California Fire And Life

109

He's just managed to turn the computer off when Cooper lays a hand on his shoulder.

"You've been suspended, Jack," Cooper says, "pending an investigation."

"Fuck you, I quit."

"Better," Cooper says.

Goddamn Billy comes up.

"What the goddamn hell is going on here?"

"Mr. Wade has been suspended."

"Who says Mr. Wade has been suspended?"

"SIU has uncovered some information involving kickbacks-"

"Bull-fucking-shit!"

"You'll have to take that up with Ms. Hansen," Cooper says.

"You bet your goddamn ass I'll take it up with Mizzz Goddamn Hansen!" Billy yells. "This ain't over, Jack."

"It's over, Billy."

You don't know how over.

They're walking him out, Jack can see Sandra Hansen watching him from the corner. He waves at her.

Hansen's not happy.

She's thinking what a brainless, dumb stud Jack Wade is. She's thinking that Jack's surfboard has landed on his head once – make that twice – too often.

But he's a good honest claims dog and it's too bad he's so damn stubborn. Out this morning still chasing the Vale file.

But she has three years and God only knows how much of her budget sunk into ROC and she's not going to let one stubborn M-4 of an adjuster flush it down the toilet.

Not now.

Not when the deal goes down tonight.

So Jack Wade has to go.

Phil Herlihy's watching the whole thing up on Mahogany Row on the security camera.

Phil's gripping.

Seriously.

He's been monitoring Wade's computer screen, saw what he was working on.

Jack Wade has to go.