Chapter 84

“Sorry, sir. I know this wasn’t what you expected.”

“Maybe not.” I slid an arm around Quinn, squeezed his shoulder, and grinned down into eyes that reflected his love for me. “But it is gonna be fun.”

12: December 24, 2004

THE FRONT OFFICE of the Internal Affairs department was empty. Ms. Parker, my secretary, had gone to the daycare facility where her little girl spent the days while her mom worked. Human Resources had set up a section of their corner of the seventh floor for the kids who were inundating the WBIS since The Boss had begun the new policy that encouraged our support staff to return after maternity leave. Matheson’s secretary was probably there too.

Not much work got done on the day of the WBIS Christmas party beyond the kitchen staff decorating the cafeteria in preparation for the afternoon’s festivities and making sure there would be plenty to eat and drink.