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Lynch releases a soft sigh of relief. “This is the right choice, Sharpe. I know we’ve had our differences, but we can work through?—”
The badge clicks on the desktop as I set it in front of Pen and let it go.
Lynch’s brows sweep together in a frown. “What are you doing?”
A sense of rightness fills me, and I straighten in my seat. “I’m not the one who should run the police force. If you’re looking for a protector, Merripen Cay has more experience than anyone else.”
Red tints his cheeks. “What are you saying?”
“I won’t resume my old position.” I meet Pen’s surprised gaze. “I’m going to be the Mayor of Clearhelm.
what the city needs
- Pen -
Pride fills me as Sharpe stakes his claim as mayor.
From the moment he was elected, I knew he would thrive in the position. He’ll now be the person making the rules instead of the one forced to abide by them.
Suggesting I take over as captain of the Clearhelm Police, though?
Caught off guard by this development, I stare at the badge on the desk in front of me. “Sharpe, I already have a job, remember?”
“The Bone Guard isn’t enough for you. If it was, you wouldn’t have started the Hub.” He takes my hand and places the badge on my palm. “Becoming the police captain will challenge you on all fronts.”
“What about the Others?” I shake my head. “You know why we didn’t join the JTFPI after the Resurgence. Those reasons haven’t changed.”
“No, it hasn’t, but Trent is working with Meredith to train people to take over what the Cleaners did.” He curls my fingers around the badge. “Everyone else has their place, but you’re restless. You need this change as much as I do.”
Before I can further voice my concerns, Lynch cuts in, annoyance etched on his face. “Are you just giving up, Sharpe? After everything we’ve been through? Anyone can be mayor, but running a successful police force requires specific skills.”
“Which Pen has.” Sharpe meets Lynch’s gaze, his jaw set with determination. “Pen is the backbone of the Joint Task Force of Paranormal Investigations’ success. Without her knowledge and training, we would have failed the moment we opened our door. She’s more than capable of handling Clearhelm’s police department.”
He glances back at me. “I plan to continue working with the Yard, but as a liaison with the council. Nickodemus only wanted me because it brought you to the team. You can run the Bone Guard and the Clearhelm police together. It will finally be the protection our city has always needed for all of our citizens.”
I swallow hard as I gaze down at the badge I hold.
Can I really do this? Am I ready to take on such a role?
It will be a big change from straddling the gray line between what’s right and what we’re getting paid to do. But the demons and witches in Clearhelm deserve protectors who won’t turn a blind eye when they are mistreated or harmed. And humans need to feel confident that their police force can step in when magic gets out of control.
Maybe this is what I’ve been working toward, without consciously knowing it was what I was destined to do.
I look up at Lynch. “If I do this, I won’t kiss ass and let cases slip by the way Bailey did. I will run the force the way I want without needing your approval first.”
The chief’s eyes narrow. “I haven’t even offered you the job.”
“But you will if you want Clearhelm to have a chance of surviving.” Sharpe leans back. “Or, you can wait for the Yard to absorb the entire city, which is what will happen if things continue on their current trajectory. Nickodemus has no reason to fear you, and he wants power. You need someone more powerful to smack his hand and tell him to behave.”
With a huff of disbelief, Lynch gestures at me. “And she’s the one who can do that?”
I give him a toothy smile. “I will not only do it, but I will enjoy putting the king of boogeymen in his place.”
Lynch folds his arms across his chest in challenge. “How?”
“Clearhelm and the Yard both serve a vital part of our city, and losing one or the other is not in anyone’s best interest.” I clip Sharpe’s badge onto my belt next to the silver skull already there. “Nickodemus had me sign a contract to protect the Yard, and the best way to achieve that is by ensuring it doesn’t push past its current limits and shift the balance.”
I straighten in my seat. “The Yard needs support from Clearhelm, whether or not Nickodemus wants to admit it. The best way to gain that support is by working both sides, with the backing of city hall and its elected officials.”
