Actually, he was doubting the investigators—including the eccentric one—but maybe Chief was right. Maybe part of his need to look further into this case was so Joe Mahoney’s halo could be restored.
“I’ll get you a complete list.” Chief said it the way he said anything that left no room for negotiating.
Declan fought a sigh. He wasn’t going to go off and interview guys who’d worked here twenty years ago. If they knew anything, it would have been included in the reports. Unless…someone was hiding something, like Kirby Lewis had suggested.
Damn it. “Okay, thanks.”
“Now, let’s talk about something else.” Chief locked his hands behind his bald head, his huge biceps bulging. “My knees.”
“Oh yeah. I know they’ve been killing you.” He eyed the other man, knowing there was more to this part of the conversation than him moaning about his knees. “Are you going to get the surgery? I can cover for you if—”
“Oh, I know you can. But I don’t want you to cover for me, Dec.”
“Oh, okay.” He’d give that role to one of the other two captains?
“I want you to take over my job.”
Declan stared at him for a moment. “For…good?”
“For as long as you want it.”
“You’re quitting?”
“They call it retirement, son, and it’s a fine-sounding word.” He held up a hand to stave off arguments. “I know I’m only fifty, but Lizzie wants to live at the beach, and the retirement package is good, and the kids are getting older, so…” He leaned forward. “You’re the only man in this department I’d consider, and if you mention that to the two other captains, well…” He shrugged. “You won’t have to, because they’ll know when it’s announced.”
Declan fell back in his chair. “Whoa. I didn’t think it would be quite this soon.”
“Neither did I, to be honest. And I might have hung in there ten more years if I didn’t know such a good chief was waiting in the wings.”
“That’s…wow. Thank you. I’m honored. I’m ready.” He added a laugh as an unexpected zing shot through him.
“It’s a big change, you know. Way less action, and I think you’d miss the action. I mean, for a single guy, no responsibilities, no wife, getting into a fire can be a big thrill.”
Out of respect, Declan didn’t snort a laugh. “I don’t think of firefighting as a thrill. It’s a calling.”
“Absolutely. And so is leadership, which is your calling.”
Declan fought a smile. “Thanks, Chief.”
“Hey, thank your old man. He was the one who trained you, whether you realize it or not. I know he was in line to be the next chief. He’d be proud of you.”
A kick of satisfaction hit him hard. “I hope so.” He stood when Chief Winkler did, taking the hand his boss extended.
“We’ll announce it in a few weeks,” Chief said after they shook, then he walked to the door. Before he opened it, he turned back to Declan, who probably had a stupid grin on his face. “Oh yeah, contrary to what you think, I’m not the last person in Bitter Bark to get the news. I can’t wait to dance at your wedding, Dec.”
That stupid grin got stupider. “I can’t wait to see you dance, Chief.”
With that thought in his head, dumping the files back into the storage garage and officially signing off on their return was the easiest thing Declan had done in ages. He’d glance at the firefighter list when he got it, but his life was exactly where he wanted it. Evie in his arms, a baby in the making, his career reaching a pinnacle.
Right now, he couldn’t remember what that moldy old emotional basement even looked like, which was exactly as it should be.
Chapter Twenty-four
“It’s today,” Evie whispered before her eyes were even open. “Today is…the day.”
Declan turned to her, his hard, warm body familiar after a few weeks of falling asleep next to him every night that he wasn’t on duty at the station.
“The Living Museum extravaganza wherein I don a black suit that looks like I am about to be buried in it?”
“Wherein?” She poked his shoulder. “Who says that?”
“The guy who wears that suit.”
“You look like my great-grandfather Montgomery Hewitt, a very dashing man.” She snuggled closer, loving the feel of him from head to toe. “But that’s not what today is.” She gave him a squeeze. “I’m due today…or not.”
His eyes grew wide. “Really? Do you know? Now? Can you tell if you’re getting it?”
“Let me go to the bathroom.” She kissed him on the lips, then reached to the floor to grab a T-shirt that happened to be his navy BBFD shirt. “Wait here and say good Irish prayers.”
“When will you be able to take a test?” he asked, pushing up on his elbows.
“Once I’m a few days late. Hang on.” She tugged the T-shirt over her hips and stepped out of bed completely.
Instantly, Judah barked at her, his head up at the first sound of talking, an abject plea on his remarkable face. “Okay, I’ll help you up, Judah. Easy does it.”
“I got him.” Declan sat all the way up and gently assisted Judah onto the bed. “When do you think he can do steps, Evie?”
“Well, it’s only been a few weeks. I’d say two more weeks, and he’ll be able to get up and down the stairs and even jump on this bed.” She rubbed the dog’s back and gave Declan a look. “Careful what you wish for, Dec. There’ll be three of us in here.”
“Or he’ll go up and keep Max company.”
Judah made his way up the bed to snuggle with Declan, giving him a massive tongue bath.
“Oh!” Declan laughed, backing away. “Is that necessary?”
“Can’t say I blame him,” Evie joked.
“Your tongue is different. Your tongue is—”
Judah barked once, then sat up, put his head back and let out a huge howl.
Declan rubbed his head. “Are you sure he’s not in pain anymore?”
“Nope. That’s a
