Page 40 of Solid as Steele
Not the response Owen had expected, “I quit? I don’t remember quitting.” He shared about his memory issues since he first found Cassie, and how he’d spent time not having a clue as to his identity. “Did you accept my resignation?”
“Nah. But you gave me your shield and sidearm. Sounds like a good thing you did, or the person who assaulted you might be running around out there with them.”
Thankfully, no one stole his service weapon and used it to commit a murder or other crime. “I’ll be heading back to town to get my files, and I can pick them up from you then. That is if you’ll let me work Cassie’s investigation in conjunction with the Bussey case. If not, I’ll be going rogue.”
Sage didn’t answer right away, and Owen could easily visualize the frustration on his supervisor’s face. “Rogue doesn’t get you Cassie’s or the Bussey files.”
“I suppose not,” Owen said, but hoped for once that he’d violated department policy and had copied all of the files to bring them home.
“Let me think on it,” Sage said. “I’ll have an answer for you by the time I see you.”
Owen glanced at the clock. “First thing in the morning work for you?”
“See you then.”
The call ended, and Owen glanced at Mackenzie who was focusing on navigating the streets of John Day.
Owen sat back, thoughts swirling through his brain. “Let me take some time to think about how to approach Wheeler to get the most mileage.”
She glanced at him. “Gee, if only I knew a thing about investigations and how to get an uncooperative sheriff to comply and could help with that.” She finished with a snarky smile.
“Point taken.” He grinned at her. “What do you suggest?”
She pointed her focus on the road ahead as they turned off of the main street of John Day. “Not sure yet, but maybe you should tell him right up front that you’re not authorized to investigate Cassie’s death, and then play on his sympathies.”
He swiveled to face her. “You think he’ll go for it?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know a single law enforcement officer out there who wouldn’t want to investigate the murder of a sibling. Including Wheeler. If we can prove to him that you’re a detective, I think we can get the information we need.”
“We?”
“You don’t think I’m walking away now, do you? Because if you do, you don’t know a thing about me.”
He really didn’t know her as well as he wanted, but he’d definitely seen her determination. “Wheeler will call my LT.”
“Who is going to say you’re a detective because he won’t air his department drama with another law enforcement officer.”
“You’re right. And that’s really all I need.” Owen was starting to like her plan. “Maybe we can find a picture online of me in uniform to show Wheeler.”
“Go for it.” She swiped her phone awake and unlocked it.
He took it and entered his information into the search engine. Several photos came up. One just last month, where he’d received an award for distinguished service in community policing when he’d gone the extra mile to solve a triple homicide.
“Got one that should help.” He left it on her screen and put her phone back into the holder just as she pulled into the sheriff’s office parking lot.
Inside, they found an older woman with helmet-shaped gray hair sitting behind the reception desk. She had a stern look, but gave them a sincere smile. “Can I help you?”
“Clark County Detective Owen Greer to see Sheriff Wheeler,” Owen said, the words feeling familiar and strange at the same time.
She cocked her head and peered up at him. “Mind telling me what this is about?”
“The discovery this morning.” He left it at that in case she didn’t know about the body.
“Oh, that. Poor, poor thing.” She lifted her handset and put it against her ear. “Sheriff, a Detective Owen Greer with Clark County Sheriff’s Office is here to see you about that woman you found this morning.”
A loud voice came through the phone, and she frowned.
“Yes, sir, I’ll tell him.” She set the handset down. “He’s waiting on another call, but said he’d be out as soon as he can.”
