A Taste of Tara

Celya Bowers

A Callahan Story

January 2018

This is a fictional work and the characters are a product of my imagination.  Any correlation to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to take this time to thank my support group.  My sisters, Jeri and Sheila, my brothers, William and Kim, for always being there for me.  My nieces, Shannon, Yolanda, Celya and Kennedy, for helping me out when necessary. I love you guys so much!

A big thank you to my BFFs: Cherry, Erica, Donna, Lewis, Maria, Judy, Daniel, Angela, Diane, and Sharon.  I appreciate every minute you helped me with a plot problem.  You guys rock.

To my readers, thank you so much for your support and words of encouragement.

If I forgot you, I’m sorry.  Charge it to my brain, not my heart.

Keep reading!

Celya Bowers

www.celyabowers.com

Callahan Novels

Keeping you Close, features Patrick and Mira and set in Fort Worth, Texas

The Blarney Factor, features Rain and Sean, and is set in Ireland.

Real Love, features Josie and Brad, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

4-Ever, features Cadence and Chase, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia

Free Fall, features Erica and Chris, and is set in Turners Points, Virginia.

Out of the Past, features Izzy and Campbell, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

Into the Future, (friend of the Callahan), features Lizzy, and Tristan MacDonald, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

The Date Nobody Wanted, features Ria and Jason, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

Shaken, Not Stirred, features Rhylee and Shane, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

A Callahan Wedding, features Brit and Dylan, and is set in Turners Point, Virginia.

A Taste of Tara, features Tara and Eamon and is set in Bray, Ireland

Other books by Celya Bowers

Available in E-book

Campaign for Love

Baby Girl

2-Good

Playing for Keeps

The Rubani Legacy

Promises of Forever

Art of Love

Anything but Love

Do Over

The Foursome

One

Holidays were never long enough. 

Vacations, as the Americans called holidays, seemed to always pass too quickly.  Besides, the fact Tara Stewart witnessed two of her cousins get married, her holiday passed in a blur.  With one wedding in Virginia and one in Ireland, she was done with romance of other people.  But this Monday morning made up for two weeks of ooey, gooey, happiness from her cousins.

Tara walked into her new office, ready to embrace her new position as superintendent of the Emerald Station in her hometown of Bray, Ireland.  It had been a long, hard, crawl to the coveted position, but she'd made it at the tender age of 34.  She was one of the few women in charge of a police station in the Ireland National Police.

Thirty men and women, many much older than she, and many she knew felt she didn't deserve the position, now called her boss.  The Emerald Station had a stellar reputation for solving the most difficult murder cases, and she intended to maintain that at any cost.  As her new underlings noticed her in the building, they all rose and greeted her.  Good morning, Superintendent Stewart.

Tara, not used to all the attention, simply nodded and continued to her large office located at the rear of the building.  As the nameplate on the door came into focus, she grinned in satisfaction.  Superintendent Tara J. Stewart. 

Brynna Calhoun rose from the seat behind her desk and smiled.  Good morning, Superintendent.  Did you enjoy your holiday?  She followed Tara into her office.

Yes, Brynna, I did. She placed her briefcase and purse on the large desk.  We were at the same wedding, remember?  She sat down with a thud in the new leather chair and faced her friend.  I love a big Irish wedding.  I'm so happy for Ria.  I still can't believe she got married here instead of the States.

Bray is a very nice place, Brynna said.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  She sat in one of the chairs facing Tara's desk.  Now, would you like me to get you some tea or coffee?

Brynna, when I offered you this post, it wasn't for you to fetch me coffee or tea.  It was for your organizational skills, and sharp brain.  She sat behind her desk and crossed her legs, and glanced around the room.  You did a good job decorating in my absence.  Everything looks perfect. She noticed her framed awards hung on the dull wall.  Along with pictures of her family.

Brynna grinned.  Thank you.  What shall I call you during working hours?

Tara.

But you're the superintendent in charge of the whole station.  There has to be some protocol.

When she offered her friend the job of being her office assistant, Tara knew this would be a problem.  She'd known Brynna all her life, since she lived close to her grandparents.  Brynna, you're not a police officer, so we don't have to do that.  You’re a civilian, that’s why you’re not in traditional blues.  You get to wear what you want.

Brynna nodded.  Okay, okay.  I’ll call you Tara.

Tara took in her friend’s work apparel.  She was wearing dark slacks, and a fitting blouse, showcasing her model thin body.  You look very nice, Bryn.  I bet you’ll be dating in no time.

Brynna shook her head.  Her dark hair cascaded her slender shoulders.  No thanks, one divorce is enough.  I’m just happy to be single again after fifteen years of marriage.  She pointed a finger at Tara.  You, on the other hand, you have to start dating, Tara.  You and that fiery temper, need someone to tame you.

Tara actually laughed.  You sound like my dad, mum, family, grandparents, and just about everyone else.  I think I’m too old too tame now.  She thought about for a beat.  Not that I’m looking for anyone.  Men don’t like women who carry guns.

You don’t carry a gun anymore, her friend reminded her.  At least not professionally.

But it’s in my blood.  She preferred her sidearm to most of the men she’d met.

Honey, you’re preaching to the choir, Brynna said. Speaking of men, the Chief Superintendent sent an email last week.  He wants to meet with you today. Kind of a welcome to the division lunch.  He’d met with the others last week while you were on vacay.

Look who’s been watching American tele, Tara teased.  I told you it was addictive.

Brynna shrugged.  Just something to fill the time.

Tara nodded.  I do the same thing.  She sighed.  Day one and she had to do a dog and pony show for her boss. What time is this lunch?

One o’clock in Dublin at the Yellow Dog Café.

At least the food would be good, she reasoned. Looks like I’ll be out of the office the rest of the day.  Anything else burning a hole in my schedule?

Just your morning meeting. I’ve emailed you a copy of the open cases.

Tara leaned forward, signed on her computer, and quickly navigated to the document.  There were only ten cases, but the document was fifty pages long!  Brynna, I appreciate your eye for detail, but you don’t have to give me every detail of the case, just the high points.

Highpoints?

Yes, you know the basics of the case.  You know, who’s dead, how, and why come?

Got it.  Brynna glanced around the room.  Are you sure I can’t get you that coffee or tea?

Arguing with an Irish woman is useless, Tara knew because she was one herself. Okay, I’ll take tea.

Brynna rose, walked to the corner of the room and poured a mug of tea.  After she placed it on a tray complete with scones, she set it in front of Tara.  What time would you like me to schedule the meeting?

Tara glanced at the delicious dessert before her, not giving the morning meeting a thought.  These look homemade.  They smell delicious.  She reached for one, grabbed a decadent spoonful of crème and slathered it on her scone.  After a plop of jelly, she slid it in her mouth.  Yum!

Brynna smiled with pride.  I made them.  Sort of a welcome back, thing.

Tara quickly devoured two scones before she spoke again.  These are delicious but deadly.  Since I’m not chasing criminals, I’m going to have to start hitting the gym, if I keep eating these things.  She pushed the tray away from her.  Take these away or I’ll be waddling in here very soon.  She grabbed her mug of tea and took a drink. 

Why do you think I brought them here?  I can’t have them at home or I’ll eat them.  Brynna moved the tray out of her way.  Now about the meeting, she reminded her friend.

Tara sighed.  And so it began......

If he could just throw the bloody phone out of the window, then maybe he could get some work done. Chief Superintendent Eamon Sheehan sat behind his massive desk, with his third cup of coffee on a Monday morning and a report that would choke a sheep.

Chief, Sergeant Sean Brown said in a whisper.  Got a minute?

Eamon looked up from his mound of paperwork and smiled at the latest addition to the Dublin office.  Sure, Brown.  Come in.

The young officer walked inside the office, closing the door, so the other officers couldn’t hear.  He sat down and looked at him with big blue eyes, reminding him of his teenaged daughter.  I just got a response from the Emerald Station.  Superintendent Stewart is back at work and can meet you at one at the Yellow Dog.

He nodded, wondering if the feisty woman even remembered him. It was so long ago, he mused.  Thanks, Brown. Call and confirm with her assistant.  I’m not sure how long this will take, so I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the day.  Call me on my mobile, if there’s a problem.

Yes, sir.  Brown cleared his throat.  I’ve met her once a few years back.  She’s...a really good cop.

Eamon laughed.  Yes, he remembered her well.  Right, she’s got a hot head. 

Brown nodded and left the room, leaving him in silence with the dreaded report. There had been a string of unsolved crimes including the murder of an American on vacation.  Eamon reviewed the cases hoping that some kind of pattern would emerge.  Six of the twelve incidents happened in Dublin, the others were scattered around the area.  With the month of October fast approaching, he knew from experience this was only the beginning.  With the onset of October, the tourist season picked up because of the fall festivals.  Halloween was just the icing on the cake.  The next four weeks were going to be a killer. 

Another reason he wanted to meet with the Superintendents.  He wanted these cases solved before the holidays set in.  Nothing would ruin a holiday quicker than another murder. Plus, he didn’t want the Bureau of Tourism or even the counsel to have a reason to poke their beauracratic noses in his division. 

And he thought coming back to Bray as Chief Superintendent was going to be an easy job.  He shook his head.  What had he been thinking?  He’d been thinking after the dissolution of his marriage, he wanted to be closer to his aging parent, two brothers, and sister. So, he moved from Edinburgh, Scotland, to the small town.

That was six long months ago, he mused.  His parents and siblings were happy he returned home, but some scars never heal.  It had been over twenty years since he’d set foot in this place, but he could still the taunts of his classmates about his weight, acne, and just about anything else that came to mind. 

His desk phone rang, bringing him out of his thoughts.  He glanced at the display screen and sighed.  It was the commissioner.  What now? He reached for the phone and pulled it to his ear.  Hello, Bob. They had been friends for over twenty years.  He felt silly calling him by his title. 

Sheehan.  The man didn’t waste words with a greeting.  Have you met with all the new supers yet?

I’m meeting with Tara Stewart today.  She was on holiday when the others took over their official position.

Good. Good.  We need to get them working on keeping the incidents to a minimum.  I don’t have to tell you how important those tourists’ dollars are to the country.

No, sir, you don’t.  I understand completely.  The Emerald Station has about an eighty percent success rate at solving the crimes.  He still didn’t understand why the powers that be elected to put a female in charge of that particular station.

The commissioner laughed.  I know what you’re thinking.  She’s a female and a young one at that.  But she’s sharp as a tack.  She’s got relatives in the intelligence community in the States.  A few years back, she helped deter a rebel attack that could have crippled the tourist economy for both the Republic of Ireland and the North.

Of course, Eamon knew all of this.  He’d researched the only female superintendent under his watch.  He’d feared nepotism, but her rise to the top was due to good old fashion hard work.  Yes, I understand, sir.

Oh, don’t let her pretty looks disarm you.  She’s as good as any man.  And will probably let you know that about five seconds after meeting her.  I understand the men call her ‘Tara the Terrible’.  He chuckled again.  "I know women aren’t high on your list right now, so you’re probably safe from Tara.  I’ve seen her