Unfortunately Edna and Patrick weren’t quite as willing to embrace Rod. Bruce was still struggling to deal with the division in his family caused by their resistance, but at this point a division was to be expected. Patrick’s wife was one of the investors in Gary’s sham of a business, and she was being investigated along with all the others.
When Sophia caught Rod’s eye he motioned to his left, and she shifted her gaze. A few rows away she saw Rafe, who’d come with his grandmother. Starkey was still in the hospital, but his prognosis had improved dramatically. He claimed, as a result of what he’d been through, that he was going to turn his life around and be a better parent to Rafe. Sophia figured she’d believe it when he proved it, but at least he now had the chance.
“As you know, we’ve had some unfortunate…occurrences in Bordertown during the past few months and weeks,” the mayor began when he’d finally managed to call the room to order. “I can’t comment on all of it because the investigations are ongoing. But the FBI will get the mess straightened out and those who have broken the law will be punished.”
Sophia wondered if that might include him—but again her gut told her no.
“In difficult times a rare few prove themselves to be made of stern stuff,” he went on. “We call those individuals heroes.” He paused to give his words a theatrical flair. “And tonight we’d like to honor our own hero. Chief St. Claire, will you please stand? We have something we’d like to present to you for your outstanding service on behalf of Bordertown.”
Sophia had been hoping they’d reconsider firing her. She hadn’t expected an award. She stood to the sound of thunderous applause while Paul Fedorko read a proclamation the council had signed and framed.
“Thank you for service above and beyond the call,” he said when he was done. Then he gave her the plaque along with the microphone so she could respond.
“Does this mean I get to keep my job?” she asked.
Everyone laughed, and Paul nodded. “Of course. I’m sure we’ll all sleep better at night knowing we have such a capable chief of police, right, folks?”
There was more applause. Rafe even stood to clap. But Sophia raised a hand to silence everyone. “Thank you. I’m truly flattered. By the way, you’ll be happy to learn that the ballistics from the spent shell casings and the bullets taken from the victims match the gun found on the suspect.”
While she talked, Sophia spotted Detective Lindstrom on the left, toward the middle. She didn’t look happy with the accolades Sophia was receiving, but Sophia didn’t care. She knew they’d never be friends. Charlie Sumpter, back from his family reunion, was in the crowd, too. He’d been as surprised as anyone by what James had done. Sophia was pretty sure he hadn’t realized what he’d invested in, either. And he probably wasn’t alone in that. Exactly who was aware of what was going on and who wasn’t still had to be sorted out.
Notably absent were James’s parents. Sophia had been out to visit them and had seen how much they were struggling with the actions of their son. Because of his attitude toward illegal immigrants and everything he’d had to say on the subject, Kevin felt he was partially to blame.
Anne was absent, too. She was taking Gary’s arrest as hard as Sophia had expected; she’d also heard the rumors that they’d been having an affair, which had reached her just a few days ago. But she understood what Leonard had been attempting by spreading those rumors, and she wasn’t blaming Sophia for Gary’s incarceration, which had come as a complete shock to her. Sophia believed that her mother would work through her loss and eventually file for divorce. She was still an attractive woman; she’d find another man to take care of her, which was what her happiness seemed to hinge on.
“We think we might also have some DNA evidence that places the suspect at the scene of one of the murders,” she went on. “We’re still waiting for that to come in. But the case looks solid. I’d like to assure you that the worst is behind us. We’ll have a difficult time over the next few months as we heal from our collective wounds, but if we pull together we’ll make it.” Her gaze strayed to Rod, who was grinning proudly. “And now I must admit that I don’t really deserve the award the council just gave me. I couldn’t have accomplished what was done without the help of Rod Guerrero, one of our own who returned in our hour of need and worked tirelessly, without compensation, to make sure we were safe.”
The crowd clapped and stomped, with Rod’s father cheering loudest, but Rod interrupted. “Are you kidding?” he said, giving them his cocky, sexy smile. “I got exactly what I wanted.”
“What did you want?” someone called, playing along.
“I got the girl,” he said, and then the crowd really went wild.
Later, when Rod lay next to her in bed, sliding his fingers up and down her arm and staring out the window, he said, “Tomorrow, will you go somewhere with me?”
“Where?” she asked.
“To the cemetery. It’s about time I paid my respects to my mother.”
“Of course.”
He curled around her. “She would’ve liked you, you know.”
A moment later Sophia couldn’t help asking, “Are you okay with staying in Bordertown, Rod? Can you really be happy here?”
“I think this is where I’m supposed to be. All roads lead home—at least for now.”
“What will you do about Department 6? I hate to ask you to quit your job.”
“I talked to Milt earlier. I’m not quitting my job. I’m going to open an extension office.” He winked at her. “And I’ll try to recruit the chief of police.”