Page 74 of Tasting Fire
“It’s done.” Emmy nodded once as if convincing herself. “And I’m not changing my mind.”
“Didn’t our talk last night mean anything?” Cash put a hand on each of the arms of Emmy’s chair, blocking her in. “You can’t really believe you have to perform perfectly to deserve to lead this team. Hell, if that were the case, I wouldn’t have a shot at doing it.”
“I made some very serious mistakes. But more than that, I need a little time and distance.” The way she saidtimeset off ading-ding-dingin Cash’s head.
Time for what?
“The people who hired me were wrong,” she continued. “You are absolutely ready to lead the tac team. Maybe more ready than I was.”
“That’s the most insane thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
“I’m questioning whether or not I should’ve ever come back to Steele Ridge at all.”
Now that hit him hard, like a boxing glove filled with lead. If she was questioning being here, then she was questioning if she should be with him.
“I’ll be honest,” she said. “I was more than a little arrogant, thinking I could come in here and teach people something. Could elevate the quality of the tactical medical team. Sometimes the worst thing you can do is bring in an outsider. The cracks started the first day. Your colleagues thought the job was yours and they were ready to follow your lead. I screwed that up.”
“They should want to learn from and be led by the best.”
“Look at what’s happened since I came home, Cash. A brick through the Murchison building window, a lawsuit, and now a boy is dead.”
“And you think it’s all connected somehow?”
“I’m not sure. No, not really, because I think Oliver—my ex—encouraged the Hernandez family to file suit. It justfeelslike I brought the bubonic plague with me.”
Brought it with her. Like the chaosfollowedher. But how could a random swatting incident relate to Emmy?
Something was there, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it. And when that happened, it meant he needed to look a little deeper. “I need to make a call.”
“Why?” Emmy asked, but Cash ignored her to stand and pull out his phone. “Cash…”
“Gimme a sec here.” He dialed and a few seconds later, his posture relaxed. “Sully, can you come in and cover the rest of Davidson’s shift?”
At the other person’s response Cash’s mouth tightened. “Dude, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. Get your ass in here and I’ll mow and trim your yard for three months. No charge.”
Another pause. Then Cash grunted and said, “That’s what I thought. Be here in thirty.”
Cash shook his head. “No, an hour won’t cut it. Thirty minutes or I’ll be forced to tell you-know-who about you-know-what.” He disconnected and looked up at Emmy.
“Did you really just blackmail one of your coworkers?”
“Guys need motivation.” He must’ve caught the look of disbelief on her face because he laughed and said, “It’s nothing terrible. Just a surprise party he’s been trying to pull off for his wife with no luck in six years.”
“And people think you’re just a simple, easygoing guy…”
“I can play a little hardball when I need to.” He stole a piece of paper from the desk and scratched something down. Then he shoved it into her hands. “My address. I need to change clothes before we head out.”
“Head out where?”
“To talk with Jonah.”
