“I would, too,” Jeannie said.

“While we have you,” Sam said to Jeannie, “we had an interesting chat with the mayor this morning. Your name came up.”

“How so?” Jeannie asked, brows furrowed.

“First of all, she was impressed—as we all are—with your work on the Deasly case, but she also mentioned a job opening that she thought might interest you.”

Jeannie gave her a wary look. “What opening is that?”

“Deputy chief.”

Sam enjoyed watching Jeannie’s expression go completely flat with shock.

“What?”

“You heard me. She very much wants a woman in the post, and your name came up.”

“What about you?”

“Can you picture me as the deputy chief?” Sam asked with a snort. “I’d be like a cat on a hot tin roof in that job, but I think you’d be great at it.”

“Did she ask you first?”

“She mentioned it, but we all know I’d suck at it.”

“Is this for real?” Jeannie asked, arms crossed.

“As real as it gets,” Malone said.

“And the captains and the other higher-ups would be okay with a detective being promoted over them? Can that even happen?”

“It’s not the norm,” Malone said, “but the mayor’s the boss. She wants a woman, and we’re sadly lacking in women at the captain rank.”

“There’re other female lieutenants.”

“None who have recently brought down a massive human trafficking ring,” Sam said, “or survived a brutal attack that led to other high-profile arrests. She wants you.”

“Because I’m Black—and female.”

“That doesn’t hurt anything,” Malone said, “but without your accomplishments, your name wouldn’t be in the mix.”

“This is for real,” Jeannie said, sounding incredulous. “Like, she really wants me?”

“She really does.” Sam handed her the business card from the mayor. “She’d like you to call her.”

Jeannie stared at the card for a long moment before she took it from Sam. “I, uh… You guys… Seriously?”

Sam laughed. “Dead seriously, and you should consider it, Jeannie. You’re going to be a mom. This would take you off the streets and give you—more or less—a day job with regular hours.”

“Congratulations,” Malone said. “I hadn’t heard about the baby.”

“Oh, sorry,” Sam said, wincing. “I didn’t mean to blab.”

“It’s fine,” Jeannie said. “People will find out soon enough, and thank you, Captain. We’re excited.” She took a deep breath and blew it out as she glanced his way. “Tell me the truth… Would people accept me as the deputy chief? People who are currently sergeants, lieutenants and captains?”