“I’ll catch you inside,” she told Miranda. “Good to see you, Joel.”
“See you around.”
Nicole went into the station and paused to let her eyes adjust to the dimness. The waiting room was empty for a change, and Denise was on the phone. She caught Nicole’s eye and put the caller on hold.
“Good, you’re here,” Denise said. “He wants to see you before the meeting.”
“Brady does?”
She nodded. “He’s in his office.”
Nicole stepped into the bullpen and shot an apprehensive look at Brady’s closed door. She glanced around, but everything seemed to be business as usual. A couple of uniforms were sitting at computers typing, and Adam was on a phone call.
Nicole tapped her knuckles on Brady’s door.
“Come in.”
She leaned her head in. “You wanted to see me?”
He pushed back his chair and stood, and Nicole’s apprehension ramped up.
“Have a seat. And close the door, would you?”
She pulled the door shut and sank into a chair, quickly scanning his desk for clues. There was nothing on it but a blank legal pad and a plastic cup filled with dark green sludge. Nicole managed not to make a face.
The chief sat down. “So.” He nodded at her.
She nodded back. There was something somber about him today, and dread filled her stomach.
“So... I bumped into Joel outside,” Nicole said, looking for small talk. “Haven’t seen him here in a while.”
Brady nodded. “Good segue.”
“Segue?”
“This involves him.” He cleared his throat. “We’re making some changes around here.”
Nicole watched Brady, holding her breath.
“I’m retiring.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re—what?”
“It’s time.” He leaned back in his chair. “You ask my wife, it’s been time. And now my cardiologist agrees with her.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I’m due to have double bypass surgery at the end of next week.”
“Oh my gosh, Chief. I didn’t realize—”
“No one did.” He waved off the rest of her comment. “I haven’t been talking about it, except with Sharon. She’s had me on one of these no-meat diets—bunch of salads and smoothies—but that’s not enough. Evidently, it’s stress-related. Anyway, we don’t need to get into all that.” He sat forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “The point is that Joel is coming on as acting chief.”
Nicole sat there, wordless, trying to absorb all this news. Chief Brady was retiring. Joel Breda was replacing him.
“Joel’s a good pick,” Brady said.
She cleared her throat. “I agree.”
“My guess is he’ll end up in the job long-term, but that’s up to the city council.” Brady sat back again. “And that’s not the only change we’re making around here. With all the growth, we’re doing some reorganizing, adding some positions, including two new investigators. And we’re creating a new role. Head of detectives.” He paused. “We want to offer you the job.”
She blinked at him. “Me?”