Chapter 2

Courtney found herself sitting in her beat up 1987 Honda Accord, glancing over her most recent parolee's paperwork.

Name: Duncan Mariani

Age/Date of Birth: 25/February 1st, 1989

Weight/Height: 180Lbs/6'

Hair/Eye Color: Black/Green

Education: High School Equivalent/GED

Past/Present Residence: Windsor Court Knoxville, TN, Knoxwood Hills Knoxville, TN, Highland Terrace Apartments Knoxville, TN, Warren House Apartments Knoxville, TN, Adair Manor Apartments Knoxville, TN...

Courtney stopped reading after the fifth apartment. This man had little to no stability in his life... Her brow furrowed as she continued to review the information.

Criminal History:
2004: Shoplifting-sentenced to probation.
2006: Shoplifting-sentenced to twelve (12) months.
2010: Assault with intent to resist arrest, burglary (non-domestic), fleeing or eluding, resisting arrest-Sentenced to seven (7) years, let out early on good behavior.

He certainly wasn't the worst case that she had the pleasure of dealing with. She flipped through the remaining paperwork, reading through the police report and witness statements. It seemed to be an open-and-shut case, but Courtney knew better… Captain McLean loved to give her the taxing and difficult cases.

With a heavy sigh she exited her vehicle, placing the file in the passenger seat on her way out. She laid her eyes upon the building before her, Coker Hall Halfway House for Men. Several of her parolees were residing in this building already. Courtney supposed that was something positive to look at; one less stop to make during her work day. She was already working ten hour shifts on average.

With little thought she entered the building and climbed the stairs. Reaching the second floor she turned right and continued down the hall passing four doors on either side of the hallway. Along the way she noticed the sound of throbbing music and a deep baseline. The sound increased as she approached her destination. Reaching the fifth door on the right hand side she stopped.

Courtney's shoulder slumped, of course the obnoxious music happened to be coming from her parolee's residence… Gathering up her resolve she knocked on the door, knowing that she would not receive an answer. Without a moment's hesitation she fished out a set of keys from her back pocket.

As a parole officer she was entitled to make unannounced visits. By doing this it caused parolee's to be less likely to take part in actions that could get them thrown back into prison.

Courtney opened the door surely and stepped into the living area. Little surprised her after her many years as an officer so she was not fazed by the untidiness of the room. Her eyes took in her surroundings, studying every minute detail. The floor plan of the room was simple, a single bedroom apartment with an open concept. The living area was a square 20'x20' room with the kitchen stationed at the back and the living room the immediate room entered into via the front door. A table to the left of the entrance on the adjacent wall housed the large stereo system that was blaring the music of some group that Courtney wasn't familiar with, but the genre was certainly akin to rap. Connected to this stereo was an iPod. Courtney approached the table, stepping over scattered piles of laundry, to examine the music player. She scrolled through the list and found what she expected, lots of rap and rock and roll artists. What did surprise her however was some Frank Sinatra and Elton John.

Courtney continued to scroll through, not taking notice of the presence behind her. She found herself gasping as a deep agitated voice spoke to her.

"What the hell are you doing in my room lady?"

She turned around quickly and found herself surprised for the second time that night. Before her stood a 6' 180Lb. black haired, green eyed man…in nothing but a towel. She had the decency to blush before averting her eyes to the back wall.

"My name is Courtney Weber. I am you parole officer." With that Courtney outreached her hand for an amicable hand shake, maintaining her gaze on the far wall.

Not feeling the answering hand she anticipated she looked over toward the man and noticed his eyes upon her.

"You're a lot hotter than my last one."