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“He pledged his full support. Mills knows the suspension is bullshit. So does Wilson. But they have to be seen to be taking all appropriate measures.”

“This suspension won’t stay on her record, will it?”

“No, don’t worry. It won’t even hover close.”

“Good. I sure hope Quinn receives an official apology from the mayor when this is all over. She damn well should demand one.”

“Yes, but you know this isn’t her style. As a former soldier, she’s used to taking hits. She’s too stoic. It won’t even occur to her to ask for an apology she deserves.”

“But it’s occurred to you,” Demi prompted. “And you will push for one for her, won’t you?”

“Oh yeah,” Lia answered fiercely. “You betcha.”

Quinn was handling the situation well, it was true. She was patient, pragmatic, and not overly anxious about it. Or at least no longer.But Lia would never forget that first evening when she had gone to meet her at the beach. The wounded expression on her wife’s face, the tears she fought back, the way it stole her breath... She would not forget any of that in a hurry. Lia was even more furious about the blog and the ensuing suspension due to the fact that she knew just how hard Quinn had had to work to overcome the emotional trauma of her final mission on the frontline. The blog writer had obviously done their research, and aimed to cause maximum damage.

“Okay.” Demi patted her on the shoulder in approval. “I’ll let you get on then, darling. Like I told Quinn, if there’s anything I can do, you just let me know.”

“There is, actually.”

“Oh, good. What do you need?”

chapter 14

Lia brought up the copy of each article she had made onto her main computer screen. She placed them two aside on a single slide and hit zoom.

“Take a look at these for me, Dem,” she invited. “What do you see?”

“There’s four of these articles now?” Demi exclaimed.

“Yes; whoever’s writing them has publishing diarrhea.”

“I hope it hurts.”

“Yes,” Lia approved with a heartfelt nod. “The last article is particularly vicious. It makes up a fictitious story about Quinn bullying a young female soldier under her command when she was in Iraq.”

“Jesus! No one who actually knows Quinn will believe this web of lies! Before she took on Special Crimes, she was one of the best field training officers the department ever had. The best coach and mentor, and this coming straight from the mouth of the officers she trained!”

“Yes, but this blog isn’t aimed at the people who know and appreciate her. Now look,” Lia repeated. “What do you see?”

The more she stared at the four blogs aligned in this format, the more obvious it became to her, and the more her heart sank. It only took Demi a couple of seconds before she nodded.

“I notice a pattern. Each blog is about the same size, just one big paragraph with a concluding sentence.”

“Yes.” Lia highlighted each one.

A BAD COP!

A STINKING COVER-UP!

DON’T TRUST THE POLICE!

SHE’S A BULLY!

“All in caps,” Demi noted. “With an exclamation mark. It’s a style of writing, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Like a signature, you might say.”

“Wait a minute.” Lia clenched her teeth as her friend turned astonished eyes toward her. “You sound just like… Lia, do you know someone who writes like that?”