Page 25 of Shadows of Before

Will had finally gotten his bearings with Katie and was feeling good. He went out to his backyard and sat sipping his coffee. Happy. Or happy enough. He wished he’d hear from the Secret Service.

An hour later, his phone rang. The caller was blocked. His heartbeat went right to a thud. “Will Kirkland.”

“Mr. Kirkland, Anderson Jacobs here.” The Special Agent in charge of the Secret Service.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m informing you that the panel investigating your case has found you negligent on the 5/15.”

Now, his heart clutched. “In what way?”

“Eyes on the target, Kirkland. Always.”

Something came to him. “The president considers me his best agent. He’s told me so.”

“The president is still isolating.”

“So he doesn’t know you’re canning me?”

“We’re not canning you. But you’re getting a permanent demotion.”

“Doing what?”

“No more protective duty. You’re assigned to Treasury.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ll have my resignation in your email today.”

“Are you sure, Will?”

“Very.” He disconnected. And sat back down. The entire trajectory of his life had changed in an instant.

* * *

Will had left Kate after their shower sex and she went to spend the night with Mary. They had a ball, eating popcorn in her bed, painting each other’s nails, reliving old times. They talked about the future, too. She admitted to Mary that there might be more between her and Will than she knew consciously. Mary had let go of a very unladylike snort. “You think?”

She’d gone to work almost happy. But she hadn’t heard from Will.

“Get it together, Donovan,” Landry said, nastily. She hated when he was on nights the same as she was.

“What’s with you, Landry? Man, are you grumpy.”

“Me? Fuck you.”

“Unfortunately, I heard that.”

Kate’s eyes widened and Landry jerked around. “Chief. I um…”

“In my office.”

Fuming, Landry headed into the squad room. The chief crossed to Kate. “Would you have reported the verbal abuse Donovan?”

“No. I told you I don’t want them to get more ammunition to hurt me.”

His gaze narrowed on her. “What happened to Lt. Kate Donovan of the past?”

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