The Wife of a Lesser Man (LA Cops Series Book 1) by Sandy Appleyard

What’s going on around here?”  Mark looked directly into Charlie’s eyes not in admonishment but with concern.  Charlie mirrored his expression and waited for Mark to finish.
    “You’ve had the best team in the city for well over ten years.  But I have to say I’m worried.”  Charlie looked down at the floor and shifted his weight from his heels to his toes in a rocking motion.
    “I don’t think I have to tell you why.  You’ve been in this business for longer than I and you know the mistakes that have been made.”  Mark paused, giving Charlie a chance to respond.
    Charlie stood still, took a deep breath and looked up at Mark as though he’d just lost his best friend.  “It’s my fault.  I’ve fallen behind.  My guys are playing cat and mouse with each other and I can’t let anyone go because I don’t have the manpower or time to hire and train.”
    “Who dropped the ball?”  Mark asked, sensing there was more to the story than Charlie was sharing.  Charlie once again looked down at the floor and shifted his weight.
    “Charlie.”  Mark said, inviting him to make eye contact again.  “We’ve been friends for many years.  There isn’t anything you can tell me that would change that.”
    Charlie looked up at him.  Mark could see his reflection in Charlie’s eyes.  Charlie swallowed and ran his fingers through his hair.  “Madeline’s got cancer.”
    Madeline and Charlie had been married for over twenty five years.  They had two kids together and now had six grandchildren.  Madeline hosted many benefit parties for causes close to the precinct’s heart in the past and was the first person to volunteer if there were any missing persons reports released or an amber alert for a missing child. 
    Mark suddenly felt a mountain of guilt for having such negative thoughts about him.  Charlie had been one of the most responsible, reliable and hard working employees since he’d been Chief.  He had never so much as taken unplanned day off and was always motivated when he worked with Mark.  Madeline’s cancer would clearly explain the slip ups. 
    Mark’s head tilted in despair.  “Oh Jesus.  I’m sorry.  I had no idea.  Why didn’t you say anything?” 
    “Madeline’s scared and doesn’t want anyone except family to know.”  He looked down and gathered his thoughts for a moment.  Mark sensed he was trying to keep it together. 
    “Listen, Charlie,” Mark said, resting his hand on Charlie’s shoulder.  “I believe in you.  You’ve never been a guy to mess around.  I know you’ll do the right thing.”  Charlie nodded, still looking at the floor.  “Let me help you, okay?  If you need manpower just say the word.”
    Charlie looked up.  “Are you sure?”
    Mark beamed at him.  “Sure, we can shuffle and send a temp or two over for now.  After we crack this case we’ll look at a permanent solution.”
    Charlie shook his head.  “You know, I’m kind of embarrassed. I knew you would be supportive and I tried to explain it to Madeline.  I didn’t want to burden her with work troubles under the circumstances.”
    “Madeline’s a sweet girl.  I’ll be sure to keep her in my prayers.” 
    “In the meantime, we have a vacuum cleaner that may have something to say about Karen Reed’s murder.  Hand me that screwdriver, will you?”  Mark said, putting his rubber gloves on.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
    Shelley grabbed a quick bite to eat at five.  Sarah sent her a couple encouraging text messages in the meantime, pumping her up for yoga class later.  Her response after the first ten messages was: ‘I thought you were having a busy day?  Stop texting me and work dammit!! Lol’.  The yoga bag was sitting in the bottom of Shelley’s side of the closet as usual.  As she bent over to pick it up her cell phone whined and vibrated across the bed.  It was Mark ‘Sorry, gonna be really late tonight.