Captain Malone appeared in the hallway, looking frazzled and exhausted. He nodded to Hope. “A word, Lieutenant?”
“We’ll keep you posted,” she said to Hope before she went to see what the captain needed.
“What’s up?” she asked Malone.
“Just got off the phone with the mayor. She’s appointed me acting chief while Joe is out and you acting deputy chief while Jeannie is out.”
“What the… What?”
“You heard me, Lieutenant.”
“But… what about all the captains? Why would she skip over them to come to me for that when she knows I don’t want it?” She’d already offered the position to Sam once before, right after Nick had become president. Thankfully, Sam had been able to talk her out of the idea before it caught wind.
“You’ll have to take that up with her. This was her order to me.”
“Do we have any latitude to say who’d be best to step into that position while Jeannie is out? By any measure, that person is not me. What about Ruiz?”
“If that’s what you want, please call the mayor and express your concerns to her.”
“Is it okay if I do that?”
“Feel free, just come out of it with someone assigned to be deputy, because I could really use the help.”
“I’m sorry to make your situation more difficult, but?—”
“It’s fine. I get it. The captains would be pissed, and you don’t need that. Tell her that. Suggest Ruiz.”
“I’ll take care of it. What can I do in the meantime?”
“The press is clamoring for a briefing. Do you think you could handle that?”
She wasn’t sure what she wanted less—to be acting deputy chief or brief the press about the aftermath of the bombing. “Sure. Happy to help.”
“Don’t lie to my face.”
Sam laughed. He knew her far too well. “Can you give me the talking points?”
“I’ll brief you in twenty minutes.”
* * *
While she waited for Malone, Sam went into her office and closed the door to make the call to the mayor’s office. For ten million reasons, there was no way she could serve as deputy chief, acting or otherwise.
“This is Lieutenant Sam Holland with the MPD calling to speak with Mayor Brewster if she’s available.”
“It’s a pleasure to speak to you, ma’am.”
Sam rolled her eyes and bit her tongue to keep from snapping at the starstruck receptionist.
When she realized Sam wouldn’t engage in any first lady nonsense, the woman said, “Please hold while I get her for you.”
“Thank you.”
While she waited, Sam drummed her fingers on the desk, determined to avoid this assignment no matter what she had to do or say.
“Lieutenant,” Mayor Brewster said. “What a nice surprise to hear you were on the line. I assume Captain Malone has passed along my message.”
“He has, and while I’m honored you’d consider me, ma’am, I’m afraid I cannot accept the position, even on a temporary basis.”
