In Shining Whatever (Three Magic Words Trilogy #2)(15)

"Good afternoon, boys and girls. We have some very distinguished guests in our presence today, so I expect you to be on your best behavior. I'm your principal, but I've also worked as a relief police officer for several years. Today I am going to talk to you about the duties of a police officer and what kind of training you would have to take to be one. I'll talk to you for a few minutes and let you ask questions. They will be asked in an orderly fashion, and each career specialist speaking to you today will only take questions pertaining to their job, not personal questions. Raise your hand and wait until I nod at you..

Kate listened with one ear and chanced a glance toward Hart, who winked at her. She lost it all-concentration, what she was going to talk about, all of it! Then Theron was introducing her. She stood up, hoping she'd have a few intelligent words when she got to the podium.

"I'd like to introduce you all to Kate Miller. She used to live in Albany when she was a little girl. She even went to school right here in our elementary school. But then she moved to Louisiana and became the youngest woman detective ever to work in New Iberia. When she's finished, she will introduce Hart Ducaine, who is sitting beside her."

Kate took her place, and surprisingly enough, her voice sounded normal. "Hi, kids. Thank you for inviting me to your career day. I lived in Albany until I was fifteen. It was during a career day when I was a junior in high school that I decided I wanted to be a detective," she said.

When she finished she asked if there were any questions.

The first one came from a little black-haired girl in the front row. "Do you carry a gun like in Law & Order?"

Kate had anticipated that question. She took off her jacket to reveal a black leather shoulder holster and her Glock. "Yes, I do. And I respect it very much. I don't draw it out of the holster unless it is absolutely necessary."

Next question was, "Did you ever kick down a door?"

She bit the inside of her lip. These kids spent too much time in front of a television or with a Game Boy in their hands. "No, I never had to do that. Most of my work is a little boring, to be very honest. It's a lot of asking questions, following up on leads, taking notes. So if you think you want to be a detective, learn how to pay attention and take very good notes in your classes. And it also helps to be able to write well enough that you can read it when you go back later, so good penmanship is important"

There were several hands in the air, but her time was up. "Sorry kids, but that's it. Now it's Hart Ducaine's turn to talk to you about the rodeo circuit and bull riding. Be sure and ask him about that belt buckle he's wearing. He won it a few months ago at the Professional Rodeo in Las Vegas."

Her gun was soon forgotten when Hart took the stage. The emergency room would probably have a run on twisted ankles and broken wrists that weekend, when the kids mounted the rangy old bulls in their pastures. Hart talked about staying on the bull's back for eight seconds, and the way the judges gave points for the bull and the rider. The kids asked questions about his vest with all the logos on it, how bad it hurt to fall off, and if he was ever a rodeo clown.

Then it was Sophie's turn.

Theron had judged their time well; the last career specialist finished two minutes before the final bell rang. Theron thanked everyone for coming, did a quick poll of how many kids were going to be a detective, a teacher, a rancher, a nurse, a bull rider, a doctor, or a fireman. The bull rider got most of the boys' votes, which made Hart grin. The girls were split between nursing and teaching.

"Girls are more mature than boys," Kate said, as they left the auditorium.

"Why's that?" Hart asked.

"Boys see the glory and excitement in life. Girls recognize reality. Momma's right; the only difference in men and boys is the price of their toys"

Theron came up behind them. "Hey, now."

"She's just mad because the little girls didn't want to be a detective and carry a fancy gun," Hart said.

"Be careful. I can beat you to death with the gun even if it isn't loaded," she said.

"I saw a couple of kids raise their hands for detective," Theron said.

"But they were boys," Hart said.

"That's because girls are more realistic. Point proven," she said.

"Then why are you a detective?" Hart asked.

"I liked the pretty gun," she said, and picked up her pace to catch up to Sophie and Fancy.

"Got time for a cup of coffee down at the Eagle's Nest?" she asked her friends.

"Sure we do," Fancy said.

Sophie pointed to the holster. "Is that thing loaded?"

Kate shook her head. "No, but maybe if it were, I could just shoot him and put myself out of this misery. I'll meet y'all there."

She got into her truck and drove west. Suddenly she was tired of talking about him, thinking about him, dreaming about him. Very few waking minutes didn't involve something that would bring him to her mind. Maybe she needed to call Captain Trudeau in New Iberia and beg for her old job back. He said he'd hold it a little while until she was absolutely sure she wanted to go back to the Texas heat.

She got caught by a red light, so the others were already at a table when she walked into the place. She pulled out a chair and sat down. "I'm hungry. Let's share a great big order of fries."