That would help her get her job back, all right. Leak video of a municipal embarrassment.
Her solitude was anything but peaceful. Zach Hamner’s accusations insisted on visiting her perch in the bay window. He had called her disloyal. She dismissed that but then wondered, had she been? Nikki had done nothing deceitful, but the objective part of her—the part that was all about middle-of-the-night gut checks and self-reproach—wanted to pick at the wound. So she did. Heat asked herself, had she caused harm to others by her relationship with Rook? She hoped not. And then there was ambition. The Hammer had also scolded her about that, and she worried herself over whether her sense of entitlement to the new rank had emboldened her to threaten Zach to go public over the funeral.
What ate at her most was the trust issue. He’d said you can’t lead if you can’t be trusted. Nikki wasn’t bothered by what that cockroach thought of her. But what gnawed at Heat was her own perception. Did she trust herself to lead?
Her phone jarred her back to the present. The caller ID was from 1PP. Nikki went for the green button so quickly, the phone slipped out of her hand, but she caught it before it hit the floor. “Hello? You there?”
“Nikki Heat, it’s Phyllis Yarborough. Hope you don’t mind me calling your personal number.”
“About the only way to reach me today.” Heat tried to make it light without putting any stink on it. Like she was taking it all in stride.
“I hear that,” said the deputy commissioner. “May I tell you flat out, this sucks?”
Nikki laughed, and even though the call didn’t sound like it was going to be the reprieve she had hoped for, she was glad for it. “You won’t get much argument out of me.”
“I just want you to know, if you weren’t aware of it, the decision was not unanimous. There was one dissenting vote, and you’re talking to her.”
“Oh . . . I didn’t know that. But thank you. That means a lot.”
“Have to say, I’m not a fan of The Hammer anyway, and this time he did not disappoint. He called the meeting, he fanned the flames, he pressed for the sanction, he was obsessed.” Yarborough paused. Nikki figured it was her turn.
“I do have to admit I understand Zach taking it as an affront, the way I lit into him about the captain’s funeral.”
“Oh, boo-hoo, he needs to grow a pair. I’ll tell you something, Nikki, I not only don’t believe you leaked this, I believe this is pure politics. Zach and his network of man weasels were fine when I was interested in grooming you for my team at RTCC, but there was a definite sea change after Captain Montrose died.” She quieted her tone and added, “I am sorry about that, by the way, I know it’s a loss for you.”
“Thanks.” Nikki’s curiosity was piqued. “Why do you suppose the change?”
“Because if my candidate—that would be you, my dear—gets fast-tracked to replace Montrose that weakens their power. Look who they put in there. Floyd the Barber. They don’t want a precinct commander, they want a puppet.”
“I appreciate you standing up for me.”
“Considering the result, I don’t think I did you any favors.”
Nikki said, “I think working the street is safer than 1PP.”
“That’s politics, it’s an ugly game.”
“And one I don’t care to play, thanks,” said Heat. “Not why I swore my oath.”
“Actually, that’s why I called,” said the deputy commissioner. “Since backstabbing isn’t your favorite sport, I wanted to let you know that I’ll keep my eyes open for you. I can’t promise there won’t be any more surprises, but maybe I can head them off, or at least I can warn you.”
“Wow, that’s very generous.”
“You deserve it. So what’s up for you? Daytime dramas? Scrapbooking?” When Nikki’s pause was the answer, Yarborough continued, “Of course not. You’re Nikki Heat. Listen, do what you have to do. But if you need anything, anything at all, please call me.”
“I will,” said Heat. “And Phyllis? Thanks.”
* * *