The Oaths We Keep

Chapter 3

Barnes was seated across from Chief Vanderbeck's desk as Taylor entered her office for their early morning meeting. Vanderbeck liked these early morning meetings because they allowed for more solid work time, and it was the easiest time to get her two lead detectives together in one place. Barnes gave him a sly look as he entered the room, shutting the door behind himself. "Detective Taylor, nice of you to join us today. Barnes and I were discussing the recent rash of car thefts. It looks like we may have a stolen car ring on our hands. Make sure you check into that at some point today," she said, scolding him as if he were late to the meeting.

The meeting was supposed to start at six this morning, and casually glancing at his phone, he saw he was five minutes early. Ten minutes early is right on time, he thought sarcastically to himself. Barnes gave him a look that seemed to express that she knew what he thought even though she did not say a word. He took the other seat beside Barnes and waited for the chief to continue.

Vanderbeck hardly paused to allow him to catch up. "We've also had some complaints about uniformed officers flirting the rules around town. For example, an officer was observed by a citizen using his emergency lights to get into traffic only to pull into a drive-through on his lunch break. Now, I don't know who that was, but please emphasize to anyone under your command that such behavior should not happen and will not be tolerated. I don't have to tell you what kind of scrutiny police are under these days, so if you see it, handle it."

The chief exhaled loudly and continued with her meeting. Taylor and Barnes sat and listened as Vanderbeck went on point by point with everything she wanted to say in the conference. The whole thing lasted about an hour, but at times, it felt much longer. "Do either of you have any questions?" Vanderbeck asked.

"I think we're good here, Chief," Taylor responded.

"Good. Dismissed. Taylor, I want a report on those car thefts this afternoon."

Taylor made a line straight for his office. As he took his seat behind his desk, Barnes walked in and sat across from him. "You know it's not the best of looks you walking in here right after a meeting. Folks might think we are gossiping or complaining about the meeting," he said, only half kidding Barnes. Most in the department knew Vanderbeck and Taylor did not see eye to eye on many things, but Taylor still respected her in her role as chief of police. They may not exchange Christmas cards, but he still respected her as a fellow law enforcement officer and would stand behind her decisions.

"That's not why I'm in here, and you know it, Taylor," Barnes shot back at him. "I want to know how the date went last night. What was her name again? Addison?" He didn't mean to tell her he had a date yesterday, but it slipped out in the middle of a conversation as they were getting ready to leave to go home a couple of days ago. Barnes' eyes lit up, and she wanted to know every little detail, almost like she was his kid sister.

Taylor sheepishly grinned, "Her name is Dr. Amber Collins, and it went well. We had a good time last night."

"So, are you going to see her again?"

"Well, I was going to call her again tonight and see if...."

"You can't call her tonight, Taylor. Are you crazy?" Barnes said in almost a shout.

"Why not? I like her, and she said she wanted to see me again, so why not?"

"Because it smacks of desperation. She'll think you're coming on too strong, and that will push her away."

"Come on, Barnes, we're not twelve here. We're grown adults."

"Okay, and how many dates have you been on in the last several years?" she asked him in her know-it-all voice. "I'm telling you, women like to be chased, but there are certain rules."

"Rules?" he said, trying not to sound too frustrated with her prying. She was right about one thing, though it had been a long time since he went on an official date. One of the things he decided to do was try to get back into the dating scene. It was more difficult than he remembered it from years ago. After Shelia Lee broke off their engagement, he tried to date a few times. He even managed to have a short-lived relationship, but nothing came of it in the end, and the relationship ended. After Shelia died, he just gave up, but after many conversations with Eddie, he decided the time was right to try again.

"Yes, rules. Think about it. You come across as desperate if you call or text too soon. Please tell me you didn't tell her to text you when she got home or that you texted her goodnight."

"No, of course not. I said goodnight to Eddie before I left but went home and got in bed. That's it." Barnes got a look on her face, "Alone."

"I didn't say anything about that, did I?" she said, incredulous. "So, are you going to see her again?"

"Well, I was going to call and ask her tonight."

"No, don't do that. Call tomorrow and ask her to do something with you. It doesn't matter what; you need an idea or a plan. Whatever you do, don't say, 'Hey, are you free Friday?' I mean, be creative."

"Barnes, who is going on this date, you or me?"

"Don't look at me. I haven't had a date in months."

"Then why are you giving me dating advice, Barnes?"

"Oh, maybe it's what I would want if a guy were to ask me out again. Or I'm trying to live vicariously through you. Either way, I'm glad you're getting out there again."

"Really?" he asked, trying to mask his surprise. "Well, look, it's just one date, alright? She may not even want to see me again after this one."

"Well, maybe not," she responded. "Look, I won't pry anymore, but you must admit you are a little excited, aren't you?"

He thought for a moment, "Yeah, okay, fine. Yes. I liked her, and yes, it's a little exciting, but it was just one date. Anyway, I've got work to do, and so do you, so if you will excuse me."

"I'll let myself out, but if you see her again, I want the details."

"Barnes, will you just go?" She left his office, mouthing the word "details" as she walked out.

Taylor knew it had been a rough go for Barnes recently. A few months back, she dated a patrol officer named Mike Davis. Things turned out badly when Barnes discovered he secretly worked for a psychopath and tried to kill Taylor. He then died at the hands of that psychopath who later tried to kill both of them. Barnes killed the man, but the entire episode left her scarred. She took some vacation time on top of the mandated leave time to deal with the case's resolution.

A few months have passed since she returned from her mandated leave. At first, she was quiet, avoiding discussing what had taken place before she left. In the past couple of weeks, she was back to what passed for her usual self, but as Taylor suspected, she was far from normal. Barnes wouldn't say it, but she replayed when the man turned the gun on her and fired. She returned fire with three shots, hitting the man and killing him. No matter how much he may have deserved it, taking a life was never easy. Barnes seemed to be better, but she was far from healed.

Events in Warrenton were quiet for the most part recently. Significant crimes seemed to decline except for the number of stolen cars over the last month. The city still had its share of trouble, to be sure. People still got into fights, domestic violence calls, drug offenses, and even prostitution, but all that is expected in a city of Warrenton's size. It may be a sad commentary on humanity to say that stuff is normal, but at least they weren't picking up the bodies of homicide victims every other day. Despite it all, Warrenton was still a great place to live.

As cliché as it sounded, Taylor believed it was part of his job to ensure Warrenton stayed a nice place to live. He had a reputation as a boy scout around town. It didn't bother him to be known as someone who stood for what he thought was right. If that made him a boy scout, then so be it. He knew he wasn't perfect, but Taylor wanted to make a difference in the community he served. He took an oath to serve and protect and did his best to uphold that oath.