Date: January 29, 2005
Time: 1830 hours
Location: Trooper Hathaway's residence
"Sam" a young girl said panicked. "There's a cop pulling up outside your house."
"That's just my dad," Sam started. "He brings his police car home every night."
"Oh," the other girl offered quietly.
Quinn exited the vehicle and noticed a new face in the window. *Must be Sam's new friend,* he thought.
He entered the house and called to his daughter. "Sorry I'm late, honey. Had to do some work."
"I know," his daughter said as she entered the hallway with the other girl. "Dad, this is Miranda Parker."
"Nice to meet you," Quinn said extending his hand. "So, ladies, what did you cook me for dinner?"
The two girls looked at Quinn with astonished eyes and he laughed. "Just kidding. Since I got home late, I already ordered a pizza. It should be here soon. As if fate knew he was talking, the doorbell rang. "That was convenient," Quinn said as he moved back toward the door.
He opened it and saw a delivery man holding the large pizza. "That will be 17.20," the man said.
"Here's a twenty. Keep the change."
"Thank you, sir," the delivery man said and handed the pizza box to Quinn and left. Closing the door, Quinn handed the box to his daughter. "Go ahead and get started. I'll be there in a couple of minutes."
The two girls hurried to the kitchen and started to eat the pizza. While the girls started their dinner, Quinn went to his room and changed into more comfortable clothing. He knew he could have done that at the station, but being as late as it was, he chose to head straight home and check on his daughter.
Reappearing in the kitchen a few minutes later, Quinn noticed the box, but no girls. "You had better be using plates and napkins if you're in the living room," he half scolded.
"We are!" came the response.
Quinn retrieved a plate for himself and placed two pieces of pizza on it. He sat down at the kitchen table and enjoyed his dinner. Quinn was happy that his daughter was starting to make new friends. If anyone had trouble with this move, it was Sam. She didn't want to leave Chicago or her friends. Having met Sam's friend, Quinn felt satisfied enough to allow his daughter to visit Miranada's house.
Quinn finished his meal, cleaned his plate and walked into the living room to see what the girls were doing. To his surprise, they were actually doing homework. "Well, I'll let you girls work for a little while longer, but I'm going to take Miranda home around eight thirty."
"Alright. That should give us enough time," his daughter replied.
"I'm going to go read in my den, if you need me."
The girls didn't respond to the statement, but rather turned their attention back to their studies.
Quinn went to his den and rather than grabbing one of the eight books he was trying to read, he turned on his computer and started writing. He stared at the computer screen for an hour and had only come up with two paragraphs. Noticing the time, he got up and went back to the living room. Miranda was already gathering her things together.
Quinn grabbed the keys to his cruiser and escorted the girls to it. Opening the back door, he let them climb in. Quinn followed the directions of his new passenger a few miles away and came to a middle-sized home that Miranda said was hers. Apparently, one of her parents must have seen the police cruiser and worried inadvertently. Both parents quickly came running to the cruiser as Miranda stepped out. Quinn also got out of the car and moved toward Mirand'a parents.
"Miranda, darling, are you okay?" her mother asked.
"Sorry about that," Quinn started apologetically. "I'm Quinn Hathaway. I'm with the Florida State Police. Your daughter is a friend of my daughter, Sam." Quinn pulled Sam a little closer to him and she offered a gentle hello wave. Quinn continued his apology. "Since I'm on duty early in the morning, I choose to bring my vehicle home with me. That way I don't need to pay for extra necessities for a second vehicle. It also helps out when I'm just out for a drive." Quinn chuckled, but it seemed Miranda's parents didn't want to laugh about the situation.
"Well," Miranda's father spoke. "Thank you for bringing our daughter home." He paused. "No offense, but next time Miranda is over at your house, perhaps one of us will come and get her."
"That's just fine. Miranda can tell you how to get there. This is also my card with my cell phone number on it. I'd also like to thank you for raising such a fine daughter. Miranda is well behaved and studious. Things that my daughter and I appreciate."
Quinn shook their hands as did Samantha. They got back in the car and drove off leaving the Parkers in their driveway to stare for a brief second and then escape back to the comfort of their own home.
In the cruiser, on the drive back, Quinn said to his daughter. "Boy what a great first impression. Bringing their child back in a police cruiser. Maybe a second car would have its advantages." Sam didn't say anything because she was leaning her head against the passenger side window, asleep. Quinn arrived at home and carried his daughter to her room, changed her and tucked her into bed.
Trooper Quinn Hathaway
Patrol Trooper
FSP, Post 7, Sector 2
