Page 47 of Fighting for Tawny

Moira ended the call and swore like her brother. “Idiots!” She saw Tawny watching her and strode forward. “How much of that did you overhear?”

“Enough to know we’re suspended.”

“But not disbanded. That’s the good news.”

The timer on the stove buzzed. Moira grabbed an oven mitt and removed a pan of blueberry muffins. She’d already scrambled eggs and fried pieces of ham. Tawny set the table, and by the time everything was ready, Yolanda and Terrin strolled into the bunkhouse with Dee, Debbie, Ronette, and Susan. Barbie, the shyest, poured coffee and orange juice for everyone.

After they filled their plates, Moira announced, “Titans, I heard from the fire chief this morning. We’re suspended until further notice.”

Exclamations of disbelief went around the table. Moira allowed them to voice their objections and disappointment, then held up a hand.

“I understand how you feel. But take heart. No one is talking about disbanding us. So, while we wait to hear back from Chief Pierce, we’ll continue our training and stay prepared for the next emergency. Today, however, I want you to rest. You went through a lot yesterday.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when the door flew open, and Whitcomb crossed the threshold. His eyes blazed, and he wore the expression of a lean and hungry wolf.

“I’m back.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Moira rose to her feet. “And you owe us an apology.”

Whitcomb sneered. “That’ll be the day.” He gazed at the group eating breakfast. “Where are Joy and Precious?”

“Not back yet. Don’t you have a job to do? Standing guard?”

He shot Moira a look of pure hatred and left the bunkhouse. They let out their breath and relaxed.

“I’ve never liked him,” Yolanda remarked. “Captain, can’t we request a different guard?”

“We’ll have to wait and see if Colfer is replaced. At the moment, it’s better to have an enemy we know than one we don’t know.”

“Is Whitcomb our enemy?” Susan asked.

“It’s just an expression,” Moira replied. “It means you’re familiar with him. You know what he’s about.”

“Yeah, he’s a first-class asshole,” Barbie declared.

Their heads swiveled in her direction. She hardly ever voiced her opinion about anything.

“What?” She shrugged. “It’s true, isn’t it?”

Everyone chuckled. Breakfast ended on a much lighter note than when it began.

After they tended to their chores, some of the women went outside to play basketball or to smoke. Another group started a game of cards in Bunkhouse B. Tawny, Yolanda, and Terrin wandered away from the others to have a private conversation.

“So, what’s the deal, T?” Yolanda asked.

“You’ve heard about some inmates disappearing or dying of drug overdoses?”

They nodded.

“It has something to do with Warden Stoltz, Judge Cohen, and Perry Jones, the public defender. Whitcomb’s name has come up, too. That’s why he needs to stick around.”

“What are they doing?” Terrin wanted to know.

“I’m not sure yet. But Lucy died from an alleged overdose shortly after she contacted me. Lucy wasn’t an addict.”

“She knew somethin’ she wasn’t supposed to,” Yolanda guessed.

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