Page 89 of Damon
“How do you know Devane likes his whiskey? What about Harrison Waite, the Chase Brothers, and that Greyson fellow who follows them around? How deep are you in this shit, McKinney? What side are you on?”
I stand then place both hands on his desk to lean down. “The fucking side of justice,” I snarl. “My personal relationships are no business of yours.”
“Oh, but they are when it affects my work. And you’re as gray as they come.” He pauses, leaving plenty of space for me to speak. Feeling backed into a corner and doing the only thing I can to regain control, I make the decision I’ve been putting off for months.
The letter has been in my inside jacket pocket since I wrote it the day after Connie died. That day, I had considered going rogue and murdering every damn bastard who stood in my way. But my love of the police force kept me here. I lay the white envelope on his desk in front of him. “My resignation, sir. I will go and clear my desk.”
“Right decision, McKinney. Thank you for your service, but I feel we’re now on opposite sides of the law. Stay out of trouble or at least don’t let me catch you.” He stands to offer his hand; I take it and shake firmly.
“Goodbye, sir,” I say then walk away from my life within the force.
My desk is filled with memorabilia from my years here. Pieces of history stuffed into drawers and filing cabinets. I take what I can but leave most of it before making my way to my car. There are only a few of my colleagues in this morning with it still being early, so I manage to escape without any awkward questions.
As I place my cardboard box of belongings in the back of my car, the sense of someone standing behind me causes me to pause. “Chief Constable,” the familiar voice says, “or should I say Mr. McKinney? I believe you have been relieved of your duties.” I turn around to look at the young police officer, Menzies, who has been causing me issues recently.
“It was a mutual agreement,” I reply casually with a shrug. He smirks then narrows his eyes.
“No, McKinney, we both know the water was getting to a boiling point. It was jump now or be pushed and fed to the sharks.”
“It is quite clear, Menzies, that I am not a person you like. You have your wish. We will no longer work from the same building.” I move to walk away, and his hand shoots out, connecting with my shoulder. He leans in so we’re inches from each other. “Take your hand off me.” His fingers flex but don’t lift.
“What are you going to do? Beat me up in the middle of the police station parking lot?” he goads. “Or will you and your bastard friends rough me up in a hidden underground tunnel later?”
“Neither.” I remove his hand from my shoulder. “You’re of no interest to me, Menzies.” He chuckles and shakes his head gently before glancing over to the station then refocusing on me.
“Oh, but you should have an interest in me. You’re the kind of man that makes me sick. Presents themselves as bleeding blue, all the while enjoying the benefits of an underground lifestyle. You may have left the force, but you are still firmly on my radar.” He clears his throat loudly before continuing his little speech. “I have no doubt our paths will cross again, and when they do, I will take great joy in exposing you for what you are. You and also those reprobates you work with.”
“And what are we exactly?” I snarl.
“Fucking criminals,” he growls. “Every damn one of you. Pathetic bastards dressed up in Armani suits and Rolex watches. Watch your back, McKinney, because I’m watching you, and I can’t wait to put you in cuffs. Consider me your number one enemy in your new career. I’ll take each of you out and lock you up, one by one.” Without another word, he turns and walks away in the direction of the office.
My drive home is slow as I crawl along in the early morning traffic. My mind whirls with what has happened these past two years and just how much has changed. The future I wanted and the present I’m living are so far removed from each other, I’m no longer sure what direction I am moving in. All I feel is confusion as to who I am. I’m no longer Chief Constable McKinney, Connie’s husband. My identity now is as unknown to me as it is to everyone else.
It’s not even eight in the morning as I step through my front door. The sound of Annie’s giggles bounce around the hallway, and my dark mood lightens. When I get to the kitchen, I find Emma and Mrs. D kneeling opposite each other as my daughter wobbles between them. Emma holds out her hands as Annie reaches for them, and she falls into her arms. The two girls I share my home with shriek with glee, and Mrs. D claps in celebration.
It’s then I hear the words leave my daughter’s mouth that make me see red, and all the stress of the past hours comes to a head.
“Ma-ma.”
Chapter thirty-two
Damon, Emma, and Annie's Home, London
Emma
“You are not her mother,” Damon barks from the doorway. “Correct her, now.”
“She’s trying to say Emma,” I tell him as he stands, glaring at me, his fingers balled into fists at his sides. Mrs. D holds out her hands and I pass Annie to her.
“No, she said Ma-ma, and you didn’t stop her. Is this what you’ve been doing? Trying to take her for yourself?” He storms forward as Mrs. D holds his daughter. I sit back on my heels and gape at him. “You are not her mother,” he repeats. His wild eyes bouncing between me and his daughter.
“I never said I was,” I murmur, tears filling my eyes. My heart shatters when I see how furious he is with the possibility Annie could consider me a mother figure. “She wasn’t calling me that.”
“I will take Annie to play in her room,” Mrs. D interrupts. “You two put the kettle on and sit down to have a conversation. Nothing is ever sorted in the heat of the moment.” She moves to walk past Damon, and he steps into her way.
“Damon,” she says, firmly. “Move out of my way. Annie does not need to be around you when you have quite clearly got a lot on your mind. Let me pass and have a discussion with Emma.”
“No.”