Page 137 of Cody


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“Sure, we can go back to my office.”

I lead him down the hall.

Hawthorne steps into my office and looks around. “Guess the new guy gets the tuna can.”

I chuckle. “It’s a bit small.”

I close the door as he extends both his arms and can nearly touch the walls.

“A bit?”

“You know I won’t be in here much, so it’s fine.”

He lowers his arms so I can get around him, but damn, he’s right, this is small.

I sit behind the desk, and Hawthorne sits in the only other chair in the room. The one Rover vacated.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“You requested background checks on Vince Gardiner and Lawrence Gardiner. After reviewing those, I think you might have left something out of your report.”

I requested the background report on Lawrence to see if there was anything else I was unaware of that would tie him to the hockey program.

I lean back and sigh. “Lawrence was my ex’s father.”

“Was?”

“He died last week.”

Hawthorne frowns. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. He wasn’t a good man.”

“Does this mean you knew about his dealings?”

I grimace. “There were rumors growing up. I don’t think I believed them until this last month.” I run a hand down my face. Shaving fell off my priority list and my scruff is almost a full beard at this point.

The man stares at me and I know he’s not happy I kept any information from him. And I can’t blame him. “I’m really sorry I wasn’t more up front. Honestly, I never thought I’d see Lucy or her father again. Then when I saw her on campus while I was with Joseph, it threw me.” I hold up a hand. “And I know SEALs aren’t supposed to be thrown off their game. But—”

He leans forward. “I get it. I realize this is a special situation. A situation that won’t arise again. But if it does, you need to be honest and direct with Stormy about anything that’s going on. Understand?”

“Yes, I do.” Damn, I hate that I’m leaving RHS with this hanging over my head.

“Now, thank you for explaining everything. I want you to know we’re good. And I hope to work with you in the future at some point.”

“How? Are you moving to Seattle?”

He laughs. “Hell no. Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure it’s a fine city, but after seeing it through my wife’s eyes, I don’t want to come back.”

I lean forward. “Did something happen to her? Is she all right?”

“She’s fine. Nothing happened to her except her desire to shop and only at the most expensive boutiques she can find. That’s where she’s at now. I don’t even want to know how much she’s spending.” He blows out a breath. “Sorry, that wasn’t appropriate. I shouldn’t vent to you.”

“Why shouldn’t you? I may not be your employee anymore, but I’d like to think we’re friends.”

His eyes move from his hands to my eyes. “You’re right. We are friends. In fact, I need a friend who likes to skydive. Reed refuses to go with me. I don’t suppose you’d want to go sometime?”

I laugh. “Sorry, but I like to save jumping out of planes for the job only.”