Fatal Series 01 - Fatal Affair

appreciates your visits.” To the others, she added, “All of you.”
    “And I know you go out of your way to downplay your family’s history with this department.”
    “I don’t want nor do I expect special treatment because of the rank my father attained prior to being injured in the line.”
    Farnsworth replied with a hint of a smile. “Regardless, he was curious as to whether I’d gotten the results of the lieutenant’s exam.”
    Just those words were enough to override any success she’d had in keeping the pain at bay. It roared through her, leaving her breathless in its wake. When she was able to speak again, she said, “I’m aware it’s a source of embarrassment to my father and to you as my superior officers that I’ve been unable to pass the exam on two previous attempts.”
    “What I’d like to know is why the fact that you’re dyslexic isn’t mentioned anywhere in your personnel file.”
    Stunned, Sam opened her mouth and then closed it when the words simply wouldn’t come.
    “I’ve done some basic research on dyslexia and discovered that standardized tests are one of the dyslexic’s greatest foes.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Allow me to finish, Sergeant. I have to admit this information was a relief to me.” He gestured to the deputy chief and captain. “To all of us. We’ve been hard pressed to understand how the best detective on this force has been unable to attain a rank that should’ve been hers some time ago.”
    “I…um…”
    “You passed this time,” Farnsworth said. “Just barely—but you did pass.”
    Sam stared at him, wondering if she had heard him correctly.
    He rifled through some other papers until he found what he was looking for. “With the distinct exception of Lt. Stahl, you’ve received outstanding superior officer recommendations, high marks on your interviews and evaluations. We also factored in the graduate degree in criminal justice you earned from George Washington. All in all, you make for an ideal candidate for promotion.” He looked up at her. “Under my discretion as chief of police, I’m pleased to inform you that your name will be included in the next group of lieutenants.”
    “But, sir,” Sam stammered, “people will talk. They’ll scream favoritism.”
    “You met the criteria. The test score is only one element, and no one but the people in this room will know it was low.”
    “I’ll know,” she said softly.
    “Sergeant, do you believe you’ve earned the rank of lieutenant?”
    “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have sat for the exam in the first place, but—”
    “Then you should have no further objection to a promotion you have earned and deserve. You’ll be taking command of the detective squad at HQ.”
    Staggered, Sam stared at him. “But that’s Lieutenant Stahl’s command.”
    “He’s being transferred to internal affairs.”
    The rat squad , Sam thought, her stomach grinding under the fist she had balled tight against it. “You’re setting me up to have a powerful enemy.”
    “Lieutenant Stahl is skating on very thin ice these days,” Captain Malone said. “I don’t believe he’ll give you any trouble, and if he does, he’ll deal with us. Let me add my congratulations, Sergeant, on a well-earned and highly deserved promotion. I look forward to working with you in your new role.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Sam said, still shocked as she shook his outstretched hand and then Conklin’s.
    “Ditto,” Conklin said, following Malone from the room. “You’ve earned it.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    When they were alone, Sam turned to the chief.
    “You’ll piss me off if you ask if this is because I’m your chief or your Uncle Joe,” he said, his tone full of friendly warning.
    “I was just going to say thank you,” Sam said with a smile that quickly faded. “Will the, ah, dyslexia be added to my jacket?”
    “It’ll remain your personal business, provided it continues to have no bearing on your ability to do the job.”
    “It won’t.”
    Farnsworth sat back in his big chair and studied her. “I have to ask how you managed to get two degrees while battling dyslexia.”
    “I got lucky with professors who worked with me, but everything took me twice as long as it took everyone else. And I’ve always choked on standardized tests. I just can’t get them done in the time allotted.”
    “I can only imagine how much harder you’ve had to work to compensate. Knowing that only adds to my respect for you and