The Gravedigger, Kacie Clement [surface ebook reader TXT] 📗

him over onto his stomach in one smooth movement. Pulling out her handcuffs from her back pocket, Kamira handcuffed Charles Chestfield. She next secured the gun he had been holding.

Looking up, Kamira heard the sirens. Watching Terrance getting out of the car, she heard him say, “I told you we were on our way, love. You didn’t use the dropkick on the poor man, did you?”

Kamira, smiling, pulled Charles Chestfield to his feet.

“Why yes, dear, I did. You must be Chief Stanley.”

Chief Stanley looked at the six-foot-tall Creole woman standing in front of him, amazed.

Laughing, Chief Stanley said, “That’s quite a wife you have there, Investigator James.”

Terrance smiled, “Yes, she is, Chief.”

The two officers who had pulled up in patrol cars took custody of Charles Chestfield while other officers calmed Cora and her sons, bringing them into the residence for questioning.

Kamira looked at Chief Stanley and said, “Thank you, Chief Stanley. Our chief, Jack Thomas, should have the extradition orders to you within a day. Thank you for the assist.”

Chief Stanley roared in laughter. “Assist? Officer Jackson, an assist is something I don’t think you would likely need. If you ever tire of Mississippi, look me up. I could use an officer of your caliber.”

Kamira grinned. Looking at Terrance, she said, “Well, what do you say we go home and get ready for that honeymoon?”

“Honeymoon?” Chief Stanley asked.

Terrance wrapped his arm around Kamira’s waist and beamed.

“Yup, honeymoon. My bride found Daniel Billings buried in the wall fifteen minutes before our wedding. I couldn’t get her to go anywhere till we solved the case.”

Chief Stanley laughed, “Where are you two off to for the honeymoon?”

“Aruba.” Kamira and Terrance said in unison.

Returning the rental cars, Kamira and Terrance boarded an early afternoon flight back to Shadowbank.

Chapter 12

While Kamira and Terrance were on their flight home to Mississippi, Jack and Willie Mae were going to the Shadowbank Police Department’s lower level.

Entering just one of the newly built offices, Jack said, “Willie Mae, this is your new office. I am promoting you to Director of Community Relations. Of course, that comes with a pay raise.”

“You’re moving me to the basement, Jack?”

Jack laughed and replied, “Follow me.”

Taking her arm, Jack led Willie Mae into another room.

Willie Mae gasped. “My conference room, Jack?”

“That’s not all Willie Mae, there’s another office here, for when the Bellow sisters visit, complete with desks. There is also a makeshift break room, complete with a stove and refrigerator. Perfect for making a batch of beignets.”

Jack and Willie Mae left the new break room when they heard the Bellow sisters in the hallway.

“Look at this, Hattie. Willie Mae has her own office. Do you think Jack had Henry build us one too?” Hannah gasped.

“Good morning, ladies.” Jack said while grinning, “If you follow me, I will show you to your new office.”

Jack walked into the new office, painted a light violet color with two black desks, chairs, a sofa, and a tea table with three dainty chairs.

“Oh, my!” Hattie exclaimed.

Sally road down in the newly installed elevator. Seeing Jack standing in the doorway, she said, “Jack, the governor has arrived.”

Willie Mae moved back in the hallway, saying, “Please escort the governor down, Sally. I will put on a pot of coffee. We can meet in the Community Relations conference room.”

As everyone got seated around the new conference room table, Willie Mae thanked the governor for coming.

Willie Mae started the discussion, saying, “Governor, it will please you to learn that Chief Thomas has promoted me to the Director of Community Relations. As the new director, I am hiring Hattie and Hannah Bellow as Community Consultants, so I will need you to increase the Police Department’s budget. We intend to bring Shadowbank into a new realm, not one run by the State Line Mob. Now let us share some of our ideas with you.”

The group spent the subsequent half-hour listening and responding to the ladies’ ideas and plans. By the time the meeting was ending, they had agreed on the new Community Relations program initiatives.

As the governor stood with Jack at his side, Willie Mae came over to shake the governor’s hand.

“Thank you for coming today. We have a celebratory dinner planned tonight at the Bellow estate to celebrate my niece and her husband’s success in solving the Daniel Billings and Faye Chestfield murders. We would like for you to join us if you can.”

The governor smiled at Willie Mae. “I am having an anniversary dinner with my wife, Willie Mae, perhaps another time. Is there anything else before I go?”

Willie Mae was quiet for a moment. “Yes, there is. With this new position, sir, I will need a gun.”

The governor, stunned, looked at Jack who’s jaw was on the floor, and said, “Well, Willie Mae. That is a discussion between you and Chief Thomas here.”

The governor walked out of the conference room, and Jack could hear him chuckling on his way to the elevator.

Jack turned to Willie Mae and said, “I am not giving you a gun, Willie Mae.”

Later that afternoon, Jack waited in front of the airport to pick up Kamira and Terrance and head for the Bellow estate for that night’s dinner.

When Kamira and Terrance got settled into the car, Jack said, “Do I have a story for you two.”

Kamira smiled at him from the passenger seat. “I am up for a great story. Is it a fishing story?”

“Not quite. I have promoted Willie Mae to the Director of Community Relations.”

Kamira, surprised, said, “Really, Jack? Are you just looking for trouble?”

Jack grinned slyly, “That is not the funny part. The governor met with us this morning. Willie Mae let him know of her new position and demanded increase funding for the department to hire Hattie and Hannah as consultants.”

Terrance started laughing loudly from the back seat. Kamira shook her head.

Jack grinned widely, “But that is not the funny part. In one breath, the woman was inviting the governor to dinner tonight, and the next, she was informing him that