Page 37 of Dying Truth

He shrugged. ‘You know, she confirmed what I already knew. I’m fucking awesome.’

‘So, she day mark you down at all?’ Stacey asked, knowingly.

‘Well, maybe in one or two areas…’

‘And she day mention you being tricked into going against her express instructions and doing that public appeal?’

He narrowed his gaze at her. ‘It might have come up.’

‘And she didn’t suggest that sometimes you’re—’

‘Stace, it’s supposed to be confidential,’ he snapped. ‘But I suppose you’ve scored yourself modestly?’

Stacey nodded. ‘You know, when I was a kid my mum told me never seat yourself at the head of the table, because it’s a longer walk if you’re asked to step down.’

‘Whatever, Stace,’ he said, moving around some papers on his desk.

He knew what Stacey meant but he also knew his boss liked confidence. Yeah, there were times he appeared arrogant and cocky, but the boss knew him, and she’d been pretty fair with her scoring. He would have preferred a nice tidy row of top scores, but he’d take what she’d given, and he’d been honest with her too. Yes, he wanted promotion. One day he wanted a team of his own, too, but what he really craved was her endorsement.

He realised his colleague was still looking at him.

‘So, what you up to, Kev?’

‘What do you mean?’ he asked, innocently.

‘Look, I know you hate fact-checking but you really gonna avoid spending time with me by making up a line of enquiry to follow?’

He chuckled at her playful tone.

‘Hey, who blew who off?’ he asked, good-naturedly.

He’d asked if she fancied a drink after work the night before. That Geoffrey kid had stayed on his mind and he hadn’t wanted to take it home with him. His own childhood had been thrust right back into his present and he was having trouble shaking it off.

‘Sorry, mate, but I’d made plans,’ she said, staring at her computer screen.

‘Devon, again?’ he asked.

Stacey nodded

‘Bloody hell, Stace. I make that three dates in a week. You two getting serious?’ he asked.

She raised her eyes above the screen edge.

‘Well, we have talked about making a commitment—’

‘A what?’ he gasped.

‘To a weekend away somewhere,’ she laughed at his expression.

He smiled, enjoying her excitement. From what he knew his colleague had been seeing the immigration officer for a few weeks now, and the change in her was noticeable. He sometimes saw the slow, secret smile on her face when she glanced at her phone when she thought no one was watching. He saw the way she carried herself differently, more confidently than he’d ever seen before. He saw the flash of concern when a case caused them to work late. But what he really saw was the light behind her eyes, that warm glow that came from starting to fall in love.

He wasn’t sure if she even knew it herself yet.

‘So, ain’t that commitment thing enough to get you running for the hills yet?’ he asked, playfully.

It was no secret that the drop-dead gorgeous Devon had been interested in Stacey for some time. It was only Stacey who had lacked the confidence or self-worth to give it a go.

‘You know, there’s only one thing that bothers me more,’ she said, seriously.