CHAPTER 1

I have always thought that I would be one of those people who never get married.  I was never upset by this it just seemed to be my future.  I would get those looks from people especially women.  I didn’t know if it was pity or jealousy that they were feeling.  Was it because I had such freedom while they have someone to answer to?

 I knew that I was just average looking, but that didn’t bother me either. I don’t remember our parents ever telling any of their four kids that they were pretty.  I still had a few good things going for me.  Red hair.  It is amazing how people are affected by red hair.  And believe me you will always be noticed.  Sometimes that’s good but sometimes it’s bad. I have an all right body too if I am to believe the laborers on the street. My booty gets quite a bit of time but my boobs are apparently very nice. I am also very independent, that is not an asset for some I guess.  The profession that I chose was mostly handled by men up until movies and TV started glamorizing it so much that now there is about as many women as men my in type of work.  I work as a private investigator.  After putting in many years as a detective for a Midwest City, I decided to try a smaller area with less crime to finish out my time and be my own boss.  I made the decision not to live close to my family I had heard too many horror stories about the family expecting favors from relatives, while I don’t believe my family would expect that of me you never know.

It occurs to me at this time that I have failed to mention my name. How remiss of me.  I am Sassafras Smith.  Yes, that’s my real name. Somebody way back in our family had that name and it was passed on to me.  Most people call me Sass or Sassy.  You get used to it after awhile, and most people think it fits me to a tee.

While still in the academy training, I met a cop who had started a couple of years before me on the police force. I did’t pay much attention to him because he was so good looking and I knew he would be snapped up in hot second. Like magic He was always was around when I needed him. We were never partners or in the same prescient, but we spent a lot of time together. After our shifts it was customary for anyone who had time to stop by and have a beer or two. I made sure I took along Marilyn, my best friend and partner, so I could just sit and watch him from afar. I found out his name right away Robert Hughes., Rob for short.  But I still hadn’t used his first name even after all these years.  Capt. Hughes was promoted right along the usual lines for a male, while Marilyn and I after much extra work and favors were going up the ladder very slowly, the favoritism in promotions was another one of the reasons I put in my resignation. Everyone figured I would get it, but some nephew or cousin or whatever got the call.  I was really counting on that promotion to help with my rising insurance and health costs. Not to mention everyday costs.   When I asked what I had or hadn’t done to be passed over no one seemed to have an answer.  Marilyn was expecting her 2^nd baby and had decided to quit so it gave me another reason to leave. I didn’t want to train another new partner. My Capt. tried every way in the world to get me to stay on. HE was short minority officers and since I was a Lt. that was an extra feather in his cap.  It was hard to turn him down, but I had started the ball rolling by giving notice to my landlord and utilities. Plus Marilyn had planned a farewell party for me at the tavern I think. She had been sneaking around for days.  I wondered what Capt Hughes thought of my leaving if he thought about it all.  

 Good old Marilyn, she came through like a trooper.  The party was wonderful.  I think only one or two didn’t show and they had emergencies.  The Chief even made an appearance along with all the big wigs.  I could have done without that. Somewhere they had found a medal that I should have gotten long ago for a case and they made quite a production of giving it to me.  I got a new shoulder holster since I will be wearing my weapon in a different place now that I don’t wear uniform and other useful things for my new occupation.  Capt. Hughes showed up just before the party was over. I was packing up my goodies when he came over and gave me a card and asked me to open it later.  Now my curiosity was up Marilyn heard him ask me not to open it and we just looked at each other and giggled. Like little girls. It’s a good thing I am leaving this was embarrassing. Marilyn followed me home for the last time.  We went inside my apartment. IT looked so strange with no furniture.  She asked where I intended to sleep. It had not occurred to me that I didn’t have a bed anymore it was on the truck traveling down the road. Marilyn insisted that I stay at her apartment that night, and I was very grateful. When we got there her husband had made us coffee and rolls as usual since Marilyn craved rolls in her pregnancy.  I opened the card from Capt. Hughes in it was his business card with his private cell phone and home phone numbers.  The message was interesting too.  It said if you ever need me call and I’ll be there. And it was signed BOB.  What was that all about?  I got chills thinking about the possibilities.  Who was I kidding?  Calm down and get on with my life.