Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(8)
Kellie raised a blonde eyebrow at Donovan as if daring her to admit she had a problem with her. Donovan moved past Kellie, her shoulder grazing the other woman’s before taking a seat in one of the chairs by his desk designated for visitors.
“I don’t have a problem. One IA rat is the same as another in my book,” Donovan replied.
He growled. Alec swore he spent more time acting like a kindergarten teacher than a superintendent. He supposed that was the best response he would get from his insubordinate detective and turned back to Kellie. She reminded him a lot of his wife, but where Cait was soft, Kellie had a hardness about her. He wasn’t used to seeing that look on someone so young.
Kellie kept her gaze on his, not bothering to respond to Donovan’s barb.
“I expect Detective Donovan,” she began formally, “to make an effort to include me so that I may observe her actions in real situations and have the opportunity to interview her colleagues as to her character.”
Alec nodded and turned to Donovan and gave her a hard stare. “You will abide Sergeant Munroe.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“I mean it, Donovan. You close her out and you’re off the case. Am I understood?”
He could see his words hit home. A vein in her temple throbbed. Being kicked off the case would mean she could kiss any further career advancement goodbye. Alec studied Kellie. Was he making the right decision by allowing her to remain on the case? What had Carlisle been thinking when he’d sent her down? Had she not made him aware of her past with Donovan? Whatever had happened, it was as raw and painful as if it had been yesterday, and Kellie had the power to destroy Donovan’s career with a flick of her pen. Would she take advantage of that power to harm the woman who’d once been her friend?
Alec hoped not. From what he’d seen today, Kellie Munroe had a good head on her shoulders, and while she might allow her temper to get the better of her, she had also shown great restraint. Not everyone could remain passive on the receiving end of Amelia Donovan’s harsh tongue.
Either way, he would talk with Carlisle to ensure his detective received a fair assessment. Donovan may be a pain in the arse to one and all, but she was one of the best detectives he’d ever worked with despite her many behavioural and personality issues. She would make a damn good boss one day. If only she grew up before the decision was made and realised that sometimes diplomacy is best no matter how she felt about it.
He’d been in her shoes, full of ideals. He’d been adamant when he’d taken the position as superintendent that he wouldn’t bow down to bureaucratic bullshit. But a good leader knew how to get what they wanted, being devious enough to obtain it without pissing anybody off. He’d become a pro. He didn’t care about bottom lines. He cared about results and the protection of the men and women beneath him.
Donovan took a deep breath and most likely bit off the torrent of words that were on the tip of her tongue. She flicked a glare at Kellie before turning back to him.
“Understood, Boss.”
Chapter 5
Nick watched Amelia storm past on the way to her desk. She would’ve knocked him over, had it not been for his lightning quick reflexes. She was in a mood, darker than usual, and he itched to stir her up. He just loved watching her eyes spit fire at him.
Of course she was an easy target, with a chip on her shoulder and so much to prove. Who she wanted to prove herself to, he didn’t know. She had long ago earned their respect and nothing beyond that mattered. But Amelia Donovan didn’t know when to quit, just like him, which was what made them such good detectives.
Darryl followed at a more leisurely pace and shook his head when their eyes met.
“Don’t do it, Nick. You’ll regret it,” Darryl warned him.
Nick grinned. “Look out, everybody. Hurricane Donovan is in full swing, ready to take out the coast.”
He spoke with his usual jovial manner and just as he expected, he was rewarded with a death glare from Donovan. Nick flashed her a winning grin that caused women of all ages to melt, and waited for her sarcastic comeback. None was forthcoming.
Nick had the feeling it would be a long and painful day, and he’d be lucky to live to see the end of it. He had a natural ability to antagonise people and rub them the wrong way. His team had learned to get used to it and of course return whatever he did tenfold, so it was a win-win for all. Everybody knew he was the class clown.
He turned his attention to Kellie who stood beside Darryl and sent her a wink.
He’d known Kellie for years and remembered the first time she’d been a student in his class. She’d only known the basics of self-defence. Nick had taught her the rest. He’d shown her how to defend herself, and how to inflict the most damage possible. If his students ever needed the skills he taught outside the gym, there was a damn good reason and he wanted them to be safe. He wanted them to be able to put their attacker down.
Kellie had been wary of him at first. He didn’t pull his punches and his students went home with bruises until they learned to block his attacks. Kellie had almost drawn blood the first time he’d pinned her to the mat and it wasn’t a mistake he made twice. He was a patient man and had given her the power over him that she needed to get her out of the darkness she’d been drowning in. She fought her demons and when she understood what he’d done to help get her there, she began to trust him and could now knock him on his arse with little to no effort.