Fatal Series 01 - Fatal Affair

your work.” He stood up, came around the big desk, and offered his hand. “Congratulations.”
    Sam’s throat closed as her hand was enfolded between both of his. “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my very best to be worthy.”
    “I have no doubt. Let me know what you uncover in Chicago.”
    “I will, sir. Thank you again. For everything.” She closed the door behind her, managed a nod to the chief’s admin, and made for the nearest ladies’ room. The relief, the sheer overwhelming relief, left her staggered. She gave herself ten minutes to fall apart before she pulled it together, wiped her face and blew her nose.
    Studying her reflection in the mirror, she whispered, “Lieutenant,” as if to try it on for size. For once her stomach had no comment. Taking that as a positive sign, she splashed cold water on her face and decided to leave on time for a change. The report could be written and transmitted from home. Besides, she needed to go tell the only other person in the world who would care as much as she did that she would soon become Lieutenant Holland.

Chapter 19
    Before Sam could call for him, she heard the chair.
    “What’s this? Home on time?”
    She went to him, rested her hands on his shoulders and was startled to encounter sharp bones where thick muscle used to be. Jarred by the discovery, she bent to kiss his forehead. Eye to eye, she said, “I should be furious with you.”
    “For?”
    “Don’t play coy with me.”
    “It should’ve been in your jacket. From day one. I’ve always said that.”
    “It wasn’t for a reason. I don’t want people feeling sorry for me or treating me differently. You know how I feel about it.”
    “That fierce pride of yours is only going to get you so far.”
    “And my daddy is going to get me the rest of the way?”
    “I simply gave him a piece of information he didn’t have. What he did or didn’t do with it was up to him.”
    “No, Dad, it was up to me . I don’t want you interfering in my career. How many times do I have to say it before you get the message?”
    “I’ve been duly chastised. Now, are you going to tell me what he did with it?”
    “Not until you’ve suffered a little first. What’s for dinner?”
    He followed her to the kitchen. “That’s mean, Sam.”
    “Are you being mean to your father again?” Celia asked.
    “Believe me, he deserves it. Oh, jeez, is that roast beef? ”
    “Sure is. Are you hungry?”
    “Starving. I didn’t even realize it until right this very minute.” She peeked into a pot and groaned. “Mashed potatoes? God, my ass is growing just smelling it.”
    “Now you stop that,” Celia said as she served the meal. “You have a lovely figure that I’d kill for. How was your day?”
    “The usual chaos.”
    “Nothing special?” Skip asked. “Nothing different?” Sam pretended to give that some significant thought. “Not really. Freddie and I are working the case, pulling the threads. Got a couple of good angles to pursue.”
    “What are they doing about Johnson?” Skip asked.
    Hanging on their every word, Celia fed him and herself with a practiced hand.
    “I was ordered to ‘lay low’ until I testify on Tuesday.”
    “To which you said…?”
    She shrugged. “I’m fine with it. I have to go to Chicago tomorrow, I’m taking most of Sunday off, and have the funeral on Monday. I should be fine.”
    “Should be isn’t good enough.” He swallowed, cleared his throat and turned his steely blue eyes on his daughter. “Anything else happen at your meeting with Farnsworth?”
    Deciding she had tortured him long enough, she said, “Oh, you mean about the promotion?”
    He growled.
    “I got it.” She took another bite of mashed potatoes and tried not to think about the calories. “You can soon call me Lieutenant, Chief.”
    “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, indeed.”
    “Oh that’s wonderful, Sam!” Celia jumped up to hug and kiss her. “That’s just wonderful, isn’t it, Skip?”
    He never took his eyes off his daughter. “It sure is. Come give your old man a hug.”
    Pained that he’d had to ask and embarrassed by Celia’s effusiveness, Sam got up and did her best to work around the chair. With her lips close to his ear, she whispered, “Thank you.”
    “For?”
    Sam pulled back to smile at him. “Love you.”
    “When you’re not being mean to me, I love you, too.”

    Two hours later, Sam was laboring her way through the report of the day’s activities on her laptop when Celia