Free To Catch Her Death (The Grim Reality Series Book 1) by Boone Brux

reaper.
    “All right, let’s dive in.” She placed her hands on top of the file. “GRS is set up on a pay scale that takes into account time in service and rank.”
    “Rank?” I asked.
    “Yes, you will start out as a Deputy or a GR1.” She slid the top sheet of paper toward me and pointed to a graph. “This is the pay to start with. After your six month training period, you’ll move up to a Deputy GR2. This will increase your income $112 per pay period.”
    It was difficult to disguise my disappointment over my base pay. The amount would barely be enough to cover our expenses. I nodded and studied the graph, not trusting that my frustration wouldn’t leak out. Instead I looked at Nate. “What are you?”
    “Lieutenant GR6.”
    I scanned down the table. His pay was impressive, about three thousand dollars more a month than I would be making. “What rank was Jeff?”
    He was quiet for a few seconds. “Sargent GR6.”
    I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from asking anymore questions. There was no way my husband had made as much as the chart said. Or if he had, he didn’t spend it on the family. That led to the question, where the hell had all the money gone?
    “I know it doesn’t seem like much, especially since you were used to Jeff’s salary.”
    “No, actually it’s fine.” Because I was never used to his frickin’ salary.
    Not commenting further about Jeff’s pay, she pointed to the next chart down. “But we also give you a stipend each month for working in a remote location.”
    My spirits lifted slightly at the extra four hundred dollars, but I had to push away the idea there was more money Jeff hadn’t brought home. I refocused on my present situation. “Anchorage is considered remote?”
    Her brow furrowed and she looked at Nate. “I’d assumed Nate had briefed you on all the specifics of the job and your duties before having you accept the position.”
    Now I looked—well glared—at him. “No, he didn’t.”
    She sighed. “Anchorage is not considered remote, but the outlying villages are. You will be required to travel for GRS and reap souls whenever needed.”
    “That presents a tiny problem considering I’m a single mother of three. I can’t just drop everything and fly out to Barrow or Dillingham. What am I supposed to do with my kids?”
    “That’s precisely why I expected this to be explained prior to your signing.” She scowled at Nate again, but he seemed unrepentant. We were definitely going to have a few words after my orientation. “Fortunately, GRS does have in-home care for those who need it or we will supplement your sitting costs if you have someone you trust.”
    I nodded. “I’ll have to think about this. I can’t leave my kids with just anybody.” Specifically my mother .
    Mom would take them in a heartbeat, but I’d be indebted to her forever. Still, I needed a job and making that sacrifice would be worth it. On the flip side of the coin, if none of my kids became reapers, which I dearly hoped, then I wouldn’t be able to throw my martyrdom back in their faces when they blamed me for their horrible lives. I was looking at the big picture here.
    “Let me know if you need any help setting things up. I can introduce you to our caregivers. They are ready at a moment’s notice and might be good to keep as a backup.”
    “Thank you, Willow, I really appreciate that.” I liked her more and more. She was the first person at GRS who actually seemed human. “Do you have kids?”
    “No.” She picked up her pen and tapped it on the desk. “But I raised my sister—until she died a few years ago.”
    Instantly tears burned at the back of my eyes. I swallowed hard, reaching across the desk to cover her hand with mine. “I’m so sorry.”
    From experience I knew nothing more needed to be said. After Jeff died people tried to console me by relating a story about someone they’d lost. Although they attempted to find a common ground and connect with me, I