“I think you, my love, can handle anything that comes your way. You’ve already proven that countless times.”

“I can’t believe we’re even talking about this. When I came to work this morning, I sure as hell didn’t see this happening.”

“I think you’d look super sexy in the white shirt, baby. Would you make me ask for permission to come to bed every night?”

Jeannie laughed. “You bet I would—and I’d make you salute me.”

“I’d be happy to. This is such marvelous news. I couldn’t be happier for you—or myself, because worrying about my pregnant wife chasing murderers is the stuff of nightmares.”

“Am I going to call the mayor, then, and tell her I’m interested?”

“Only if it’s what you really want, but my vote is an enthusiastic hell yes. They need you in a command role in that department. You could help fix the problems the FBI report identified and clean up Stahl’s mess in addition to so many other contributions. You’d have real power to make changes.”

“That part definitely appeals to me.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I guess I’m going to do this.”

“Congratulations, love. I’m so, so proud of you.”

“Don’t congratulate me until it happens.”

“I’m congratulating you on being asked, and it will happen. If you make that call to the mayor, you’d better be ready for that.”

“Jeez, am I really going to make that call?”

“Yes, you are. Now go do it and let me know how it goes. I’ll be dying until I hear back from you.”

“Don’t do that. I need to keep you around.”

“Then hurry up and call me back. I love you so much, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

“Thanks for the support. I love you, too. Here goes nothing.”

“Call me back.”

“I will.”

Jeannie ended that call and gazed at the business card with the direct line to the mayor written on it in ink. She dug deep, searching for the Zen she’d worked so hard to find after being kidnapped and assaulted. Alas, there was no Zen or chill to be found in this surreal moment. Before she could talk herself out of it, she dialed the number and listened to it ring.

“Monique Brewster.”

For a second, Jeannie was so surprised that the mayor herself answered that she forgot what she needed to say.

“Hello?”

“This is Detective Jeannie McBride.”

“Detective McBride! I’m delighted you called.”

“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m in shock, to be honest.”

The mayor’s laughter helped Jeannie to relax a bit. “I don’t know why you’d be shocked after orchestrating some of the most important arrests in recent memory. Everyone is talking about you, Detective, and in the best possible way.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”