No Walking Away: Rockland PD Series, #1

By T. E. Killian

Twenty-eight years ago, Stan Parker and Angela Carpenter broke off their engagement when each wanted to go their separate ways.

Stan became a sheriff's deputy, married a dispatcher, and had a daughter. His wife died 7 years ago leaving him lonely and unhappy. Stan decided to retire and move to Rockland to be with his daughter, her husband, and new granddaughter.

Angela is the Rockland County Attorney.  She had married but divorced after 5 years.  Now she is lonely and unhappy. Angela is up for reelection and her nasty opponent is trying to prevent it.

Stan is bored so he applies for an investigator job under Angela. All he really wants is to talk to her because he thinks he still has feelings for Angela and wants to know if she still has feelings for him.

Angela is reluctant to interview Stan for the investigator job.  Can she put aside the past to work with Stan?

Stan becomes the Chief of Police at Rockland PD following a man who led by intimidation.

Stan and Angela have many challenges to overcome, such as working relationship, personal relationship, threats, kidnapping, bomb threats, election and family issues.

Can Stan and Angela overcome all the trials they face?

• Language: English
• Publisher: CCM
• Release date: Aug 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215425275

Book preview

Chapter One

Stan Parker was as happy as he’d been in years.

He looked around the church at the many people he’d become friends with in the six months since he’d retired and moved to Rockland.

Next, he looked down at his daughter, Donna. Until recently, she was all he had in the world. Her mother had died seven years ago, and he’d been alone ever since.

But not anymore. He looked down at the baby in his daughter’s arms. It still almost brought tears to his eyes when he thought about the fact that his little Donna had a baby of her own now. What’s more, she had named her little girl after her own mother, Jennifer. Of course, she had gone by Jen and they were calling the baby Jennie.

That was okay with him. He already loved that little girl so much he almost exploded with it.

Then, when Stan looked around the church again, he noticed Angela Carpenter. Wow! Even after all these years, just the sight of her shoulder length, almost white blond hair and her bright blue eyes sent chills down his back. Even now, at fifty, Angela was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known.

Then he noticed that her mother was sitting next to her. Angela didn’t appear to have noticed Stan, but the Dragon Lady certainly had. She was shooting him daggers with her eyes. She never had liked him, and when he and Angela had broken their engagement, she had celebrated.

He still had thoughts about Angela. Stop. He’d lost out on that opportunity almost thirty years ago. No use thinking about that time in their lives. And it certainly didn’t do any good wondering what things could have been like if either of them had given in to the other one back then.

That reminded him he’d be seeing Angela again tomorrow for the first time in two years. She was the County Attorney now and had been for almost eight years, and she was interviewing him for the investigator position. Stan had applied for it just to be able to sit down with her, if nothing else.

After all, he’d retired from the Sheriff’s Office back home six months ago and he was getting rather bored. He’d closed up his home in Flagstaff and rented a one-bedroom apartment down here in Rockland so he could be near Donna and Bob when the baby came.

Well, Jennie was eight weeks old now and Donna was going back to work tomorrow as a police officer with Rockland PD. Bob’s mom, Margaret, would take care of Jennie while Donna worked, so Stan had very little to do with his days now.

He needed to be busy. After twenty-eight years in the SO and retiring with the rank of commander, he couldn’t just sit around any longer. Sure, he was fairly certain that even if Angela would be willing to hire him as her investigator, he probably wouldn’t take the position.

At the very least, it would be extremely awkward for him to be working for a woman to whom he was once engaged. Sure, not that many people down here in Rockland were aware of that little fact, but he and Angela sure were. That would be where the problems began.

Sure, the only time he and Angela had met since then, things had been cordial enough, but there was a lot of tension under the surface. They didn’t either one need that.

He turned his attention back to the service and realized that it was over, and they were all standing to leave the sanctuary.

When they reached the foyer, and had said their goodbyes to Pastor Evans, Donna turned to him.

You are coming with us to Martinelli’s for our anniversary celebration, aren’t you, Dad?

He smiled down at her and took in her beauty. She had long light brown hair she normally had tied up for work, but was hanging down her back today. That, and her small button nose, reminded him so much of her mother. But her dark blue eyes she got from him.

You said all three couples will be there to celebrate together, didn’t you?

Yes, Dad, but you know everyone who will be there. Bob’s parents will be there. You know you’ve been wanting to get to know them better, especially now that Margaret will watch Jennie while I’m working.

Stan looked down into those expressive eyes that looked so much better on her than they did on him and, as usual, couldn’t deny her anything she asked him to do.

Okay, I’ll go, but I may not stay the whole time.

With that, they all went to their cars and headed for the restaurant.

With the SO, Stan had to go to a lot of meetings and other events that had large numbers of people in attendance, and he had always hated them. He was actually a quiet, stay at home type of man who was really almost an introvert.

Therefore, he entered the restaurant with more than a little regret. He’d much rather be home with a good book or watching sports on TV than to be there with all those people. He’d counted it up in his head on the way over there. With him, there would be at least eighteen people there. Way too many!

Stan couldn’t blame Donna and Bob for wanting to share their anniversary celebration with the other two couples who had been married in the same ceremony two years ago today. Wow! Time sure had gone by fast.

As soon as they stepped into the private room, the Martinellis had set up for them. Stan was overwhelmed by the noise. You’d think there were twenty or thirty kids in there instead of only two. And of course, there was one on the way. Jake and Sandy Harper were expecting their first one in a few months.

The first two men he saw were standing in the near corner of the room when he entered. His son-in-law’s father, Bill Coleman, the mayor and little Rachel’s dad, Judge Anderson.

He laughed softly to himself. He’d never heard the man’s first name. Everyone called him Judge, even his two children.

Without realizing how it had happened, Stan found himself standing next to those two men that he barely knew, especially the judge. Of course, he’d been around Bill Coleman and his wife Margaret some since Donna had married their son, Bob. But he didn’t really know either one of them.

All he knew was that whenever he’d seen Margaret around Jennie, he’d had to smile. It was clear that the woman worshiped their mutual granddaughter. That was certainly good, since she would watch Jennie while Donna worked.

Judge Anderson was the first to speak after Stan shook both their hands.

Well, Parker, I hear you’ve already tired of retirement and applied for the County Attorney’s investigator position.

That wasn’t a question since Stan was well aware of the fact that nothing happened in Rockland or the county for that matter without Judge Anderson knowing about it and probably having something to do with it.

Even though it wasn’t a question, Stan answered it as though it was. Yes, Sir. As you said, retirement at fifty is not for me. I still need to be active doing something constructive.

The judge didn’t comment on that, but Bill Coleman, the mayor, did.

I think that’s the mark of a good man when he can put in as much time in police work as you have to be willing to share your experience in a different area of law enforcement.

They didn’t talk much more before the three couples called everyone’s attention to them and the celebration really began.

An hour and a half later, Stan sneaked out of the room and headed home. But on the way home, he couldn’t stop thinking about what Bob’s dad had said about him working in a different area of law enforcement than he had for the twenty-eight years with the SO.

But even though being the CA Investigator would definitely fit that description, he really didn’t think he could work for Angela. Not only that, but he didn’t think Angela could have him working for her, either.

* * *

Angela Carpenter was glad her mother hadn’t wanted to go to a restaurant after church today. She just wasn’t in the mood. She’d been out enough for one day. She liked her weekends to be as low key and uneventful as she could possibly get them. And that usually meant staying home the whole weekend except to go to church on Sunday mornings.

After all, her weekdays were totally the opposite. Being the County Attorney with eight ACAs, an investigator, eight clerks, an executive assistant and a receptionist working for her kept her busy all day, every day.

She and her mother entered her home through the door from the garage into the hallway that either went into the kitchen or the sunroom that was across the whole rear of the house. She dearly loved that sunroom. She loved to sit out there any season of the year. In the hottest months, she simply pushed a button that brought a darkened panel down to shield most of the bright, hot sun. For the rest of the year, she enjoyed the sun in its full glory. She looked forward to October for that very reason.

As she passed the kitchen, she smelled the wonderful aroma of their noon meal that her cook and housekeeper, Clara, was cooking for dinner. Everyone said Angela was lucky to have Clara because Clara was one of the best cooks in the county. She not only cooked the best of her native Mexican cuisine, but she could cook almost anything else, just as well.

And most of all, Angela loved the dear lady like a sister. Clara, a widow, was a few years older than Angela, but they were much more than employer and employee. They were best friends, too.

Clara lived in an apartment over the garage, but she spent as much time with Angela and her mother as she did in her own rooms.

In fact, unless Angela was entertaining, she always insisted that Clara sit with them for their meals. She didn’t think her mother really approved of that, but it was Angela’s house and she would do things her way. She’d had enough of her mother’s overbearing guidance when she’d lived at home. No wonder her father had left her mother the moment Angela graduated from high school. He lived back East now, and she seldom saw him.

As soon as they finished their meal and Clara began clearing the dishes, Martha Carpenter started in on her only daughter.

Did you see that Parker boy looking at you in church this morning? Why, he was looking at you as if he were undressing you?

Angela gritted her teeth then tried to smile at her seventy-five-year-old mother, who was thin and frail but healthy. Yes, Mother, I saw Stan Parker and no Mother. He was not looking at me that way.

How do you know? You barely looked his way.

Mother, don’t forget that every time I get up in a courtroom, almost every man in the room is looking at me the way you just described. So, believe me, I know what that look is like and Stan Parker was not looking at me that way and what’s more, he never did.

That didn’t stop her mother. It never had.

Well, why did I have to learn from one of the ladies in my Sunday School class that you are interviewing that Parker boy for your investigator tomorrow? How could you? And you didn’t even tell me. Don’t you think I should know if you are meeting with the boy who broke your heart when he ran out on you almost thirty years ago?

Angela took a deep breath and tried to hide it as she slowly let it out in an attempt to remain calm. Her mother was about the only person who could get her to lose her composure and sometimes even her temper, too.

First of all, Mother, Stan did not run out on me. We mutually agreed that us getting married then would not work. And, if anything, I left him when I left Flagstaff to come down here to go to law school at ASU.

They stood then and Angela led the way to the sunroom where they both got comfortable in their favorite chairs facing the large desert landscaped backyard, which was surrounded by a six-foot block wall.

But not surprisingly, Martha Carpenter wasn’t finished yet.

Well, are you going to?

Angela knew exactly what her mother meant and didn’t try to dodge the question.

No, Mother, I don’t think we’ll be able to work together. And I’m not sure why Stan is even applying. I just don’t understand it. We’ve only spoken a couple of times two years ago, and not at all before that.

Do you still love him, Angela? That’s what Phillip always said. He said you could never love someone else, especially him.

That was too much.

Mother. You know good and well that the reason I divorced Phillip Nolan was because he cheated on me … repeatedly.

That still doesn’t mean he wasn’t right about you still loving that Parker boy.

Angela was about to lose her temper now and was extremely glad that Clara chose just that time to join them in the sunroom. Each of the women had their favorite chairs in there. Angela sat in a recliner that was positioned in the center of the back wall facing the wall of windows that displayed her little slice of the desert.

Her mother sat in a wingback chair on Angela’s left and Clara sat in a swivel rocker on Angela’s right.

Angela knew she would get no help from Clara, since she usually had to tread carefully around Angela’s mother. So, she sat there hoping her mother was finished, but knowing she wasn’t.

How are you going to justify not hiring him?

Angela laughed. Who said I wouldn’t hire him?

"You’re not. You won’t. You can’t possibly hire him. Do I need to go into all the reasons why you shouldn’t hire him?

Angela blew out a sigh. No, Mother. I’m quite sure I could list them all just as well as you can. Do you think we could change the subject now?

When Angela’s mother remained silent for a few seconds, Clara came to the rescue.

Oh, Angelina, did I tell you about my Mia getting a commendation for catching those bank robbers as they were coming out of the bank the other day?

Clara’s daughter Mia Correa was a detective sergeant with the Rockland PD, and of course Clara was quite proud of her and so was Angela.

Oh Clara, how many times do I have to tell you that my daughter’s name is Angela, not Angelina?

Clara just smiled at Martha Carpenter the way she always did. But to me, she is my little angel, Señora.

As she usually did, Angela had to smile to herself. She was five feet eleven and Clara was at least seven inches shorter.

Okay, Mother. I will tell you why I consented to interview Stan Parker for the investigator position in my office. First of all, I couldn’t very well come up with a valid reason not to. It’s not like he isn’t qualified.

She laughed. If anybody is qualified for the position, it would be Stan Parker. No, that wasn’t the only reason.

She leaned back in her recliner, which was her haven after spending a long day with heels on. She always came home from work and just kicked back and let her whole body relax, especially her feet.

Probably the biggest reason I’m meeting with Stan Parker is because I think it’s finally time that we sat down and talked like two rational adults. We can’t keep avoiding each other. That’s all we’ve done since he moved down here six months ago to be with his daughter when she had her baby.

You can’t be serious?

Oh yes, I am Mother. I think it’s time. Period.

* * *

Stan woke up early on Monday morning. He’d been sleeping until eight o’clock, which was at least two hours later than he had all those years with the SO. But until today, there had been no reason to get up early. He was staying up later at night and sleeping a little later in the mornings.

But not today. Last night he’d gone to bed at ten o’clock, hoping to get a good night’s sleep so he could be fresh and ready for his interview with Angela. Wow! Was he finally going to sit down with her one on one in the privacy of her office?

Well, as he thought about it, he’d been in her office once two years ago and he knew it wasn’t really all that private. Three of her walls were normal, paneled walls, but the one facing the rest of the office was glass from half-way up all the way to the ceiling. But at least no one could hear what they were saying.

He had to laugh when he remembered that one of those sitting out there in the rest of Angela’s office was his son-in-law, Bob Coleman, one of Angela’s ACAs. Oh well, Bob knew about the history that he and Angela shared. And also, if Stan would have searched the country over, he could never have found a man who was as good for his little Donna as Bob was.

Well, going to bed at ten hadn’t done the trick. He woke up almost every two hours until he finally rolled out of bed at six. So much for a good night’s sleep before meeting with the woman he’d been engaged to twenty-eight years ago.

Once Stan had made lieutenant and then commander for sure, he’d worn suits a lot and he had a favorite one that Donna said was the exact color of his eyes, hers too, for that matter.

He also thought he looked rather good in that suit, too, almost like it had been tailored for him.

He knew Angela had a somewhat relaxed dress code inside her office, but all the ACAs wore their suits outside the office. He knew he’d be better off in a suit, so that’s what he wore.

He was still almost uncomfortable leaving home without his badge, and gun clipped to his belt. It was almost like he wasn’t completely dressed.

Stan knew that the CA Office occupied one half of the second floor of the county office building, which was next door to the courthouse. So, when he stepped through the stairway door on the second floor, he turned to the left where the CA office was.

Once inside the glass doors, the receptionist looked up at him and smiled. He was fairly sure she was the same girl from two years before, just a little older. The name plate on her desk said, Heather.

Good morning Heather, I’m Stan Parker here to see Ms. Carpenter.

The petite blond, barely twenty-one, smiled back at him. Yes, Sir Mr. Parker, she is ready for you.

Then she blushed. I’m sorry, Sir. I know you’ve been here before, but office policy is that I lead you back to her office. I hope you don’t mind.

He gave her an encouraging smile. Of course not. I’m used to having much more security than that.

He followed her past an open area on the right with eight cubicles in it and another one on the left with the same number of cubicles, only larger. He noticed two heads sticking up from two of the cubicles on the left, his son-in-law Bob and his best friend Ken Anderson. He mentally frowned at the fact that those two were such good friends. Bob was nothing like his father, the mayor, but Ken was just like his dad, the judge.

He continued to follow Heather past another room on the right with a large conference table in it and an office on the left that said Executive Assistant: Krystal Baxter.

A woman in her late forties sat at the desk without looking up as they passed.

Finally, they were in front of Angela’s office and he could see her sitting at her desk in the back of the room. There was a small table with four chairs around it in the front.

Just as Heather knocked on the door, Angela looked up and motioned him on in. Well, here goes nothing.

As Stan stepped into the office, he and Angela locked eyes. He reached behind him to close the door, but Heather closed it before he could reach it.

He just stood there staring at the woman he’d loved so dearly throughout college. For a long moment, she did nothing more than come to her feet with her eyes on him the whole time.

Stan finally brook eye contact with her and looked down at the table to his right. Instead, Angela cleared her throat and pointed to his left where there was a conversation pit with four armchairs arranged in a square, facing each other. There was a large coffee table filling most of the open space.

He stepped over to the chairs and waited for her to reach them. When she did, she motioned for him to take the armchair and she took the one opposite his.

Good morning Ms. Carpenter.

Angela shook her head and leaned back in her chair just a little. Oh, Stan, don’t you think we can dispense with any formalities?

He smiled back at her. I wasn’t sure. We haven’t really talked in a long, long time.

You’re right. That little bit we talked two years ago when your daughter was a rookie at the PD could hardly be classified as a conversation.

They were both quiet for another long moment before Angela motioned toward her desk. I received your resume, and it is rather impressive.

He didn’t respond, so she went on. So, now you’re retired from up there and getting bored down here. Is that it?

He laughed aloud then. You’ve sure got the bored part right. After twenty-eight years of working all shifts and being called out all the other times when I wasn’t scheduled. Yeah, I guess you could say I’m having trouble slowing down this far.

Stan knew she was just thinking of what to say next or maybe even what it might take to get rid of him, so he decided to lay it all on the table, so to speak.

Before we go any further, I didn’t think for a minute that you would want me working for you here.

He waved his arm in the air to indicate the offices in general.

When she started to say something, he made a stop sign of that hand. No, please wait. Let me finish what I need to say. Okay?

She didn’t look like she wanted to wait, and merely nodded her assent.

"I’ve had a lot of time to think in the last six months, and I just can’t go another day without clearing the air between us. We may never even be friends again, but at least