“Yes.” Those assholes better not be breathing down Walter’s neck to get on with it. Besides, Bo wasn’t fully trained yet to take his place.
“The SNB directors approved my choice of Bo as replacement.”
“I hear a ‘but’ coming.”
Walter’s expression turned grim. He twirled the pen faster. “The leadership team at Southwestern has challenged the decision.”
“They what?” Lucky shot out of his chair. “What do they have to do with us?”
“They have disputed Bo’s qualifications. I’m not sure you knew this, but their director first questioned Bo’s fitness for duty after the Corruption case.”
The asshole.
“In light of recent regrettable events here at the SNB, they feel we need a department manager with more experience.” Only the clenching of Walter’s hands on the desk gave away his agitation.
More experience? “Who?” No need to ask. Lucky already knew. The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach offered up the name.
“Jameson O’Donoghue.” Walter’s face remained impassive. Must’ve taken an act of will.
“He’s not even SNB!” The boss might hold his emotions in check and remain professional, but Lucky’s pain-in-the-ass reputation meant folks expected him to speak his mind.
“Yes, but he does have experience, both behind a desk and on the streets.” Was Walter trying to convince Lucky, or himself? If trying to convince Lucky, better quit now.
“That mother… What’s he saying about this? Bragging?” Wait until Lucky ran into the sonofabitch. Oh, wait! Nowtherewas an idea. Running into him. With a Mack truck.
“He claims to know nothing about the matter.”
Claims.Interesting choice of word. “And you believe him?” Lucky didn’t. Not one damned word out of the man’s mouth.
Tap, tap, tapwent the pen on the desk. Lucky’d never seen the boss more agitated. “I’ve no reason to doubt him.”
“I do.” Mainly, because a primitive part of Lucky’s brain declared O’Donoghue an enemy. Lucky listened to the primitive part of his brain. It had saved his ass on more than one occasion.
Walter shook his shaggy head—a head more frosted with white than Lucky remembered. Seeing the man on a regular basis blinded him to changes. “I realize you don’t trust him, but haven’t all your doubts been put to rest?”
“No. You’ve told me more than once you trust my gut feelings.” Lucky sank back down onto the chair.
“Your instincts have proven to be right more often than not. However, I can’t condemn a man based on gut feelings. I don’t believe he’s conspired to take the job from Bo.”
Lucky sure the hell could condemn the asshole. “Have you told Bo?”
Another pause, then, “Not yet. I’ll meet with him later today.”
What would the news do to Bo? And why listen to Southwestern? “Can they actually make you hand your job over to O’Donoghue?”
Walter let out a sigh worthy of a hurricane name. “My direct superiors are taking the concerns under advisement. I can’t predict how this drama will play out, but I wanted you to hear it from me before you heard the news from someone else.” Walter cracked a half-smile. “I’m more likely to survive the encounter.”
Lucky might beat the crap out of anyone else, but not the boss. “What can I do?”
“Do you not wonder why Southwestern is making it their business? Occasionally we collaborate on a case, but they run their division, we run ours. They recently promoted a new director. He’s more hands-on than the last, I believe.” Walter stopped toying with the ink pen. “I’m not supposed to play favorites, and they have presented my endorsement of Bo as favoritism. It’s my job to ensure this department and division survives and thrives, either with me at the helm or otherwise. I believe the best man for the job is Bo. While O’Donoghue has law enforcement experience, he can’t hold a candle to Bo’s interpersonal skills. His bias against you nearly brought this bureau to its knees. Bo would have listened to all sides of a situation with an open mind.
“Truth is, I fear what might become of this bureau under O’Donoghue’s direction.”
In other words, boss man didn’t trust him either. Lucky asked again, “What can I do to help?”
Walter released a mirthless chuckle. “While I’ve just spoken of bias and open minds, I have to say that I do not trust O’Donoghue.” Lucky knew it. Walter smiled more genuinely. “My top agent doesn’t trust him, Bo doesn’t trust him, and neither do I.”
“Keith wants Bo for the job.”
“Oh?” Walter’s bushy eyebrows reached for his hairline. “I haven’t asked many people, because I don’t want to plant doubt where none exists. I had no idea of Keith’s opinion. Quite frankly, I’m surprised he’d tell you. You’ve never been friends.”
Lucky scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Well, we… uhhh… had to work together through the Landry thing, after you went to the hospital.”
“I see. ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend?’” Walter’s smile crinkled the corner of his eyes.
“Something like that. Now, what can I do?”
“Whatever you can to ensure the right man sits at this desk once I’m gone.”
Simply put:Do what you do.