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She looked up and smiled. “It comes naturally to a Benson.” She wiggled loose. “I have to leave early. I’m making a donut run on the way in.”
That was my woman, going out of her way to make life a little bit better for her team.
“Thanks for breakfast, Sugarbear,” I called as she left.
She poked her head back in. “Text me with your news?”
“Sure.”
My stomach lurched. As I turned on the shower, I dreaded the prospect of what awaited me when I got into the office.
* * *
It was almostlunchtime when a somber Dempsey emerged from his office.
“Cartwright.” He waved me over.
It was time to learn my fate.
Baker and Zalenski were already seated when I entered. Their faces were impassive, not giving me any clue as to the verdict.
I took a seat.
After Dempsey retook his chair behind the desk, Baker began.
“This investigation took longer than usual. The unusual urban nature of this encounter turns out to have given us late-arriving material to review in terms of civilian video input.”
I’d heard we had cell phone footage of the shooting captured by two different bystanders, but I hadn’t wanted to review either of them. Reliving the incident and second-guessing myself couldn’t lead anywhere positive.
Baker handed me a folder. “We have determined that you acted within guidelines in the incident, and this inquiry is concluded.”
I felt my eyes go wide. Just like that, it was over, and the weight on me lifted.
They left quickly, and I was alone with Dempsey.
He closed the door again. “They let you off the hook, but for my money, you screwed up just like your uncle did. There’s no room in this job for personal feelings to interfere.”
I held back any comment.
He tapped the folder on his desk. “All this says is you didn’t do a bad job. That’s not the same as doing a good job. Now get outta here.”
“Yes, sir.” I left the office, slumped into my chair, and typed out a text to Kelly.
ME: They cleared me
I took a deep breath. I still had my badge and a shot at the Organized Crime Task Force.
Chapter 39
Adam
On Sunday afternoon,my phone rang on the kitchen counter
Kelly walked the phone over to me. “It’s your father.”
I took the phone, declined the call, and went back to watching the game.
“Chicken.” Kelly shook her head and walked away. “You have to talk to him sooner or later.”
