Chapter ten
Kellyn and Kate took a rewarding three days' rest from the RCMP and school (but not from homework!). Sergeant Jansen happened to run into them at Johnson Street. Then they decided to take a break at the Cornerstone Coffee shop beside the library.
"Well, everything's being cleared back to normal," Kellyn sipped his drink and opened up the day's Province newspaper.
"Exactly," said a cheerful Jansen. "Have you heard what became of Vulture?"
Kate was reading the Province headlines at the same time, "Looks like the operation will stay on the headlines for at least a week... hey! Vulture's going to head into the Supreme Court of BC in over a month!"
"Hey... what about the roadblocks?" Kellyn asked.
"Well, the police say they're going to stay for another week, then they'll give the all-clear," Jansen replied. "By the way, it should be interesting to know that the GSI in the world have disbanded. No more GSI to worry about now!"
Kellyn was about to say something but Jansen cut him off in excitement. "Oh and you know what? Stevenston's allowing the both of you to try out promotions tests!"
"Does that mean..." Kate was overwhelmed.
"Yep! You get a chance to get a promotion to Corporal!"
Kellyn was also overwhelmed. Slowly he said, "What about you, Sergeant?"
Jansen smiled, "I'm going for my own too."
Kellyn remembered that only the top fifteen of constables could get promoted and they would have to have a pretty long service record. It would be a miracle if the three of them could make it together (that is, twenty percent of the selected).
"We could try, but I have my doubts."
Kate nodded. It made sense since they were only sixteen anyway. Then she also remembered something...
"Kellyn! You still didn't tell me how you survived a shot in the heart!"
"Oh... right," Kellyn effortlessly reached into his vest pocket (with the right arm) and took out a small object.
Kate stared at it, "No way..."
Jansen was perplexed. "That's what stopped you from dying?!"
It was the superintendent's metal box that was given to Kellyn after he died. From what Stevenston told Kellyn, not even a drill could break through its structure. That included a spinning bullet.
"Are you kidding me?!" Kate exclaimed, "Wow, Kellyn... wow..."
"Yeah, if it weren't for this, I probably wouldn't be here anymore..."
Kate started to cry and laugh at the same time, "A-and I thought you were really dead! I don't believe it. I saw you get shot..."
Kellyn said, "You did. But it wasn't what it looked like."
There was a brief silence.
"Kellyn…!" Kate cried. "You shouldn't have faked your death like that! Do you know how much that weighed on my heart?! I would have been responsible for your death!"
"But in the end," Kellyn said comfortingly. "I knew it was worth it."
Another brief silence.
Sergeant Jansen decided to pay for their drinks, and afterwards she handed the twosome a letter. "This came in the mail for you. I'm off on a patrol, you two take care!" she waved.
Kate waved back at Jansen while Kellyn opened the letter and read it out. "Pinetree Elementary wants us to go back there for a visit."
"We have the time," said Kate.
They finished their hot drinks and drove uphill to Pinetree, to the same class in which they taught safety skills the week before.
"Look! They came back!" said the pink-haired girl.
"You guys are lucky we're taking a break, and this one of our last break days," Kellyn added. "Alright, what is it you want to know?"
"HOW DID YOU GET TO BE POLICE OFFICERS?" shouted the whole class.
Kellyn glanced at Kate for a response. She shrugged and said, "Our friend, who's a police sergeant, came to visit our school (she was referring to Sergeant Jansen). When she noticed we had a skill much more different than others she decided to train us. We've been doing this part-time job for a year already."
The class was speechless, finally the pink-haired girl said, "Wow! That's so cool! How can you prove you're officers?"
Kate flashed her ID card, "That's about it. We can't do too much in the service you know."
But the pink-haired girl still had her doubts. "Could you give us an explanation how?"
Kellyn smiled at Kate. "You explain."
In short, it all began on one typical day in Coquitlam a year ago…
Sergeant Michelle Jansen was ordered to teach specified technical skills to Ms. Stott's English class, and additionally wanted them to learn how to defend themselves in the event of an attack.
Kellyn and Kate were optimistic on the task, and they proved to be somewhat more exceptional than Jansen expected. Then a ridiculous yet possible thought struck her: what if it was possible for these two to be in the police?
That night, she went to Chief Superintendent Stevenston to file in a report on that possibility. Although Jansen knew that Stevenston would most likely disagree, she had an argument in place just in case if that happened. Eventually, Stevenston agreed to make an exception in spite of the law, and contacted the Ministry of Public Safety in the process and a Superintendent.
The next day was spent at Gleneagle Secondary when Sergeant Jansen kept hearing "Oh my goshes" from Melodee and was soon to know that Melodee was talking to Kate. After meeting up with her Jansen asked Kate if she was interested in joining the RCMP.
"I'll think about it," she said.
For Kellyn Fiore, Jansen was interrupted by Ms. Stott, saying that he was too young and needed to complete his studies in school. The thing was, Ms. Stott's wedding ring was stolen the night before and she was deeply saddened.
"Oh my gosh," Melodee said. "Oh my gosh…"
At the same time, Sergeant Jansen could see a shady character at the end of the hallway, and he was smirking.
"Hold it right there!" Jansen shouted.
But the character had already broken off into a run, and already suspecting he was obstructing justice, Sergeant Jansen pursued.
The suspect tried to cut pursuit by overturning a nearby garbage can, but Jansen was too quick for him, and she jumped it and caught up.
But then she received a blow on the shoulder which forced her back in pain. Kellyn and Kate, knowing what the right thing to do was, decided to help out Sergeant Jansen.
Kellyn gave an all-out sprint towards the suspect and dived for his legs. The suspect was about to leash out a kick but was stopped short when Kellyn had gotten a hold of his feet already. He fell on his back, and Kate pinned down one of his arms.
"Stop!" Kellyn demanded.
And at the right time, Sergeant Jansen was back on her feet and took back control of the situation. She took out a pair of handcuffs and locked one of the suspect's hands into it.
"You're no doubt going to be charged with obstruction of justice," Jansen began. "And you're certainly going to be charged with assaulting a peace officer."
Ms. Stott, although she was shaken, thanked Sergeant Jansen for her work. At the same time Kate, with a keen eye, could not help but notice a square lump sticking out of the suspect's pocket. She reached in and took it out.
"Ms. Stott!" Kate said. "Could this be your wedding ring?"
Kate's English teacher took the thin box and opened it. She gasped, "Kate! Of course it is! I –"
"For sure you're going to be charged with possession of stolen property too," Jansen cut in, addressing the suspect. "Say, Ms. Stott, can Kellyn and Kate join the RCMP now? Please…?"
Ms. Stott was suddenly aware that a twenty one year old was asking for her permission to have fifteen year olds join a police force.
"But – how old are you?" she started. "You look younger than me… and how could Kellyn and Kate be fit to join the police anyway? You have to be nineteen at least, and they still have to finish school."
"My chief officer is trying to make an exception," Sergeant Jansen explained. "I've asked him to work with the Ministries of Public Safety and Education already! Just consider it a part-time job, please?! I mean, they can still come to school – I think."
Ms. Stott looked at Kellyn and Kate. "That'll be their choice, then. But I still have doubts, though."
"For sure I want to join the RCMP," Kate said.
Kellyn, Sergeant Jansen, and Ms. Stott looked at her, surprised.
Since Kate is joining, Kellyn thought. I might as well, too.
"I'm in," Kellyn said.
But now it was Kate's turn to be surprised.
"What?! I thought you already joined the RCMP! Why, Kellyn?! Why did you trick me?! It's not like you to be that person –"
"Kate," Ms. Stott interrupted. "He didn't say anything."
Kate Periphery stared at Ms. Stott, then Sergeant Jansen, and then Kellyn.
Ms. Stott, finally coming to an understanding, turned to Sergeant Michelle Jansen.
"Well, then. I suppose the school board and I should have a talk with your chief officer so we can do a deal."
"And that's what happened," Kate finished, leaving the class awestruck.
"But – HOW do you do homework nowadays?!" asked a student.
"Double time, you know," Kate simply said.
It was time to leave. Kellyn and Kate were about to exit the classroom when the pink-haired girl shouted, "Kellyn! One of these days Kate will be your girlfriend! I told you, I'll keep calling her that until you admit it!"
Kellyn face went a little red, "But if I somehow actually admit it, what would you call her afterwards?" he said softly.
"Well... then I'll congratulate you for getting a pretty girlfriend!"
The whole class stared at Kellyn and Kate with interest. Without having to say anything they could tell that the two of them were blushing, particularly Kate.
That seems a bit too much for Kellyn, Kate thought. I wonder...
Kellyn on the other hand managed to control his blushing again. "I-I'll think about it... while we're away."
"Just wait! I'll stop calling her your girlfriend when you admit it!"
Kate, like the rest of the class, was quite perplexed about her contradiction. To stop the pink-haired girl from saying Kate was Kellyn's girlfriend by admitting that Kate was his girlfriend just didn't make any sense.
The teacher was present when this was happening but was busy doing a lot of paperwork. That left the twosome with their own problems.
"I don't think that will happen," Kate said.
"You got it," Kellyn said as they started to leave, "I keep telling you that Kate and I are just friends, nothing more!"
The pink-haired girl's wide smile did not change one bit, "I'll wait... for that day when the two of you will kiss! Then you won't need to admit it at all! 'Cause it'll be already official!"
Kellyn and Kate left the school with something of an embarrassment.
While driving Kate home (which wasn't really far), Kellyn was listening to one of his favorite songs, and it was Kutless' 'What Faith Can Do.'
At Kate's home, Kellyn waved good-bye.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Kate prepared to shut the door.
"Yep, enjoy your day Kate," Kellyn waved a hand.
After that he took the car to Guildford Way. And then he walked to Johnson Street.
He took the time to examine what became of Coquitlam while he was gone in the raid. The weather seemed to gotten a little bit warmer, but not enough to get rid of the cold. That didn't bother Kellyn, he enjoyed the cold.
The cars were driving up and down Johnson Street as usual, Kellyn decided to take the liberty of picking up the mail and the post office on Barnet Highway (near Johnson Street). Kellyn found several letters and a thin envelope with his name on it "Delivered for Mr. Kellyn Fiore". He opened it and gasped.
It was a letter of thanks from the City of Vancouver, along with the envelope disclosed a ticket. It read, "For the use of any three major sports events within the Vancouver area. Expires in two years." Well, it must have been the least the City could do. He expected that Kate should have received one too.
After leaving the post office, Kellyn found that the weather had gotten slightly cold due to wind. He zipped up his jacket and walked up the road to his home. Past Glen, Guildford, Durant, Walton, Delahaye...
Kellyn was no less exhausted by the time he arrived at his house. He took out his keys and opened the door.
In the living room to his left, Little Sis was busy drawing some pictures. She looked up and saw Kellyn walk in.
"Big Brother? I thought you were already home!" she said.
"Little Sis, I was away for quite a while from home you know."
"Whatever! It still felt like you just came back ten minutes ago!"
Kellyn heaved a sigh. He didn't know if his little sister actually meant what she said or if she was just playing with him. But it was usually Little Sis' personality to play friendly tricks on people. But in particular her big brother was the one she picked on most because she knew he couldn't argue (a very good example is Little Sis' threat of blackmailing Kellyn. She found a way through!).
"Little Sis, is mom home?"
"She's coming back right now with your homework!"
Kellyn jolted. He quickly ran to the kitchen to grab a pencil, eraser, and ruler... whatever he needed. Though the police operation took a while, that didn't slip his knowledge of homework and school. He waited with Little Sis eagerly.
The door opened. It was their mom with a backpack full of textbooks, "Oh, hello Kellyn. Welcome home! Here's your homework from Ms. Stott."
Kellyn smiled. He gratefully took his backpack and got to straight to his work, "Mom, I went to pick up the mail a while ago."
"Thank you, Kellyn," she went to look at the pile and came across the letter from the City, "What's this?"
"Oh, it's just a letter of thanks from Vancouver, nothing much."
"Hmm! You've got a ticket for three events anywhere in Vancouver? That's... an appropriate reward."
Little Sis was quite upset. Aww... why does Big Brother always gets the good stuff?! She furiously continued to draw, but in a way that was meant to annoy her brother.
Kellyn started to do his homework while trying not to be distracted from his little sister. Knowing Little Sis, she would probably get tired in a few minutes...
As he expected, Little Sis gave groan of disappointment and kept up with her work at a regular pace.
When the time came for dinner and Kellyn had finished with his homework, the family came together in the dining room (a large granite table seating eight). Kellyn's dad was also there preparing a dish of salmon and artichoke. Kellyn was feeling famished. Little Sis however, did not like artichoke at all.
"You have to eat your veggies," said Kellyn's dad.
"Listen to dad," said Kellyn. "Or else..."
Little Sis face showed nothing but a big smile. "Okay... I'll spare you just this once," she picked up her fork and forced herself to eat some of her artichoke while Kellyn leisurely ate his salmon.
While Kellyn was eating dinner with his family, Kate Periphery was at her home (in the elevated part of Johnson Street, a little further than Kellyn's home) in the process of printing several English assignments off her computer. She had been working under pressure to get a complete essay handed in to Ms. Stott and several more assignments to Mr. De Bakker, the Socials teacher.
Oh, what would Mr. De Bakker react to this now... because it seemed that Kate didn't put too much effort with her assignments. Oh well.
"Kate!" shouted her mom.
"Yes mom?" Kate shouted back.
"You have a letter – no, an envelope from the post! You should read it!"
Kate picked up her finished assignments and walked to the room, on it was an envelope written "Delivered for Miss Katherine Periphery". She tore it open and read it. It was an official letter of thanks and, to Kate's surprise, a ticket.
What's this? Kate thought with a feeling of suspense.
After reading it, Kate was just about to cheer when–
"Kate! Dinner's ready!" shouted her mom.
She became quiet, looked at the ticket again, and headed eagerly for dinner.
Ah... what a week, Kate thought.