Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“I told you he’d be stubborn about this,” James said with a shrug. “Half the department is wishing he would answer his phone, and he’s been holed up in this fortress of solitude. Bad plumbing and all.”
“The plumbing’s fixed,” Solomon replied. “And they need to be focusing on moving forward.” Like I’m trying to.
Stephen was studying him. Reading him the way any good politician would. And Stephen was good at his job. A pain in the ass as a cousin, but a good senator. “What does he want? Our illustrious mayor.”
“What do you think he wants? His constituents are in an uproar, and he’s scrambling for a way to fix it.”
“I’m getting a beer, anyone else want one?” James walked toward the kitchen, making himself at home while he and Stephen talked.
“Since I’m in this loop, I’ll take a wild stab and assume the uproar has something to do with law enforcement.”
His expression was grim. Angry. It wasn’t a look Solomon had seen that much on him or his twin, Seamus, which made it more pronounced. “Miller is a problem.”
“It’s an adjustment. When I started I—”
“Stop.” Stephen held up his hand. “This isn’t what an adjustment looks like, Solomon. This is what chaos looks like. Back me up, James.”
His brother walked back in with three bottles, passing them each one before popping open his own. He sat down on Solomon’s new couch and opened his mouth.
Then closed it again in surprise.
Jesus.” James bounced. “Jesus H, this damn couch is like a cloud. My ass is on a cloud right now.”
Stephen studied the light brown leather and his lips quirked. “We’re in the middle of a serious conversation, James. Forget about your ass.”
“It reclines.” Solomon wouldn’t tell them how he and Hugo had enjoyed that recliner to break it in.
James was glancing around the room now, as if noticing it for the first time. “Yellow kitchen, pictures on the wall, a new rug… You’re decorating. This place is actually starting to look like someone lives here.”
Solomon sipped his beer. “I was thinking about selling it and getting something with more room in a different neighborhood, but I wouldn’t get anything for it in the condition it’s in now. I figure as long as I’m here, I might as well fix things up and make it homier.”
Stephen’s smile was still tense, but genuine. “I’ll have to tell my wife she was right again.”
“About what?”
“You’re nesting. She said she recognized the signs.”
“I’m not nesting. I’m realizing life can be enjoyed, not just managed and controlled.”
Stephen narrowed his gaze. “There’s a petition going around to get you back on the job.”
“I know.” Solomon sat on the armrest of his couch and took a stiff drink. “Foster told me.”
“Who?”
“Hugo’s father,” James told Stephen. “Good man. Did he tell you that more than half the city has signed it? Or about the protests at the council meetings after the new asshole in charge reversed or suspended most of your initiatives for review? Did anyone tell you that Miller is a jealous, crazy, narcissistic shit that’s making life miserable for any cop that tries to express a grievance? Particularly if that officer shows any loyalty to you.”
He shook his head. “To me? I find that hard to believe. I barely know the man.”
“But he knows you,” Stephen countered. “He was already an outsider, brought in after his last job as a peace offering to the mayor’s more vocal critics. And now he’s had you rubbed in his face for a year. Hell, Solomon, I hadn’t even realized how much you were responsible for, program-wise. Not until I got a detailed list via the council. And every bit of the goodwill you established is being squandered because one guy is letting his ego guide his actions. He’s even threatened James with suspension.”
That got his attention like nothing else could. “Why? Did he give a reason?”
James held up his bottle, as if to stop that train of thought. “Don’t break out into a bad case of big brother, Younger, I’m not the issue here. Honestly, I was close to burn out before you bailed, and the badge was always more your thing than mine. It’s the point of it that pisses me off. He’s trying to erase your legacy and all the good you did. So I’m staying on to hold down the fort, because fuck that guy.”
Solomon was at a loss. “If it’s that bad, the mayor should have him suspended until he has a chance to replace him.”
“He’s more than ready to. But with all the damage that’s already been done, he wants it to be you.”
He shook his head. “He can’t do that. I can’t do that, but there are other people. Good men and women who are more than capable.”
“None of them are Chief Solomon Finn,” Stephen argued. “There’s only one of you.”