Page 11 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“What does that mean?” He asked.

“It means it’s above our paygrade.” Maddie replied taking a deep breath. Was this what Holden meant when he said more complicated, she wondered. It had to be a government agency. She knew it. It was the only thing that made sense but still, why was she on the case? Surely this was better sent up to the big boys on the twelfth floor. The Spoofs as everyone joked who dealt with the serious stuff, the messy stuff. The stuff that never left their office, never left their desks.

“I’m getting a coffee.” She said getting up and feeling a headache coming on. “Do you want one?”

“Yes boss.” He said smiling and she rolled her eyes. He’d clearly picked that one up from Burke.

She walked into the kitchenette and saw Burke lingering by the microwave.

“What are you doing looking all shifty?” She asked and he sshhd her.

“What?” She said.

“I’m hiding out from Rowena.” He hissed back at her.

“Rowena? From accounts?” She said.

“Yeah she’s on the warpath.” Burke stated.

“What did you do? Forget to file your expenses.” She laughed but he didn’t.

“I fucked up big time. Think they’re gonna bust my arse over it.”

“Seriously?” Maddie said.

“Yeah. Look if anyone asks say you haven’t seen me today okay?”

“Sure thing.” She said and then she glanced over her shoulder.” Quick get behind the door, she’s on her way over.”

“That better not be a joke.” He hissed rushing to hide behind it like his life depending upon it.

“Hey Cooper, you haven’t seen your buddy Burke anywhere?” Rowena asked sticking her head round the doorway.

“No not today, how come?” Maddie replied glancing up like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Oh nothing much, just need to run something by him. Can you get him to swing past our office when he’s back.” She said.

“Sure thing Rowena.” Maddie said before reaching for the coffee pot.

As soon as she was gone Burke popped back out from his hiding spot.

“Thanks boss I owe you one.” He said.

“Yeah you do.” She replied laughing.

“Also, just so you know word on the street is that you’re filing some sort of complaint…” He added.

“About what?” She asked.

“Sexual harassment. Apparently there was an incident in the gym that a lot of people saw…”

She scoffed. “Is that a joke?”

“So you’re saying you’re not then?” He asked.

She rolled her eyes.

“He’s a sexpest, he always has been.” Burke stated.

“Yeah but that’s not gonna change. And as much as I’d like to haul him over the coals for it, I’ll deal with it my way. I’m not going to play party politics thanks.” She stated before taking the two coffee mugs and walking back out.

She sat alongside McCullough watching the man, watching Anderson. He was just as average as the file suggested. Medium build, medium height, bland boring hair, spectacles and clean-shaven. He was the kind of guy you’d expect to see as manager of a local bank. Not flashy, not fancy, just meh. They’d decided to tail him for the day not because they expected anything but because Maddie was sick of going through financials, sick of staring at paperwork and truth be told she wanted some space from the office.

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