“No,” Oliver said. “I’ll collect you and Alfie from the foster placement.” Because, although Oliver felt like a piece of shit, he wasn’t fucking stupid.
“But I have a car seat,” Patrick countered, the illusion of calm faltering as his mouth twitched.
“So do I,” Oliver replied. “Nine o’clock, outside the foster placement.”
Patrick’s eyebrow twitched. “Fine.”
With that, they both stood. “DC Reed,” Callahan called when he turned to leave. “A moment please. Mr Coletta, are you able to show yourself out?”
When Patrick finally left,Oliver slumped back into his seat. “Glad to have you back,” the Inspector said, a warm smile crossing his face.
“Thank you, boss.”
“Are you and DS White quite well now?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Well, I must say, Oliver, I think the two of you make a fine pair.”
The comment should have made him blush, but his mood had fallen so low it was practically in the station basement. The Inspector gave a small chuckle when Oliver didn’t reply. “I know having a mate might seem overwhelming at first, but I truly believe this will be good for you. In fact, I think it could be the making of you, Oliver.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Sir?”
Callahan glanced at the ceiling, then back at him. “Well… how can I put this? You are an excellent detective, and you were always a stellar response officer back when you were in uniform. But it’s obvious you have some confidence issues. I think having a mate, especially one such as DS White, could mellow you out a bit. Make you a little less abrasive. More demure.”
Oliver scoffed. Abrasive?Demure? He would describe himself as many things, but neverabrasive.But then he thought back to how he had spoken to Callahan during the last briefing. And how he had treated Shirley Spencer. And how he hadjustacted with Patrick. Perhaps he was a little abrasive. Oh, who was he fucking kidding? He was more abrasive than sandpaper. The realisation did not make him feel better. In fact, it pissed him off even more knowing that the Inspector thought he needed abig strong alphato temper his persona.
“I’m going to share some confidential information,” the Inspector continued, dipping his head in a collusionary manner. “Blake’s mate is pregnant. It’s early days, but he has indicated that he would like to take a career break for at least a year. Now, Oliver, I know you’ve passed the sergeant’s exam—and with flying colours, so I hear. As such, I was going to suggest supporting your application for an acting position. And who knows, you might even become a substantial sergeant within a year.”
The suggestion should have filled him with pride. It was true that he’d thought about promotion, he wouldn’t have sat the sergeant’s exam if he hadn’t, but he’d always hesitated about making it a reality. However, the timing of the suggestion didn’t sit right with him.
“Sir, could I ask a question?”
Callahan dipped his head, “Of course.”
“And can I ask you to be frank in your answer?”
“Always.”
“Are you only suggesting promotion because you believe DS White is my mate? Would you still support my application if he wasn’t?”
“Isn’t DS White your mate, Oliver? Hasn’t he given you the bite?”
“Please, sir. The question.”
Callahan frowned before leaning back in his chair. “Well, to be frank, yes, I would still support your application, but with the caveat that you complete a full psychological assessment. West Newton has never had an unmated sigma in a position of management, and I don’t think the higher-ups would want to take the risk.”
“Do alphas have to have a psychological assessment?”
Callahan shifted in his seat. “No.”
“And omegas?”
Callahan let out a laugh. “Of course.”
And there it was. The ever pervading discrimination against his sex.
“Thank you, sir,” he said, standing to leave. “You’ve made your position on the matter quite clear.”
