Spring Willows

Chapter 10

 

“Everyone get enough to eat at the church supper?” Chief Smith leaned back against the table in the tiny conference room. It wasn’t so much a room as an area in the department designated as such. 

 

“Before or after the lights went out?” Officer Brian Scott snickered.

 

Chief Smith cleared his throat and aimed a glare over the room. “We are all here this afternoon to prepare for Halloween.”

 

A communal groan nearly vibrated the walls. 

 

“Before I set assignments, are there any volunteers?” 

 

A deathly silence was broken only by a ringing phone in dispatch. 

 

“Right.” Chief Smith picked up his clipboard. “Sgt. Ray and Officer Scott, you take the residential areas.” 

 

A snort of disdain.

 

Chief Smith took a breath. “Officers Johns and Moore, downtown. And Officer Hallman with me. Any complaints?”

 

“I don’t want the pup in my car.” Sgt. Ray growled. 

 

“I’ve been here for 2 years I’m not a pup anymore!”

 

“No? Good. Dismissed.” He turned and went into his office, slamming the door behind him.

 

Carol peeked around the corner. “Who’s on duty?”

 

“What’s the call?”

 

Carol sighed. “The grocery stores are sold out of canned biscuits, and Mitch wants an escort to get more out of the warehouse.”

 

“And so it begins.” Sgt. Ray muttered and crossed his arms over his chest.