Page 24 of Sleigh My Heart

Fucking chickenshit. Michelle dropped her head to the steering wheel and sucked in as much air as possible. Yup. She’d ran from a little girl. Nick said, this is my daughter, and every last one of her brain cells clouded over like the frost on her windshield.

After the word “Hi” fell from her lips, all she remembered was mumbling something about work and case files before she turned and hightailed it to her patrol vehicle. She could stare down a three-hundred-pound criminal with a bad attitude, but she couldn’t compose polite conversation with her ex’s child.

She needed therapy. Or better yet, sister time.

As if they had ESP, her phone dinged. Julie’s face popped onto the screen.

She exhaled and clicked the button. “Hey.”

“I know you’re helping Jim on that Santa case, but are you still going to Ethan’s school tomorrow to do that safety talk?” The clanking of dishes echoed through the phone. Julie was always multitasking.

“Shit. Uh. Yeah. What time was it again?” Michelle pulled up her calendar app and checked the time.

“Ten.” Her sister paused for a moment. “What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ah ha. And I don’t have to be looking at you for my BS meter to go off, so spill.”

“I just met Nick’s daughter.”

“Shit.” The word was a muffled whisper. “Are you on your way home?”

“I was going to stop by the station first. I have a few things to do.” Not that she felt like it. She just wanted her comfy clothes and a big glass of wine… or four.

“I’ll give you forty minutes. I’ll bring the booze.” She hung up. No waiting for Michelle’s reply. Not that it mattered. Michelle had never won an argument with Julie in her life. If her sister said she’d be there in forty, she’d be there in thirty-five.

Michelle shifted into drive and pulled out into traffic. She had to hustle if she wanted to grab any files on Garmen and Staniski and be home before her sister.

Pulling into the station, her phone rang. This time, it was Jim. She answered, “Did you run a background on Staniski?”

“Yeah, I’ll send you a copy. I got your message on Garmen and I ran his, too.”

“Great, you just saved me time. Did you receive Staniski’s phone records?”

“Not yet. They should be coming any time.” She grabbed her bag and headed into the building.

“Okay.” He hesitated. Ten full seconds of dead air filled the phone.

“What’s up?”

“Doc just called to say I’d be on my own for dinner. Something about my sister needing some girl time.”

Julie was circling the troops. Michelle wondered if she had any snacks in her cupboard.

“What’s going on? Do I need to kick Jolley’s ass?”

“You’re sweet. But no. Did you know he has a daughter?”

“Fuck no. Mickey, if working this case will pull up too much past crap, what would Doc call it… emotional trauma? Then I can work the case without you.”

Her insides melted like a marshmallow in hot cocoa. “No, I’m good. It just… surprised me. That’s all.” Shock was more like it. She couldn’t have been more surprised if she busted up a prostitution ring and found her own mother there. “I really appreciate your offer to fight for my honor, but I don’t think you could take him.”

“Bullshit. Besides, I know you can handle yourself, but if you ever need an assist, I’m here.”

“Thanks. Now I have to get home before the herd gets there.” She disconnected and glanced at the time. She had enough time to pick up some chips on the way home. Maybe some chocolate as well.

Chapter 6