Tyler Snell - The Deputy's Baby

The same group who had laughed in agreement a minute before cursed in unison.

Henry joined in.

“However, until we complete an official investigation, no one in the department will comment to the press. Understood?” Suzy didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she took a quick breath and gave a small nod. “While Billy is out, we will continue to do our jobs with the best of our abilities. Any and all questions in the meantime can be addressed to me or Captain Jones. When I know more about Billy’s condition, I will update you. Until then, let’s continue to make the sheriff proud.”

The room’s mood swung into a cheer before they started to break up. Suzy stayed up front, talking to those who stopped at her side. Almost like a widow after a funeral. Henry just hoped the analogy didn’t come true.

He stayed to the outskirts of the room, hanging back while the bulk of people filtered out. He looked through the crowd, hoping to see the woman he hadn’t ever thought he’d see again.

Cassie Gates.

One of Riker County Sheriff’s Department’s dispatchers.

Henry hadn’t even gotten a chance to talk to her since the diner. After they had secured the area, she’d left with one of the deputies and his wife. She’d been visibly shaken. They all had been, though, if he was being honest.

“Hey, Ward.”

Henry turned as Detective Walker came up to his side. He ran a hand through his blond hair and let out a sigh. It was tired.

“Not how you pictured your first week,” he commented. It wasn’t a question. “Wasn’t how I pictured my week, either, to tell the truth.”

Henry nodded. “Bad guys don’t take breaks for long,” he said. “My partner used to say that all the time.”

“I hate that it’s true but it is.” Matt ran another hand through his hair. He’d been the one doing the legwork on Darrel since they got back. Henry imagined he’d have a full, exhausting day tomorrow, too. “One minute we’re eating cake and the next—” The detective cut himself off, anger rising to the surface of his expression.

Henry let him have the moment in silence. He took another visible breath to calm himself.

“I just wanted to say thank you for what you did today.”

Henry couldn’t help his eyebrow rising in question.

The detective elaborated. “You covered Cassie without hesitation,” he said simply. “Made sure she was safe before we could get a hold on the situation. Good instincts can’t be taught, but they can be thanked.”

That surprised Henry. For two different reasons. One, trying to protect Cassie was a gut reaction. One his body started before his mind could even catch up and act on. He’d heard and seen the shot and then trying to protect her had been his only priority. He hadn’t done it for praise or thanks and was surprised he was getting both.

Two, being thanked was strange enough, but being thanked by the detective raised a few questions. The first and loudest was why was Matt invested in her safety? Or, more to the point, was it more personal than colleagues and friends? Did he care more for the woman than the rest?

And why was the mere thought of the two having more than a working relationship bothering Henry so much?

He’d only known Cassie for the one night—and the following morning—and then they’d parted ways. The slip of paper in his wallet was the only connection he’d had to her past then. It was foolish to think she was the same woman. He hadn’t seen her in over seven months.

A lot could happen in less time.

Henry shouldn’t, and couldn’t, be surprised that she might be in a relationship. Heck, they hadn’t even had one to begin with.

“I was just doing my job,” Henry said dutifully, locking down any conflicting emotions that might be splaying across his expression. “Nothing the rest of you wouldn’t do in my place. I’m just glad we kept anyone else from getting hurt.”

Matt nodded, accepting the statement as true, and started to walk off.

However, Henry couldn’t help himself. “I actually wanted to talk to her,” he blurted out, surprising himself. “Cassie, that is. I never got the chance at a proper introduction.” It was a lie, but Henry wasn’t about to admit to the detective that he had already met the woman... At a bar before going back to his hotel room. Especially if the two were involved. “Do you know where she is? I haven’t seen her since we left the diner.”

Matt’s brow furrowed. “She went to the hospital afterward, but now, if I’m not mistaken, she’s back at my place. I told her not to bother coming into the department tonight. Technically she doesn’t start back until next week.”

Henry’s gut dropped more than it should have. He had just confirmed the theory that Cassie and Matt were involved. Some of that emotion must have showed in his expression.

Matt gave a small smile. “You know, I’m about to head there myself but need a ride. If you give me a lift, I can trade you a home-cooked meal. I don’t think any of us has had anything to eat yet. Plus, I’m sure Cassie will want to thank you for earlier.”

The offer felt genuine. Matt hadn’t picked up on any of Henry’s thoughts.

But even those thoughts gave him little ground to argue with. Though Henry had to admit he didn’t like the idea of Cassie with someone else, he knew it was for the better.

People around him got hurt. Plain and simple.

But that didn’t stop him from accepting the offer.

He still wanted to see her. If only to make sure she was really okay.

They said goodbye to Suzy, asking again to be kept in the loop, and were on the road to Matt’s house within minutes. The detective gave directions, but other than that their conversation was light. Henry wanted to get to know more about him but decided he already knew enough. The lead detective was good at his job, nice to his team and loyal.

He reminded Henry of Calvin, his old partner.

A good man.

A man that Cassie deserves .

The thought popped into his head so quickly he couldn’t brace himself for it.

How had a woman he’d known for such a short time affected him so much? It made no sense. And was dangerous. Henry needed this job. He needed a new start. Banishing any and all thoughts of Cassie Gates past professionalism wasn’t something he wanted. He needed it.

Get a grip on yourself.

Henry loosened his shoulders, put on a polite smile and was ready when they finally pulled up to the detective’s house.

“Home sweet home,” Matt said over the hood of the car when they got out. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to eat a horse.”

The house was a good size with a nice yard. Simple and quaint. Two cars were parked in the driveway. One Henry recognized as the detective’s personal vehicle, the other he’d not seen before. Lights were on in the dining room, the curtains open enough that Henry got a clear view of the table.

And Cassie sitting at its end.

She must have felt his stare. She looked out the window and met his eyes.

She didn’t smile.

Maybe coming hadn’t been a good idea.

“I should also probably warn you,” started Matt, walking up the sidewalk that led to his front door. He paused at it, hand on the handle. “You’re about to meet a very loud, slightly intrusive woman. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love her, but sometimes she can be a little overpowering when you first get to know her.” There was a smile in his voice. “She calls it curiosity.”

Henry didn’t remember Cassie being loud, certainly not intrusive. At the bar she hadn’t kept poking around when he’d said he couldn’t talk about his current job and, in fact, hadn’t asked too many really personal questions at all. He’d treated her in kind.