Face the Night by Alan Lastufka

Author:Alan Lastufka [Lastufka, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733691949
Publisher: Shortwave Media
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Woodhull felt cramped in his own office. After offering seats to his gleaming guests, he instinctually reached for this little gold cigarette case. He anticipated some political grab-assing before being asked for some favor or another. That’s always how these requested meetings went with Bradley. And Woodhull would play nice for now. If Card happened to beat Bradley come election time, Card would be setting the police budget and other amenities. Better to keep him happy, if possible. Fortunately, Card was a busy man and he got right to it.

“Thanks for the time, Chief Woodhull. We’ll be brief.”

Deesha added, “Just two concerns, really.”

“Right. First, I wanted to mention that I don’t support cuts to the police budget. This is not the time to give crime a chance to grow in Cellar,” Card said.

The chief stopped fidgeting with his cigarette case and perked up. “I’m with you on that.” He let out a short chuckle. He wasn’t sure what this morning’s meeting was going to be about, but he was not expecting support from his oldest friend’s newest rival.

Woodhull held up the little gold cigarette case. “Care for a smoke?”

“No, thank you,” Card said.

Deesha shook her head and pushed on. “The budget dictates how many patrolmen you’re able to hire, yes? And we all need protection at some level. I have family here, and their neighborhood… Well…”

“I hear you.” Woodhull nodded, fully understanding which neighborhoods she was referring to, and also quite sure he wouldn’t be adding more patrols to those hoods anytime soon. Those neighborhoods on the edge of town didn’t contribute as much to the city’s coffers, so it didn’t make sense to spend more on patrolling them. It wasn’t about race; it was about economics, Woodhull told himself.

“Second…” Card paused, with a look of concern. “Are you… Rather, is the department prioritizing shredding old police files now because of concerns over having the funds to do so if the present administration wins reelection?”

Woodhull liked Card’s implication and feared it. How many people in Cellar even knew old files were periodically destroyed? And of those few who did, how many knew the mayor specifically requested this batch be handled now? Deesha leaned in, eager to hear his answer, and Woodhull realized Card and his wife were sharper than Bradley gave them credit for. And that will definitely bite Bradley in the ass, but some of those teeth marks will end up on me as well.

Woodhull sighed. His smile was gone.

“Well, you know, it’s just routine. Every department in Cellar is instructed to do a little spring cleaning each year, Councilman. Any rumors of budget cuts or this task or that task jumping the line are just that: rumors.”

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