Chapter 5
At roll call…
Hooker led roll call. "As many of you may not know, Officer Corrigan and Officer Sheridan are now engaged."
There was a round of applause and congrats were called out.
Hooker held up his hand. "Yes… Yes… congratulations are in order. Officer Corrigan will be assigned to Officer Pat Williamson and Officer Sheridan will be my partner. There is a ring of car thieves going around holding up convenient stores, in cars stolen by this gang. The cars are expensive foreign made cars. Watch your backs and that of your partners. The rest of you have your assignments. Let's roll."
Stacy followed Hooker out the door, after roll call. Jim and Pat caught up with them as they headed to the car. "Seems we have been down this road, before." Jim says.
Stacy smiled. "Only this time we are separated willingly. For a good reason."
Pat laughed. "What I want to know, is why it took this long? I thought this would happen, the first time."
"These two just had to get their priorities straight. At the time, it was their job, or at least they thought it was." Hooker responded.
Stacy laughed. "We weren't ready to reveal our true feelings, to ourselves or anyone else. Now we are."
"Well, maybe you weren't Stacy, but I knew what I wanted. You just discovered what I knew a long time ago."
Stacy just shook her head. "I guess I wasn't allowing my heart to lead my head."
"And now?" Hooker asked.
"I think it's a little of both, but it's worth it." Stacy answered.
"Well, at least we are going down the right path. Let's get to work, people."
Hooker and Stacy started their patrol. Stacy was quiet, as she considered how to approach Hooker about Fran.
Hooker looked over at Stacy. "You're awfully quiet, this morning. What's on your mind?"
"Hooker, dad and I talked last night. He knew something was bothering me, at the engagement party."
"Oh, is it still bothering you?"
"In a way, yes. I mean I've solved part of it. However, you are a part of the equation."
"How is that, Stace?"
Stacy bit her lip. "How would you feel if Fran came down to help me with the wedding?" Stacy blurted out.
"I think that's a perfect idea. Have you asked her?"
"I called her this morning. She said she would. I was just worried about you."
"Stace, Fran and I get along well. You know that. The job just got in the way of our marriage."