Bertie laughed. “Of course you did. Well, let’ssee if we can clean this up. I’m assuming I’m on speaker?”
“Yes, and thank you so much. I don’t knowwhat I’d do without you.” He was alpha enough that playing up the helplessomega bit always made him happy.
Bertie’s voice barked out in anger. “I’m assumingyou have figured out who you are listening to, gentlemen?”
They all snapped to attention and the angryone called out. “Yes, sir.”
He was not a happy camper.
Bertie was in full police chief mode.“Names and rank.”
As the police officers called out theirnames and information, Silas walked over to me and ran his hand over my back.He dropped his voice to a bare whisper. “Business partner, huh?”
I grinned. “His wife is going to love you.She looks like this little sweet doll, but she’s…funny.”
Before Silas could respond, Bertie spoke upagain. “I want every one of you in my office first thing Monday and I will callyour captain in as well.”
He was so helpful.
“Thank you, Bertie. Oh, and is this wheremy donations are going? You know I donated that ten million to fund the cleanup the streets campaign, but is this what that money is being used for?” Iasked it sweetly, but he knew me well enough to understand I wasn’t happy.
“Absolutely not.” But he didn’t sound asconfident as he should have.
“My accountant said I need to increasedonations next year, but I can’t help causes that harass law-abiding citizens.”Like me. If he thought I’d give money to cops who didn’t even ask questionsbefore arresting people, he was insane.
“You have nothing to worry about, Austin.I’m sure this is a misunderstanding.” His voice was calm, but I could hear thesteel back in it.
“I’m so glad, Bertie. But there may be somecommunication issues because they’ve been staking out my new business on amonthly basis for ages and that’s not what my donation was for.” I had that inwriting. “Should I look over my paperwork, Bertie?”
He groaned and that sound had every copwincing. Evidently, they knew his temper too. “Monthly?”
“Yes, Bertie, at least monthly.” That wasjust insane. “I don’t like that law and I’ll be doing some things to addressthat, but my business partner and I would never deliberately flaunt it.”
We’d just go around it.
Duh.
“I realize that, Austin. I’m sorry this gotout of hand. You won’t have any more problems.” He’d already been helpful, buthis voice grew more sincere as he saw the millions I’d donated floating awayright before his eyes.
But I didn’t like the look on the angrycop’s face.
“And I won’t have to worry aboutretaliation or issues like these fine gentlemen ignoring problems in this area?My partner has been trying to be helpful by leaving the business in a part oftown that needs the stability and the tax revenue, but it might be safer if Ibought a location right downtown. You know, something cute and trendy.” Thatsubtle threat had him jumping in right away.
“No, don’t worry about that at all. I’llpersonallymake sure you have nothing to worry about.” His tone had every cop in therestanding straighter, and the nervous one at the back even took a step away fromthe phone. This had clearly not been his idea. I made a mental note to callBertie later and make sure he knew the cute short one hadn’t been a problem.
“Thank you, Bertie. I appreciate youclearing up this little matter.”
“It’s never a problem. Abbie would kill meif I let you get arrested, especially over something like this.” Then he pausedand I heard whispers in the background. “In fact, she said to call her nextweek and make dinner plans. It’s been months since you came over.” He chuckled.“And I have orders from the boss to make sure you bring your newbusinesspartner. You have her very curious, Austin.”
I laughed. “Oh, I will definitely do that. Goodnight,Bertie, and thank you.”
As he disconnected the call, I smiled up atthe now antsy-looking police officers. “Do we have any more problems,gentlemen?”
They shook their heads like cute littledolls.
“Wonderful. Now, if you’ll excuse us. Weclosed early so we could go over some paperwork and you’ve taken up a lot ofour time.” Lifting one eyebrow, I gestured toward the door, making a shooingmotion.
The angry one swallowed and nodded.“We…apologize for the misunderstanding.”
