6 Kent HarperAs soon as the cluster of squat, reddish buildings housing Washington State Patrol District Four headquarters came into view, Kent forced his foot to ease off the accelerator. He rolled his cruiser sedately to the rear parking lot, nosed into his assigned spot, and turned off the ignition. Pushing open the door, he slid out in a single fluid movement intended to convey calm mastery of the situation.
Sure, he was overdue for his next appointment but he’d be damned if his watchers would see him dashing into the building like a tardy school kid.
He smelled hot engine oil and the woodsy scent of the tall evergreens edging the lot. Easing his door shut, he straightened his blue felt campaign hat and headed for the building’s employee entrance. He kept his pace unhurried, his well
