Free Bare (Miss Demeanor Series Book 2) by Angela Ford

Chapter One

    A gentle swishing sound, like the rustling of leaves in the trees, stirred her thoughts. The faded lights of the old lampposts dimmed her visual of the little park beside the library. She didn’t worry. She hadn’t seen a soul on her stroll. She inhaled the floral scent of the potted flowers and continued on until a crackling sound made her stand still.
    The small, but quaint park remained empty and dark. She assumed the rustling in the shrubs must be an animal. She turned her head slowly and searched her surroundings to make sure she was alone. She felt her heartbeat speed up at the thought of unwanted company. Her hand rested on her holster, ready to draw her pistol if needed. She’d been left to walk the beat alone when her partner went home sick. Not in a hurry to move, she lifted one foot. A tumbled stone beneath it startled her.
    “Shit!” she cursed and then laughed. “Pull it together, girl. This isn’t Elm Street. It’s Main Street in Connell.”
    A sudden echoed screech jolted her to lift her face into the hazy sky. The quick stretch of her neck caused an instant pain. She rubbed the side of it as she looked up, and then ducked quickly. A chill ran up her spine when she noticed the creature’s wings spread just inches above her head. It flapped swiftly past her.
    She sucked in a quick breath. “Damn bat.”
    Shay laughed. She wondered what she expected to find in this small town with few misdemeanors. Connell, one of the safest communities in the country, repressed her from the excitement she yearned for. Or maybe she watched too much crime television. She continued along her beat. The closed shops were only slightly visible from the lights left on within. When Shay reached the only pharmacy in town, the thought that nothing ever happened here, returned.
    What? Did I jinx myself?
    The door to the pharmacy was ajar. She hesitated to call for backup. She knew her fellow male officers would only tease and call her a scared girl. Heaven forbid we follow protocol. She’d fought hard to earn their respect. Ten years and still no promotion, yet those who started after her climbed the ranks. It pissed her off. Shay graduated from the academy with the highest marks and ran five miles every morning. She figured the only reason she wasn’t promoted had to be the fact she was female.
    She drew her pistol and slowly pushed the door open. The few dimmed lights inside the store didn’t give her enough visibility. She reached for her flashlight and listened and then whispered to herself, “Yep, nothing ever happens in Connell.”
    The distant moans and groans from the back of the store confirmed it wasn’t a break and enter. She cleared her throat loud enough for it to startle them.
    “Connell Police, put your hands where I can see them.”
    Thankful for the excitement on her shift, Shay tried to hold back the laughter. She remembered being a teenager, but figured she’d at least put the fear of God into them. She shone the flashlight into the eyes of two half-naked teens.
    “What the fuck?”
    “Matthew Bradley?”
    Everyone knew everyone in Connell. Matthew’s father owned the pharmacy. He must have trusted his son to close shop and lock up.
    “Officer Brooks. Sorry, I—I—you scared the crap out of me. How did you get inside?”
    Shay moved her flashlight so the beam hit the opened front door. “Guess you forgot to lock it before you got all hot and bothered. What do you think your father will say about that? And what will he say about her?” Shay moved the light back to the girl who frantically attempted to put her shirt back on.
    “Oh shit! Dad’s gonna kill me. He’ll never trust me to close again.”
    Matthew pulled his shirt over his head and stood in front of his girlfriend. It impressed Shay that he tried to block her and let her keep some dignity.

    Shay climbed the porch steps and noticed the outside light flicker. She made a mental note to change the bulb and replace the lock.