Chance Encounter Read online

  Chance

  Encounter

  Alex Tempera

  Copyright © 2014 by Alex Tempera

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Credits:

  Cover Illustration Copyright © 2014

  Cover design by Alex Tempera

  One encounter changes these two men’s lives forever.

  Introduction

  Charles “Chance” Endicott is a Police Chief of small town, Round River, who likes to also go on patrol with his officers. Though confident in his job, he lacks self-esteem when it comes to looking at himself in the mirror. A painful past broke him down and he doubts his worth as a man, as a person.

  Evan Manetti is a lawyer who wants to get away from the big city life as a partner in a lucrative law firm to settle down and open his own practice in Round River. Oh, yeah, he’s also the town’s new Mayor. And he’s trying to keep his past as far away from him as possible.

  One encounter paves the way for a formidable friendship that gives them the basis for what both men truly need – love and each other.

  Acknowledgements

  Honorable mention to authors Amy Shannon and Marianne Maguire

  1

  The cold rain splattered on the windshield as the officer turned on the wipers of his squad car. Endicott looked in the rearview mirror and straightened his cap. His eyes diverted to the worn photo clipped to his visor. “Stop staring at me,” he sighed as he ripped the old photo down. He tore it into pieces and shoved the remnants into the pocket of his car door. That photo has been a form of punishment for the past two years and all of a sudden, he had this feeling to let the punishment go.

  He intently watched the radar screen as each car passed by slowly. He jumped slightly when his radio beeped. “Car 410,” he placed the radio to his mouth. “Radio check.”

  “Check,” the dispatcher’s voice emitted from the static. “What is your twenty?”

  “The corner of Barnes and Hillside. It’s raining cats and dogs,” he said. “Not much traffic.”

  “The only traffic in Round River is when we have a parade,” her voice laughed.

  “That’s a ten-four,” he laughed. “Oh, gotta go. Hell, 20 miles per hour.”

  “Over and out,” her voice said.

  He revved up the engine and pulled out of Barnes and then on to Hillside Road. He watched as the brake lights of the dark sedan kept turning on, off as the car slowed down, and then sped up slightly, and then slow again. He flicked the switch for his lights and sirens and the car immediately pulled over to the side of the road. He got out of the squad car and adjusted his belt. He could feel the raindrops dripping off his cap. He was glad that he put the rain cap over his police cap, but it didn’t stop the drips from drizzling down onto his face. As if the cold raindrops itself weren’t issue enough. He held his flashlight tightly in his fist near his head as his eyes scanned the sedan for passengers, but there weren’t any. He approached the car with caution and tapped on the window. “Sir, do you know how fast you were going?”

  The man looked up at the officer, as he rolled down the window. “Fast?”

  “Well, fast, slow, your speed was under the limit,” he chuckled slightly. “License and registration, please.”

  The man reached in the console of his car and pulled out his wallet. He handed the officer his license and then reached in the visor and grabbed his registration.

  The officer tried to look down at the license but the raindrops puddled over the name. “Damn,” he whispered. “You were going too slow.”

  “I’m so sorry, officer. I’m new in town and I was looking for Bridge Street. It’s hard to see in the rain,” the man said.

  “You were driving between 15 and 20 miles an hour, and riding your brake. That is also dangerous.”

  “Being slow is dangerous? Hmm,” he lightly licked his lips.

  Being an officer, he noticed things like that, how the stranger moved his tongue from side to side and pulled it back into his mouth, and then slowly bit his bottom lip and sucked it lightly in his mouth. “Um, it can be dangerous,” he explained. “When other cars are trying to drive the speed limit.”

  “I didn’t see any other cars, well, except yours. I’m sorry. I really am. Officer, I apologize. Are you gonna give me a ticket?” he asked.

  “Just, um, a warning,” he wasn’t sure why this man all of a sudden made him nervous. He clenched his toes tightly in his shoes to ground himself.

  The man turned down the volume of his car radio and leaned out of the car window. His dark hair covering his forehead as his blue eyes shined against his flashlight. “Officer, can you tell me how to get to Bridge Street? I’m just moving here. I got a new job and I have no idea where I’m going. All I had was a paper map to get here and my GPS sucks,” He eyed the officer’s nametag. “What’s the C for, Officer Endicott?”

  “C?” he asked.

  “Your name?”

  “What’s your name?” he grunted.

  “Evan. I’m sure the rain is making it hard to see on my license,” the man smiled.

  “Oh, yeah,” he looked down at the papers in his hand and handed them back to Evan. “Sorry, they’re wet.”

  “And yours?”

  “My what?”

  “Um, name?” Evan smiled and licked his lips again. “What’s your name?”

  “The C is for Charles, but most of my friends call me Chance,” he said. “Evan, are you flirting with me?”

  “Um, I’m hoping I wasn’t out of line or if my radar is off, I’m sorry,” Evan sighed.

  Chance smiled. “No, Sir,” he cleared his throat. “I’m not closeted. If you wish, you can follow me. I’ll show you where to go. What’s the address?”

  “Five ten Bridge Street,” he said.

  “I know right where that is,” he said. “Follow me but don’t ride your brake.”

  “I won’t,” Evan watched from his rearview mirror as Chance got in his squad car. He pulled out behind the car and followed closely behind him. What the hell did I do? Flirt with a cop. Oh, that’s not a good thing. But he looks so fucking delicious. He drove down another street and watched as the police car stopped and pulled in a driveway. He pulled into the driveway next to the officer’s car and got out of the car.

  Chance got out of his car and walked toward the front of the police car. He handed Evan a card. “If you ever need another escort, here’s my card,” he said. “Have a good evening and try to stay dry.”

  “You, too, officer,” he smiled as he watched Chance walk to his car. Damn. He felt his erection tent his pants and he couldn’t move. He watched as Chance drove away. He stood in the rain until the car reached the stop sign and then he headed toward the house.

  Chance looked down at his pants as he stopped at the stop sign. He’s not the first man who flirted with me but, damn, something about that man. He looked extremely good all wet. No, I can’t do this. I won’t do this again. No man for me. No one for me. His thoughts repeated in his head but it didn’t stop his erection from trying to burst through his zipper. He was dying to turn his car around, but he couldn’t. How could he knock on a stranger’s door and then drop to his knees? He couldn’t, even though he wanted to. Maybe he wouldn’t be a stranger too long. Chance never tol
d Evan how he knew exactly where that address was, even though Evan probably assumed it was because he was a cop who patrolled the town.

  Chance strutted into the police station, whistling to himself slightly.

  “Sir, what’s that tune?”

  “What?” he stopped whistling.

  “That tune you’re whistling, I’ve heard it before,” Emma smiled.

  “Oh, right, um, Cool Night,” he said. “It’s an old 80’s tune. I heard it on the radio of car I pulled over, now it’s stuck in my head, probably be there forever,” he smiled. “Anyway, I’m heading home now,” he said.

  “Ten-four.” She saluted slightly. “Oh, Chief, don’t forget your meeting with the mayor in the morning,” she reminded him as she looked up from the front desk, which was also the dispatch station. Emma was Sergeant by rank, but loved working dispatch and the front desk.

  “Oh, right,” he said. “I hate being the Chief, you know.”

  “I know, officer, maybe someday you’ll have a new boss to report to,” she laughed.

  “Very funny,” he said. “The mayor’s retiring tomorrow and introducing me to his replacement. He didn’t tell me crap about this new guy. He wouldn’t even let me check him out until after he arrives. What kind of crap is that?”

  “No vote or anything?” she smiled.

  “Nope,” he said. “I guess the city council agreed we don’t hold a special election since it’s only nine months until the next election. Any other messages for me?”

  “No. Quiet night, sir?” she smiled.

  “Go home to Edward,” he said. “I’m sure he’s waiting your arrival.”

  “We’ve been married for 19 years, he loves it when I leave, but not necessarily when I come back,” she laughed.

  “I better get some sleep,” he said. “Barney will be up bright and early.”

  “Barney?” she raised her eyebrows.

  “Yeah, I got Barney in our divorce,” he said. “Todd got the damn loud bird and I get to keep Barney. He’s the best. At least I have him to keep me company.”

  “I hope he’s your dog,” she laughed.

  “Yes, he’s our, um, my German Shepard. You never met Barney?”

  “No, sir,” she smiled. “You’ve been Chief for 10 years and not once have I been invited to your home.”

  “That was Todd’s fault. Don’t worry. After I do some updates on the house, I’ll have more people over. Oh, and, Emma?”

  “Yes, sir,” she smiled.

  “When I’m wearing this uniform, I’m not a Sir. I’m an officer.”

  “So, I just add offi to the word?”

  “What?” he stared at her. “Offi?”

  “Yeah, off-i-SIR.” She chuckled.

  “Not even funny,” he laughed as he headed down the long shiny corridor to his office. His door featured a frosted glass window with the words Chief Charles Endicott etched into the glass. He opened the door, grabbed his dufflebag with the label RRPD embroidered on one side and the word Chief embroidered on the other side. He headed out of the building, waving to Emma as he left the building.

  Chance pulled into his driveway with his squad car. He shuttered, as the rain seemed to get colder. Nothing like a cold shower to calm me down. He turned and looked at the house across the street. Only one bedroom light was on. He tried to imagine Evan, lying in bed, naked. Maybe reading, maybe touching himself. He hoped that Evan’s flirting was only flirting. Then he hoped that Evan was staring out the window, jerking off because he could see him standing in the rain. A new neighbor and it intrigued Chance, but the rain started falling harder, splashing against his face. “Back to reality,” he headed into his house.

  The soft bark welcomed him as Barney trotted down the hall and licked his master’s hand. “Time for bed,” Chance said, as he dropped his bag on the floor and headed upstairs to remove his wet uniform.

  2

  Chance stood in front of the hallway mirror and adjusted his black tie. He adjusted his shoulder holster under his dark suit jacket. Today, he had to meet the mayor and the new mayor. He had to play police chief before he could put on the blues and transform into one of the patrol officers.

  Chance led a police station of twenty patrol officers, three dispatchers, including Emma, two detectives, and his deputy chief, Hank. The dispatchers were also trained police officers of varying ranks. Chance was the Chief but loved patrolling, so he did both. He had nothing better to do than patrol or relax listening to his old vinyls while drinking a beer, but he loved his job. It kept him going. It kept him from losing his mind. It kept him from falling apart.

  He put his wallet in his back pocket and affixed his gold chief’s badge on his belt as he approached his front door. Barney trotted up to him and sat, waiting for the routine pet good bye. Chance petted Barney and headed out of the door. His eyes focused on the empty driveway across the street. He figured today could possibly lead to another encounter, but it would not happen this morning.

  Chance walked down the corridor of City Hall. He smiled at Agnes, the mayor’s assistant. Agnes always joked that she was the original assistant since the day they broke ground on Round River. Truth be told, she had a massive crush on the current mayor, but no one let on that they knew. The town was small and everyone knew each other and made newcomers feel at home. Round River was established as a New York town in 1886, named because the river that the town surrounds is indeed round. It’s too big and too rapid to be established as a lake. Chance knew the complete history of the town, he was part of the history, and was very proud to be a resident and officer in his hometown.

  Agnes nodded to Chance. “He sent the background file to your office at the precinct. Hank said he’d text you the highlights.”

  “Thank you,” Chance signed in the visitor’s log and took a seat outside the door of the mayor’s office, as he unbuttoned his jacket.

  “He will be right with you,” Agnes said. “He’s getting the new mayor settled in. You know, the new mayor is quite handsome and he’s your type.”

  “What’s my type, Agnes?” he chuckled.

  “Tall, dark, manly, and gay,” she smiled.

  “He told you he was gay?” Chance raised an eyebrow.

  “No, not me personally, but he did put it on his cover letter when he accepted the job. It’s not required but he wanted it out in the open, I guess.”

  “Go figure, an honest politician,” Chance laughed. He watched the petite blonde woman roll her eyes, and thought it was funny that she wasn’t much older than him but she had what he called an old-fashioned name.

  “Tell me about it,” Agnes smiled as her phone beeped. She picked it up. “Yes, Mr. Washington. I’ll send him in.” She hung up. “The mayor is ready for you now, Chief.”

  “Thanks,” he stood up and buttoned his jacket. He knocked lightly and then opened the door.

  Mayor Washington stood up. He extended his hand and smiled. “Chief, thank you for coming.” Washington was extremely tall and built like a linebacker, but he was a very intelligent and simple man. Divorced three times, he only had one daughter, and Agnes, loved him, if he would only open his eyes and see it.

  “So, where is he?” Chance looked around the empty office.

  “He’s in the conference room, reviewing the statutes of our town. He’s also an attorney and is looking for a place to establish his law firm. He just got to town last night.”

  “So, what can you tell me about him? Is he gonna throw a lot of weird rules or make promises he can’t keep?”

  “Why don’t you ask me that?” the man said from the conference room doorway that was attached to the office.

  Chance knew the voice before he turned around. “Oh, Evan.”

  “Hello, neighbor,” he smiled. “We weren’t properly introduced last night. I’m Evan. Evan Manetti. I didn’t know you were the police chief.”

  “Yes. I am,” he said as he cautiously shook Evan’s hand. “Chief Charles Endicott.”

  “You two know eac
h other?” Mayor Washington asked.

  “I pulled him over last night. He was lost,” Chance said. “So, I guess we’ve met. I should go.” He turned toward the door.

  “Not so fast, Chief,” Washington said.

  “Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “Sorry, Mayor. Did you need something else?”

  “Yes, I’d like for you to show him around the town. Give him the 25-cent tour of Round River. Can you do that?”

  “Um, I guess,” Chance shrugged. This was the last thing he wanted to do. Actually, he wanted to kneel in front of Evan right now and suck on him, but he couldn’t do that. No way could he be with the new mayor … and he was a friggin’ attorney, too. He looked at Evan and noticed the way Evan was admiring him. “Whenever you’re ready, sir,” he said. Oh, yes, be my sir. Damn. He didn’t know where that thought came from, but he didn’t even know if Evan were a top or bottom. Hell, he had to stop these thoughts. No more men! No one ever again. Todd screwed that up.

  “Your squad car?” he smiled.

  “Well, that’s in my driveway at home. I used my personal SUV for this meeting. I’m not on patrol today.”

  “Lead the way, Chief,” he said.

  “Just call me Chance, please.”

  “Oh, so we are friends,” Evan smiled as he followed him out of the mayor’s office.

  Agnes smiled as she watched the two men head toward the exit. She looked over at the mayor, who was standing in the doorway. “Love connection, mayor?” she smiled.

  “Something like that,” Washington said. “Why do you think I’ve asked him?”

  “You know Mr. Manetti?”

  “We graduated Harvard together,” he said. “Chance needs someone other than that damn dog and Evan was looking for a place to call home. Now, it’s all up to fate.”

  “Or Chance,” she laughed.