Page 31 of What We May Be

“That’s Mayor to you.”

“I don’t care what you call yourself,” she said from a good two inches above him with her heels back on. “If you disrespect my chief or my officers, then don’t expect me to show you any respect in return.”

“This is ridiculous.” Craig stepped back, clearly uncomfortable having to look up at her.

Sean shifted off the desk, uncomfortable for an entirely different reason. Charlie was stunning with that temper on full display.

“Wallace called first thing this morning, did he not?”

“Well, yes,” Craig stammered.

Charlie crowded into his space, forcing his gaze up again. “Then I’ll tell you what’s ridiculous. You barging into this station, wasting time that could be better spent on the investigation.”

“I’m the mayor of this town.” Craig fumed, his face growing redder by the second. “When I request a meeting with the police chief and the detective in charge of this case, that’s who I want to speak to. Not some minion.”

Sean sensed a loaded, angry undercurrent running between them that involved more than just this case. Seeking to diffuse the tension, he stepped forward. “Abel and Charlie were at a crime scene this morning, then all of us were chasing down leads. There hasn’t been time for a call, much less a meeting.”

Craig’s gaze shot to him, and his eyes grew wide when they landed on the sidearm at his hip. “Who are you?”

He dug his badge out of his pocket and flipped it open for the other man. “Special Agent Sean Hale.”

An ugly Cheshire cat grin split the mayor’s face. “Well, I’m glad the FBI is involved since I can’t trust local law enforcement to handle things properly.”

This guy had no business calling anyone an idiot if he was fool enough to think Sean would take his side. Shoving his badge back into his pocket, Sean retreated a step behind Charlie and Abel. “This is HPD’s case. I’m only observing, and from what I’ve seen so far, Chief Champion’s department is more than capable of handling it.”

Stymied, the mayor’s beady blue eyes bounced between the three of them. “I want hourly updates.”

“You’ll get updates as new information is available,” Charlie said. “Feel free to direct all press inquiries to me. We wouldn’t want to overtax city hall.”

Craig took a menacing step forward. “If your last name wasn’t Henby, I’d have your ass out of here so fast.”

Charlie didn’t flinch. “And if your last name wasn’t Rowan, yours wouldn’t be in city hall either.”

“Craig,” Abel said, interrupting the escalating hostilities. “You’d best leave now.”

“I want updates,” he persisted.

“And as Charlie said, you’ll get them as they become available.”

“Fine.” He gave Charlie one last murderous glare, then stormed out.

The front door had barely closed behind him when the station erupted in applause. With a tight grin, Charlie gave her colleagues a half bow before Abel ordered everyone back to work.

“Wally,” Charlie said, “Call Nadine in Craig’s office again now and every hour with an update.”

Across the bullpen, Officer Sylvan hung his head in his hands. “Fuck me.”

“With any luck, they’ll get as tired of it as you. Wear ’em down good,” she said with a wink, then turned to Abel, all humor fading. “You think we’ll ever be rid of that asshole?”

“You said it yourself, sugar. His last name’s Rowan.” He reclaimed his coffee and took a long swallow. “Before too long it’ll be his son’s ass in that chair.”

“Fuck me,” Charlie said, repeating Wallace’s sentiment.

“You handled him well,” Sean commended.

“I’ve had a lifetime of dealing with that man’s shit. I’m a pro.” More than weary frustration flashed in her black eyes, but then it was gone a second later. “The only one who handles him better is Trevor. Speaking of, I’m going to try him again, then I’ll meet you in the conference room.”

Sean nodded and waited until she was in her office to ask Abel for more of the story. “What was that all about?”

---