Read Online Justifiable by Dianna Love, Wes Sarginson - Free Book Online Page B

hovering in his eyes punched Riley in the solar plexus. He wouldn’t expect a former SEAL to fear much in life, but Biddy was clearly worried about losing his job.
    Lehman wanted to dump the blame on Biddy for the Henry incident at City Hall, but to be honest the cameraman hadn’t done anything Riley wouldn’t have done himself at one time.
    And wanted to do badly this morning.
    And Biddy wouldn’t be in near as bad a jam if not for being caught in the crosshairs of Lehman’s attitude against Riley.
    “They getting rid of me?”  Biddy stood away from the wall, thick forearms crossed, ready to accept the decision.
    “Not yet.”
    “Yet? What does that mean?”
    “He wanted to dish out separate penalties until I reminded him our unions would kick a fuss.”  Riley watched as understanding settled in Biddy’s face that Lehman had wanted to fire him. “We’re both suspended for a week.” 
    “Guess it’s not as bad as it could be. Still got health insurance.”
    Riley studied him for a minute, but didn’t push for details. Since Biddy had grumbled once that he didn’t like his wife working so hard, Riley assumed she had insurance, too.
    Biddy’s gruff exterior folded briefly under the weight of his gloom. “The wife’s had a couple problems already, needs to stay off her feet. We’ve maxed out our credit cards.”  He shook his head. “She quit work as a temp and is doing what she can by computer from home, but even with insurance it’s already going to be tight to have the baby we’re expecting.”
    Riley nodded. He doubted he could say anything that would lighten Biddy’s load.
    “We can make a week on money we got stashed, but it’s a high-risk pregnancy. If I lose this job, insurance won’t cover a lot of extras she needs and Lehman’s gonna hold my insurance hostage during a suspension. We lost two babies already. I’m more concerned the stress will cause her to miscarry.” 
    Well, damn. No wonder things were tense at home for Biddy.
    Biddy stared off for a minute. “It was a helluva lot easier facing down terrorists than dealing with assholes and corporate bullshit.”
    More bad shit would twist the knife in his gut right now, but a man like Biddy would want to know exactly what he faced.
    “That was the good news.”  Riley considered how much to share about the terms of his 90-day contract for a nanosecond. The terms didn’t matter. If he failed to pull a story out of his bag of tricks he and Biddy would both be gone.
    “What’s the bad news?”  Biddy scratched his chin, eyeing Riley closely.
    “I’ve got eight days to hand the board a third ratings point jump. If not, they’ll have the ammunition to get rid of me...and you.”
    Two suits strolled past the alcove, chatting, just as Biddy released a lethal curse.
    The men went dead silent and turned stern faces to the cameraman who glared them into submission. When they continued on, Riley cocked his head toward the elevators. “Let’s get out of here.” 
    Biddy followed him, neither one speaking until they reached the bottom level where the elevator doors opened to the parking deck. A wicked breeze howled around the concrete pillars and slammed Riley in the chest with every step to where he’d parked his Tundra pickup truck. No one hung around long with temperatures in the low thirties.
    He hated this weather. “God, feel that wind. One thing I hadn’t missed about Philly.” 
    “Cold as a witch’s tit in a brass bra face down in the snow.”  Biddy didn’t so much as rub his arms in spite of wearing no jacket.
    “Wish I could convince Jasper to move somewhere warm like Florida.”  But Jasper wouldn’t leave Philly, which weighed heavily in WNUZ’s favor when the station made Riley what amounted to a pity offer. Jasper needed Riley’s help whether he’d admit it or not.
    “Philly has personality.”  Biddy stopped next to the Tundra and turned on Riley. “What’re you not telling me about this