Laura Barnes: More Than A Sidekick
When I wrote A Long Road to Redemption, I envisioned Roger Taylor as the lead investigating officer. However, Patrol Officer Laura Barnes was another early character who began to stand out among the rest. Initially, I thought of her as a kid sister to Taylor, energetic and with a good sense of where to be when she is most needed. As the story progressed, the character of Laura Barnes found a place in the story, and though her contributions were subtle, they were important.
In the short story, A Murder on the Strip, Laura gets her chance to do investigations. The story bridges the gap between Long Road and Memories and Remorse and shifts the series' focus toward Taylor and Barnes. In the story, Barnes begins to learn the ropes and makes mistakes along the way. She has much to learn, but she performs her job well.
Memories and Remorse marks her first defined role as a detective. She begins to fill the part of the emotional center of the story. Where Taylor is sarcastic and sly, Laura is more direct and focused but can better sympathize with the people she confronts. Her emotional side is both her greatest strength and weakness.
It's safe to say that she is going through a crisis in the Oaths We Keep. She struggles with the possibility that she put too much time and effort into her work life and not enough on her personal life. She looks inward and reflects on how life can be short and what she has to show for it. She wants to be the best detective in the department, but she also wants a family. How she can do both is a central question for her.
I wanted the character of Laura Barnes to have an actual story progression. She's changed since Long Road, mainly for the better, but she's far from perfect. In short, she's human. In many ways, she's one of the most compelling characters I've written. I hope you will agree.
