Forever Driven: Forever Bluegrass #4 by Kathleen Brooks

Kentucky State Police, but they weren’t troopers like he was. They were considered special law enforcement officers. While they didn’t have the training Matt had received, they did have firearm training and had to keep current with it.
    “I would like to interview you for this article I’m writing,” Matt said as some congressmen walked by.
    “Sure thing. What do you want to ask?” DeAndre asked as he stood up.
    “Is there someplace private we can talk?”
    DeAndre nodded again and called into his radio. “Doug will be here in a couple of minutes to cover for me.”
    While they waited, Matt found out DeAndre was born and raised in Frankfort. He didn’t have the money for college and his grades weren’t good enough for a scholarship. So he’d started working in a gun shop. He liked the perks of being able to shoot at the range after he closed and had met a lot of state police there. Two years before, one of them asked to see a gun and DeAndre showed him how it was used and fired it a couple times, hitting the bullseye each time. The trooper had asked why he wasn’t in law enforcement. DeAndre went home and looked it up. He told Matt he just knew it was what he was meant to do. He wanted to join the state police but didn’t have the required college credits. This job had come up, so he’d taken it while he took night classes to become qualified. Doug appeared and Matt followed DeAndre down the hall.
    “I need a place that’s completely private. I can’t have anyone overhear us,” Matt said in a low voice.
    “What kind of questions are you asking me?” DeAndre asked with humor lacing his voice.
    “The confidential kind.”
    “Then there’s only one place to go here.” DeAndre led them down into the basement and unlocked a door. A loud furnace was pumping heat into the building. “This is the only place I know that people can’t hear you. I’m sure there are others, but here you don’t have to constantly look around. So, what questions are so secret we had to come here?”
    Matt reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He tossed it to DeAndre who looked at him skeptically before opening it. “Man, you’re with the state police?”
    “Yes. And my territory is Keeneston. I am on a month-long leave after wrapping up another job. I’m friends with lots of people in that town, including Riley and her family. Her mother asked me to watch over her until this guy is caught,” Matt explained.
    “Why aren’t you doing what her dad did yesterday and scaring everyone who dares to look at Riley?” DeAndre asked.
    “Because then the assailant wouldn’t make another move. I want to blend in. I’m familiar with undercover work and have great results with it. Plus Riley would throw a fit if I played bodyguard.”
    DeAndre snickered. “That’s the truth. What do you need?”
    “I need you to keep my cover as a reporter, but mostly I need someone I trust to be an extra pair of eyes and ears and backup, in case we need it.”
    “Oh, man. Of course. Riley’s real cool. Most of these people don’t even pay attention to me. She’s not a regular politician. She really does care about others. I’ll help anyway I can. I do change buildings quite often, though.”
    “Not a problem. I’ll get Riley’s schedule and send it to your boss. You’ll be at whichever building she is the most that day. Here’s my number. Call me if anything unusual goes on.” Matt sent DeAndre a text with all his info and felt better, having someone else know the game plan.
    “Thanks for bringing me in on this. It’ll be a great learning experience. I’ll have my college credits required to apply to the Kentucky State Police in May,” DeAndre told him.
    “Well, you help me out, and I’ll help you out. I’ll help you study or go through the physical tests as much as you want.”
    “Really?” DeAndre’s eyes got big, and he smiled with such enthusiasm Matt remembered even at twenty-three, he was still a