The Fourth Law

Chapter 8, Part 1

Her shift was almost over when she was paged to the front desk. Checking with Mrs. Watters first, she wound down the stairs, out into the lobby. If something was wrong with one her kids, she'd have been called to the ER. So, it couldn't be anything too bad... She froze. Sitting in a chair was someone she never expected to see again. She thought to leave, but he'd noticed her and stood up. Walking over, he held out his hand.

"A real pleasure to see you again, Miss Barrett."

Hearing her name from his mouth made it ugly. She shook his hand.

"Mister Stephens. What brings you to Waxahachie?"

"Business. But, if you've a moment, I'd like to talk," he said simply.

She stifled a snarl. "My shift's over in about half an hour. Here," she took some paper from the Admissions Counter and jotted an address on it. "That coffee shop's on my way home, I'll meet you there."

He smiled and went on his way.

"Who's that handsome man?" Asked Hariette from the counter. "And more importantly, is he single?" Always a bridesmaid...

"He's Kyle Stephens. A Ranger." And former ExComm, she kept to herself. I've got work to do.

Her mind a stew of unpleasant thought, she stomped up the stairs. She took her phone out without even noticing, about to send Ai a message, then froze. I was going to ask her to find out about him. She put her other hand over her mouth in fear. I was going to use my friend! It went back into her pocket, and she was able to stop her hands shaking before going back out onto the floor.

"Heavens, Lily," said Nurse Rice, "you look like you've seen a ghost!"

This time, she did not pedal fast. She thought about what little she knew about Kyle Stephens: her father's cousin, Ranger, ExComm, Ranger again. That would seem to indicate that either he had a conscience, or just a well-developed sense of self-preservation. Admittedly, he had helped her mom get settled once her parents separated.

She parked and locked her bike in front of the coffee shop. The white sedan with government plates was obviously his. Her hand brushed across her phone in her pocket. Just get through this, she thought, then go play with your friend. Inside, he'd taken a table by the window, so he'd must have seen her ride up. She waved at the counter for a coffee and sat down.

"Well?" she said.

"That was quite the letter you sent, Miss Barrett." he said, taking a drink of his coffee.

She'd almost forgotten about that. "Yeah, well, I was trying to get some things in my life together. You were a loose end; I thought I'd try to tie it up."

He chuckled. "Ah, to be in my twenties again! You'll soon learn that some things – most things – never get tied up."

"Likely you're right."

That stopped him. "You've learned that already? Well."

Neither spoke for a moment.

"Was that all?" Lily asked.

"Ah. No," he said, pulling a folder out of the soft-side briefcase on the floor. "I honestly am here on business. Two things, and, oddly enough, they both touch on you."

That was not good. "How have I come to the attention of the Rangers? Besides the obvious, I mean."

Another small smile from him. "The first is easy: I wanted to let you know that we're hiring that Will Helsing boy. If he gets through our training, he's gonna make a hell of an officer. On behalf of the Republic, thank you for sending him our way."