Chapter 25
Ridge
I lean against the wall outside of Robyn’s office, arms folded, watching the elevator.
The two males arrive right on time, which is a good start. I head over there when I see them coming. Smoke is at the front, with the new male behind him. Both of them have earpieces.
“Commander.” Smoke stops in front of me. “This is Brutus.”
I nod at each of them in turn.
“Sir.” Brutus inclines his head.
We move to the small alcove next to the staff kitchen.
“You’re Dr. Keller’s security detail until further notice,” I say. “Dr. Keller does not leave this floor without you on her. If she goes into surgery, one of you needs to be outside that theater door. If she leaves, you tail her. You need to have eyes on her at all times.”
“Understood.” Smoke nods.
“I’m not expecting her to go anywhere unusual today.
She has a full schedule that should keep her here.
But I want eyes on her, regardless. Smoke, you’re my point of call and the main security detail on this case.
Brutus, you stay back and keep point. We’ve already had a break-in attempt at her apartment. I am not assuming we’re done.”
“Got it,” Brutus says.
“You report directly to me until further notice. Are we clear?” I tell Smoke.
“Crystal.”
“Good. I need to get to Security Central…” I look at my watch. “I will be in touch before the close of business today with further instructions.”
“No problem, Commander,” Smoke tells me.
Brutus heads for the stairwell to do a sweep of the floor. Smoke heads for reception, since Robyn isn’t in her office.
For a second, I consider seeking her out to say a personal goodbye, but I decide against it. We’ve said all there is to say to one another.
It’s done.
I take the stairs down to the parking lot.
Once I’m in the SUV, I pull out my phone and dial Reed. It goes to voicemail. I leave a message telling her that I need to speak with her and that it’s important.
The drive to Security Central is quick. I almost don’t want to go in there and face Magma, but I have to tell him that I’m stepping away from the Keller assignment.
It’s face him, or he will suspect that something is up.
He probably already does. I won’t be able to tell him what is going on, and it’s killing me.
I’ve been quieter than usual since Reed pulled me out of Security Central. I haven’t been by his office. We’ve barely spoken. I’m struggling with this.
It eats at me that I can’t tell him the truth.
I park in my usual spot near the side entrance.
Reed isn’t going to like what I’m about to tell her either. I haven’t been able to think of a way around it. If I try to give her some shitty excuse, she won’t allow me to step away from the assignment. I have to tell her the truth. It’s the only way.
She is going to have my hide and then some.
I can’t say I blame her.
I get out of the SUV and head inside.
The lobby is full. There are three officers at the front desk pulling visitor passes, two males in tactical gear waiting to be cleared through, and a small group of analysts.
“Commander. Long time,” a female says.
I look her way and smile. “Hey, Sharon. How’s the rotation?”
“Brutal.” She grins. “Just the way I like it.”
“Good. Keep at it.”
She goes through the inner doors. I follow a few seconds later, swiping my card at the reader. The system beeps green.
I take the stairs to the third floor instead of the elevator.
The bullpen is busy as always. Phones are going. Two of my mid-rank officers are at the map wall, marking something I can’t see from here. Magma’s office is at the far end, glass-walled but with the blinds half-drawn. I can see the outline of him at his desk through the slats.
I cut through the bullpen. A few of the team look up.
I catch Flint at the rear, and his face brightens when he sees me. He waves, and I wave back, trying hard to play it cool. Flint is Magma’s second-in-command and a friend. I’ve been avoiding him, too.
This whole situation is a total fuck up.
“Commander. You’re back?” someone shouts.
“Just visiting.” I keep moving.
Magma’s PA looks up as I approach, and her whole face lights up.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” She stands. “Commander.”
“Jess.” I stop at her desk. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.” She gives a small, tight smile and uses her thumb to point at the door to Magma’s office. “He’s been a nightmare. This place is crazy. Everything has gone to hell in the last week or two. He’ll calm down after seeing you. He always does. You have that effect on him.”
I smile. “Can I go in?”
“He’s on a call.” She glances back through the crack in the blinds. “Should be done soon. I’d wait if I were you.” She makes a face.
I move to the small bench against the wall and sit. From here, I can see Magma through the gap in the blinds. He has his head bent toward the desk, phone pressed to his ear. His other hand is in his hair. He looks like he hasn’t slept properly.
He runs the frontline. The Mistveil situation is nowhere near settled. Reds are still trying to slip through. He has his hands full, and he doesn’t need this on top of it.
My phone vibrates against my thigh. I pull it out. Robyn is calling me. I frown. It’s the second time she’s trying.
“Commander.”
I look up.
“Magma is ready to see you,” Jess says.
I slip the phone back into my pocket. I’ll call Robyn when I’m done here. Perhaps I left something at her office.
Magma looks up from his desk as I walk in. His face shifts the moment he sees it’s me. The strain pulls back behind his eyes, and he gives me the same crooked smile he has given me a thousand times before.
“Look who finally remembered where the office is.” He stands. “Get over here.”
He comes around the desk, and we clasp forearms. He claps my shoulder hard enough to make most males stagger. I stay put. He grins.
“When are we having a beer together again? It’s been too damned long. Is this assignment keeping you busy?”
“It has been far too long.”
He moves back behind the desk and waves me to one of the chairs across from him. “Sit. Tell me something good. Lie if you have to. I have had a morning.”
I sit. He drops into his chair and rubs both hands over his face.
“Was that call you just took part of the problem?” I ask.
He nods. “I’m short-staffed on the western patrol.
I’m trying to shuffle bodies, and everyone I shuffle creates a hole somewhere else.
” He drops his hands. “I wish the Council would hurry up with their talks with Mistveil. It seems like both islands are super edgy right now. Enough about that. How is it at the hospital? Walk in the park, I bet.”
I nod.
“I still don’t understand why Reed sent you to oversee a hospital security upgrade. I understand the importance, but,” he shakes his head, “there are others who could have handled it while you are needed here.”
I knew he’d see through it.
“I’ve asked myself the same question. I asked Reed, as well.”
“And?”
“I don’t have an answer for you.” That part is true.
He pushes back in his chair, studying me.
“Something is up with you,” he says.
My stomach does a slow turn. “I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask if you were fine. I said something is up. You seem…different.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. Something isn’t adding up.”
“Nothing is up right now.”
“Why don’t I believe you? Oh, yes…” He lifts his brows. “Maybe because I know you too damned well. Don’t lie to me, Ridge. What the fuck is going on?”
My phone buzzes against my thigh again. I pull it out, planning to silence it, and her name flashes up on the screen.
Why is she calling me again?
I have no missed calls from either Smoke or Brutus. I’m sure they’re on her and that she’s fine.
“Do you need to take that call?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Whatever it is, it can wait.
I sit forward, elbows on my knees. I take a breath.
“I’m stepping away from the Keller assignment.”
He blinks once. “Stepping away.”
“Yes.”
“Why? Has something happened? Talk to me, Ridge.”
“It’s for personal reasons that I’ll explain in detail to Reed, since I’m reporting to her on this.”
He frowns. “What kind of personal reasons?”
“Something happened. I…um… I messed up. I—”
The door to his office bangs open behind me.
I’m on my feet a second later, whipping around.
Councilor Reed walks in. She has two uniformed guards at her shoulders and two more at the door. She looks like she’s aged ten years. The lines on her face are deeper. Her jaw is set.
Her eyes widen as they land on me. Then they move across to him.
“You will need to stand up, please, Magma,” she says in a soft voice.
Magma does as she says, getting to his feet. His eyes dart around the room, a frown forming.
“Councilor. What is going—?”
“I’m sorry, Magma. There is no easy way to say this.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Don’t!”
“Stay out of this.” She points a finger at me.
“Magma, you are under arrest on charges of treason against Draig Island and against the Council.” She looks down, sighing, then back up at Magma.
“You will be processed at the central holding facility. From there, charges will be formally read, and you will be permitted legal counsel.”
The bullpen has gone completely silent behind her.
Magma’s face has emptied of all color. He looks at me and then at her. Lastly, he looks at the guards at her shoulders.
“Treason?” His voice is rough. “Councilor, I… There has to be a mistake. I have done nothing wrong. I swear it.”
“We have evidence against you, and, Magma, it’s damning.”
“What evidence?” he barks. “Whatever it is, it’s a lie. You can’t possibly have anything on me because I didn’t do anything.”
“Everything will be explained and laid out for you.”
“I don’t want to see this false evidence. This is ridiculous. You can’t believe this, Reed. What about you, Ridge?” He looks over at me. “You believe me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Did you know about this?” His eyes go wide.
“Listen to me,” Reed interjects. “You will have the opportunity to make your case. We are still investigating.”