Page 109 of Sworn to Silence
I feel as if I’ve been Tased. I stare at him, speechless, my mind reeling. “On what grounds?”
Bristling with impatience, Janine speaks up. “We’ve received a complaint about the way you’re investigating these murders.”
“A complaint? From who?” But I already know.
“Finger-pointing isn’t important at this juncture,” she says.
“The hell it’s not.” I look at John. He returns my gaze levelly, and I wonder if he knew about this and didn’t tell me. I shift my attention to the mayor. “You had better start talking.”
“We held a closed-door session this morning,” says Auggie.
“Who?”
He motions toward the group. “All of us. It was decided.”
I see Glock standing behind John and feel the knife sink in a little deeper. Did he know about this?
Janine Fourman looks at me like a mother admonishing a badly behaved child. “This is not personal, Kate. We’re acting in the best interest of Painters Mill.”
Auggie produces a sheet of paper and hands it to me. “You’re being relieved of your duties for just cause. It is the opinion of the council that your lack of experience has prevented you from pursuing this case in the proper manner.”
I cut in. “Lack of experience?”
Ignoring me, Auggie continues. “That finding is based upon your delay in calling for assistance from other law enforcement agencies, namely the FBI, BCI and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department. There was an official complaint filed. We reviewed it in depth. And it is the consensus of the council that you be removed from your position until all the facts are known. In the interim, Sheriff Detrick will be the acting chief until the situation is resolved.”
Relief flits though me that there was no mention of human remains. “Sounds like you stayed up all night rehearsing, Auggie.”
He has the audacity to blush. “This is not a reflection on you, but your lack of experience and the difficult circumstances of these murders.”
“I’m doing everything humanly possible to solve this case.” I hate the desperation ringing in my voice. “We’re working practically around the clock.”
Janine grimaces, the first show of anything but smug satisfaction. “We know you’ve worked hard. We know you care. That’s not in question here. It’s just that we don’t feel you have theexperienceto work on a case of this magnitude.”
“Don’t do this,” I say to Auggie.
The mayor averts his gaze. “The decision has been made.”
I look from face to face, but it’s like staring at a brick wall. They’ve made up their minds. I know it’s more political than personal, but that doesn’t keep it from hurting. I have a personal stake in this case. I want to see it through. “You’re making a mistake.”
Auggie nods at Glock. “Officer Maddox, if you could relieve the chief of her badge and sidearm. Kate, you can take a few minutes to pack your things if you want. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave the Explorer here, since it’s a city vehicle. Officer Maddox will drop you off at your house.”
Glock gives him the best fuck-you look I’ve ever seen and holds his place at the door.
I look down at my desk. My computer screen still displays the Holmes County Auditor Web site. I can’t imagine packing my things and walking away. This job may be my life. But this case has become an obsession.
Shaking his head, Auggie leaves my office. Janine gives me a wolverine smile and follows him. I glance toward the hall, but Tomasetti is gone. I feel abandoned and betrayed by all of them.
I look at Glock. “Are you going to make sure I don’t steal any paper clips on my way out?”
He holds my gaze. “Fuckers waylaid me with this, Chief.”
The loyalty behind his words should console me, but they don’t. I sink into my chair, trying to put things into perspective.
Glock drops into the visitor chair. “Fuckin’ Johnston.”
I rub my eyes. “Was Tomasetti involved?”
“I don’t know.”
