“Why the long face” Miller heard when he walked back into the police station. He felt his brow unfurrow and he smiled at the blonde working dispatch. He leaned
onto the counter dividing them.
“Hey Candy, how’s things?”
“Oh you know. Same ole same ole.”
Miller looked around the station and saw empty desks.
“Where is everyone?”
“It’s been crazy today Sarge. The phones have been off the hook. I’ve got Bob over on the other side of town for a domestic disturbance. Jerry is out towards the parish line for a robbery. Everyone else is either off today or answering calls.”
“Busy day huh?
“You have no idea Charlie.”
“Dang. I’m trying to figure out who someone is in some pictures. I was going to ask Jerry. He knows everybody in town.”
“Maybe I can help. I’ve lived here my whole life, unlike you ya Johnny come lately.” She was smiling as she said this. “Let me see what ya got.”
“Yeah yeah” Miller replied as he pulled out the pictures and laid them on the counter.
Candy gave out a whistle when she saw them. “You found these at that missing person’s case?”
“Yeah. Do you know who this woman is?”
“That’s Mary Scribner. She works over at the hospital with my sister Susie.”
“The hospital huh?” Miller started to pace. As he walked he rubbed his chin absentmindedly. “We have a missing doctor and pictures of a hospital nurse. I think I need to take a ride over there and check things out.”
The phone started ringing. Candy sighed and rolled her eyes. “That damn phone is driving me up the wall. Rosepont PD what’s your emergency?”
“I suggest that you run” came a man’s voice over the phone.
“Excuse me?”
“I said that I suggest you and the Sergeant run. You have thirty seconds before I trigger the bomb under your desk. 30..29..”
Miller saw Candy’s eyes get wide.
“28..27..”
She looked under her desk and saw a something taped underneath. “Oh my God.”
“26..25..”
She dropped the phone and leapt the counter. “Come on” she cried as she grabbed Miller’s arm.
“24..23..”
“What’s going on” he started to ask.
“Never mind, just move that tight little butt of yours Sarge.”
Miller followed her at a dead sprint out the front of the station. The two of them crossed the street and dove into the ditch just as the front of the station exploded. Miller threw himself on top of Candy as he felt hot shrapnel pelt them. Luckily nothing large enough to cause injuries came their way.
Poking their heads up they saw that although the building still stood it was completely gutted from the blast. His patrol car was engulfed in flames. Candy
blew a lock of hair out of her face.
“Sarge, think I can go home now?"
“Darlin, I’m pretty sure this day is just starting, but if it ever ends how about I buy you a drink?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She slapped his butt as she walked away. “Let me see if I can find a phone to call the chief” she spoke over her shoulder.
He pushed his cap back and started rubbing his chin again. “I guess the hospital will have to wait a little longer.”