Free Eleven Days: An Unexpected Love by Lora Lindy

passed away a couple of hours ago, and our team is meeting at his house then we 're going to the office. I will have to spend some time in the office, and I don't know how long that will be." He hated to say anything to her . She didn't need to be burdened with his problems.
    "I understand. I'll be here when you come home." She didn't know what else to say.
    About that time his ride drove up, and Mike held her for a few seconds and she gave him a big squeeze to let him know she understood. He kissed her on the forehead, sat down his mug on the bar, and out the door he went.
    She stood at the window and watched him drive down the road and turn the corner .
    Then she added logs to the fire.

Chapter 13
    D ay 4
    October 18, 7:30 a.m.
     
    Lana awoke to heavy sleet. She pea ked outside and saw dark clouds ushered in the cold northerner.
    When she g lance d at the wood left on the stoop and outside she knew she need ed to order some more wood , or call someone to fix the furnace. After making several calls, she found Johnson Tree Service and they could deliver a half cord of wood t his afternoon. She felt better knowing she would have wood for a couple of day, and that certainly lifted a burden off her shoulders, and Mikes.
    Once she completed her morning rituals; showering, breakfast, make-up, and cleaning up the kitchen. She relaxed snuggled in her favorite patch work quilt watching the news to see if she could find any information about the deceased federal agent. She flipped through several of the local channels and ended on CBS's station. The morning show called Today's Headlines and they seemed to have the best coverage. The news covered the snowfall, the sluggish economy, dishonest politicians, and a dog gave birth to fourteen puppies. Not one thing mention about the deputy. It's sad that a dishonest politician captured news time, and the deceased federal agent didn't even get mentioned.
    Just about the time she was about to give up, NBC interrupted the program with a special report. She turned on the volume of the TV so she could hear every word. Mike stood on the steps of a courthouse with several microphones stuck in his face, and he said. "Today, tragically we lost a comrade, Deputy Frank Bellamy, who lost his battle for his life after being shot. He's from Denver Colorado and he 'll be laid to rest there ." She noticed how he emphasized the word deputy . He wanted the reporters to remember him as an officer of the law.
    A female reporter asked. "It's been reported he was shot serving a felony warrant, is t his true?" The reporters shoved each other as they tried to stick their microphones in Mike's face.
    "Yes." That 's just like Mike to give short answers. She knew that part of Mike very well. He looked straight ahead and didn't focus on any one reporter. He didn't have the smiling face he had last night. He looked solemn and in command.
    A male reporter asked. "Can you elaborate on that Deputy Ramsey?"
    "He went in as the point man in serving a felony warrant and he was struck in the head by a bullet." Mikes experience led him to answer with the fewest words possible. Through the years he knew the more he said the more the media could twist his words . All the deputies knew not to say a word at all, even if the media asked them specific questions. That was not a policy of the marshals, only Mike's rule. He didn't want to clean up anything misconstrued by what his men said.
    The second reporter asked another question. "What caliber was the bullet and did he have on protected head gear?" He asked the question as though the agents were idiots and Mike would say. No we did not have on protective head gear or armored suits, we went in wearing tutus . With out a doubt to Lana or anyone watching, that question annoyed Mike.
    Mike raised his left eyebrow, and Lana thought uh oh. "Yes we had on protective gear and I will not disclose the caliber of the bullet." His tone sounded annoyed. Mike didn't mind answering questions,