“Why is 15 closed?”
“We’re having staffing problems.”
“Went from too many officers to too few? Saw Clarke and Rodriguez here today.”
“Cordova rightly reassigned the remaining crew, and I agreed with his decision to shut things down. I can’t do the work of four men.”
“I’ll help,” McClunis said.
“Did you walk on your own power into HQ, or did Trevor carry you?”
“He helped.”
“Can you even climb in and out of the Chief Car?”
“Dammit, Chief. I don’t like this. We worked our assess of to build the women up in 15. I’m gone for a few months, and it goes to hell! Those are my people, and Cordova thinks he knows them better than me?”
“Williams kept excellent notes. Rodriguez was within her rights to request transfer. You thought about transferring her,” Noah reminded her.
“Her snowplow plan on Veteran’s Day saved our bacon. Knight stepped up in Clarke’s place. And Hudgens has officer potential. I’ve read 13‘s recommendation.”
Noah had to hide his internal flinch. Firehouse 13 was very excited about adding Erin to their staff since she was a born team player. Too bad she hadn’t been as thrilled with the news.
“I don’t have an opinion on that one way or another. She showed promise when I captained her,” Noah said, wishing the mere mention of her didn’t feel like a fire axe to the chest.
“Give me a fucking job.”
“I’ll make you a trade. Help Cordova with Battalion 10 and see if there’s a way to keep 15 open… and finish Francis’s paperwork for me.” Noah felt an almost sadistic glee to pass the Ball’s planning on her.
Leslie objected to the part that Noah had not expected. “Spend time with Cordova?”
“Battalion 10 has the majority of our women,” Noah said, mystified.
“I’m going to need aides and an office. With my injuries and all, they’ll need to pick up stuff from Cordova,” McClunis said, an odd gleam in her eye.
Noah regarded her comments with growing suspicion. While Leslie wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, he’d always respected her. Yet now that he thought about it, in three years, he’d rarely seen Leslie and Cordova interact at any meeting. “Most of it can be done on a laptop from the comfort of your own home.”
“Better to do it in HQ. You have a deal, sir.” McClunis turned to Francis. “Don’t waste my time with bullshit. I’ll sign any paper you need. Follow me.”
She limped out with Francis trailing behind her. Noah hoped McClunis left her in one piece.
Chapter 44
On New Year’s Eve, Abby left him four messages. She believed he deserved happiness after sacrificing enough for the department. In her mind, her little brother was a good person who did his best.
He wasn’t. He was heartless. The Chief couldn’t afford mercy with lives on the line daily. No room for weakness or regret.
Unlike on TV, there were no easy fixes. He could no more bring Alexandria Williams back from the dead than he could fly. He couldn’t make choices based on his personal loyalties.
Noah hit the bag with his right hook and became aware he was no longer alone in the HQ gym, even though the Ball didn’t require his presence until 9:30 p.m.
Aiden Clarke stopped by in a tuxedo.
“Clarke?” Noah grabbed a towel and wiped himself off. A check with the clock confirmed he had another hour.
“Hello, sir.” Clark’s eyes were different than he had been the last time Noah saw him. Less pain.
“Working late?” Noah tried to keep irritation out of his tone.
