CHAPTER 14
Steven
Three days later
“Son, this has got to be stranger than fiction,” the chief says as he places the medal around my neck.
“The highest civilian honor we can issue,” the chief says to the laughter of the many cops who’ve come out today to see me get my medal.
“Thanks, chief,” I say. “You can put it down as a solved crime. Make sure to give the department credit.”
“Very funny, Shield. And yes, I can call you whatever I want these days. Your choice, remember?”
“No problem, sir.”
“Sir is right. I’m still the chief.”
The old salty police veteran walks away just shaking his head. The ceremony ends and I step down from the stage after the photographers finish trying to blind me with their camera flashes.
“Hey there, hero,” May says, grabbing me by the arm.
“I like the way you say it a lot more than the way the chief does.”
We both smile and head for the exit. I’ve had enough excitement for one day. I am officially not retired after all. Retired without being actually retired or whatever the term is. I guess technically I’m just unemployed until I get on with another station and start trying to rack up twenty years all over again.
“Excuse me,” a voice says. “Detective Shield?” the woman says in a soft voice.
“Not a detective anymore, ma’am. You can just call me Steven.”
She smiles. “Okay then, Steven. Would it be possible to have a quick word with you?”
I want to ask her what this is all about but seeing that I guess she’s probably in her eighties, although fit as a fiddle, I don’t suspect she’s planning on getting revenge for the guy I just took down.
“One second?”
“Take your time,” May says.
The lady motions for us to move off to the side.
“I’m sorry. We’ve never met, but my name is Janice Douglas.”
“Douglas as in…?”
“Yes. I’m Katherine’s grandmother and I can’t tell you how happy I am…” her hand reaches up and she places it on my forearm. I see her eyes start to water. “…that you found our baby,” she says, her voice cracking.
I reach in and gently hug her only to find out she’s got a surprisingly strong grip. At least she does on me right now.
She pushes her body back away from mine and looks at me.
“I’m not sure if you know about this but we had a reward out for her return and as far as I see it you’re entitled to that reward.”
“Mrs. Douglas…ma’am…I just got all the reward I’ll ever need right now from the look on your face. That’s exactly why police officers do what they do.”
“Young man, I…I…”
“Thank you, Mrs. Douglas. Seeing how happy you are to have Katherine back will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
“And thanks to you I can live out the rest of my days in peace…with my granddaughter. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you.”
I turn to go.
“Mister Shield. Sorry. If you’re not interested in the money can we at least donate it in your name?”
“I wouldn’t know who to give it to,” I say.
“Wait! Maybe I do.”
“Just tell me and it’s done.”
“If you really insist, then I saw a sign at a hospital in New York recently. It’s the cancer wing where a Doctor Schmidt works. If you Google him you’ll find him right away. He’s a miracle worker and I think they’re looking for a little help to make even more miracles happen.”
“Then that’s where the money will find a home.”
“But Mrs. Douglas. If it’s not too much to ask, please donate it in Katherine’s name. She never quit fighting. She’s the real hero.”
Mrs. Douglas brings two fingers to her lips and touches them before blowing me a kiss and then folding her hands together like a Buddhist might to say thank you.
I give her a wink and turn back to catch up with May.
“Who was that?” she asks as she slides her arm inside mine and I escort her from city hall.
“That…is the reason why I joined the police force.”