Still, why would DEA have even investigated the place after SNB gave it a clean bill of health, “anonymous tip” or no? One and one added up to no fucking sense. “I still say I doubt the illegal shipment.”
“Well, the state Board of Pharmacy sure believes. After the DEA’s report they’ve shut Chastain down for the foreseeable future.”
“What the fuck?”
O’Donoghue piled on the scorn. “I’ll give it to you straight. You recently completed a grueling assignment in Mexico. You were abducted, by your own account.”
“My own account? Ask Johnson! Ask B… Schollenberger.”
“Yes, your loyal fan club. One’s sleeping with you and the other socializes with you off-duty.” The sonofabitch shook his head. “Then there’s the matter of your continued counseling and recent major surgery.”
What the ever-loving fuck? “Saving my dad’s life by parting with a chunk of liver’s got nothing to do with this.”
A bit of a growl crept into O’Donoghue’s tone. “I beg to differ. Your brother was recently discovered to be trafficking in illegal substances. Another brother is in drug rehab. You have a rather traumatic family life, don’t you?”
The Lucklighter clan was no more dysfunctional than any other family. “Leave my folks out of this. If you’ve got something to say about me, then say it.”
At least the fuckwad didn’t bring up the ethics committee looking into his and Bo’s relationship. Circulating the rumor of Bo wanting to transfer at least served some purpose.
“Okay. You want me to be blunt, I will be.” O’Donoghue leaned back in his… no, Walter’s, chair, or should be if the asshole hadn’t made the department buy a new one, crossing his arms across his chest. “You’ve been with this department over twelve years. Which is close to the record for field agents. Burnout is high in our line of work.”
“Yeah, it is. Lucky for you, I’m not about to burn out.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Look, you’ve been doing sloppy work, you’re bordering on insubordination now. Both classic signs of burnout. Plus, you’ve admitted yourself that you’re unsure about what might have happened with the whole Chastain Pharmaceuticals audit.”
“What the fuck?” He’d said no such thing. At least, not to O’Donoghue or any of his butt-kissers. But he had spoken to… No, it couldn’t be. Whatever he did, he couldn’t let O’Donoghue’s direct hit show on his face or in his body language. He bristled, letting his anger twist his features into a sneer, but he wouldn’t show fear. “I am not burned out. I’m just getting warmed up good.” As soon as this clusterfuck ended, he’d hunt down Loretta Johnson and find out exactly what she’d told O’Donoghue and why.
O’Donoghue stood. “I don’t agree, and neither do those I answer to. Between your recent questionable judgement and criminal past, I’m afraid I have no choice but to assign you to desk duty until further notice. I’ll not risk agents out on the streets counting on someone unstable.”
Why, the little shit! “Unstable? I’ll give you unstable.” Lucky leapt toward the desk.
O’Donoghue quickly schooled his wide-eyed fear into a scowl. “Violence is another sign of burnout.”
Oh shit. Not much of a reaction. Which meant one thing: somewhere someone recorded every second of their exchange. “What about Schollenberger and Johnson?”
“They’d likely defend you with their dying breath. They’re loyal. Too loyal, and can’t see what a danger you’ve become to yourself and this department. Otherwise, they’re both exemplary agents and will be assigned to a new handler.”
Lucky stared daggers at his non-boss. “Who?” The only danger Lucky presented was to O’Donoghue’s superiority complex.
“Owen Landry.”
And maybe Landry’s.
Owen Landry, another loaner from DEA sent here to train. Must be a slow learner, staying so long. He’d also had the nerve to cozy up to Bo. Like his puppet master O’Donoghue, Owen strutted around like the lone cock in the henhouse. Prick was more like it.
“That piece of shit? He’s not even fully trained.”
O’Donoghue’s face remained an impassive mask. “I believe otherwise. Guess whose opinion matters?”
Lucky would be happy to bitch slap the smug straight off the bastard’s face. “What will I be doing?” Like he didn’t know. He’d been pretty much on desk duty for the past few days.
“The usual. Searching websites for illegal suppliers. Making controlled purchases.”
“Rookie work.” If Lucky clenched his teeth any harder his jaw might break.
“Work that needs doing. Now, I’m being generous offering you a chance to remain with the department when many in my place wouldn’t.”
“What are you talking about? Not too long ago the big boys tried recruiting me.” Yes, he had friends in high places, whose reach made the SNB seem like a neighborhood watch.
