Letter From Sydney

JJ stood outside for a moment and looked around.  It had to be the prettiest police station she'd ever seen, although it was more of a police house than station with the eucalypt trees growing in the front lawn and the white picket fence.  She walked up the short path the the door and pushed it open.

John looked up from his desk and held up his hand, silently asking her to wait a minute.

"Right, Mr. Jessup.  Leave it with me and I'll see what I can do."

Jessup stood up and walked toward the door, almost leering at JJ as she stepped back to give him room.  He said good morning to her before turning back to nod at John before heading off down the road towards the village centre and his shop.

JJ shut the door and shuddered.  "That man is so creepy it's just not true," she said walking towards John.

He got up and walked around to the front of his desk and held out his arms.  "Morning, Tink," he said giving he a hug and a kiss.

"Hmmm, morning, Bear," she replied, smiling up at him and stroking his bearded cheek.  "How are you this fine morning?"

"Now that ols woman Jessup has gone, a lot better."

"What did the old grump want this time...or is it a state secret?"

"Same old, same old.  He's complaining about a certain feline who lives next door.  Seems said feline has the audacity to sit by his shop door and meow at his customers."

"Probably warning them about going in," JJ laughed.

She sat down by the desk and watched as John got up to make them both a coffee.  "I should have popped into Lucy's for something to go with that," she remarked.

"We'll pick up lunch from there if you like," John replied, placing the steaming mugs down on his desk.  He watched as JJ picked up the name plate that was by his blotter.

"Did anyone tell you that we don't actually have sheriffs here in Oz?" she grinned.

"I know, baby, but seeing as I was one back in Alaska, and my staff are from the US too, they thought it would be funny to have the plate made up, and for some reason, most of the residents got it into their heads to use the old rank."

"So, lover, what rank are you really?"

John smiled at being called 'lover' and looked over at his best girl.  "Well, although I was employed by the original four owners of the Glen, I had to register with the NSW police."

"So, you're a little private police force then?"

"Technically, yes, but we abide by the NSW laws.  So, I went down to Sydney and took their exam, and was ranked at senior sergeant."

"Oh Bear...demoted before you even started."

"Nothing to worry about," he replied in the accent JJ was learning to adore.  "It doesn't change the way I do my job."

JJ smiled and picked up the pile of mail from the corner of John's desk and looked through it.  "Bear, you have an important looking letter from the police headquarters in Sydney.  How long has it been sitting here?"

John took the offered envelope from her, holding onto her hand for a moment, then turned it over over.  "Um, not too sure. I think it came a couple of days ago."

"You need an office assistant to open the mail," JJ grinned.  "You're in danger of vanishing behind a great pile of unopened mail!  Do you want me to let you open it in private?"

"I've got no secrets from you, Tink," John smiled as he tore open the envelope.  He sat back in his chair and read the letter twice before passing it over to JJ.

JJ read the letter carefully then looked up and smiled.  "Wow, this calls for a celebration.  What say I take you to the inn for an early lunch...Inspector Bear."

John took the letter advising him on his promotion in his top drawer and walked round to JJ.  Holding out his hand, he walked towards the door with her.  "Maybe I should tell the founding sisters about this.  I could be in for a raise," he laughed, kissing the top of her head as he opened the door for her.