Page 15 of The Sunken Truth
“Sometimes it’s easier not to fight.”
“That doesn’t sound like you.”
A moment passed before the mattress sank as he sat beside her.
“The superintendent and I go way back,” he said. “He’s the reason I’m here. He can’t stand me and he wanted me out of the way.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
He sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t want to tell you.”
A lump formed in her throat and she told herself not to take it personally.
“Sorry,” he said. “But it’s a long story and some of it reflects badly on me. I don’t want you to know, because I don’t want you to know the worst parts of me.”
Tears stung the back of her eyes. “You couldn’t tell me anything about your past that would make me think differently about you.”
“Thank you,” he breathed.
She smiled. “You’re still not going to tell me?”
“I have to deal with him.” He pointed at the door.
“He seems vile,” Lily said. “I hate that he talks to you like you’re nothing and you just take it.”
“He’s a superintendent,” Flynn said. “He has the power to make or break my career.”
“It seems wrong that your career depends on one man’s opinion of you.”
“Maybe. But…”
“What?”
“This might be very naïve of me, but he got me transferred over here. Which means he probably has the sway to make my posting here more permanent.”
“He could make it so you could stay?”
“Maybe. But since the sergeant already told him Iwantto stay, he won’t do it out of spite.”
“You need to get him to like you?” Lily asked dubiously.
“That’s probably unlikely, but if I change his opinion of me… get him to see that I’m a decent man and a good officer, there’s a chance I could persuade him. I haven’t decided if I’ll stoop to begging, but…”
“Please don’t,” Lily said. “It’s not worth it.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” He turned and looked her deep in the eyes. “I really want to stay.”
All she could manage was a nod. She bit her lip, wanting to tell him she’d beg on his behalf if he thought it would help, but kept the thought to herself.
“Thank you for coming over today,” he said. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course.” She stood and smiled at him. “We’ll have the beers another night. Good luck with him.” She pointed in the vague direction of the living room.
“Thanks,” Flynn said wearily. “I expect I’ll need it.”
Chapter Eight
The superintendent’ssharp features remained blank as he scanned the Old Town Inn with a critical eye. Leaning back in his chair, he regarded the room with its solid oak tables and chairs, about half of which were occupied. Finally, he took a sip of his pint and flicked his gaze to Flynn over his glass.
