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“Really?” Matthew stared at Justin. “You’re gonna split hairs over this right now?”

“Sorry, man, I’m not trying to be a jerk about it. So don’t go shootin’ the messenger.”

It was then that Matthew realized Justin wasn’t entirely happy with the situation either.

“Just let me ask ya this… if the Chief hadn’t insisted on these terms, are ya really sure you’d be okay comin’ back to the job?”

“Yes!” Matthew snapped before even thinking it over.

“Really?”

“I think so,” he said after taking a beat. “I mean, I’dliketo think so.”

“See, buddy.” Justin clapped him on the back. “That’s precisely why the Chief wants this. Ifyouaren’t sure, why shouldhe be?”

After leaving Libby with Callie Macomb, Matthew went to have a closed-door sit-down conversation with Chief Bennett to plead his case.

“So, I guess you heard?”

“Yes, sir. That’s why I’m here.”

“Save it, son.” Jerome shook his head. “My mind’s made up.”

“That’s it? You won’t even hear me out?”

“I’m not the person you need to talk to. But you’ve got options. Make your decision and talk to one of them. Then we can get ya back to business once ya get the all clear.”

Matthew didn’t know much about Chief Bennett, but he knew enough to understand that what the Chief said was what the Chief meant.

“I’d like to go home and think about it if that’s possible.”

“Of course, it is. Take all the time you need. But don’t take too long. You’ve been a good addition to this department, and I’d like to have ya back out there if you’re able.”

“Thank you, sir,” Matthew said. “I appreciate you seeing me.”

“I appreciate you coming in,” the chief said as Matthew got up, saluted his commanding officer, then headed for the door. “And, son, on behalf of the entire department, I’m real sorry for your loss.”

** *

That Friday night, Matthew entered Hope Community Church, searching for someone to help him find his way. But there didn’t seem to be anyone around.

Remembering he still had the Grief Group flyer the Chief’s secretary, Josie, had given him, Matthew pulled the folded paper from his back pocket to figure out how to locate the kitchen.

“Pastor says you should ignore the part about meeting in the sanctuary,” Josie had said. “Apparently the group is significantly smaller now, so they meet in the kitchen.”

Considering how empty the parking lot was, Matthew wondered if he’d come too early. Still, it was better to be early than late since he was hoping to make a good impression on the pastor. And why not? The man’s word pulled enough weight in this town to save him from getting his head shrunk by Dr. Haven Harper.

If he was lucky, Pastor Peter Humble would release him from this Grief Group thing sooner rather than later.

“Hello…” he called out, entering an empty kitchen. “Anyone home?”

“Well, hello there, you must be Matthew.” A smiling face peered out from an open closet door, followed by a lean form and a firm handshake. “Peter Humble, nice to finally meet you.”

“Thanks for having me.”

“Hey, do you mind helping me grab a few chairs? There’s a stack in here practically welded together.”

After helping pull three chairs from the top of a stack and replacing the heavy boxes that had been on top of them, Matthew thanked the pastor again for the opportunity to be included in the group.