Spirit of Justice, Spirit of Trust

By S. J. Smale

Stella is developing her gifts. Her world has rocked more than once and forced her to believe what she's desperately tried to deny. George is her God sent as he is there to pick her up when things became too difficult. In Justice she tries to dole it out and gets some for those who deserve it.

In the 2nd book, two men close to her show her how little they trust her. Now she feels she can never trust her mother again. She is still on the side lines as to trusting the man claiming to have fathered her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781698702278

S. J. Smale

I grew up in a small town. My nose was always buried in a book. I developed a love of reading and writing. Writing has filled my life ever since and has brought me so much joy.

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Copyright 2020 S. J. Smale.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-6987-0228-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6987-0227-8 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Trafford rev. 07/20/2020

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SPIRIT BOOK SERIES

Spirit of Murder

Spirit of the Game

Spirit of Romance

Spirit of Revenge

Spirit of Secrets

Spirit of Family

SPIRIT

OF

JUSTICE

BY

S. J. SMALE

Contents

DEDICATION

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY - ONE

TWENTY – TWO

TWENTY – THREE

TWENTY – FOUR

DEDICATION

I wish to thank all my friends for understanding my passion.

Thank you Walter for always believing in me. You are the best brother in the world. You did an amazing cover for my book ‘Behind Heaven’s Gate The third Fate.

To my darling husband George, thank you for pushing me towards my goal. Your trust and faith in me is worth more than you can ever know.

You never get out of this life alive.

. . . Lyle Smale

Live hard, die young and leave a good looking corpse.

. . . George W. Smale

These are the favourite sayings of my husband and

brother-in-law. They may not have lived long lives

but they both lived very full ones. Their hearts were

always full of kindness and love, an inspiration to all.

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ONE

T he night sky was filled with pregnant dark clouds threatening to give birth to the storm at any moment. The wind had picked up since the sun went down blowing her flaming red pony tail protruding through the opening at the back of her ball cap to whip around her face. Her sea green eyes peered through the binoculars aiming at the tiny campsite thirty yards away.

Camping was one activity way down on her list of favourite things to do but you have to go where the job takes you. After a week of surveillance this job took her to a campsite southeast of her city.

Springwater is very popular; it boasted clean and quiet campgrounds for those that like to spend their days and nights camping out.

It amazed her that anyone could think sleeping on the dirt, suffering insect bites and eating something cooked on top of a live fire out of a rustic piece of metal and pissing in the shrubs, without, she shuddered, the added benefit of toilette paper, or using a public washroom that’s seen thousands of bare butts was fun was completely beyond her. But then she thought different strokes for different folks. She’d settle for a skanky motel with cockroaches over this anytime. At least it offered the comfort and the privacy of indoor plumbing.

She shivered just thinking of all the critters out there watching you at your most vulnerable moments. Maybe bears shit in the woods, but people were more sophisticated and smart enough to enjoyed indoor plumbing.

Wanting to keep both feet planted firmly on the ground, Stella told herself that instinct and pure luck had her tracking down the elusive Brian Kelly. The police have been looking for him for over two months ever since the rash of burglaries started in the city’s jurisdiction. They caught a break in the case when a witness came forward with information leading them to believe it was Kelly that was responsible for the burglaries.

Of course he couldn’t identify him as the jewel thief since he was covered head to toe in a disguise. He never saw his face. But the information he gave them had them looking in his direction. And when they showed up at his door, he had already vanished. For over two months they kept looking until the trail went cold. That was when her friend Shawn Riley, Captain of the Burglary department, and former mentor called her for her help.

One thing after another since she met her father had her postponing her wedding. She knew George was getting more and more upset with her. She didn’t want to believe it was cold feet. It was just that things keep cropping up is all, ‘it’s my story and I’m sticking with it.’ At least that’s what she told herself. The last argument they had, had her promising it was the last postponement.

Even her soon to be foster sister-in-law was fuming at having to postpone the wedding shower and bachelorette party. Now that was someone she really didn’t want to tick off. The last show of temper from her had her quaking in her boots. Never did she want to go through anything like that again. By God that woman has a temper and uses it to perfection to take one to task. Louise rivals even herself with that gift. Stella had always been feared for her dressing downs when she headed the Homicide squad. She recently found out that she managed to find her equal in that talent in Louise Davenport, George’s foster sister.

So she agreed that this would be the last case she’d take on until after the wedding. Maybe, if crossing your fingers behind your back means anything, and she sincerely hopes it does.

As the first large splats of rain fell on her, she decided Kelly wasn’t going anywhere for the rest of the night. She decided to hunker down until morning.

Inside her tiny pup tent, Stella listened to the pounding rain and thunder as the storm finally gave birth. Streaks of lightening flashed outside warning everyone to stay sheltered.

Inside her own tiny shelter, Stella used her flashlight to read over her notes. She could have taken him once she positively identified him, but what she wanted was for him to lead her to his stash. It wasn’t enough for her to just bring him in. She wanted to recover the loot in order to give the police a slam dunk case against him. You can take the girl out of the force but …

She was just settling in when a sound outside her tent caught her attention. ‘Were there bears in these woods,’ she wondered? She strained her ears for sounds of an animal sniffing around. Maybe it could smell the candy wrapper she stuck in her pocket from her emergency stash of Mars bars.

Frowning in concentration, her ears picked up another sound. It wasn’t animal, it was human. My God who would be tramping around out there in this weather? Stella whipped her gun out and leaned closer to the door flap of her tiny tent. She pulled the zipper down an inch, gun ready and braced for action.

The zipper left her fingers as it was quickly yanked down, revealing her inside. She raised the gun ready to shoot when a familiar face pushed in.

God damn it George, I could have shot you. She seethed sucking in her breath. The fact that she almost shot him had her hand holding the gun shake.

George took hold of her shaking hand and lowered it and the gun away from him, not wanting a bullet coming out by accident. He squeezed his way in. There was barely enough room for one let alone two, making it very crowded for them both.

Well I appreciate the fact that you didn’t. That would only postpone the wedding again, he smiled kissing her lips. I don’t think you would want to upset Louise again.

When her heart rate slowed down she glared at him. What are you doing here? She repeated with a little more heat now.

I could say I was in the area and stopped by to borrow some sugar, wiggling his eyebrows at her. But that would be a lie.

I’m not amused and I’m still waiting. She glared at him. I’m working here.

Now the smile left his face. What he had come to her for wasn’t amusing.

Stella grabbed his arm when she saw the look change on his face. Something was wrong. George would never come to her when she was on the job unless something was very wrong.

What is it? panic rode up her spine.

I just got word a few hours ago that Jeffery Bellanger was taken into protective custody by the RCMP. Stella, they have already been to your mother’s to question everyone there.

What the fuck is his problem? Stella spat out. Feared gripped her for her family.

Stella, there’s more. He waited until she looked at him. Inspector Wise questioned Dr. Ballard.

That had Stella freeze where she sat. Her mind went totally blank. Fear had the heat coming in. She began to glow lighting up the small tent. Her eyes sizzled threatening to shoot sparks from them. George grabbed her and shook her trying to snap her out of it before she burnt down the shelter. Shock kept her from hearing him speaking to her.

Watching the heat billowing from her, George realized he had to get them out of the tent and into the safety of the woods as fast as he could. He quickly called up a spell that had them standing outside the tent.

George picked her up risking burns to himself and flew with her into the woods. Once inside the woods he set her down stood back nursing his hands and watched the wind swirl around her lifting her up. Now the sparks flew from her eyes matching flash to flash with the lightning from the sky.

Her hat flew off as the wind blew away the binding of her ponytail and sent her hair billowing around her head. She grew and grew until she was as tall as the trees surrounding them.

George knew it was having her family threatened that brought this on. If he couldn’t find a way to break down the anger filling her, she could burn down the entire forest. His shields would not work on her. He had to reach her with his love.

Risking his life he moved closer to her calling to her. Do you wish me dead Stella?

She looked down on him with blazing eyes. The question and the look he held in his eyes somehow got through. She blinked and blinked again. The fear and rage for her family were still there, but a bigger fear entered seeing his blistering hands and new she could end his life where he stood if she didn’t gain control.

Slowly fighting the battle going on inside her, she relinquished the heat inside her allowing the wind to die down and float her back to the ground. She sat limp and spent and buried her face in her hands and wept. If she didn’t learn how to control this, she could lose him forever either by leaving her or killing him.

George went to her and knelt down taking her in his arms rocking her gently back and forth raining kisses over her head.

Oh God, she sobbed. Oh God George, I’m a danger to everyone. I nearly killed you. Now her body wracked with sobbing.

Nearly is just fine with me, he tried to make light of it.

It’s not funny, she whimpered. I have all this power and can’t control it. How can you want to be married to someone like me?

Oh, so now this is going to be your excuse to getting out of marrying me is it? His voice took on a steel edge.

It is not an excuse. I am too dangerous. And I’m not trying to get out of it; I just don’t understand why you would want to take on the risk. She sniffed.

Love, he said simply.

Oh God help us I love you too.

There, now that’s settled. Let’s say we put on our thinking caps and find out what the Inspector has up his sleeve.

I have to finish this job first. If you could go back and keep an eye out on the family for me, I’ll be able to get this done.

I was planning on doing just that. I wanted to tell you about it first.

Thanks I appreciate it. Let’s just hope this job winds up soon.

George left her to get on with her job and he to go try and protect the family. He knew that she would drop this case in a heartbeat if the family was in any immediate peril. Being questioned and inconvenience is not that dangerous, for now, he figured.

Stella’s mind was too full to allow for sleep. She divided her thinking into two parts. The first part was tracking her quarry to the goods and the second part was trying to figure out what the Inspector was really after. The man was fixated on her and she didn’t know why. Up until now she’d never had many dealings with the RCMP. She remembered only a couple of cases she worked on when on the Force that bumped into theirs. Yes she solved the cases but they took it over once she had. That was the way things were and she managed to come to terms with it without ruffling any feathers.

So what’s his problem? She wondered.

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TWO

T he storm broke just before dawn. When the sun rose it promised to be a nice day. Mist was swirling around from the heat of the morning sun burning off the moisture of the rain drenched ground. She was already up and positioned at the edge of the woods to continue her surveillance on Kelly. The thoughts of her family were pushed back in order to do her job.

An hour later she noticed movement in his campsite. The flap to his much larger tent than hers opened up and Brian climbed out. She watched him walk around and go behind his tent to do what men and bears have done for centuries in the woods. He must have had a full bladder since it took some time.

Back now and apparently much relieved indicated by his low whistling, she watched him build a fire and put a metal grate over it after it had time to settle down to a low flame.

Soon the scent of coffee wafted over to her making her whimper for a good pull of caffeine. She couldn’t risk the attention building a fire of her own would draw to her.

He took out a pan from his supplies and began the business of making himself breakfast. Anyone watching would only see a camper casually starting his day. Stella only hoped that he didn’t plan on staying here for a lengthy stay. The back of her mind reminded her of other problems she needed to tend to.

Her stomach began to rumble watching him sit down to his bacon, eggs and coffee. Just for that alone she vowed to herself she was going to make sure she got all the evidence needed to put him away for a very long time. Her mouth watered as she continued to watch him.

As he finished the last morsel and began to clean up, she heard a sound coming down the path between their campsites. She switched her gaze to the direction it came from and watched a woman wearing hiking gear approaching him.

Stella was too far away to hear what they were saying to each other. But by the looks they exchanged, this woman was not a stranger to him. She reached into her bag and brought out her camera and took pictures of the two of them. ‘Damn, she wished she had her computer with her to do a run on the woman.

As she kept her eyes on them, Stella noticed the woman pull out a map and unfold it. The two hunkered over it talking and pointing to different parts of it. To anyone else watching it would look like a hiker asking for directions. But Stella had noticed the look of recognition on his face when she approached. She also noticed the woman stiffen for just a moment from something he said to her. Then she relaxed her stature almost immediately.

They stood talking awhile and then she folded the map and headed back out the way she had come. In a quandary as to which one to keep in her sight, she decided to stick with Kelly. From what she saw it looked like they were picking out a meet-up spot. Kelly was her best bet. After all, he was the one who took the jewels. He may have passed them off to someone else, but that only meant he would go to that person to retrieve them. She hoped.

He made her life miserable for two more days by staying where he was. She wanted to jump for joy when she watched him finally pack up and get ready to leave. Her small supply of energy bars depleted the day before.

She did the same. Stella made quick work of taking down the tent and stuffing all her camping gear in her pack. She put on her sunglasses fixed on her ball cap and with her binoculars slung around her neck waited for him to move out.

Stella had already stowed everything in the trunk of her car. Sitting behind the wheel she waited for him to drive away.

She followed him out of the park keeping him in sight. They drove along the road keeping to the speed limit. When the road came to a dead end his right signal flashed to turn east heading them toward Aylmer and Tillsonburg.

She remembered the last time she visited the small village of Tillsonburg and wondered if the young Wizard’s mother still resided there. She also remembered when she left her. She looked more determined and stronger after their talk than when she first opened the door to her.

Stella decided to pull back a bit so as not to alert him to the tail. She watched him pull into a vacant lot beside a small church. She parked her car a half block away and got out to check it out on foot. Lucky for her, there was a small shop across from the church’s parking lot. She dashed in and pretended to browse at the items in the window display.

A few minutes later another car pulled up beside his and the woman she saw at the campsite climbed out of the car accompanied by another passenger. It was a man much older than the both of them. She watched as the two men shook hands and did a manly one arm hug. They exchanged a few words and then proceeded to go into the empty church.

Stella left the shop to the disappointment of the proprietor. She crossed the street and quietly snuck into the church. It was small with about ten rows of pews on either side of the aisle. At the end of the aisle was a raised platform. On it stood the altar with a large wooden cross hung suspended from the ceiling behind it.

The church was empty. She made her way down the aisle and stepped up onto the platform. Two doors led off it one on either side. As soon as she made her way to the one on the right, she heard the sound of engines starting up and knew she had been made. She ran out and watched the two cars speed down the road heading back in the direction they had come. They disappeared from sight before she made it back to her car.

‘Well damn,’ she thought. ‘This Kelly is definitely no amateur.’ It was good work on her part that she got the plate numbers of both cars while she was in the little shop. The only thing left for her now was to go back to the office and run them both and the picture she got of the woman. All that time in surveillance wasted really annoyed her.

Since that idiot had her sitting in a dirty campsite for days really pissed her off, she wanted to get him just for that alone. A smile played on her lips thinking at least this case had nothing to do with magic. It was all human.

Back in her office and sipping good coffee, after a well deserved shower and change of clothes, Stella started up a crime board from her notes before hunkering down for hours of work at her computer. She downloaded the picture of the woman and with her facial recognition program let it run for a match. That gave her time to study the board and see if she could find a line to tug there.

Inside the Manor, Wanda was like a teenager fluffing her hair, putting on her make-up in preparations of her expected visitor. Her eyes glowed with anticipation. Ever since Garrett had come back into her life she felt twenty years younger.

Of course Maria knew the Warlock. She was living with Wanda when both of her mates had come into her friend’s life. She knew then as she knows now that this one was different. Knowing how the mating ritual worked, she was very surprised at the conduct Wanda showed then and now to this Warlock. Maria never claimed to understand it, but seeing how it made her friend so happy, she kept her own council about it, or, at least tried very hard to, only letting out her concerns once in awhile.

When they heard the sound of knocking on the door, Wanda’s heart skipped. Maria opened the door and escorted him in and led him to the parlor where Wanda was waiting for him.

She was a Witch and it came natural like a shiny metal seam sown into her DNA for her not to trust a Warlock. As much as she was happy for her friend, she would never give this or any Warlock one-hundred percent of her trust.

Saying nothing, Maria left the two in the parlor but made herself busy pretending to dust and clean just outside the door. This Warlock was not affected by the protection they had put around the house and that constantly gave her cause to worry. She kept her ears peeled for any trouble. She did wonder what makes this Warlock so different from others.

Wanda, I can’t tell you how good it is to see you again. Garrett took her hand in his as he sat beside her. He watched the blush creep into her cheeks.

Oh, Garrett I feel the same way, she breathed out. I don’t know why it was so different with us, and it’s silly, but I feel like a school girl. Now her cheeks went into full bloom. She had to look away.

Garrett took her chin in his fingers to turn her face back to look at him. He leaned in and laid a gentle kiss on her lips. Wanda my dear, I am like no other and neither are you. For all the wandering I have done, I could never be with another as we were. Something between us kept pulling me back here.

A tear spilled out as her heart filled. I have never been able to be with another since you.

It seems then, we have something unheard of in our lineage and something very special. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers. Wanda, would you mind if I stayed close until we figure out what we have and what we should do about it?

Oh, Garrett I was trying to find a way as to how to ask you to do that very thing. I have such strong feelings for you, well, strange for Elfin blood I mean, that I just didn’t know how I was going to cope if you left again.

You don’t know how relieved I am to hear that. I worried that you might not want me around as is the case with our bloodlines. Garrett wrapped his arms around Wanda cradling her in his arms. He felt her tremble and his heart skipped with joy.

Being held in his arms felt wonderful, but there was one obstacle they had to face. Wanda gently eased back out of his embrace and looked up at him through her lashes.

As good as this feels, as wonderful, as miraculous, we still have one problem to solve.

Our daughter, he guessed correctly.

Garrett she has had a very hard time accepting what she is. She has only truly come to accept it over the last few months. I don’t know what she’s going to say or do about this. Her face showed the worry.

Then my dear Wanda, we will find a way to explain it to her and hope that she will accept this as well.

His words were music to her ears. The doubting she had, whisked away and her heart filled with joy. The love of her life is willing to stay and stand by her to help their daughter. She didn’t dare to dream that this was even possible. The entire world seemed brighter to her now and all her worry disappeared.

Ever since they both met up again they’ve felt like a couple of teenagers falling in love all over again.

Garrett was careful not to mention the talk he and Stella had revealing how she felt about her mother at that time. Hearing her think of her mother as a traitor back then upset him, but should Wanda find out, it would cut her too deeply. Now more than ever it was imperative that they find a way to convince Stella that he is not the enemy and only wants to love her and stay close to her mother. Love is something very new to their kind and while he’s having a problem trying to figure this out, their daughter can be an obstacle to their love for each other. The rule is that Elfin and Warlock only mate to ensure the bloodlines. The only time love entered to change this was in the time of Queen Ravena of the Fairy World and Prince Gareg of the Warlock World. Never since then have members from both Worlds united by the joining of their hearts.

Garrett stayed for tea and the two of them talked and talked. Wanda listened to all the stories he told her of his travels after their joining and mating. She giggled through them all.

Wanda told him of both her daughters and what she has been doing since they last met for the mating ritual. He adored the way she pictured her life raising two delightful daughters. He was getting a clearer picture of the struggle his daughter went through all her life and was sorry to hear about that.

This gave him more insight into the offspring he sired. It amazed him that being born into magic that his daughter refused to believe in this fact. He couldn’t understand why she struggled with this idea and yet her older sister was more than happy to learn about herself and the family secret. Wanda told him of the career choices that their daughter has taken and only wanted to do things in the human way. According to Wanda, Stella simply can’t accept the true facts and has turned away from them all her life. It seems that all the changes that she is going through has her unsettled and rebellious to them.

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THREE

A ngela Downing, Deb’s assistant was on the verge of tearing out her short cropped hair. She adores the little whirlwind but there are times she just had to put her foot down.

If you fill the runway with mounds and mounds of fluffy cotton the models are going to trip and break a leg or worse. She screamed out.

Oh don’t be silly, Deb giggled. They are supposed to be professionals. Why would they want to trip? It’s all about clouds for heaven’s sake.

Deb, look, the only way they could make it down that runway would be if you slapped a harness on them and they flew down it. Angela immediately slapped her hands over her mouth.

Oh my God, too late, she saw the gleam in Deb’s eyes at that ridiculous alternative. Now she put both hands in her short dark hair and pulled as hard as she could. No, no, no. She screamed rapping her head on her desk with each word. Good God why did I open my mouth? She cried out.

Oh you are a genius Angela. That is the ultimate. Yes, yes that’s what we’re going to do. No wonder I love you so much. Oh I can see it, I can just see it. She started hopping around on her three inch spikes.

‘Oh, God, save me from this tiny tornado,’ she prayed banging her head.

Richard walked into the room to see his tiny miracle bouncing all over the room and her assistant trying to put a dent in her forehead. The sight of the two of them made him howl with laughter.

Deb spun around at the sound and ran over leaping into his arms like a projectile almost unbalancing him. As it was he had to take a step back in order to keep them both from tumbling to the floor. He wrapped his arms around his tiny bundle of energy and planted a kiss on her.

Deb’s head spun from the kiss. She snuggled into him. When Richard lowered her to the floor she began to spin around the room giggling.

Oh Richard, Angela just gave me the most brilliant idea. We’re going to float my collection down the runway. My clouds are going to float down it like a soft breeze blowing them across the sky.

Richard please help me, Angela pleaded. What she wants is just too, too. . . She couldn’t find words for the insanity of it.

But instead of coming to Angela’s rescue he smiled at his love. Angela you know whatever Deb plans will be brilliant and you are the cleverest person I know. I have every faith in you to find a way to make it work.

Now I’ll let the two of you get down to your work as I was just on my way to do mine. I just stopped by to give the love of my life a kiss before I hunkered down to it.

Isn’t he the most fabulitious man ever? Deb hugged herself sending little hearts out from her lavender eyes at him.

Yeah, the traitor, Angela said under her breath and went back to banging her head on her desk.

Richard couldn’t help but laugh as he left the room. He had no doubt that Angela would work her magic and find a way to give Deb exactly what she wanted. There was no one in the world that could top the two of them from putting on the most fantastic fashion show. It was a match made in heaven, Deb’s talent in designing and Angela’s talent in organizing and designing the venue for the showing. They are absolutely unbeatable in his estimation. He was clever enough to figure out that Debra’s fashion shows were like a theater production. No other designers thought to do this and that is one element that has put her at the top, that and the brilliant talent of her designing. Not even Victoria’s Secret could put on a production like the love of his life.

While they were all busy doing their work, Stella was busy with her own. Her crime board was loaded with all the information from her notes. These gave her a time line for all the jewel thefts and Brian’s recorded locations. All the houses that were hit were done when the owners were away on business or on vacation trips. All the burglaries netted a half million or more. Up until now there were no witnesses or forensics to point to anyone. Even now the witness couldn’t positively identify the burglar.

The society columnist for the local paper was only too willing to give everyone who read it, the scoop of who was planning a vacation, when they planned to leave, how long they’d be away and where they went. It read like a personal agenda to thieves giving an open invitation to them to go visit those homes and help themselves to the sparkling buffet.

The police knew there had to be a fence for the gems, which they haven’t located yet, but they didn’t know about the partners. That was one thing she’d uncovered at least.

Being counted among the wealthy, Stella knew some of the victims and wondered why her mother’s home or even George’s home hadn’t been targeted. The Blakes could not be counted in with all those who used their money and position to show off. They lived quiet unassuming lives. But anyone who was anyone knew them to be the top level on the money chain. Old money. And money just didn’t get any older than theirs. That thought brought out an involuntary giggle from her. Her family has been around for centuries, not decades like most.

Why then, she wondered, did this gang give them the pass. Maybe they were planning on making the Blakes the end game. Had they even now been watching and planning their move towards that goal? Since the burglaries happened while the residents were away, she could use that to her benefit. If she didn’t find a way to catch them, she could talk her family into helping her by pretending to plan a trip away.

Stella’s friend at the DMV got the info on the two plates she had her run. No big deal on the first one as it belonged to Brian Kelly. The second plate came back to a Francis Fitzgerald, age fifty-two.

Stella noted down the addresses for both of them. She got out her map and wasn’t surprised at all at what she found. According to the DMV’s records they lived side by side one hundred yards from the beach landing them in Lake Erie.

‘Hope they have water damage on their home insurances,’ she thought sarcastically. She called her friend back deciding to let her in on the deception they pulled.

She frowned wondering why they’d pull a stunt like that instead of simply stealing plates belonging to someone else. She was still pondering that when the door opened to her office and George walked in. Time had a habit of slipping past her when she worked a case. Looking up, she noticed it was much later than she had realized. Circles were forming under her eyes from the long day and lack of food.

George strode over to her took her face in his hands and gently kissed her. He hated the way she would habitually work herself to exhaustion. She needed fuel and he could do with something to eat himself. He convinced her to take a break and suggested a meal at Robin’s Nest.

The mention of food had her stomach growling. It had been too long since she sat down to eat an actual meal. Stella left her computer running while she took the well-needed break.

As soon as they walked into the restaurant, the aroma of food cooking had the saliva pooling in her mouth. She tried for a dignified walk following the hostess when her whole body screamed for her to run to the nearest table.

George ordered for them both when their waitress made her way over to their table. He chose the wine and waited for the waitress to leave before leaning over to take Stella’s hand. Rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles made her look over at him.

You need to put it away for awhile and relax.

Easy to say, hard to do, she frowned.

Alright then, tell me about it. Let it out and then maybe you’ll be able to relax enough to enjoy your meal.

Stella leaned back in her chair. This guy is smart. He made me when I tailed him. I think he made me back at the campsite. He’s not working alone, he has partners. That’s something the police didn’t find out. He doesn’t leave any evidence behind at the jobs he pulls. That’s smart, that’s real smart. It feels like he knows enough about forensics to keep from leaving a piece of him behind.

Ex-cop? George offered.

Something in there, she frowned. Ex-cop, cop in the family or maybe he entered the academy and either washed out or quit, or has someone on the force. But he knows enough about how it works.

Well now, that would be a plus for any career oriented thief. George raised one eyebrow.

Yeah, I’m going to tug on that line later. Did you know his current address puts him living in Lake Erie?

I hear the view is fantastic. He smiled. Maybe I should have ordered us fish.

Stella still frowned ignoring his sarcasm. I just don’t understand how the Burglary Division didn’t pick up on some of this. It’s not like Shawn’s department to be so lax.

You’re thinking inside help. Now George frowned too. If there was a dirty cop in the house he wanted to know who it was.

I’m just thinking until I find out more. She saw the anger rise up in his eyes.

Maybe I should have a little chat with Captain Riley. George’s voice went to steel.

No, George. You are homicide. This is Shawn’s case and he called me in to help, I’ll set up a meet with him and run it by him. Stella was firm on this. Shawn was her friend and knew he wouldn’t like George interfering with his command of his department. That would only cause hard feelings between the two of them.

You will let me know the outcome of that meeting.

I’ll keep you in the loop only if you promise to leave burglary alone and not step on Shawn’s toes. Stella insisted.

That put George’s back up even more. She leaned in to take his hand hoping to soften the blow. Look George, he’s my friend and you know yourself you wouldn’t want another department Head telling you how to run your department or looking into your cases.

He sucked in the anger that threatened to spill out. She was right. He had no business interfering in another department’s work. The thought of a dirty cop had him forgetting that. He took a moment to calm down and then nodded his head.

Sorry Stella, you’re right, of course you’re right. I’ll settle for you keeping me in the loop. Now let’s enjoy our meal. He squeezed her hand before letting it go as the waitress came to set their plates down in front of them. But he could not let go of the greasy ball of vile roiling in his gut thinking there could be a dirty cop in the house.

Although Stella tried to steer the conversation away from the precinct, she saw that George was still filled with anger just thinking of a wrong cop in the House.

Neither one of them tasted the delicious meal in front of them. Finally they both gave up on talking and finished their meals in silence, deep in their own thoughts. Stella wondered how Shawn was going to take the suspicion she has and George wondered how he could silently dig to find out if there was a cop working with the thieves.

They finished their meal and headed back to Stella’s. George noticed that the dark circles were beginning to fade, but knows she’s also in need of a good night’s sleep after the last few days she’s put in.

George hoped that a soft bed and hopefully eight hours of solid sleep will put the colour back into her cheeks. Tonight he decided to forego any lovemaking and simply cuddled her next to him and let her drift off to sleep.

He laid awake for the first couple of hours to make sure that she wasn’t plagued with bad dreams. When he was finally assured that she was sleeping normally, he allowed himself to drift off to sleep. The last thing he heard was the soft sound of her adorable quiet snoring.

Tonight she was blissfully spared any dreams or nightmares.

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FOUR

S tella sat in Shawn’s office the next morning. He listened to her line up the facts she’s accumulated and her opinions. The idea of a bad cop in his division or any division in the precinct had him reacting the same way George did the night before. His face went completely red.

If I find there’s a bastard in here that’s been helping him I’ll string him up by his b. . .

Uh, well that might not be the best idea Shawn, she quickly cut in. The image he put in her head had her swallowing hard. I’d hate to see George come down here and have to arrest you. She knew this was not going to sit well with him, especially with his Irish heritage. Had she been away so long she forgot how hot-tempered he could be?

Oh bullocks to that, he hissed.

Okay, okay, calm down before you blow a gasket in your brain or something. I said it was just another line to tug on. I don’t have any proof someone’s actually been feeding him.

Yet, he added, knowing she was thinking it.

Yeah, yet, she agreed. I’ve got to dig deeper into him and see where that leads. The image of the woman I ran came up empty. It seems she’s good at dodging. She’s not in the system. Now she frowned.

If you got a copy of her face, I can pass it around the squad and see if any of my men can find her.

Stella reached into her bag and pulled out a copy of the woman and handed it to him. He looked at the picture shook his head indicating he didn’t recognize her then set it aside.

I want to thank you for helping me out on this one Stella. Shawn picked up a pen and started to fiddle with it.

Hey Shawn, we’re friends we go way back. You know I’m glad to give you a hand anytime. She sensed there was something else on his mind.

Uh, yeah we are friends. He put down the pen and scratched his head making the wiry russet hair stand up even more. Look Stella if you’re in some kind of jam, you know you can come to me.

What are you talking about?

Look Stella, I know my hands were tied the last time and I’m really sorry for that. Guilt from that had him looking down at his desk and shuffling papers about. It’s just that I caught word the RCMP is still digging on you. The brass didn’t give any orders so I figured I’d let you know. He looked up now. If you need any help just give the word.

It touched her to see the concern on his face. She knew he had no choice the last time. He was following orders and she respected him for that. Shawn was one of the best cops she knew and much more than a friend. To have him sitting there telling her he had her back meant more to her than anything. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. She had to swallow hard to keep from embarrassing them both.

It’s okay, Shawn, but thanks for the offer. I can handle them. Inspector Wise has a bug up his ass is all. He just doesn’t like the fact that I closed so many cases when I was on the force.

"I heard they talked to the M.E. and that got me thinking you might need some help. You think they would have more to do than to dig into a good cop’s records.