“Commander. Long time,” a female says.
I look her way and smile. “Hey, Sharon. How’s the rotation?”
“Brutal.” She grins. “Just the way I like it.”
“Good. Keep at it.”
She goes through the inner doors. I follow a few seconds later, swiping my card at the reader. The system beeps green.
I take the stairs to the third floor instead of the elevator.
The bullpen is busy as always. Phones are going. Two of my mid-rank officers are at the map wall, marking something I can’t see from here. Magma’s office is at the far end, glass-walled but with the blinds half-drawn. I can see the outline of him at his desk through the slats.
I cut through the bullpen. A few of the team look up.
I catch Flint at the rear, and his face brightens when he sees me. He waves, and I wave back, trying hard to play it cool. Flint is Magma’s second-in-command and a friend. I’ve been avoiding him, too.
This whole situation is a total fuck up.
“Commander. You’re back?” someone shouts.
“Just visiting.” I keep moving.
Magma’s PA looks up as I approach, and her whole face lights up.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” She stands. “Commander.”
“Jess.” I stop at her desk. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.” She gives a small, tight smile and uses her thumb to point at the door to Magma’s office. “He’s been a nightmare. This place is crazy. Everything has gone to hell in the last week or two. He’ll calm down after seeing you. He always does. You have that effect on him.”
I smile. “Can I go in?”
“He’s on a call.” She glances back through the crack in the blinds. “Should be done soon. I’d wait if I were you.” She makes a face.
I move to the small bench against the wall and sit. From here, I can see Magma through the gap in the blinds. He has his head bent toward the desk, phone pressed to his ear. His other hand is in his hair. He looks like he hasn’t slept properly.
He runs the frontline. The Mistveil situation is nowhere near settled. Reds are still trying to slip through. He has his hands full, and he doesn’t need this on top of it.
My phone vibrates against my thigh. I pull it out. Robyn is calling me. I frown. It’s the second time she’s trying.
“Commander.”
I look up.
“Magma is ready to see you,” Jess says.
I slip the phone back into my pocket. I’ll call Robyn when I’m done here. Perhaps I left something at her office.
Magma looks up from his desk as I walk in. His face shifts the moment he sees it’s me. The strain pulls back behind his eyes, and he gives me the same crooked smile he has given me a thousand times before.
“Look who finally remembered where the office is.” He stands. “Get over here.”
He comes around the desk, and we clasp forearms. He claps my shoulder hard enough to make most males stagger. I stay put. He grins.
“When are we having a beer together again? It’s been too damned long. Is this assignment keeping you busy?”
“Ithasbeen far too long.”
