Fired (Rachel and Kevin)

By Olivia Garnet

When a charred body is found in a burned down drugstore, detectives Rachel and Kevin must solve the case quickly as three people are missing.

This is the second title in the Rachel and Kevin series. This is an 11,000 word short story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Garnet
• Release date: Mar 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497784727

Book preview

Thanks for the coffee, I said as I took the steaming mug from my mother.

I had not seen her in a couple weeks. I noticed a few more gray hairs on her head, a new line around her mouth. Just a reminder that she was getting older, and that meant I was getting older too.

Work's been busy, huh?

Yeah, I said and blew on the coffee. Just finished a case. I also had to testify for an incident that happened while I was still on patrol.

Mom sighed. I cringed. I knew what that sound meant.

I just worry about you so much, she said.

My stomach twisted. I know. You know I know how to take care of myself though.

I know. You are just so pretty. You work around such dangerous people.

I carry a gun. I've been trained.

She sighed again. I think you're too pretty for this kind of job.

Damn. I wasn't exactly a model lookalike. I really looked no better than the other female officers. 

She patted my hand and took a sip of her coffee. You should find a nice man with a good job. Settle down, quit your job. Get married, have children.

I have a good job. Why would I need to find some dude to support me if I can support myself?

She sighed. I just wish your job was safer.

Really? Are you sure it's not because you don't think it's feminine enough? Do you wish I was a teacher or a nurse?

Those jobs don't involve manhandling dangerous men.

I took a sip of my coffee. I tensed my muscles to stop myself from shaking so much. All she wanted was to be able to talk about me, to brag about me as if I were an extension of herself. What was there to brag about when your only daughter was a cop?

Damn, I thought women had gotten a lot further than this. Her thinking was just so old fashioned. I couldn't stop wondering why I'd even bothered to visit her.

I understand why you're worried, I said. But I love my job. I take care of myself.

Your eyes are puffy. When was the last time you got a decent nights sleep?

Last night. I'm probably still recovering from my last case. I have to work 24 or more hour days sometimes.

That's terrible. That's definitely not going to work when you want to start a family.

I'm not even thinking about that right now.

You should. You're not getting any younger you know.

My cell buzzed. I breathed.

Hello? I asked as I answered the phone. This is Detective Thayer.

We have a fire on West and Second. The drug store burned down.

Okay, I said. Thanks, Chief Brown. I'll be there in ten minutes.

Mom's face fell. Oh no. You don't have to leave do you?

I nodded. There's been a fire. I have to go.

That's not homicide.

I shrugged. They want me there. I will see you later.

Okay. Call me later.

Sure, I lied.

I grabbed my purse and walked out her front door. I was so happy to be leaving. I felt as though I could breathe again. I hadn't even been aware of how tense I had been until all my muscles relaxed as I eased myself behind the steering wheel.

Never before had I been so grateful to have a job where I'm always on call. As I drove to the scene I calmed down. I also