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“The fucker,” Bennett says. Cassie Bennett is quiet and does her job with a smooth efficiency I’ve come to appreciate in the three years she’s worked with me.
“Yeah. And his eyes didn’t move from your chest the entire time you were talking,” Stella says before turning to me. “He’s a fucking creep, boss.”
That motherfucker.
Keeping a tight lid on the surge of anger at him harassing my deputies, I say, “I prefer smarmy asshat myself.”
Chuckles sound from the team. “I can’t arrest him for being a smarmy asshat, and though I’m sorry for it, Cassie, him looking at your chest while talking to you isn’t an arrest-able offense. But I’ll talk to him.”
Stella waves a hand. “No need. I told him off right then and there.”
I expect nothing less from Stella. The fifty-something deputy who completed her degree, the police academy and got a job with the station within three years of her husband lighting from town while I was still in high school doesn’t take shit from anyone.
“While I’m sure your warning and the no doubt colorful language delivered the message, I’m still going to have a word with him. He can’t go around stopping any of you while you’re working, and being a creep deserves a sterner warning than you telling him off.”
Stella nods. “Fair enough. Though I heard that you both had a little tête-à-tête at the diner yesterday.”
Johansen chips in. “Yeah. Something about the brunette accident vic staying at your place.” The statement is a question and now’s as good a time as any to get ahead of the gossip.
“Maisie Williams was in a minor traffic accident last week. There weren’t any available rooms at Holly’s, and the resort is full with the festival. She’s staying at the apartment over my garage while she figures some things out.”
“It true her camper is totaled?” Myers asks.
“And that she has a baby girl about Darius’s age?” Bett tosses in.
Bett’s great grandson is about the same age as Audra if I remember right. I nod to both of them. No sense in trying to lie when the news is going to get out no matter what.
“Yeah. She totaled her camper and has a six-month-old daughter.”
“Poor girl,” Bett says with a sympathy.
“Cormac going to try to use that against you?” Bennet asks.
“What? Maisie staying with me?”
She nods.
I blow out a breath. “I don’t know. Probably likely that he’d use whatever he can get his hands on against me. But I don’t want you guys worrying about that. Let me handle Lewis and the reelection.”
“If that fucker wins, I’m putting in my notice,” Stella says.
Grumbled agreements come from the group of uniforms I’ve been tasked to lead. That I’ve been privileged to lead.
I’m damned if I’m going to give up this position lightly or without a fight.
“Hey, now. None of that. The town council is going to make the best decision for the station — for Everette. If Cormac wins — and that’s a big ‘if’ right now — then I expect you all to handle the transition of my office with the same dedication you’ve shown to the town, it’s residents and this station. Now if that’s all, I know that the majority of you still have outstanding reports that need filing.”
More grumbles sift through the group, but they let the subject drop as they turn back to their own work.
The last thing I need is the council accusing me of turning my deputies against a possible candidate for my job before he even starts — assuming we get that far — even though I’m touched by the support of my deputies.
I start back toward my own office with the intention of finishing up the lingering paperwork that’s overdue and getting home in time for a shower and a cold beer.
Once I’m behind the home of my own desk, I have three reports pulled up on screen and they’re the only remaining tasks standing between me and a cold beer with my dinner.
There’s a brief knock at the door, the cadence of it more familiar than my own shadow.
“Come on in, Bett,” I say.
