Chapter Eleven

Early the next morning, I waited outside the Chief's office. Deputy Chief Donavan was already inside when I arrived. Through the glass wall, Donavan's face grew red as a beet. The Chief leaned over the desk and pointed a finger in his face. Donavan swiped at the desk, creating a fluttering storm of paper and folders. I grimaced. I had never seen them get so heated over anything. As Donavan spun around to leave, the crumpled papers that littered the floor danced away from his feet. The Chief plunked down his chair.

The door opened and Donavan's demeanor changed to sadness or pity when his eyes rested on me. I didn't know him well enough to be sure. Heart racing, I went in and closed the door behind me. The urge to pick up the trash gnawed at me as I stood in front of his desk with my hands behind my back. 

"You can sit down," he said with a sharp tone and motioned to the chair. I didn't move. "Or you can stand. Your outburst is not public knowledge. But I'm sure the rumor mill is working overtime." His gaze burned through me. 

I nodded. "What happens next?" 

"You are suspended until after Christmas. On the 26th, report to Captain Bull in cargo security." 

I blinked a couple times and then folded my arms across my chest. Cargo security? That didn't seem like punishment. I guessed since cargo security was where people go before retirement, my attitude couldn't infect anyone else. "Did he actually say that?" 

"Who?" 

"Williams. He is the council liaison, right?" 

He was tight-lipped. "No, he was not involved in this." He clasped his hands together on the desk. "It has been brought to my attention the number of successful cases you have completed in your short tenure. Not to mention the upturn in Police Force reputation. Therefore, you will bring in the security reports to maintain appearances. Captain Bull was pretty happy to hear that." 

Maintain appearances, for whom? I didn't dare speak up because of my predicament. A tentative smile formed on my face. "You think it can be reversed?" 

"We'll see. Items are coming up missing from the trains. Since no one rides the trains except the engineers, train boarding is possible. Investigate and put a stop to it, and we will talk about reinstatement." 

I shifted to the right, processing his words. "Who is implicated?" 

"The mountain rebels." 

"First I'd heard of any problems with the mountain folks. They are fairly self-sufficient and only come down to the Trading Post when they need to." 

"Understood. What or why they would steal, you will have to tell me." 

I stared at the bookshelf behind him, mulling over the situation. An awkward silence hung between us for a few moments. 

"So, Brewer planned the party yet?" I asked. 

He cocked his head. 

"He's never liked me. I figured the celebration started as soon as he found out that I've been transferred." 

The Chief laughed. "No, and he'd better not." 

I relaxed a little bit. "There is hope for him after all." 

He slid forward and planted his elbows on the desk. His face became sterner. "Don't talk to anyone about this. Not even Chandler." 

Chandler? Why him? I nodded. "Roger that." 

"Good. You can go unless there is anything else." 

I shook my head and turned to leave. As I reached for the doorknob, a loud crack resounded from his desk. I turned my head back and a pencil laid on the desk, snapped in half. I nibbled at my bottom lip and averted my eyes. If only I had kept my mouth shut. 

"Stay safe out there, Lieutenant." 

I nodded and left the room, shoving my hands in my pockets. I couldn't help but wonder if the Chief was in on it too. It didn't seem to fit his personality, to be scheming with Brent. I didn't know who to trust. Kevin, maybe Alain. I wasn't sure if I should drag them into the quagmire with me. I did have Kas. I needed to talk to him about it the next time I saw him. I had a lot of free time to think about it for the next few days.