Page 55 of Soul of Discretion

Nick watched as the red SOLD sign went up out front of his aunt’s house. He’d done it; he’d sold it and much of his furniture as well. His personal belongings were already in storage except for what he intended to take with him. His one-way flight had been booked and he had a meeting scheduled with Inspector McKenzie for this afternoon.

Ben and Steph were searching the house to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind while Nick signed the final paperwork to ensure the money from the sale was immediately transferred into his account on closing. He’d have to get used to the British pound and such, but he didn’t believe it would be too hard with Simon as his teacher.

Nerves were beginning to set in now that he was under twelve hours away from his seven-hour flight. Nick wouldn’t be able to sleep on the plane; he’d be too nervous and excited. Peter would be meeting him at Heathrow and taking him to Simon’s office, above which he lived—so like Simon—in the penthouse. His earl was scheduled to be away at meetings until late in the day.

“Well, looks like you packed everything,” Steph said as she walked back into the kitchen.

Nick’s bags were already packed and stowed in the back of his truck. Ben would be driving him to Pearson’s International Airport. He had signed over the ownership to his truck to Steph; they would need a secondary vehicle if they intended to have a baby.

“I’ll meet you guys back at your house after my meeting with McKenzie.”

“Sounds good,” Ben agreed as the three walked to the front door for the last time. The realtor stood waiting so that she could lock up the house.

With one final look around, Nick walked out of one of the last remaining things tying him to Canada. Within the next few hours he would be severing ties with the last thing holding him here.

There was no turning back now; he was one hundred percent committed to seeing this through with Simon one way or the other.

****

McKenzie sat behind his desk studying the file in front of him. Nick knocked on his open door to get his boss’s attention. When the inspector looked up, Nick was quick to smile, letting him know that he didn’t hold him responsible for any of this.

“Sergeant Cooper, please come in and have a seat. I was actually going to call you in for a meeting before you reached out to me.”

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Nick wondered what McKenzie could have wanted him for because last he’d heard his hearing was still weeks off. He’d planned to return from England for the hearing if he had to.

“Yes, I’m happy to inform you that you’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing in the Baronne case. You may return to work immediately.” His boss looked so happy to be giving him this news it hurt Nick that he was going to have to crush McKenzie’s good mood.

“That’s the reason I called you for this meeting.” Nick handed the unsealed envelope over and waited for McKenzie to read the contents.

Nick watched as McKenzie’s face went from joy to shock and confusion. “You’re resigning?”

“Yes, sir. Effective immediately,” Nick replied without a single doubt. It was time to go in a completely different direction with his life.

“Is this because of the suspension? Because that’s been all cleaned up off your record?”

“At first I have to admit, I was pissed. After ten years of service to my country and its people, I was suspended outright. But as time carried on, I came to see that this was the kick in the ass I needed to move on to the next phase of my life.”

“Does this have something to do with Simon Bridgeworth?” McKenzie asked, and Nick couldn’t help but smile. “You’re going to give up your career for a man you’ve only known for a few months?”

Nick grinned wide. “In a heartbeat. But honestly, I don’t view this as giving up anything. This is the start of my new life, I’m excited and nervous but I know this is what I have to do.”

McKenzie sat back in his chair and looked to be considering what Nick had said. He’d always respected his inspector’s opinion, but this time Nick’s mind was made up. Whether or not his boss agreed with his choice didn’t matter, not this time around.

“I can see by the look on your face you’re dead set on this.”

“Yeah, I am. My flight leaves tomorrow,” Nick replied, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.

A slow smile bloomed on McKenzie’s face as he pulled a bottle of whisky out of his bottom drawer along with two glasses. “Then we need to celebrate. Congratulations, Nick. I hope everything goes as planned.”

“So do I,” Nick replied as he tapped his glass against McKenzie’s before downing the amber liquid in one gulp. “So do I.”