Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

“I’m James.” The officer gestured for her to have a seat and shot a questioning look at me.

“I’m Gabe. I manage one of the bars on that street.” I held up my hands. I wasn’t the manager, but they didn’t need to know that. “I’m just here to observe.”

James nodded. “I’m not sure how I can help you.” He sat across from us.

James looked young so I hoped that meant he wasn’t jaded, and he would give Taylor a chance.

“Let me show you what the issues are first and then we can discuss it.” Taylor pulled out Omar’s neat log of the theft incidents that occurred this week, along with an itemization of things stolen, the date and time, and the location on the video. She pushed it over to James. She pulled out her laptop, opening it up, and played the video of one of the incidents.

“Did the store owner file a report?” The officer’s brow was furrowed as he looked from the paper to the video as it played.

“No, that’s the issue. Omar used to call the police, but the officer that came out said there was nothing he could do and Omar got the impression the officer felt like he was wasting his time.”

James cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. “It’s true. There isn’t much we can do in shoplifting cases like this.”

“I get that, but now that Omar isn’t filing reports, the incidents are increasing, and I’m worried the word has gotten out that no one cares. Thefts are increasing and they’re worried it’s going to escalate. I don’t want to wait until there’s an armed robbery and someone gets hurt. Plus, more shops plan to open in that area so doing nothing won’t improve the situation.”

I was impressed by the passion with which Taylor spoke about the issues. I knew that representing the interests of others was her job as an attorney, but seeing her in action was attractive.

“If he won’t make a report, there’s nothing I can do.” James smiled and rose from his chair as if that was the end of the conversation.

Taylor tensed but her voice was calm and even. “Let’s see some officers on the street, talking to the shop owners, letting them know their concerns are valid, and they should feel comfortable coming to the police.”

“We don’t have time for that.” James sat back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “New Orleans is a violent city. There are a lot of more serious crimes that demand our attention.”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed on him. “Don’t you? I never see any officers patrolling.” Without waiting for him to respond, she continued. “It’s called Project Safe Neighborhood. Should I speak to your supervisor and remind him of his duties under the plan and how much crime is reduced when we all follow it?” she asked, her hands clasped on the table in front of her as she leaned in closer to him.

James looked away. “No, that won’t be necessary. We can do that.”

“If there’s something your office needs to make this happen, please let me know. All of our departments need to work together to reduce crime and to instill trust.”

I watched with pride as Taylor remained professional and calm during the entire discussion. She’d used her authority and knowledge when she needed to but otherwise left the decision up to him.

Taylor packed up her laptop before handing him a business card. “Can I get your number in case I need to speak with you about something?” James wrote it down on a Post-it and passed it to her. “We’re also planning to have a block party on the first Friday of the month. I’ll let you know our plans and the timing so you can have officers present.”

A block party? She never mentioned anything to me but then I hadn’t really talked to her since Zach came into the bar.

“Thanks for bringing this to my attention,” James said.

It wasn’t my imagination that I saw respect in the officer’s eyes.

“Of course. We both want the same thing. We want to instill trust in law enforcement so citizens will feel comfortable coming to us with bigger issues.”

It wasn’t lost on me that I’d never trusted law enforcement and it was a good reminder that Taylor was part of that. But I wasn’t so sure I cared anymore. She was different—she genuinely cared, she followed through on her promises.

James shook her hand.

“Thank you so much for your time.”

I nodded at James as I followed her onto the street.

“Whew. That was scary.” She stopped just outside the station’s doors letting out a breath of relief.

“You were so confident in there.” I would never have guessed she was scared except that she allowed me to accompany her.

“Oh yeah, I didn’t think he’d take me seriously. My hands are shaking.” She lifted her hand in the air and sure enough, it shook slightly.

“He did. You were respectful and professional.” I couldn’t be prouder of her. “He listened to you.”

“I only had to threaten him once.” She laughed as if she couldn’t believe she’d done that.

I hooked my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug, feeling her hands wrap around my waist as she sunk into my body. I breathed in the smell of lavender shampoo as her head tucked under my chin. I resisted the urge to kiss her forehead. Had anything ever felt so good? So right? It was like she belonged in my arms.

I rubbed her back once gently before letting her go so we could walk back to the bar.

We walked quietly for a few minutes before she asked, “How are things at the bar? Do you still need help?”

“Isaac’s scheduling interviews now.” I thought about how maybe I should mention wanting to take on more responsibility at the bar. I could offer to help with hiring.

“I want—” was I going to say I wanted her? No, she wasn’t ready for that. I