Page 53 of Never Forget
Bryce's expression shifted. Something flickered behind his eyes—Loss? Sympathy? I couldn't tell if it was real or performance.
"Jack Donovan," he said quietly. Then he nodded, like he was coming to a decision. "Thank you, Rachel. I'll take it from here."
The clerk looked uncertain. "Are you sure? I can?—"
"I've got it." He smiled at her, warm and reassuring. "Jack was a friend. This should come from someone who knew him."
He turned to us and gestured down the hallway. "Why don't we talk in my office? More privacy."
It wasn't really a question. Jamie glanced at me. I could see her calculating—whether to refuse, whether to make a scene, whether there was any way out of this that didn't make things worse.
There wasn't.
We followed him down the hallway. I stayed half a step behind Jamie, watching Bryce's back, watching the way he moved through this space like he owned it. Which, in a way, he did.
His office was at the end of the hall. Corner unit. Big windows overlooking Broad Street. The kind of space that announced exactly how important the person inside it was.
Bryce held the door open for us, ever the gentleman. "Please. Have a seat."
We sat. He closed the door and settled into the chair behind his desk, leaning back like this was just a casual conversation between old acquaintances.
Of course he would insert himself into this. Of course Bryce Montgomery wouldn't let an opportunity to hold power over Jamie pass him by.
"I reviewed your brother's case personally," he said, his expression shifting into something that was meant to look sympathetic. "I understand this is difficult. Jack was a great person. But the facts are the facts."
"The facts are that he saved a child's life," Jamie said.
"The facts are that he disobeyed a direct order from his commanding officer." Bryce's voice was patient. Measured. The voice of a man explaining something obvious to someone who should already understand. "The building was unsafe. Command ordered everyone out. Your brother went back in anyway."
"Because a little girl was trapped inside."
"And that was brave. No one's disputing that." Bryce leaned forward, his expression softening. "But if we classify every act of insubordination as line of duty, we're setting a dangerous legal precedent. We're telling firefighters that it's okay to ignore their commanding officers as long as their intentions are good."
Jamie's jaw tightened. "So heroism is a liability now."
"Recklessness is a liability." He said it gently, like he was delivering bad news to a friend. "The city can't afford to reward behavior that gets men killed. Taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for benefits every time someone decides to play cowboy."
I watched Jamie's hands in her lap. They were still. Controlled. But I knew her well enough to see what that stillness cost her.
"I think what you're doing is important," Bryce continued. "The fire department needs reform."
Jamie's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about the proposal I'm working on?"
Bryce smiled. "Jamie, I make it my business to know what's happening in this city. Especially when it involves someone I care about."
I went rigid.Someone I care about.The words slid out of his mouth like oil, smooth and possessive, as if he had any right to claim concern for her after what he'd done.
"But if you want to be taken seriously," he continued, "if you want the city to listen, you have to be honest about the culture that led to your brother's death." He paused, letting the words land. "Jack was brave. But he also disobeyed a direct order. He was reckless. That mentality gets people killed. If you want your proposal to have teeth, you have to be willing to say that out loud."
He was using her own argument against her. Taking everything she'd been building and twisting it into a weapon. And he was doing it with a smile, like he was helping her.
I wanted to put my fist through his face.
"This is what accountability looks like, Jamie." His voice was smooth. Righteous. "Making the hard calls even when they're painful."
Jamie was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was calm.
"Not sure you're the poster boy for accountability, Bryce."
