Came Home From the Grave

Constable Natalie Parker pulled her car into the detachment parking lot. Her pulse raced and the thump-thump echoed in her ears. Her stomach roiled. Whether with excitement or fear she wasn’t sure. Perhaps a bit of both.

Her phone played the first beats of ‘On the Road Again’ and Constable Harvey Conrad’s number showed in the display. Harvey. Her partner in hunting drug runners and tracking down a murderer or two. And he’d stood by her through her injury and time off. She grinned as she pushed the answer button. Recently they’d become more than friends.

“How’d it go, Sweetie?”

“Got it,” she said.

“Excellent.”

“Possibly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m good at digging through data and tracking down information.” She bit her lower lip. “You know. A two-sided coin. Wanting to be in the field and needing to be safe.”

“We went through this. You’re as good in the field as in the office.” He paused. “Nat,” he said, using the name only he used for her, “it’s time to get back on the horse. Even if you decide later to make changes, you need to go back for your own peace of mind.”

Natalie pinched the bridge of her nose and counted to six. “Darn you, Conrad. You sound like the head-doc.”

“We’re two smart people,” Harvey said. “Believe us.”

“I know. Just momentary cold feet,” she agreed. A shiver rippled through her. “The explosion still haunts me at times.”

“You’ll be fine. Now, m’girl, go get-em’.”

She laughed. Harvey always had a stabilizing effect on her. “Get to work yourself, Conrad.” She signed off, left the car and headed for her unit.

In the second-floor hall of the squat, brick building she squared her shoulders, ran a hand through her too-short hair and reached for the office door handle. Inside she nodded to her team members. They knew she hoped to return to active duty and, even though they’d appreciated the extra help she’d given with paperwork, they understood. She took the form and waved it, giving a thumbs up.

“Way to go.” One voice rose over the others.

Another co-worker gave her the okay sign. “Glad you’re ready to hit the pavement.”

Superintendent Brayburn loomed in his office door. “All right you crew, back to work. Crimes to solve and paper work to handle.” He gave her a curt nod. “Sounds like you’re ready for active duty, Parker.” He ushered her into his office, closed the door, and took his seat. “We’ve appreciated your work in the office, but we can use you back in the field.”

“Thanks.” What else could she say?

“You were blown up,” he said. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

Way to be blunt, boss. She nodded. “My psych evaluation agrees as does the neurological report. Maybe it is a case of what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” She didn’t mention the reluctance of both doctors about the lurking potential for migraines.

Brayburn continued. “I’ll be up front with you. I am concerned about sending you back in the field. Even the hardiest officers would be shaky after what you’ve been through.”

“I’m….”

He held up a finger. “I know you think you’re fine. And you may have convinced the docs you are. But know this,” he said and pointed the finger at her. “If there is any sign a relapse would compromise a case, I’ll pull you off any investigation so fast your head will spin.”

No point in arguing. “Yes, sir.”

He picked up his pen. “Go finish the files you’ve been working on this week. You’ll be in the field when I decide.” His phone rang, and he dismissed her with a wave.

Natalie stood, snapped a mock salute and went to her own desk. Am I annoyed or relieved at the delay? She planted both hands on her chair back. Why do I even ask? Six weeks on desk duty. I am more than ready to get out of this office. Taking her seat, she opened the one file left on her desk from the day before.

Moments later, Brayburn stood in his office door and summoned her again. She grimaced mentally, not daring to let it show on her face. He never crooks his finger at the guys, only me. One of the several habits that betrayed his old boy thinking. The subtle distinction bothered her now more than before the accident.

“Change of plans,” he said. “We caught a new case.” He raised his voice. “Sorry boys, but the lovely lady officer is not going to be available to help you. I need her elsewhere.” Yes, pretty boys, you’re on your own. Like Brayburn would ever say such a thing.

A collective groan sounded. At least they seemed to be sincere in appreciating her efforts.

She followed Brayburn into his office, her heart pounding. Did she want out of the office? Yes. Was she comfortable with the possibility? Maybe.

No door closing this time. He picked up a note. “We’ve had a call from a Constable Harvey Conrad in Bridgewater.”

“Harvey?” she spoke without thought.

Brayburn looked up. “You know him?”

“Ah-HM. Quite well. We’ve worked together in Caleb’s Cove from time to time.” And he helped me with a few other things during my recovery. But that is not your business.

“Well, Caleb’s Cove is at it again. A kid found, well, his dog found, what seems to be a human, skeletal arm and hand.”

She clenched one hand. She knew almost everyone in Caleb’s Cove. “Adam and Mutt.”

Brayburn checked the note and nodded. He peered at her. “Are you okay?”

“A bit surprised,” she said. “Adam is only twelve. It probably upset him.” Or he’s loving the excitement.

“Well, I need you down there again. The dog hauled the hand home. So, first, and Conrad has started on this, is to figure out where he found it. If you can find out where it came from, we can decide if an investigation is needed.” He picked up his pen, his usual dismissal action.

He thinks it’s nothing, so I get the call. She clamped her mouth over words threatening to spill out. But anything that gets me out of this office and lets me spend time with Harvey is fine by me. Natalie stood and marched out.

Leave it to Brayburn to hand her a straightforward case. One that would die a natural death if there were no more body parts. She grabbed her purse. Checked her gun and headed down the hall, dialing Harvey as she went.

“So, you drew the short straw?” His laugh punctuated his words. “Suits me fine.”

“Looks like it. I think the boss figures it’s an easy case for my first day back in the field.”

“Right. As if anything out here is easy. The damn curse on the island always seems to rear its head.”

“What? You’re worried because there have been three murders, a serial killer and a kidnapping in the past six years?” She outlined the obvious, a running joke between them.

“You know the curse is the reason I stay,” Harvey said. “With it, and the ever-present threat of drug runners, my life is exciting.”

“Sure, Harvey, sure.

He laughed. “When will you be here?”

“In about three hours. I’ll give you a heads up and meet you at the café. No, wait. Too public. How about over at the security office. I’ll let Devon know we’re coming and will probably use the cabin as well as the office.”

“Works for me. See you.”

Caleb’s Cove. She loved it there, except when death permeated the air. The headache that never quite died, loomed behind her eyes. Focus. Black pavement. Two squad cars. Three steps. Four trees. The exercise steadied her brain. The ability to focus in the present came with long practice. The routine and a few minutes with her eyes closed pushed back the headache.

The sun warmed her head, but she shivered. No one she knew in Caleb’s Cove deserved the secrets a corpse could dig up. But with secrets came answers. The answers were why she’d became a police officer.

Her father’s words ran through her memory. Policing is about justice for the victims, help for the weak, and order in the community. Before he’d disappeared while undercover and been declared dead, she’d heard them often. To be a good officer, you need to know yourself, be true to your core values and always do everything you can to help good triumph over evil.”

She turned the car onto Robie Street. Tension tightened the muscles between her shoulder blades and mixed excitement and fear twisted her stomach. In the past, secrets in Caleb’s Cove had spiraled into murders. She shivered. If they found a murdered body, would it dig up old secrets?