CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
At eight a.m. the following morning, May was rushing around, putting the final arrangements into place for the press conference outside the police department.
The Fairshore school board had taken over the catering for the event, which would probably draw more than fifty local press agents, as well as national media, and also a good few interested locals. Trays of tea, coffee and snacks were being set up outside by parents and teachers.
Kerry and Adams were on the stairs already, greeting the mayor and other officials. Thronged by press, Kerry hadn't even gotten to the police department's main entrance yet.
Yesterday, May had gotten to bed after midnight. She still felt emotional, remembering the tearful reunions that both the captured girls had with their parents.
Today, it was a sunny, cool morning and there was a festive air in the police department.
The reception desk was already lined with plates of cookies, cake, and pies that grateful residents had dropped off as a thank you to the police. Two flower arrangements were brightening up the back office.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Owen asked her anxiously, as he carried the Fairshore Police Department banner outside.
"I'm good. I think," May said, touched by his thoughtfulness.
She knew that her own situation was far from resolved. She hadn’t had a chance to speak to Sheriff Jack last night at all. Whenever she thought about the inevitable meeting, dread surged inside her.
She was stiff and sore, with bruises and strains all over her body. But no matter what the consequences proved to be for her, she felt deeply thankful that this evil man had finally been stopped from terrorizing their peaceful county.
She tugged down the front of her shirt, which had ridden up from moving tables and chairs outside, and smoothed her hair, a few wild strands having escaped from her ponytail. She'd worn her best blue suit that morning, but of course, there were already scuff marks on the pants.
She brushed them off and then headed out to face the media.
As May took her place next to Owen, she surveyed the crowds and saw with a shock that her parents were among them.
It seemed the whole town had turned out to watch this event, her own mother and father included. She felt unaccountably nervous to see them standing there.
Kerry was already at the microphone.
"Welcome to all our media representatives, to the TV crews, to our government representatives and officials, and to the residents of our area."
At that point, there was such loud applause she had to stop speaking for a minute. Smiling, Kerry waited for it to end.
Eventually, she continued.
"This was a very complex and dangerous case. It sadly claimed the lives of two innocent girls, and that loss will be a painful reminder to us all forever. However, we were able to save the lives of two others, and also arrest the killer. He is currently in a maximum-security cell, and without a doubt he will stay there for the rest of his life, though not even a lifetime in prison can atone for the lives he stole."
May had to admit, Kerry was a star behind the mic. She was a natural at public speaking, something that always left May flustered and stammering.
"Without the efforts of the FBI and their team, this would not have been possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women of both the FBI, and the local law enforcement, who worked so diligently on this case. But in particular, I would like to single out one person whose hard work on this case was exceptional. In fact, without this individual, this case would not have been solved."
She glanced at Adams.
May sighed as Adams smiled smugly. This was every bit as tortuous as she had expected.
"The individual I would like to publicly commend is Deputy Sheriff May Moore."
May gasped.
What had Kerry just said? Had she misheard? But now, Kerry was turning to gaze approvingly in her direction, while Adams blushed red, looking down at the floor.
"Deputy Moore, your courage and tenacity ensured this case was concluded as fast as possible. Without a doubt, your heroic efforts saved Cassandra Cole's life. The FBI commends you for a job well done. Come up here for a photo op."
May hastily roused herself from her frozen amazement and walked up the stairs to stand next to Kerry outside the police department's front entrance.
Now the applause thundered in her ears. Applause for her! She quickly pasted on a smile, aware that camera flashes were activating as brightly as a fireworks display.
She couldn't believe it. In front of virtually the whole town, Sheriff Jack, and her parents who were applauding loudest of all, Kerry had given her the recognition she'd dreamed of, but never, ever thought she would receive.
Perhaps there was hope after all for her and Kerry to find some common ground, May wondered. It had been such a surprising day, she felt anything was possible now. Anything!
But then, coming back down to reality with a bump, she remembered she still had the meeting with Sheriff Jack ahead. Kerry’s praise was insignificant compared to the rules she’d broken.