TO MY READERS: I hope you enjoy the first half of Chapter 1 of Midnight's Embrace! I'm so excited to start writing again and to tell this story. I'll try and update it at least once a week!
DISCLAIMER: Though most of the names and locations have changed, I obviously drew a lot of inspiration from the original creator of the Twilight series, Stephanie Meyer.
1 ~ The Arrival
Outside of Terminal B in the airport, I scan the incoming cars for my dad's beat-up orange truck. My hands and arms are full with the luggage I've brought back from school, but I don't dare put the duffel bags on the filthy cement. I just silently pray Dad isn't late, although this is probably wishful thinking.
To my surprise, I suddenly spot the familiar orange rust bucket rumbling down the road. It's oddly busy at the airport for a Tuesday afternoon, but Dad is able to maneuver the metal beast deftly against the curb. I smile as I walk up to the truck, although I still struggle to carry my luggage. Dad parks the car and rushes out to greet me.
"Dizzy Izzy!" he shouts, not even waiting for me to put a bag down before embracing me in a bear hug. I grunt as the metal straps dig into my shoulders, but I endure it to enjoy Dad's embrace. Though graduation was only a few weeks ago, I've missed my dad like crazy. He was so proud when I graduated cum laude at the University of Phoenix, and he embarrassed me by having a ridiculous poster made with a terribly goofy picture of me from high school that he waved while I crossed the stage. I wanted to be upset or angry at him for it, but I was just so happy that he could get the time off work to come out for the whole weekend.
"Hey, Dad," I smile, gritting my teeth against the pain of the shoulder straps.
"Oh, hey, sorry, Iz!" he says, letting me go and helping me slide the bags off. "I'm just so glad to see you."
"I'm happy to be home," I reassure him, stuffing the duffel bags and suitcases into the truck. "And I really appreciate you picking me up."
"Oh, please! I couldn't have a stranger greet Salem's newest detective when she arrived! What kind of chief do you think I am?"
"Hopefully, the kind I'll actually enjoy working for," I chuckle.
"Hey, c'mon, you know me. But just cause your dad's your boss, don't think you'll get any special treatment." I roll my eyes.
"Anyways, speaking of work! I know you're not scheduled to work until Monday, but I figured we could go to the station together and pick up your stuff. You know, gun, badge, partner assignment, the works."
"Oh, yeah, that'd be great! Plus, I wanna try to get the feel for the station beforehand. I wouldn't wanna get lost on my first day." I open the passenger-side door and slide in while Dad hustles to the driver's seat.
"Then, when we get that all settled, I've got a surprise for you at home!" he smiles, buckling up and putting the truck in drive.
"Aw, Dad, you didn't have to do anything," I say.
"What, you think you'd come home after four years at school and not have a party? And anyway, it's not that much of a party. It's just gonna be us, Mr. Blackwood, and Ezekiel."
"Oh my god, Ezekiel! I feel so bad I didn't get the chance to talk to him as much recently!" I exclaim.
Ezekiel Blackwood and I have been best friends since the first grade. For the longest time, we thought we'd do everything together. But when I decided to become a detective and was accepted to the University of Phoenix while he applied to local colleges for a teaching degree, we had to figure out a long-distance friendship. It was hard for the first few months, but we got the hang of it after a while. We eventually decided it would be best for us to switch which campus we'd be going to for each break. So, during the winter, Ezekiel would fly to Phoenix to escape New England's notorious cold, and I'd fly back home during the spring and summer breaks. Over the last few months, though, Ezekiel and I didn't get to meet or talk as much. We both got so busy studying for our finals, getting things squared away for graduation, and lining up internships or jobs after graduating that we lost touch for a bit. But now I can't wait to hurry up and get home to see him and Mr. Blackwood, his dad.
Dad pulls out of the terminal, and we begin the forty-five-minute drive back to Salem. Most New Englanders think any drive longer than thirty minutes is a long trip, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing the beautiful spring change of scenery. Aside from the occasional chill during the winter months, Phoenix has nothing on New England's change of season in the spring and fall. Plus, while Phoenix has a wild-wild-west vibe going for it, I love Massachusetts's homey and old elegance.
"So, how's everything been on the beat? Should I prepare for any interesting cases when I clock in on Monday?" I ask, ignoring the awful Boston traffic until we hit the more scenic route of the drive home.
"Nope! The City of Peace is living up to its name right now. You and your partner probably just be dealing with some patrolling and field training for the first couple of months. But you will both be paired with Angela Weber for the field training. Out of the entire department, she's the best officer to give the rookies to."
"Angela Weber?" I repeat the familiar name, trying to pinpoint the feeling of déjà vu. "She was four years ahead of me in high school, wasn't she?"
"I figured you'd remember her. Izzy with the elephant brain. She never forgets!" my dad says with a smile. "Weber's a great officer. I think you'll learn a lot from her."
Taking the exit off the highway, the scenery suddenly shifts to early summer in the quaint little village. The trees along the cobblestone streets have awakened, and the pots along the windows of the various buildings have bloomed. I roll my window down and breathe in the clear, crisp summer breeze, reveling in the familiar warmth of my hometown. This time of year is my favorite. I much prefer the earlier parts of the summer when things aren't so hot and humid. I used to love the fall here as a kid, but from the end of September up to Halloween is an absolute shitshow in Salem. While I was in school on the other side of the country, I didn't have to deal with all the tourists running around in witch and Hocus Pocus costumes eager to have their fortunes read. I can only imagine what it'll be like now, especially as a rookie cop.
After another few minutes of driving down the lively streets, Dad pulls into the police station parking lot. A couple of officers spot Dad as we head into the station and give him a nod as we pass by. Dad's been the chief of police in Salem for the past twenty years after spending fifteen years on the force. When the chief Dad worked with retired, Dad was recommended by his predecessor, considering his impressive track record. The biggest break my dad ever got was locking up the scumbag who murdered fifteen women in 2004: Silas Grimm. After Dad arrested the bastard, the police found an additional ten bodies in Grimm's basement while they swept his place for evidence. Though he stuck by his claim of innocence, there was just too much evidence, and the judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now, Grimm resides at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. To this day, the guy still claims he's innocent.
Once we enter the station, the receptionist gives Dad a big smile and waves while she chats on the phone. Other officers loitering around the entrance either nod or give him a quick "Hey, Chief" as we pass by. I smile at my dad, beaming with pride as the police chief of Salem, Massachusetts, gives short but polite greetings to his subordinates. Everyone recognizes him as their superior, but I know Dad still sees many of his fellow officers as his coworkers and, in some cases, his friends. Dad and I round the corner to his office, and the Chief's Assistant, Waylon Forge, greets us at the door. Waylon was my dad's partner when they first started the force together back in 1989. Unsurprisingly, Waylon became Dad's closest friend and eventually became my godfather. In spite of my dad's superiority, he and Waylon's relationship never really changed.
"Henry!" Waylon exclaims, clapping Dad's hand and giving him a brief hug. After greeting him, Waylon turns his attention to me. "Wait a minute, this can't be Dizzy Izzy! I think you picked up the wrong girl at the airport, Henry."
"Hi, Waylon," I say with a smile, walking up to him to give him a hug. "It's really good to see you. How are things?"
"Oh, you know your dad, always keeping everyone on their toes." Waylon exchanges a goofy grin with my dad, who just rolls his eyes. "But enough about me! How are you doing, Big-College-Grad?" I chuckle at Waylon's over-the-top enthusiasm. Always the jokester.
"I'm good! Definitely looking forward to starting on Monday," I reply.
"Oh, I bet! Just look out, 'cause your daddy might give you more than you ask for," he warns.
"Ah, shut up, Way," Dad interrupts. "If you'll excuse us, I need to give Izzy her stuff so we can get to her welcome-home party that you were too good for."
"Hey, c'mon, now! You know someone had to cover for your ass here while you partied all night long." My dad smirks and gently shoves Waylon aside to get to his office.
"Alright, I suppose I'll let the two of you get on with it," Waylon concedes, heading down the hallway. "I'll see you first thing Monday morning, Officer Isadora Swann." He salutes both of us before spinning on his heels into the bustling station.
"I guess some people don't change, huh?" I smirk as I follow Dad into his office.
"Yeah, your Uncle Way certainly is as goofy as ever. Although, that's usually a good thing. Means things are good around here," Dad replies. He walks around his huge oak desk to the bookcase behind it and grabs a large pile of stuff from the top.
"Alright, Officer Swann," he smiles as he walks back over to me with the pile in his hands. "Here are your first couple of uniforms, gun and holster, and your badge."
I look down at the pile, noting the shiny badge that glistens on top. The uniform items are in a large plastic bag on the bottom, and the gun, holster, and badge are situated on top. I carefully take all of it out of Dad's hands and gently shift everything on the top to get a look at the nameplate on the shirt: I. Swann. I take in a deep breath and smile up at my dad, seeing that he has tears in his eyes.
"Aw, Daddy," I say, putting a reassuring hand on his.
"Now, wait just a minute, Isadora. I want to talk to you for a minute before we go," he says in a serious voice, blinking away the tears. "I know your Uncle Way and I joke around a lot, but you're in the big leagues now, sweetheart. You need to be careful and make sure to have your head on a swivel. You're gonna have a partner, and I'll say the same thing to you as I will to her: You need to have each other's backs. Once you put this uniform on and strap that gun to your waist, you're not Izzy anymore. You need to remember that you're an officer of the law, first and foremost. You can't let your emotions get the best of you, and you have to keep your wits about you.
"This isn't gonna be like learning in a classroom on campus. You're going to be out in the field, getting hands-on experience of what it means to be an officer of the law. And I'm not gonna lie to you: It's not gonna be easy. Most days, it's gonna be boring as hell, or you'll get so frustrated you just wanna punch a wall. But when you come into this building to work, you best believe we expect you to be every bit the professional you were taught to be at school. Just because you're the Chief's daughter doesn't mean you're gonna get any special treatment. And do not be surprised if some of the officers give you a hard time. But as long as you remember the basics, keep up with your training, and trust your instincts, you'll do just fine. And that's the best way to earn the respect of the officers here. Do I make myself clear?"
I straighten my stance and look my dad square in the eyes when I reply, "Yes, sir."
The harshness that was in Dad's face during his speech suddenly melts away and he smiles back at me.
"Alright, then," he says. "Now. How about we head on over to the party of yours?"