Page 17 of Gunner

He pushed himself up to stand and held on to the side of his truck for support.

“Good luck proving that in court.”

“I’ll have those three buffoons arrested unless you have the list on my desk within forty-eight hours. From what I overheardtonight about recruitment, you can’t afford to lose more members, let alone three of your best, I’d assume, right?”

“This why you came here tonight? To find a bargaining chip?”

“I wouldn’t need to be here at all if you would cooperate.”

“I thought you didn’t believe I had a record of membership.”

“I’m sure you, as the president, can come up with a list.” The alarm to his truck disengaged, and the doors unlocked. “I’ll see you in forty-eight hours, then.”

He moved to open the door, but I blocked him with my arm. “It goes both ways. You bring my guys in for what’s nothing but a little misunderstanding, and I don’t share anything with you.”

“You haven’t shared anything useful with me.”

I gritted my teeth. “Because there’s nothing to tell yet.” Did he think I would have information that would lead to the arrest of those selling the kids and not share it?

“Let’s say I believe that. Does that mean when you have useful information, you will pass it on?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Nothing you need to know right now. Get into your truck and go. We see your face around here when you’re not invited and—”

“And what? You’ll have me beaten up again?”

I punched him in the gut so quickly he didn’t have time to dodge the blow. It hit him right in the same spot he’d been favoring.

Doubled over, Witter dry heaved. “You…scum—”

“Don’t forget it.”

I hopped onto my girl and rode away, spraying him with loose dirt. If only it made me feel better.

5

BEN

Today, Ben talked about a future together. I wish I could give him an answer, but I don't even know where I'll be sleeping tonight.

“Chief Witter, do you have a minute?”

I swallowed my groan and turned slowly with a smile I was far from feeling as I faced the man heading in my direction. I’d been trying to leave the city council meeting quietly instead of stopping to chat like I used to. With no further details to provide on the baby farm case, I’d preferred to slink away with my tail tucked between my legs rather than to keep repeating I had nothing new to share. Then I had to deal with the disappointment lingering in their eyes and the words I knew they whispered behind my back that I was incompetent as an acting chief.

I didn’t blame them. Some days I really felt I was incompetent. Without Mason to ground me, I had no one to look to for guidance. He’d always known what to say and do when I was overthinking.

“Mayor Getty.” I offered my hand. “I enjoyed your presentation on the upcoming infrastructural developments for the city. The new public park and revamped transit system sound like great initiatives.”

He shook my hand briefly, then dropped it. “Is that why you’re in a haste to leave so quickly today?”

“Sorry about that, but I have a lot on my desk to tackle. Just wanted to get started on it.”

He patted my shoulder. “Be at ease. Walk me to my car.”

We moved past clusters of people engaged in postmeeting chatter. Their laughter and earnest conversations were at odds with my internal turmoil. The mayor didn’t stop but gave a brief nod here and a smile there to acknowledge city employees and local reporters as we made our way to the parking lot. I wasn’t the only one beating a hasty retreat from the meeting, then.

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