Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

MADDEN

Laying in bed with a smile on my face, I'm thinking about the night I had with Bec and Mick last night. I didn't realize how quiet this house was until they went home. Reaching over, I grab my phone and send her a text.

M: Thank you for last night. I really appreciate you making me dinner.

B: It was fun. I haven't had a night like that before, I've never made a man dinner before. :)

M: You haven't? Thank you for allowing me to be the first.

B: I talked to Mason earlier this morning. He okayed me taking the day off to go talk to Mick. He called a few of his friends, too, so I think I'm covered there.

I hate knowing she's going down to Birmingham to the prison without me by her side. I'm getting attached, and that's probably going to be an issue. If I've ever seen a woman who is running scared, it's Becca.

M: I'll make my calls too. Please let me know when you're headed back, and how it goes.

B: I will. Steph is going to drop Mick off today. I'm hoping to be back in time to pick him up, but if I'm not..

She's still typing, but I know what she's going to say.

M: I have no issue taking him to my house, and you can pick him up.

B: Thank you, Madden.

M: You never have to thank me. All I want to do is make your life easier. I care a lot about you, Bec.

I can't believe I just admitted that to her. We're close to crossing a line from being friends to being more than that, and I'm not sure if she's ready for it. I'm not even sure if I am, either, but I can't seem to stop from wanting to get close to her.

B: I care about you too. See you later.

With a smile on my face, I get out of bed and head to the shower.

Principal Faulkner is waiting for me after lunch. "They came and removed the moonshine this morning." She informs me, a slight smile on her face. "Since it's gone, do you think it's okay if we go inspect the space? I have a feeling it goes back further, and it's something I need to know the answer to."

"You're nosy about this, huh?" I give her a grin. "I don't think I've seen you be this giddy since the day I started here. What are you hoping to find?"

"I don't know." She shrugs. "But I went to the library and did some research. There is one blueprint of the school from back in the sixties that shows that empty room. It's labeled a club. Who would've put a club in a school?"

"Maybe they assumed it was like a normal club? Like the debate club, or something of that nature, but what if someone decided it should be a private club?"

Her eyes are sparkling as she looks at me. "I guess we're never going to know unless we go see."

The curiosity is getting the better of me too. Becca has just started looking into the records of the MTF, so there's no telling how long it's going to take her to find any answers. "C'mon, let's go."

Together we make our way down to the basement, and carefully walk past the crime scene tape that will be replaced once we close up the hole in the wall. I step over the bottom bricks and reach out to hold my hand for Principal Faulkner. She takes what I've offered and steps over into it. "It would be helpful if we could get some of those lights that they use in coal mines down here." She says as she looks around. "It's so dark."

"One reason they probably used this. It's so dark, no one could tell what's going on in here. If there was a door, and it blocked the edges, it would just appear to be a wall." I take my flashlight out of my duty belt and turn it on, shining it this way and that. "Looks like something is back there, but you're right, we need better light in here, so be careful."

She holds onto my forearm as we carefully walk against the dirt covered floor. "What's that?" She points straight ahead.

I point my flashlight in that direction, and that's when I see it. It looks like a bar top. "Oh, holy shit. This really was a hidden night club. We've got to get some lighting in here to look at this. I can't believe there's no history anywhere of this."

"Who knows if there is? There was a fire at city hall in the seventies," she says. "A lot of the city and county records were destroyed. It's like we found a time capsule here."

I'm already taking my cell phone out and texting Chief Harrison, asking if we can get some lighting in here, so we can see what we're working with. "I'll let you know the ETA if we're able to uncover all of this." An assignment has never had me this excited before.

Principal Faulkner smiles at me. "I'm glad you're here, Madden. The old SRO wouldn't have been excited about this. You are, and the kids can tell how much you enjoy being here. We're lucky to have you."

My chest warms. Being an officer is where I truly feel I'm supposed to be. This is the job that I love. "I'm lucky to be here. I enjoy the job, and I'm thankful that you accept what I want to do for these kids."

She tilts her head to the side. "You didn't have a great childhood, did you, Officer? I've worked in the school system long enough to spot it. You hide it well, but sometimes you let your mask slip."

The only thing I say is, "You're good at your job, Principal. I'll leave it at that."

Reaching out, she grips my shoulder with her hand. "If you ever need anything, let me know."

Her offer means more than I can tell her, so I don't. I just answer. "I will. It's almost time for classes to head to the gym. I'm going to go watch over everyone in case anyone needs anything." I'm positive she can tell it's because I don't want her to see how much this affects me, but she doesn't comment on it.

"See you later, Madden. Let me know what the Chief says. I can't wait to sort this out."

Neither can I.