Not a Big Deal by Nina R. Schluntz

Author:Nina R. Schluntz [Schluntz, Nina R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: MLR Press
Published: 2016-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11: BRIBE MONEY

After stopping at the station to hand off the man who had assaulted Troyer, Clayton decided to stop by his father’s office. Troyer needed a few minutes to tend to the wounds on her hands anyway.

As usual, Clayton rushed past the secretary, ignoring her greeting. His father was hosting an older man in a business suit. They both looked up as Clayton entered.

“Mr. Stevens, this is my son, Clayton,” his father said. “He’ll be joining us at the fundraiser with his partner.”

The man’s face brightened at mention of Clayton’s partner. “Ah, yes, the black man. That’s been making quite a stir.”

Mr. Stevens extended a hand in greeting to Clayton.

“Mr. Stevens is my publicist for this election,” his father explained.

Clayton didn’t take the offered hand. Instead he crossed his arms and stiffened. “My boyfriend has a name,” Clayton said.

“Oh, of course,” Mr. Stevens said. “I didn’t mean—”

“Can I talk to my father for a moment in private?” Clayton asked.

“Ah, yes, excuse me,” Mr. Stevens said. He stepped past Clayton and exited the office.

“I assume this is important,” his father said.

“Why is the officer who raped Troyer still working here?” Clayton asked.

“Well, now, that’s a bit of old news,” his father said. He sank back into his desk chair. “That whole situation was a mess. It boiled down to a said he-said-she-said, and without any evidence my hands were tied.”

“So you did nothing?”

“She didn’t report the rape until three months later, after she found out she was pregnant,” his father said. “At that point it was easy for O’Bryan to deny it. He said it was consensual, and without any previous history of sexual assault, I was inclined to believe him. I tried to convince Troyer to transfer, but she refused. Is this really what you came in here to talk about?”

“Yes,” Clayton said. His conviction floundered as he realized he should have gathered more information before barging in.

“Have you talked to your partner about coming to the fundraiser?”

“No, not yet. Sorry I bothered you.” Clayton turned and left the office. He still didn’t feel he had all the facts, but it didn’t seem he would be getting them from his father.

§§§§

There were only two hours left on his shift, and Clayton’s nerves were nearly exhausted. Troyer never shut up. Her inquiries into his life had lessoned, but she kept rambling about herself. He pulled into Khan’s Fuel Shack as Troyer said she needed to use her breast pump.

“I’m going to get a drink. Do you need anything?” Clayton asked. He parked the car on the edge of the parking lot, away from any prying eyes that might watch her.

“A bottle of water would be great,” she said. He was surprised she hadn’t asked for a hotdog.

“Will do,” Clayton said. He got out of the car and took his time as he crossed the lot to the store. No one was inside other than the owner. Clayton selected a canned tea for himself and grabbed a bottle of water for Troyer.

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