Read Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 for Free Online Page B

excited to see these kids progress.”
    “Sometimes success comes in terms of hours, not lifetimes. In good choices vs. devastating ones. But yeah, it’s definitely worth it.”
    With a whistle from Luc, everyone returned to their seats and gave him their attention. “We heard from Abby about how important pets can be to our well-being and how volunteerism is a good kind of double edged sword. Next, we’ll hear how Ms. Burke came to be a police officer.” He waved Del to the center of the room.
    Del placed both hands on her knees and pushed off the bleacher. Turning to face the group, she clasped her hands to keep them from twitching.
    “Hi, I’m…Delilah, and I’m a cop. Hmm, did that just sound like I was introducing myself at a 12 step meeting?” Sharing her discomfort with them had broken the ice. Everyone laughed and relaxed, including her.
    “I guess it’s because I rarely admit to my real name. I use Del as a kind of professional barrier, like an author might use a pen name. We humans construct those barriers to protect ourselves, but as we learn to trust the people around us, we expose more of our true selves. I’m sure each of you can relate to that. So, here you may call me Delilah. Does anyone have any questions about my job?
    Monette raised her hand. “Why did you decide to become a cop, Ms. Delilah, ma’am, er, sir?” The others snickered behind. She pointed at them playfully then to Delilah, she added, “You’re pretty enough to be a model.”
    “Thanks, Monette. I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.” Delilah pursed her lips. She had thought about this a lot in the last couple years. “I don’t think I played cops and robbers like some boys do when they’re young. The simple answer is that cops are just people who started out as children from different backgrounds, grew into teens like y’all and for various reasons decided on this line of work. I did have attributes that proved helpful when I went into law enforcement, but it took a family tragedy when I was twenty-one to make me realize what I’d known for years… that I wanted to finish my college degree and go straight to the police academy.”
    “What happened,” asked Tia.
    Del’s shoulders straightened. “My older brother was shot, in a gang related skirmish.”
    “Is he dead?” asked Angel.
    “Angel!” Tia sighed.
    “It’s okay,” said Delilah. “It was close for a while, but he pulled through. Though he is in a wheelchair. Some of you might even know him—Father Thomas from Saint Teresa’s?”
    The group stirred. Del’s eyes lit on a few of them, then Jude, whose eyes slid away as he stroked his hands down the front of his jeans. Tia made the sign of the cross.
    “Ever since I was a little girl, I hated unfairness, not realizing it was a foundation for my job now. When Tommy got shot, it was only the catalyst that said to me, ‘It’s time.’ I think I’d always known I wanted to stand against those who prey on the innocent and defenseless and find justice for the victims of crime.
    “My ‘gift’ if you want to call it that, is the ability to read people, to see their true intentions. And my brother would add that I’m tenacious, like a pit with a bowl full of bones.
    “Your other mentors have talked about each of us having a special talent—a passion in some cases. My brother’s calling, was to help his community, especially young people, to get out of their desperate environments and make the dreams of kids they see on TV or in school become their own reality. Even those gang members who were responsible for his disability. I didn’t feel so generous. To me that, and what Leanne does, for instance, is a calling. I’m more of a public servant. I’m not that compassionate or patient or forgiving, not to mention I hate needles.”
    They laughed.
    “I understand some of you have, or are living on the street. That makes you the innocent—not victims—because I don’t see anyone