Evie Blackwell

As Governor Bliss came to the podium, Lieutenant Evie Blackwell dug her hands into her coat pockets, grateful the January cold would keep this press announcement on schedule and limited to twenty minutes. His inauguration just the day before had been sunnier and a few degrees warmer. She did her best to ignore the television cameras trained on the podium, knowing she and the other officers on the stage were now in their view frame, and that this clip would run on the local evening newscast.

The governor, at ease with the crowd, spoke without notes. "Thank you all for coming this afternoon. As one of my first acts as governor, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Missing Persons Task Force.

"Led by Lieutenant Noble of the Riverside Police Department," he said, motioning toward her in the row behind him, "these detectives will take a fresh look at cold cases across the state of Illinois, where a loved one has gone missing, bringing new insights, questions, and ideas to the table. Working with local police, they will endeavor to find answers and bring needed closure.

"I know when you are waiting for news, any wait is too long. My sister, Shannon, was missing for eleven years. I never stopped searching, I never gave up hope, and through God's grace and Shannon's courage, she is home again. We need more miracles that will get similar news to many families. And for those whose missing father, mother, daughter, or son will not be coming home again, so that they will be able to lay their loved one to rest. This is a first step, a good step, toward helping find answers.

"I would like now to introduce the man who leads the Illinois State Police, Commander Frank Foster, for a few brief remarks."

It was official. For the next two years she would be timesharing between her current job with the Illinois State Police's Bureau of Investigations and the new Missing Persons Task Force. Evie caught the eye of her boyfriend, Rob Turney, in the audience behind the press corps and shared a smile. It had been nice of him to take a day off work, fly down to Springfield from Chicago, to be part of her day and this announcement.

The commander's remarks concluded, Evie in turn shook hands with the governor, stood for photos with the other taskforce members, and the event was completed.

Evie maneuvered through the crowd to join Rob. "Would you like to say hello to the governor? I can get us a minute with him before he slips away, if you like," she offered, sliding her hand into his. Rob had met then-Governor-elect Bliss at the Christmas party of her friends, Ann and Paul Falcon, and had spoken about the encounter many times since. Ann had gotten Evie her job on the task force, as their friendship covered more than years.

Rob considered the crowd around the governor. "I appreciate the thought, Evie, but there will be future occasions when your cases are successfully solved. This signature piece of his administration is going to have his considerable attention. I'll get to talk with him another time."

Her hand tightened on his as she smiled. "I love the optimism. Can you stay for a meal?"

He replied by leaning down, kissing her softly. "Thanks," he said, his voice full of regret, "but I need to be getting back for a late meeting. You'll be getting organized with the new group and I'd just be in the way. I'll catch a return flight with Ann and Paul. Call me tonight. Let me know where you're heading tomorrow. If it's anywhere north, we'll meet up for dinner this week."

She hugged him, and his arms held her close as she whispered, "Thank you." It conveyed a wealth of unspoken realities. Her present job took her back and forth across the state, and she'd just committed to twenty-four months of even more relentless travel.

"You'll do great work, Evie, and make us both proud."

She let him go. She had a marriage proposal from him waiting, an offer that he would make if and when she was ready to say yes. He wanted the permanence of being married to her, and she simply wasn't there yet. But she was thinking more and more about it. As she had scanned across the faces familiar to her at the event, she realized again that his presence mattered a great deal more than any of the others.

As Rob headed over to Paul and Ann Falcon, Evie looked around to see where her group was gathering. David Marshal was the only one not presently in conversation with someone from the press. She moved to join him — a solid guy, comfortable with the attention, and taking it all in stride more easily than she was. She was sure she was going to enjoy working with him, as his reputation as a New York City cop preceded him. He had come back to his Chicago roots just for this new venture.

"Your guy?" David asked, nodding at Rob's receding back.

"Yeah."

"Nice. I'm glad he was here to see this."

Evie smiled. "You have a girl?"

David returned the smile and said easily, "I do. We've been dating a number of years now. She's still in New York, but is moving back to Chicago soon." He nodded an acknowledgment to a person in the crowd. "I hear you're hosting tonight."

"I hope you like your chili hot and your jambalaya spicy," she replied with a smile. She was the only one in the group who actually lived in the Illinois capital of Springfield. She had volunteered her home and a meal for their first gathering as a team.

"It sounds perfect for a cold day."

The others joined them as they got clear of the press. She would have the honor of working alongside some of the best detectives in the state. Sharon Noble in charge, Theodore Lincoln out of Chicago, Taylor Aims from St. Louis, David Marshal back from New York. She hoped to keep up, to pull her weight, to do solid, effective work representing the Illinois State Police.

"How about directions, Evie, and we'll reassemble at your place?" Sharon suggested. "Besides a nice meal, we're going to be able to get some actual work done today. This is exciting," she said, rubbing her cold hands together. They all laughed at her enthusiasm.

Evie gave directions, then added, "The dogs are Apollo and Zeus and love nothing more than to have a rumble with guys. You want to make a friend for life, toss a tennis ball and watch them smash into snowdrifts for the catch. Neighbors on both sides are in Florida for the season, so park wherever the snowplows have cut a path." She glanced at her new boss. "Sharon, why don't you bring John? Since your Riverside PD will be doing task-force paperwork, shouldn't he be in on the opening round of decisions? There's plenty of food."

"He's got to meet up with Commander Foster first, but I'll suggest he come by after that," Sharon agreed. John Graham, deputy chief of the Riverside PD, would be involved even if not formally. Sharon presently wore John's ring, and wedding plans were in the works. Evie was hoping to have a few minutes to ask John for wedding-shower gift ideas.

Plans settled, the group dispersed toward the parking lot.

* * *

"Evie, I think your dogs are stalking me."

She set down the pitcher of iced tea and turned, saw that David was right. The German shepherds were about four feet behind him, both in a hunting stance, intently creeping up on him. She grinned. They'd attack his shoelaces if they could get close enough. "They get bored during the winter." She walked over and interrupted their hunt, leaned down and...