He ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just... It’s a team effort. You’re part of our team. Palm Cove PD, that is. We’d be honored to have you.”
Now he was laying it on thick. “There’s absolutely no one else available?”
“We need one more woman to even out the team. And even though you’ve expressed your displeasure at being part of the team, I’m hoping you’ll reconsider.” As backpedaling went, it wasn’t much, but the chagrined expression on his face granted him points. Even more points for actually listening to her. He wanted her to join despite her refusal.
“I’ve never done anything like a mud race before.”
“You come and do the best you can.”
She did want to feel accepted, be part of something bigger than herself. She’d forever been the odd person out. Vowed one day she’d change that status. Could it start with something as dirty as a mud run?
She pushed up her glasses. “You’re 100 percent certain you need me?”
He flashed her one of his charming grins. “Absolutely.”
Not sure if it was the team angle or Dante’s interest, but she nodded.
“Great. See you Saturday,” he said, then took off as if afraid she might back out if he hung around.
Which made her want to kick herself. She had three days to get ready. Well, today was already busy with follow-up interviews in ongoing cases, which essentially left her with two days. What was wrong with her?
Marching inside the building, she stopped short when Brandy ran up to her. “Something major’s going on.”
Holding up her hand to ebb the flow of information, she stalled by storing her purse in her desk drawer and pouring a much-needed mug of coffee. Brandy, nearly dancing with impatience to fill her ear with the latest news, was clearly ready to burst.
After a bracing sip of the supremely awful coffee, Eloise faced her friend. “This is a police department. Something is always going on. What makes today different?”
“There’s a rippling in the atmosphere. Plus, Chambers has been upstairs for over an hour.”
“He goes up a couple of times a week to meet with the chief.”
“I heard from the chief’s secretary that the sergeant position is a priority. Like the decision has to be made pronto.”
Eloise set the mug on her desk. Smoothed her black dress pants and straightened the collar on her white blouse while trying to contain her excitement. Would the chief of police seriously consider her?
“I don’t suppose you heard who the likely candidates are?”
“No. That information is being monitored, even more closely guarded than the gold at Fort Knox.”
Eloise blinked. Following Brandy’s thought process was like participating in a Ping-Pong match. If she wasn’t careful, she might get mental whiplash. Thankfully her friend was more focused when on the job.
“I can’t imagine there are that many choices. As far as I know, Dante and I are the only ones who have recently taken the test.”
Brandy’s lips curved. “Exactly.”
“You think...both of us?”
“Who else?”
Eloise sank down into her chair, her chest suddenly tight.
She knew it was a possibility they’d both be in the running. Although, when she’d learned Dante had taken the civil test, she’d been surprised. He’d never expressed a desire to be in a more supervisory role. Not that they’d had any lengthy conversations about their desired career paths or, let’s face it, lengthy conversations about anything much at all. She was lucky they got through their daily hellos. The man didn’t share his personal life with anyone that she knew of; why would he announce his professional career path to the entire department? Maybe it was because of the undercover life he’d adopted to so well. Keeping secrets, and his intentions, close to the vest.
Great. Did she have to worry about competition for the job? They were both qualified, and not to toot her own horn, but she was better suited for the position. But it didn’t matter what she thought. That decision came from those with a higher pay grade.
“Let’s not jump the gun here,” she reasoned. “Who even says they’ll promote someone from this station?”
“Why bring a new person from the outside when we have qualified candidates in this very building? Besides, anyone who knows you can’t argue about how awesome you’d be.”
The pressure in Eloise’s chest eased. “Thanks for the boost of confidence.”
“You have to get the job. For the sisterhood.”
Eloise laughed. “The sisterhood, huh?”
“Seriously. We have to stick together. It’s bad enough we work in a male-dominated field. We have the added pressure of proving ourselves every day.”
As Brandy sauntered away, Eloise considered her words. Her friend spoke the truth. The women working here did prove themselves daily, but for Eloise, this was nothing new. She’d been proving herself her entire life. First, to parents who hadn’t been thrilled when she came along, leaving her pretty much to her own devices while growing up. Their academic careers came first and, as much as it hurt, had been a sterling example of the work ethic she’d adopted from the start of her career.
She’d tried to fit in, at college and on the job, but there was always something keeping her from fully joining in. Letting herself go. Something protecting that little girl who’d longed for the love of her parents and acceptance of others.
Shaking off the direction of her thoughts, she looked up when she sensed someone at her desk. Dante, holding out a slip of paper.
“Patrol called in trouble at Parson’s Auto Mall.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Stolen vehicles. Damage.”
She stood and reached for her badge and a small wallet holding her ID and driver’s license. “Are you coming?”
“No. Still on house arre—I mean, desk duty.”
She would have smiled if his disgruntled expression wasn’t so fierce. Sitting on the sidelines had to be killing him.
“I wrote down the address for you.”
“Thanks,” she said as she took the paper, not really needing the address. Palm Cove was small enough that finding the major dealership wasn’t a problem. When Dante didn’t move, she asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little distracted today.”
Did she dare ask if he’d heard about Chambers’s meeting up in the chief’s office? No, she wouldn’t go there. Instead she said, “Sorry you’re stuck here all day.”
“Hopefully Chambers gets tired of seeing me around all the time and puts me back in the field.”
“You could bring him coffee. Ask him if he wants to talk about his day, what’s up with his family and then, if things are going especially well, ask if he wants to talk about his feelings.”
Dante shuddered. “As much as you meant that as a joke, if the guy doesn’t lighten up soon, I might resort to your suggestion.”
“Oh, let me know if you do. I want to stand by the door and listen to every word.”
“I’ll blame you.”
“Go for it,” she said as she walked away. “But he won’t believe that you and I ever had this conversation.”
His chuckle came from behind her, making her smile.