seat at the back, Emory felt the tension swell in the room. It was like watching a tornado gain strength and she couldn’t look away. She wasn’t a vengeful person, but Karen deserved whatever Henrietta was about to dish out and more. She waved Jazz over, but she shook her head and remained by the door.
“We’ve found discrepancies between the figures you cited in the proposal and the ones you presented in your monthly reports to USAA. Can you explain the differences?”
“What’s going on here?” Karen asked, giving each member of the board a scathing stare. “I have a right to know if I’m suspected of some wrongdoing.”
“You’re more than suspected,” Henrietta said, “I submit that you’ve falsified documents, taken unauthorized payments for the placement of children in foster and adoptive homes, and bypassed privacy laws, all in violation of your contract with the US Adoption Agency…and human decency.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m prepared to offer evidence to support every allegation.” Henrietta glanced at Emory for confirmation and then did the same to Jazz. When Karen didn’t immediately respond, Henrietta continued. “Very well, I call Lieutenant Jazz Perry to address the board on possible criminal charges.”
“Stop.” Karen’s face blanched and she grabbed her throat. “No.”
“Or should I start with your HIPPA violation for accessing another person’s medical records without permission or legal authority?”
Emory searched Henrietta’s face for any indication she was bluffing but saw none. How could she possibly know about that?
“What do you want?” Karen asked through clenched teeth.
The corners of Henrietta’s mouth twitched slightly, an involuntary response Emory associated with victory. She’d won without showing her hand.
“I want your signature on this statement of allegations, the return of funds that exceed the set company fees, and your immediate resignation. If you need an account of how much you bilked from our clients, I have the figure down to the last cent.”
Karen seemed to consider her options. Her gaze settled on Jazz, and her expression hardened before she asked Henrietta, “Do you intend to pursue criminal charges?”
“I have no such intention as it pertains to the USAA records,” Henrietta said.
“And will there be a public announcement or can we handle my resignation discreetly?”
“The agency will issue a media blast, but the content will be contingent on how amicably we settle things here. And before you ask, I’ve been in touch with the state administrators, and you’ll be permanently banned from working with children in North Carolina.”
“But it’s my liveli—”
“Take it or leave it. I have two press releases.” She waved the pages in the air. “You choose which one goes public.”
“Fine. I’ll resign and leave this backwoods town with pleasure. But trust me, you will all regret the way you treated me today. I’ll see to it.” She signed the papers Henrietta shoved in her direction and started toward the exit with Jazz right behind her.
“A moment, Ms. Patrick,” Jazz said. “I have a warrant for your arrest for child endangerment and falsifying documents.” Jazz waved the paper in front of Karen, and she seemed to wilt.
“What?”
“Remember Shea Spencer, the young girl who called you begging for help when her drug-dealing father kidnapped her?”
“You can’t believe that lying little brat,” Karen said.
“I have phone records to support her allegations. Turn around. I need to handcuff you.”
Karen turned toward Henrietta. “But you promised no criminal charges.”
“About the USAA files, not this. You’re a disgrace to the profession.”
Jazz handcuffed Karen and escorted her out. The quiet room erupted in cheers and applause, and Henrietta slumped in a chair. Emory was torn between following Jazz or checking on Henrietta. She forced herself to stand, still unsure which way she’d go, but finally decided to help Henrietta. She knelt beside her chair. “Are you okay, Henri?”
“Yes, my dear, just very glad Ms. Patrick didn’t make a bigger scene.”
“You handled her beautifully, but how did you know about the medical records?”
“You have quite the champion in your corner with Jazz Perry.”
Emory squeezed Henrietta’s hand and said, “I have two.”
Henrietta motioned for quiet and accepted a folder from another board member. “There is one more issue to address before we adjourn.” She turned back to Emory. “The board has authorized me to offer you the position as director of the US Adoption Agency. The privatization proposal will pass in a revised form within the year, and we’d like an experienced person we trust at the helm. Your tenacity uncovering this situation and bringing it to our attention has proven you’re the right person for the job. I think you’ll find our terms more than generous. What do you say?”
“I…really?” She looked around for Jazz. She wanted to consult her partner before deciding an issue that would affect their lives.
“You can take a couple of days to consider the offer if you’d like. Meeting adjourned.”
Emory nodded. “Thanks, Henri.” She turned to leave, desperate to find Jazz, and bumped into someone. “Sorry.”
“Didn’t we start out like this, except money was involved,” Jazz’s teasing sent shivers through Emory.
“Oh, you.” She placed her palms against Jazz’s chest, connected with the steady beating of her heart, and then gently pushed her away.
“Em? Are you crying?”
“No, of course not. I’ve just had the best job offer of my life, and you missed it.”
Henrietta had been watching them and moved closer. “Why don’t you two discuss the offer and let me know in a couple of days.” She offered Jazz her hand. “I’m very sorry I didn’t do better by you at the time, Ms. Perry. I had to work within a flawed system, but hopefully we’re making progress.”
“You’ve more than made up for it,” Jazz said. “Thank you for everything.”
Emory waited until Henrietta left before taking Jazz’s hand and pulling her toward the door. “What happened to Karen?”
“I handed her over to a couple of officers I had on stand-by.”
“Good,” Emory said. “So, you’re free to come with me?”
“Always.”
“Good, let’s go. And I hope you have civilian clothes in your car.”
“I love it when you take charge, Ms. Blake.”
“You just wait. If you think I’m being bossy now, you’re in for a surprise.”
Jazz tried to kiss her, but Emory walked faster. “Will you at least tell me where we’re going, Em?”
“My place.”
“Perfect.”
* * *
“I’m sorry—” They said together as soon as Emory’s condo door closed behind them.
“You go,” Emory said and motioned Jazz to the sofa. “If you want. It’s been an emotional day for both of us. Maybe we should—” Jazz kissed her lightly and then deeper, sparking desire.
She waited until Jazz settled on one end of the sofa, and she sat on the other. If she was too close, they’d never talk, just more kissing, and touching, and eventually sex. Maybe not such a bad idea. Stop it. Things needed to be said now before the physical made everything seem rosy.
Jazz licked her lips and looked at Emory. “Would you mind if I came a little closer? I talk better when I’m touching you.” She held out her hand and waited for Emory’s permission.
“All right, just no…fondling until we talk. Okay?”
Jazz ’s mouth quirked into a tempting grin, and her eyes twinkled with mischief. “I promise.” She scooted over and brought Emory’s hand onto her lap. “Do you want me to start?”
Emory nodded.
“I’m sorry I rushed off this morning, but I wanted to get the phone records and the warrant before the board meeting. I feel like it’s been hours since we talked or touched.” She rubbed her thumbs across Emory’s knuckles. “How did the talk with Shea go?”
“Good, she’s fine. Nothing serious happened, just little food or sleep for days.”
Jazz released a long breath. “Thank God.” She inched closer. “I was so proud of you today, Em. You didn’t let Karen rattle you and you stood up to her. The evidence you found in the stats got the ball rolling.”
“And the criminal charges you filed sealed the deal. My shero.” She grinned and gave Jazz an encouraging kiss.
Jazz pulled back just enough to look Emory in the eyes. “Now can we move on to the fun stuff? And maybe talk about us?”
Emory’s heart pounded hard, and she fought back tears, unable to fully comprehend that she and Jazz could be together at last. “Are you sure I’ll be enough for you?”
“You’ve always been perfect for me, just the way you are. I just needed a triple tap to get the big picture.”
“A what?”
“Triple tap. It’s a close-quarters shooting technique. The shooter fires twice into the torso of a target and follows up with a head shot,” Jazz said.
“I’m afraid I don’t get the rather graphic analogy, darling.”
“It’s about family. The Carlyles and my family of choice have never been about blood, genes, or DNA, only love and loyalty. But when I met Shea and was reminded of my past and how my life changed, that was the head shot. It finally came together. What I’d known in my heart, suddenly made sense. We make our own family. We chose each other, now we can choose if we want children and then choose our child.” Jazz stared down at their joined hands for a few long seconds and brushed at her eyes.
“That was beautiful and so perfect for us,” Emory said.
Jazz kissed Emory lightly, and then reached around her neck and pulled off her necklace. “I want you to have this. It belonged to my mother. She left a note with it that said, ‘Two hearts united are stronger than steel.’ I believe we are, Em.” She placed the necklace on Emory.
She touched the love knot and felt the heat from Jazz’s body at her throat. “It’s beautiful, Jazz. I’ll cherish it always.”
“And I’ll cherish you, Em. My happily ever after is really happening with the woman of my dreams.”
“I love you, Jasmine Perry.” Emory stood and reached for Jazz’s hand. “I think it’s time for the fun stuff now. Take me to bed, darling.”
“With pleasure.”
THE END
About the Author
A thirty-year veteran of a midsized police department, VK was a police officer by necessity and a writer by desire. Her career spanned numerous positions including beat officer, homicide detective, vice/narcotics lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief of police. Now retired, she devotes her time to writing, traveling, and volunteering.
VK can be reached on Facebook at @vk.powell.12 and Twitter @VKPowell.
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