SHIFT EXCHANGE

Chapter 4

The night kept plucking along at just the pace her crew needed to stay engaged. The city officers kept Darren and Lindy busy with DUI's and domestics. Kara juggled a vehicle verses moose accident on the highway from both the fire and law enforcement sides while the other deputies continued to go about their regular duties and making demands of Anita.

When Kara finally looked at the clock she was pleasantly surprised to see the face showing 4:30 a.m. In only a couple short hours they would all be heading home to their warm beds. Darren was beginning to look decidedly droopy. Kara made a mental note to rile him up a little before he left. Her biggest fear was one of her crew falling asleep at the wheel on the way home.

A flashing blue at the bottom of her screen drew her attention. Kara clicked on the dialogue box.

"I'm coming in. Watch for me and get the gate please?"

Kara looked for the time stamp to see how long ago the message had been sent. Headlights flashed across the monitor fed by the front gate security camera. Kara looked for the distinct outline of a light bar on the top of the vehicle and pressed the button to open the gate.

She watched the back security gate as the Sheriff's vehicle parked. A tall, dark haired man in a dark uniform got out. He walked toward the back door. Kara hit the button to unlock the door and let him in.

"Do we have a visitor?" Anita asked, looking up from her NCIC entry.

"I believe it's Sgt. Mahon coming in to introduce himself." Kara swung her chair around to face the back door of the communications center.  They heard approaching footsteps in the break room.  The door swung open and a deputy stepped through.

Kara's first impression was that she knew his face, but it had indeed changed over the years. The high and tight haircut was gone, replaced by a more relaxed, yet still professional cut. A light dusting of gray dusted his temples. The face no longer looked as young and eager as the first time she'd seen it, yet now seemed more appealing with its strong stoic gaze. He had a strong jaw line and deep set blue eyes, which scanned the room assessing its size, shape, exits, and occupants.

He stood with his shoulders back and his hands resting at his sides as he finished his scan. Finally, his eyes settled on Kara. His strong, serious features broke out into a killer smile. He closed the gap between them in two strides and extended his hand to her.

"Hello again Kara!"

Kara stood and stared up at the much taller man before placing her hand in his. He held it firmly and covered it with his other hand as he shook it up and down. When he finally released her hand, she couldn't help but notice how she had enjoyed the warmth and strength.

"It's nice to meet you again Sergeant Mahon. Now that I see you, I do remember you." She took her hand back and placed it on her hip. "We were hired at the same time. I stood next to you during the swearing in ceremony."

His face broke out in another one of those drop dead smiles and Kara felt an uncomfortable level of awareness as her body reacted to his presence.

"Yes ma'am. I'm a name guy. As soon as I saw your name pop up, I instantly recalled the blonde standing beside me when I started this gig." He was animated when he spoke, his face conveyed his pleasure. "It's been a few years, but you haven't changed a bit."

Kara couldn't help blushing. She'd never had anyone take notice of her to such a degree. She knew she definitely looked older than the fresh faced young woman she'd been the last time they had met. A glance at her ID badge could confirm that.

"So you've obviously been out of the patrol field for a bit?" Anita chimed in and startled Kara who had been so focused on their visitor she'd temporarily forgotten the rest of her team.