Rogers shrugged. “I never liked the raw deal Adams got from the department and I believed Flynn’s evidence against him played a big part in it. Seeing Adams at the arena every time we practiced was a reminder, a slap in the face that brought the fact back to mind. I guess I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“And so you spouted off to Flynn before the game?”
“Yea, I did,” Rogers said, defensively. He paused and added, “Not my best moment.”
“No kidding, Sherlock.”
Worry settled over Rogers’ features. “Do you think the commander will bring me up for disciplinary action?”
“How should I know?” Will said. “Burns asked me to gather information about the incident and that’s what I’m doing. Outside of what internal affairs is looking at, I suppose the commander is also considering whether he needs to act, but that’s above my pay grade. I’m a consultant.”
“Anything else you need to know?” Rogers asked, getting to his feet.
“How do you like working with Dugan?”
“He’s okay. We only just started working together, so I can’t give you a personal opinion yet, but we seem to be getting along okay.”
“I figured you were,” Will said, “or you wouldn’t have jumped in, having his back in the fight like you did.”
“I’d hope he’d do the same for me.” The defensive tone returned to Rogers’ voice. “We’re brothers in blue, after all.”
Nodding, Will rose. “Thanks for your time.
“You’re welcome,” Rogers said.
“We all worked together great on the ice,” Will mused. “Too bad when we finally play the exhibition game we’ll be down a player.”
“Do you think we’ll get to play it?” Rogers asked.
Will shrugged. “Tickets were sold, and it was for a charity fundraiser. I can’t see the department having to refund the money because we don’t. They’ll find a time for us to play before hockey season ends. It might not be before Christmas or the end of the year, but we’ll be back on the ice soon enough.”
“I hope so,” Rogers said. “I’d like for our team to bring home the trophy in Flynn’s honor.”
“Maybe we can,” Will said. “Thanks for talking to me.”
“If you think of anything else you need to ask me about, let me know,” Rogers said, walking him to the door. “Sorry for being such a prick, being put on administrative leave over this has hit me hard.”
Will only nodded. “It’ll be over with soon.”
Rogers offered him an outstretched hand and Will shook it before leaving the tiny space and heading for the elevator.
Brand metWyatt at the arena around one thirty that afternoon when they knew Monte Adams would be on shift. “I really appreciate you coming out to help me with Colleen still in the hospital,” Brand said.
“No problem,” Wyatt assured him. “She was glad to have me out of there, especially with the lactation consultant coming to work with her. Nursing is not working out for her like she thought it would. Has Carly decided on bottle or breast yet?”
Brand shook his head. “We haven’t gotten into any of those decisions. Her morning sickness has just subsided to where she is feeling like a human again.”
“I remember those mornings with Colleen,” Wyatt said and gave a little laugh. “The glares she gave me when it was really bad and didn’t like it when I reminded her she was the one who had wanted to get pregnant in the first place.”
“When it comes down to it, it is always our fault, no matter what,” Brand laughed as well.
“Yep. I heard it all during delivery, especially when Christopher wasn’t cooperating with being born and then they finally decided to do the c-section,” Wyatt said. “And when he came out at almost ten pounds, Colleen said the Seals must have genetically altered me or something.”
Brand chuckled. “Heaven forbid if we have a ten pounder too. The two of them will throw that up to us every change they get.”
“Besides, Colleen’s parents are both coming by this afternoon,” Wyatt said. “I love my in-laws, but I can only take them together in small doses at a time and if they show up together to see their first grandchild, I don’t want to be there if they start bickering.”
“Surely, they wouldn’t,” Brand said as they walked down the corridor searching for Adams.
