Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Her eyebrows lifted. “I bet Dan didn’t like that, did he?”
“No, he didn’t.”
We were quiet for a moment, eating. I leaned forward. “Can I ask you some advice?”
“Of course you can.”
I paused, sorting out my words and how much to say. Then I told Annette about Dan. The things he’d been doing. The suspicions that he was behind the truck damage. She listened, looking thoughtful when I finished.
“I think I should tell the chief. But Chase is worried it’ll cause more trouble or the boss will side with Dan.”
She nodded, finishing her salad. “Dan transferred here about six months before you did. He came from Ottawa.” She met my eyes. “I heard rumors the transfer was not something he wanted but had no choice other than to accept. I also heard there had been complaints against him.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Oh.”
“After he got here, there was another female officer who was new as well. Gail. They dated, and she ended it. She transferred out about a month after they broke up. I heard her tell someone she didn’t want to be around Dan anymore—he was ‘too much,’ were her words. ‘Over the top’ and ‘crazy-possessive’ were other phrases I understand she used.” Annette met my gaze. “I think Dan has a habit of holding on too tight, if you catch my drift.”
I nodded.
“I don’t think the chief would take Dan’s side. I think you should tell him—even if it’s off the record. Then if it escalates, he has something to go on. If nothing else happens, no harm done.” She took a sip of her water. “My boss would want to know. He’s very supportive, and he and your boss work well together. They’re on the same wavelength.”
Annette’s boss was the fire chief, and she was right. Jed, her boss, and Henry, my boss, were both great leaders and had open-door policies. They ran the building as a unit, and it was a positive environment to work in.
I sighed. “You’re right. I should.”
“How is Chase handling it?”
“Better than I am, I have to admit. He’s being coolheaded. I want to yell and tell Dan to stop being such an ass. He seems to be escalating.”
“If he was responsible for the truck damage, I agree. You should talk to your chief ASAP.”
“I will. This afternoon.”
Henry sat back, regarding me thoughtfully. “I don’t like the sounds of any of this, Hannah.”
“I’m sorry.”
He held up his hand. “Not what I meant. No one in my station should be harassed or have some personal vendetta played out against them using the badge. Chase should have made a complaint.”
“He didn’t want to.” I drew in a deep breath. “He has a record.”
He nodded. “I’m aware of who Chase Donner is. I was around when he was causing his mischief. I also know he’s a changed man.” He smiled kindly. “I was only an officer then, but he and his brother were holy terrors around here. I’m glad he got his life on track.”
“He is a wonderful guy now. He left that life behind him.”
“I’d like to talk to him.” He held up his hand. “Off the record, as you requested.”
I worried at my lip. “I’ll ask him to come in.”
“You do that. Until then, I’ll stay quiet unless Dan steps out of line again.” He frowned as he tapped a pen on his desk. “Obviously, I can’t do anything about the truck unless there were witnesses.”
“I don’t think Chase wants to press charges of any kind. He just wants Dan to stop harassing him.” I paused. “I heard maybe this isn’t the first time Dan has overstepped.”
Henry sat back, contemplating me. “Sometimes being a small station, you inherit problems from larger ones,” he said slowly, neither confirming nor denying my statement.
“Like me.”
He shook his head. “You were not a problem, then or now. You have an exemplary record. I consider you very brave, Hannah. Many officers, even seasoned ones, would not have returned after experiencing what you went through.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and stood, indicating the meeting was over. “I will wait for you to talk to Chase. I’ll be keeping an eye on Dan. And you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I left his office, rounding the corner. Deep in my thoughts, I bumped into someone and stepped back, automatically apologizing. “I’m sorry, I…” I trailed off when I saw it was Dan. He looked at me, then glanced over my shoulder toward the chief’s office. He narrowed his eyes.
“Telling tales, Hannah?”
“Nope. Meeting about schedules.”
He obviously didn’t believe me, but I met his gaze, keeping mine open and steady. He brushed past me roughly, pushing me out of the way, muttering under his breath. My shoulder hit the wall, and I gasped at the sudden sharp pain. The chief came out of his office.
“Officer Meyers!”
Dan stopped, glowering at me. The chief looked between us. “Although I’m certain you didn’t mean to run into her, I believe you owe Officer Gallagher an apology for doing so.”