1. If I didn’t get a full night of sleep soon, someone would die #3
With Mr. Clemmends in my office, I no longer wondered why Bailey had her phone off for the rest of the day. She’d be lucky if they gave her time to breathe to ensure things remained quiet.
Commissioner Dowry claimed my couch and sat with a tired groan.
“We want to move ahead with partnering you with your wife. Our research confirms our initial thoughts. She fits well with us and has the right skills for the job. The CDC can’t push off elevating her rating, and frankly, it’ll be cheaper for us to bump her to your pay scale with bonus hazard pay.
With her abilities, you’ll be a lot more effective in the field, too. ”
When my boss planned a speech like that, it wasn’t up for discussion.
I was expected to like the decision and make the most of the situation.
However, I worried Bailey had somehow developed foresight.
By the end of the day, I’d be more than happy to share her monster margarita with her.
“What’s the timeline for her promotion?”
“We’re hoping for January, no later than the end of the month.
We wanted your advice on how best to approach her about the situation.
The CDC has already written the transfer contract.
For the first six months, she’ll be a liaison, after which the NYPD will move her to exclusive employment with a full salary and benefits. ”
Mr. Clemmends smirked but remained quiet.
It sank in they’d found a way to transfer Bailey without warning or recourse.
When she found out, she’d blow a fuse. Not only would she blow a fuse, she’d have just cause to transform and scorch my ass over the situation.
I’d accept the scorching as I should have told her the instant I’d heard the first rumblings of her impending promotion.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Please tell me she’ll have a competitive salary.” If I went home and told her she’d be forced to work with me on a lower salary, her fragile self-esteem would completely shatter, and I’d have to start all over again convincing her she was worth the air she breathed.
My boss chuckled. “She’ll do quite well on the salary front.
The NYPD has decided to treat her CDC education and experience as equivalent, which gave me grounds to propose a salary match with you.
It was approved. Future raises will be performance based, but you can guide her on how to handle counter proposals and raise requests as needed.
Honestly, I think you two will remain salary matched to keep the peace in the family.
That leads me to the next bit of business. ”
I didn’t want extra business. The promotion was too much business for me to deal with in one day. I sat behind my desk and wished I could beat myself into unconsciousness on the polished surface. “Go on.”
“We need to try two other chief pairs; they arrived from out west yesterday. We’re loaning them some of your officers until after Christmas. You’re on full shift until the end of the day, then you’re on paid leave until the second.”
“Of January?” I blinked. “You’re giving me three weeks of paid vacation?”
“Since Officer Perkins has been paired with you, he’ll enjoy the same arrangement.
Frankly, you both have been working too much, you need a breather, and you could use the time to prepare Bailey for her new work.
While you’re on leave, we’ll be doing some construction and shuffling on this floor to give your wife a proper office here and make it easier for her to get around when transformed. ”
I foresaw a disaster of epic proportions, but I also saw an opportunity. “Bailey needs new tack. Hers is pinching. She’s already given me the measurements, but she might fill out some more, so altering the design to include adjustable straps might be a good idea.”
“She’s a healthy weight now?”
“Close. A few more pounds in muscle and she’ll be set.” I smiled at the thought of her progress, her obsessive enjoyment of greasy fries, and how she’d lost her gaunt edge, which had been replaced with vibrant energy.
If I could convince her to stop feeling so embarrassed when I noticed her good moods, I’d be much happier. One day, she would understand I loved everything about her. I loved her when she shined. I loved her when she got lost in the dark, too.
She hated when I noticed or worried.
We made quite the pair.
“Good. Mr. Clemmends will be at the station all day if you have any questions. He’s polling our offices to better evaluate what sorts of contractors he needs to have trained in the next batch of recruits.”
I kept my mouth shut. If Bailey’s boss wanted my opinion, he’d ask for it. He didn’t. I made it through the mandatory small talk without succumbing to my desire to remind the man why it wasn’t wise to toy with my wife.
It occurred to me I could dodge most of the blame in her promotion. When I told Bailey her boss had masterminded the entire situation, she’d forget my role in her promotion for at least ten minutes.
The two men left my office, and I waited for them to reach the elevator before barking an order for Perkins to join me for a talk.