Creatures of Sin 04 - Sins of Influence by India Harper -

Author:India Harper - [Alchemy, Elemental]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

“To be perfectly frank, Commander, I’m the last person who should be representing Pittsburgh PD in this campaign.”

Chris had known David wouldn’t be thrilled about the task, but like the good officer he was, Chris expected him to do his duty.

“You made lieutenant by twenty-five and have a record most cops dream of. Who better than you?”

“Sir, there are things—” David cut himself off, lips a thin line. “It would be counterproductive.”

“David, dig deep enough and everyone has skeletons in their closet. What you’ve done matters far less than how you respond under scrutiny.”

“It depends on what it is I’ve done.”

Chris couldn’t help but be curious about what his straight-laced lieutenant had done to make him so agitated, but he didn’t ask. “Your service record is unparalleled in the department, which is what the vultures are going to be digging around for. Your personal life is just that. Personal.”

“For now.”

It suddenly occurred to Chris. “Is that why you stopped at the rank you did?” High enough to be respectable, but not so high as to get unwanted attention.

“No. I stopped because at the time there didn’t seem to be much reason to continue. When Robin died, I—” David stopped, his gaze uncharacteristically distant. He caught himself with a wry, apologetic smile. “When I was ready to move on, there didn’t seem to be any urgency to seek advancement. I enjoy my job here. I have colleagues I respect and a boss I can handle.”

There was that playful smile again. Chris found his lieutenant didn’t smile nearly enough.

“At least until he tries to push me out of the nest,” David finished.

“Sometimes we need to get pushed.”

“And sometimes we’re happy with where we’re at.”

This conversation was getting a little too personal for Chris, which was ridiculous and entirely in his own head. “If you don’t feel up to the scrutiny, Lieutenant, say the word. I don’t want to put you in an untenable situation.”

“I’m more than up for the scrutiny, sir. However, I’m not certain what could be revealed will help us here.”

“They’re attacking how we do our jobs, not who we fuck and how.”

“That’s succinct.”

“Look, David, I’ve got a lot personally riding on this. I’m not about to let some trumped-up politician score points off of one of my officers so he can go on to make my life miserable. I don’t care who’s working for him.”

“Sir?”

Chris realized he’d said too much. “Never mind. Like Hardy said at the meeting, I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think I could trust you. The only question is, will you do it?”

David was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Inaction is worse than anything they can do to me.”

“Your confidence isn’t exactly overwhelming.”

He gave Chris another one of those rare, fleeting smiles. “I promise to work on it.”

Chris returned it and said, “Dismissed.”

David had just shut the door behind him when Chris’ desk phone rang. “Montgomery.”

“At least you answer one of your phones.”

Kieran. “You shouldn’t be calling me at all.”

“You’d rather I came by?”

“Kieran—”

“Christopher, we need to talk about this.

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