Page 58 of Edge of Honor

“In my entire career at the Bureau, that’s the cleanest shooting I’ve ever seen,” his boss stated.

Carolan’s hope that in addition to the security cameras on the outside of White Wolf Combat, the interior cameras—especially the one in Weber’s office—had been running and recording had paid off.

“How’s she doing?” Gallo continued.

“Good. It’s not her first rodeo.”

“Any psychological or emotional issues? Shock? PTSD?”

“With all due respect, I’m not a shrink,” Carolan replied.

“But you are her supervisor, as well as her partner. If I okay her to return to the field, am I going to regret it?”

“I don’t think so. No.”

“Okay, just to cover my ass, I want one of the Bureau psychologists to sign off. My assistant has got her an appointment at ten o’clock this morning.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Carolan. “I’ll make sure she’s there.”

“You should pick her up in a limo and buy her the best breakfast in town on your way,” Gallo stated. “If not for her shooting skills, that piece of shit Weber might have killed you both.”

Carolan didn’t disagree. After thanking his boss again, he hung up, placed a call to Fields, and filled her in.

As her vehicle was still sitting in the garage back at headquarters, he drove to her place and picked her up.

“Here you go,” he said, handing her a large coffee as she got into the car, plus a bag with her favorite bacon, egg, and Gouda sandwich.

“What’s all this?” she asked. “I normally get us coffee.”

“It was Gallo’s idea. He said that since you saved my life, the least I could do was buy you breakfast.”

“He’s right,” Fields said. “And by the way, you’re welcome.”

“By the way,” Carolan responded, “look at your cup.”

Fields looked down and read aloud what had been written in black Sharpie. “Thank you. Love, Boss.”

“Awwww, I’m going to frame this and hang it in our beautiful new office.”

“Over my dead body. That thing isnotcoming in the building. I didn’t put in decades of hard work just so you could blow up my reputation with a to-go cup.”

“You should have thought of that ahead of time,” she replied, peeling off the lid and blowing on the coffee. “Besides, it’ll be good for people to see a different side of the angry, old ‘Bear.’ Maybe they’ll start calling you thesugarbear.”

“Good God, no. I’m telling you right now. If that happens, I’m putting a bullet in you and then one in myself.”

Fields grinned. “Whatever you say, Sugar Bear.”

Carolan knew, that for at least the next twenty-four hours, he was going to have to be a good sport and take it. Gallo was right. She had very likely saved both of their lives.

“You sure you’re okay with getting back in the saddle right away?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I’ve got to be honest. After you dropped me off at home, I opened a bottle of Merlot and polished it off by myself.”

“Understandable.”

“Then I opened a second.”

Carolan winced at hearing that.