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Ryan and Corey filed out.
“I hope Remi’s okay,” Avery said once they’d left the room.
“She will be.” I wasn’t sure if I would recover, though. I never wanted to get a call like that again.
“Thanks for letting us talk to Corey,” Dexter said.
“I know you want to get to the bottom of who attacked Remi. And Corey wants to help in any way he can.”
“I appreciate his honesty,” I said.
She smiled. “I think it would be great if you attended his game.”
“We’ll make every effort to be there,” I promised.
I remember everything Remi said about her childhood, and I knew how important it was to feel like a priority. With Corey being shipped from Texas to Maryland, he needed that, too.
* * *
“Castle, I need to talk to you.”
“Of course.” I stood, following him into his office.
I couldn’t refuse, even if I was anxious to get off work so I could reach out to Austin. I wanted to fix things in my past so I could move forward with Remi.
Closing the door behind us, Chief sat across from me. “I’m pleased with how you handled the community fundraiser.”
“Thank you, sir.” Normally, there was nowhere I’d rather be than discussing my future with the department, but today, I wanted to get back to Remi.
“The mayor and the store owners have nothing but good things to say about how you’re handling relations between the community and the department. I had my doubts when you came to me asking for a promotion. I wasn’t sure you’d be the best at dealing with people, but you’ve proven me wrong.”
I couldn’t discount the influence that Remi had in my life. She helped me see that there was another way of being in the world.
“I’d like to offer you the promotion to sergeant.”
“Sir, what about the investigation? It’s not closed yet.”
“I have every confidence in your abilities. You’re a natural leader.”
“I can’t thank you enough, sir.”
“You’ve done the work and proven yourself. We don’t always have the answers. Sometimes we’re wrong. So, whatever blame you’re putting on yourself for the robbery last night, let it go.”
“That robbery happened to my girlfriend.”
Chief raised his brow.
In all the years I’d worked here, I never talked to him about my personal life.
He leaned back in his chair, interlacing his fingers behind his head. “Let’s have Dexter take over the investigation. Not because I don’t trust you, but so we don’t have any issues with the case in the future.”
“I understand.” I knew it wasn’t a demotion. I shouldn’t be investigating Remi’s assault. I was too close.
“You did your job. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
The words hit a little harder hearing them from Dexter and now my boss. “It’s hard to believe.”
“This job isn’t easy. We work odd hours, come home late, and leave early. We miss family events, but I don’t regret being married or having kids. If you’re thinking your girlfriend would be better off without you in her life—”
