The meeting took place in Huff’s office and not one of the bland meeting rooms. Surprised the hell out of me. Chief Warren looked pissed that this was his second time at our humble office in less than a month. Didn’t help my case that both times were because of me. Every few seconds he’d brush some lint off his jacket or straighten his shirt. Huff drummed his calloused fingertips on the arms of the pleather chair. His stare remained fixed anywhere but on me.
I assumed the posture of a Buddhist monk, still and calm, my shoulders held high and pulled back. At least I looked in control on the outside. That wasn’t the case on the inside. It didn’t matter what I said, or how I defended myself. The decision had been made. The meeting was nothing more than a formality.
When the time came, I pleaded my case. My entire defense boiled down to the fact that Fairchild was an asshole. And I said as much.
“Detective Tanner,” Chief Warren said. “In all my years in the department, I’ve never encountered a cop as off-kilter and arrogant as you. And I think that in itself says something. In my opinion, the city of Philadelphia would be better off if you were no longer a member of its police force.”
“You know my record,” I said. “I’ll grant you my methods might be a bit unorthodox at times, but dammit, I get the job done.”
Warren looked down at me. “And how does sending another detective to the hospital get the job done? Tell me how taking a man out of work for two weeks because his jaw was wired shut helps anyone around here, or the citizens who count on us. Christ, you know how understaffed we are to begin with.”
“So why are you so hellbent on making me take a seat, Chief?”
Huff cleared his throat. “Tanner—”
“I’m not done, Lieutenant,” Warren said, slicing sideways through the air with his hand. “Detective, I’ve got two people looking for any loophole they can find to get you kicked out of the department. And I’m not stopping there. We’re scouring every case you’ve ever worked, and every call or report filed against you. So help me, I’m not only going to fire you, I’m going to put your ass in jail.”
My old friend anger made a triumphant return. I sprung out of my chair, finger aimed at Warren.
“You wouldn’t manage to hang on to that cushy job of yours if it wasn’t for cops like me who get the damn job done. What was your record when you were out there? Huh? Whatever it was, I bet you didn’t get to where you are now by being a damn choir boy.” I paused a beat. “Or maybe you did. That’s it, right? You’ve been a damn ass kisser since your first day on the job. Apparently, it doesn’t stop when you get to the top, because now your lips reek of the toilets in City Hall.”
“Detective Tanner!” Warren stepped forward. Veins popped like snakes on his neck and the sides of his forehead.
“Whoa! Whoa!” Huff lurched up and darted around his desk. He popped me in the chest with one hand, and Warren with the other. Drove both of us backward. I slammed into the glass wall. “Sit your ass down, Tanner.”
“Yeah,” Warren said. “Listen to your lieutenant, Detective, while he’s still your boss.”
“And you shut the hell up, Warren. You know damn well you were baiting Tanner.”
Holy shit! Huff actually had a set, and they just dropped.
It appeared as though Warren didn’t know whether to slap Huff or obey his command. The chief stood there like a dog trying to decide if he’d get the treat if he sat this time. Huff’s face and posture remained stoic. I would’ve never imagined this from him.
It felt like the temperature had climbed twenty degrees inside Huff’s office. Heavy breathing mingled with the constant drone of the HVAC system. The other two men engaged in a stare-off. Felt like they’d forgotten I was in there, too.
Finally, Huff lowered his outstretched arms. Tension eased from his face. “Chief, step outside with me.”
On his way out, Warren shot me an icy stare that caused an involuntary clenching of my chest and arms. A sheen of sweat coated his forehead. His cheeks still burned red. Looked like his veins were going to pop right out from his skin. Huff had stepped in at the right time. A few more minutes, Warren might’ve stroked out on us. What was protocol if that happened? Would they hand me my badge and let me get back to work?
I waited two minutes before moving. First thing I did was look out at the hallway. Huff and Warren had slipped out of sight, leaving a view of the drab wall. Turning, I faced the homicide room. Everyone had cleared out, no doubt at the sound of my outburst, leaving behind a bunch of cluttered desks and sports coats draped over the backs of uncomfortable office chairs.
I pulled out my cell and checked my emails. A few new spam messages, but nothing else. No texts, either. Maybe all the other detectives already knew the outcome. Best guess, Huff told them to be gone. But what if they’d all turned on me, leaving Sam as my only friend in the room? Could I really blame them? By this point, they all must have started wondering who’s next. Piss off Tanner and he’ll belt ya.
I stared at the wall behind Huff’s desk for a few more minutes. The guy was not one to decorate, so to pass the time, I pulled up ESPN’s website and glanced over the headlines. Not even the upcoming Eagles versus Cowboys game could get my blood going as much as the encounter with Warren.
I stood again and turned toward the office. At least they hadn’t disturbed my desk. Yet. It was covered in its signature clutter. All except for around the monitor, where two pictures stood. Ella Kate and Robbie. And staring at those two tiny faces, my mind locked in on one single thought.
There was hope for me yet.