Library Security, Episode 2

Colton was sitting at his desk, watching his monitors as usual when his phone rang.  Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was from Library Security Headquarter.  It must have been his handler.  He answered, "Colton McGarrick, here."

"There's young woman on her way to the library to help you out," a man said.  "Try to be nice to her."

Were they sending backup?  "I don't need the help, sir."

"Maybe not," the man replied, "but she's a fresh graduate and needs experience.  Who better to learn from than my best man?"

Colton ground his teeth.  His handler always knew what to say.  He didn't like it, but he had to oblige.  "What's her ETA?"

"She's due to arrive at two this afternoon.  I'm expecting to hear good things.  Good luck."  The phone clicked and the call ended.

Colton hung up and went back to watching his monitors.

After a few hours of nothing happening, the phone rang again.  Caller ID said it was the library manager.  "Headhunter, here," Colton answered.

"Your backup is here," the manager said.  "I'm walking in with her right now."

Colton looked at the monitor focused on the front door and the manager walked in with a woman in a security uniform.  "Roger that.  I'm on the way."  He hung up the phone and made his way to the main hall.

There they were.  The manager and the woman.  She was a black woman, average height, with her black hair done in shoulder-length braided pigtails.  She was baby-faced, almost appearing to be fresh out of high school.  Her mouth was smiling ear to ear, showing off some of the whitest teeth he'd ever seen.

The woman stepped forward and salute.  "Aisha White, reporting for duty.  I look forward to working with you, sir."

That was cute.  Too cute for Colton's liking.  "Okay, kid, listen up.  I'm going to whip you into shape.  If you want to be a successful library security guard, you need to know the lay of the land."

"The manager told me all about it, sir," Aisha said.  "The Grand Creek Public Library is an impressive structure, containing five floors and three basements for a total of eight level.  There are three elevators, two for staff members and one for the public.  One staff elevator is located in the area behind the service counter and the other is located near the back of the building.  The public elevator is located near the middle of the building.  The first floor is-"

"Yeah, yeah," Colton said.  "So you know your stuff.  Let me walk you around for a more personalized tour.  If you have any questions, ask me or the manager."

The three of them walked throughout the building, exploring every nook and cranny.  Eventually, they returned to the main hall.  "Well, any questions, Ms. White?" the manager asked.

"No, sir.  I have a thorough grasp of the library.  Thank you for the tour."  Suddenly, she looked toward the AV room.  "Halt, thief."

Colton looked as well.  There was a man walking out of the AV room with a handful of music CDs and running for the door.  He fought every instinct to leap into action, for he wanted to see how she'd perform.  If she couldn't handle it, he'd jump in, but this would be a trial by fire.

The man kept heading for the door.  "I said stop!" Aisha said, running in front of the door and blocking it.

"Get out of the way!" the man shouted, dropping the CDs and throwing a punch at her.

She ducked the punch, grabbed his arm, flipped him to the ground, and twisted his arm until it broke.

The man screamed in pain.

"You have the right to remain silent, insect," she said.

Colton and the manager looked at each other and said, "She'll be just fine."

After the police were called and the man was taken away in handcuffs, things went back to normal.  Colton went back into his office with Aisha in tow.

"You did good work," Colton said.  "A ten-year veteran couldn't have done it better.  I should know.  I've worked with some.  That's why I work alone these days."

After a brief silence, she asked, "What was your first day like?  Were you nervous?"

He was almost insulted.  "Nervous?  No.  I have been in some tough predicaments, though.  If you've got time to share a beer after work, I can tell you some stories."

"Um...I can't drink, sir.  I'm only twenty."

"Then let's make it a root beer."

She smiled.  "I'd like that, sir."

He was stuck with her for an unspecified amount of time.  He may as well make the most of it.  "Just try not to get too scared."

She laughed.  "As if."