Page 118 of Need You
Chapter Twenty-One
By the following Friday, Colt still couldn’t believe he hadn’t been sacked. The rumors continued to swirl, each day Carrie Jo reporting the latest gossip twist about his future. No one at SFPD knew Brian, though a few of them continued to reach out for intel. Colt didn’t delude himself into thinking that he was out of the woods. Firings tended to happen when you least expected them to.
As a distraction, he’d immersed himself in preparations for Delaney’s big fashion show. TJ thought the show would turn Garner Adventure into a Fortune 500 company, which made the rest of them mock him to no end. Needless to say, everyone was excited, most of all Delaney, whose creative streak had come back with a vengeance. Despite putting the finishing touches on her designs, orchestrating a large-scale production, and dealing with potential investors, she still made time for him. They spent every night together and had even taken a Sunday to go on another white-water outing. Fall had arrived and soon the snow would come, not leaving many days left for river rafting.
She hadn’t said anything about moving back to LA, but Colt wasn’t delusional enough to think she’d settle in Glory Junction or that their relationship was anything more than a fling—her rebound after Robert. At least this time he knew what to expect and braced himself for her departure, never letting himself get too attached. That way when the time came, he’d deal with it like a man, not an adrenaline junkie.
Carrie Jo stuck her head in his office, pulling him from his thoughts. “Benjamin Schuster is here.”
He could see fear in her eyes. Looked like the mayor had sent the city attorney to do his dirty work.
“I can tell him you’re busy, to come back later.”
Why put off the inevitable? “Send him in, Carrie Jo.”
“Fine. But I’m quitting in solidarity.”
“Don’t do that. Let’s get you another job first.”
While she left to get Ben, Colt sat stiffly, ready to go to his own execution. Jack came in and shut the door.
“Ben can wait a few minutes,” he said. Jack, a mostly jovial guy, breathed fire. “I just want you to know that you’re the best boss I’ve ever had and that this whole thing is bullshit. Pond is a jackass and come reelection he won’t have my vote. In fact, I’ll actively campaign against him for whoever is running.”
The words echoed Delaney’s, which made Colt feel good. “Don’t worry about me, Jack. Just take care of yourself. I’ll be fine. The department will be fine.” Though it felt as if he were giving his baby to someone else to raise.
Jack looked like he wanted to say more but thought better of it. “Drinks on me at Old Glory after work. I’ll cover you tonight so you can get shit-faced.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
As he left, Jack ushered Ben in, scowling at the poor city attorney, who was just the messenger.
“Hey, Ben, come on in.” Colt offered him a seat. “Carrie Jo get you something to drink?”
“I suspect that if I took a drink from Carrie Jo it would be poisoned. You have a loyal staff, Colt, which speaks volumes about your leadership.”
Enough with platitudes. Colt wished Ben would just do it already. Rip the Band-Aid off.
“What’s up, Ben?”
“I suppose you’ve heard the rumors.” Ben squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.
“What rumors?” Even though Ben was only doing his job, Colt didn’t want to make it too easy for him.
“You know what rumors. I’m not here to fire you, Colt. But it’s imminent; Pond wanted it done a week ago. I’m stalling him because there’s something going on that may save your job.”
Colt leaned forward in his chair. “Like what?”
“Something I’m not supposed to talk about, something I’ve been putting off telling you because it’s critical that this doesn’t leak out.” He had Colt’s full attention. “The city council has hired a forensic accountant to look at the mayor’s spending habits. It’s all very hush-hush, as you could imagine.”
Colt jerked his head in surprise. “Embezzlement?”
“Let’s just say some numbers don’t add up. Rita noticed the discrepancy. The woman might seem flighty with her nutty beef-cake calendars and her hundred and one projects, but she’s sharp as a tack—and she’s on your side.”
Colt had wondered. The council had been so quiet in the last few weeks, he’d thought that they’d sided with Pond. This explained a lot.
“Why didn’t you bring the police in?” he asked.
Ben leaned forward. “Given the fact that everyone in town knows Pond wants to fire you, the council thought it would be better to go with an objective outsider. But, Colt, we could be wrong about this. Pond may have an explanation for the inconsistencies.”
