"I know, I need to get it on the books anyway." He nodded as he bent down and made a note on his calendar. "I just didn't know how quickly I'd have to do it."
"See, sir," I said as I took a deep breath and blurted it out, "I am part owner of Chicago Security Company and we're taking on a contract to protect Richard Metzler during his upcoming run for office."
"Okay," Chief said as he stood looking at me with an expression that told me he wasn't particularly shocked or bothered by my revelation. "And you're telling me this because?"
"Because Victor Vangel has been trying to blackmail me into supporting his bid for the Lieutenant position in this station by threatening to tell everyone that I am part owner of a multi-million dollar corporation," I quickly said. "I'm tired of his threats."
"That sneaky little bastard," Chief said as he sat down in his chair and made another note on his calendar. "I'll take care of his sorry ass, don't you worry about that."
"That's just it, Chief; he's getting dangerous," I said. "Today at the fire, he didn't check the door before he opened it. I can't say if those people were still alive when he set off the explosion, but if they were..."
"I'll take care of it, Connor," Chief said with a determined look. "There's no reason to go spreading rumors or discussing this with anyone else, got it?"
"Yes, Chief." I nodded solemnly.
"And as far as your personal business goes, son, it's your personal business," he said, bracing himself on his desk. "If anyone has an issue with you doing something to better your situation outside of work, then tell them to come see me and I'll set them straight."
"Yes, sir." I smiled as I stood up and waited for him to end the meeting.
"You are free to go, Connor," Chief said as he began punching his keyboard.
I walked out of the office and back to the common room where Kelly was wrestling with Tesla as he tried to pull her stuffed elephant out of her mouth. She was wagging her tail and growling happily as he reached out and took a hold of one end of the stuffed animal and pulled. Tesla's only flaw was that when she got overly excited, she would bark. She barked, and Mike pulled the elephant away and held it over her head. Tesla crouched low and then sprang up and grabbed the toy, bringing it and Mike's arm back down to tugging level.
"Don't you ever get tired of that?" I laughed as I watched the two of them repeat the action over and over.
"Nah, she loves it!" Mike said as he growled back. If he'd had a tail, it would have been wagging a mile a minute.
"Where's Vangel?" I asked. Mike pointed out toward the bay where I could see Victor wiping down the trucks. I walked out and looked at him for a long time before speaking, "You can stop trying to blackmail me now."
"What the hell are you talking about?" he said, looking around nervously.
"You asshole, there's no one around, and even if there was, it doesn't matter anymore," I said. "Chief knows and he doesn't care."
"But the guys don't know," Victor said in a snooty tone. "What would they think if they knew one of their own was a multi-millionaire running a security firm on his off days?"
"They'd probably congratulate me and then ask for a job," I scoffed. "You're the only one who seems to have an issue with it, Vangel. So, now's the time for you to get over yourself."
"Does HQ know that you sunk your insurance check into the business?" Victor asked. "And does your little girlfriend? She's quite the hot piece of ass. If she’s got a friend, maybe we can do a double date some time and switch it up, eh?"
"What the fuck is wrong w
ith you, Vangel?" I growled as I moved closer. "You're just a disgusting little troll who can't do anything right, so you have to tear everyone else down to make yourself feel tall? Is that it? No girl in her right mind would ever agree to go out with a loser like you.”
"Fuck you, Connor," he said, throwing the rag to the ground and stepping closer. "You're an arrogant prick who thinks his shit doesn't stink. I'm sick of watching you walk around here like you're holier than the rest of us. You're act like some kind of saint."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I laughed. "I've never acted like I'm better than anyone. Jesus, Vangel, who put that bug up your ass?"
"I've been watching you, Connor," he said menacingly. "You think you're above it all. You're not, you know. You're just like the rest of us. And one of these days, you're going to find that out the hard way."
"You're delusional, Vangel," I said, shaking my head as I walked back toward the common room. "We might have to work together, but I'm going to recommend you stay as far away from me as you can. We'll both be better for it."
"You're going to pay for your arrogance, Connor," Victor hissed as I walked away. "One of these days, you'll get what's coming to you. Just wait and see."
I shook my head and walked away, even though what I really wanted to do was pound some sense into that thick skull of his. Instead, I headed to the kitchen and began helping Danny get dinner started.
Half way through the preparations, my phone rang; it was Alex, but I was elbow deep in ground beef and couldn't answer it. I made a mental note to call her back as soon as we'd put the lasagna in the oven. We'd been apart less than twenty-four hours and I already missed her. I shook my head as I realized that if I wasn't careful, I was going to get soft.
And then I smiled at the thought.