“Because your trainee texted me, said you needed to talk, and insisted I keep her informed if you weren’t in my office in two minutes.” Walter reared back in his chair and rested his hands on his belly.
Where to start? “I need some time off.”
“How much time?”
Lucky shrugged. “A few weeks. I’m not sure yet.”
“You’re off probation, you don’t need to ask my permission if you have enough vacation days.”
Nope. Getting the house ready for Bo ate all the days Lucky saved. “I need a medical leave of absence.”
“I see.” Walter sat up straighter in his chair. “You don’t have to explain. Fill out the forms with H.R. So why are you really here?”
Because ever since the father given to Lucky by nature disowned him, Walter filled in nicely for the role. “Because I’m trying to do the right thing, and my track record for doing the right thing ain’t too good.”
“I don’t agree, but if you need to talk, you know I’m here for you.”
“I haven’t seen my Dad since before I got locked up. Now he’s dying. Or rather, he might be.” Lucky paused and attempted to string words together sensibly. “My sister told me a piece of my liver could save him. Even though the old man’ll never find out what I’ve done, I got to do this.”
Walter nodded. “It sounds to me like you’re doing the right thing.”
Lucky buried his face in his hands. “I miss him. I miss the whole damn family.” No. he wouldn’t hide from Walter, and he dropped his hands back into his lap. “The doctor says it don’t happen often, but sometimes the donor has… complications.”
“I’ve known both organ donors and recipients who’ve had no problems. It’s a relatively safe procedure.”
“Yeah, but in my life, if things can go wrong, they do.” And horribly so.
“I beg to differ with you. You’ve made a tremendous impact for the better on this bureau and your fellow agents.” Strange how Walter’s assurances almost blocked out the doctor’s dire warnings. Almost.
One agent in particular he’d had impact on, though maybe not for the better. “I wanted to let you know what was what. They tell me I’ll be out of work for about six to eight weeks.”
“I appreciate your telling me. I’ll reassign your cases and put off field training until you’re ready to return. As your department manager, I’ll ask that you plan your absence with me, and as a friend I’ll ask if I can do anything.”
Not much anyone could do. “You’re a praying man, right?”
“I am.”
“Say one for me.” Or one hundred. Lucky needed all the help he could get.
“I always do.”
Of course he did. “Thanks, boss.”
“Anytime. Might I ask what you’ll do with your pets while you’re gone?”
“Mrs. Griggs offered to take them. The cat’ll be fine there, but I’m afraid she might find Moose a bit of a handful, so we’re taking him to a kennel.” Poor guy. Cooped up in a kennel, with no room to run and no squirrels to chase.
Walter shook his graying head. “You’ll do no such thing! We have a large, fenced-in yard, and I quite like your dog. We’d be honored if you’d let him stay with us.” He gave a forced smile. “The local squirrels have become quite complacent, I’m afraid. They could do with a bit of exercise.”
Wow. “Really? You don’t mind? What about your wife?”
“She’d have my hide if I allowed that sweet creature to go to a kennel.” Walter gave Lucky his best boss face. Daring Lucky to say no?
“It’d take a load of my… I mean, Bo’s mind.” There Lucky went, nearly blowing his hard-assed reputation again.
“Then I’ll tell Lucy to expect him. She’ll need time to buy the pet shop out of dog toys.”
What more could Lucky say? “Thanks, boss. Now I reckon I better get down to H.R. and find out if my insurance will cover the medical costs.”
