He dove no deeper. The Quinlans told him enough. Instinct took over from there.
The day before his swearing-in, Trevor broke the news about his replacement but cushioned it with plans for an entire department devoted to Shadow Gambit profiling.
“I want you on Shireena’s team,” he told Thomas. “You know the procedures inside and out. You’ll make the same pay as a Chief.”
Keeping Thomas in Central Administration near Shireena’s gaze limited his movement. Moreover, Thomas would not have authority over anyone. That could only be good for morale.
Sixty-one days later, moments after eliminating one threat, Trevor struggled to find a way forward in exposing the second.
“We’ll make a breakthrough soon,” he told Shireena. “He won’t see it coming.”
“There’s no rush. We still have twenty-six thousand residents to vet, and a new rotation surge in three weeks. We’re at least three months out before we’re caught up.”
He snickered.
“So, what are you saying? I should back off until we can afford to downsize your team?”
“It’s your call, Trev. I have no affection for the man.”
Trevor shrugged.
“I hope I’m wrong about him. Yesterday, he overheard me discussing Ana’s out-of-control birthday dinner. How Effie is sparing no expense.”
Shireena grinned.
“The magical expanding guest list.”
Trevor had pleaded with his soon-to-be ex-wife to tame the affair, for which she reserved a private dining room at Hulla, the most exclusive restaurant on Amity. He didn’t recognize most of the names but suspected many were Reginald Endowi’s associates.
“He inquired about it. At first, I thought he was angling for an invitation. No. He asked if it was appropriate to buy Ana a small gift on behalf of the SG team.”
“What did you say?”
“I wasn’t about to hurt his feelings. I told him to run it past me when he decided what to buy. He agreed. Expect him to be coming around with a dataflick for everyone to sign.”
“Thomas is off today. He’s probably out shopping for the gift. I’m sure it will be something overly grand.”
Trevor laughed. “I’ll thank him for his generosity.”
Shireena started for the door.
“You’re a good man, Trevor Stallion, and a brilliant game player.”
“I’m Governor. It’s in the job description.”
She blew a kiss.
“Back to the grind. I have nine profiles to run today, and I’m expecting FOA reports on six others. Wish me luck.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“Should I send in Andreas?”
“No. He’s coordinating the luncheon for the Farsight Conference at Atumwa. Last we spoke, he said there was actually an argument about seating assignments. What in ten hells?”
Chief of Staff Andreas Portnois, a former clerk of the Interstellar Congress, was fastidious, conscientious, and meticulous. He came highly recommended but lacking social grace.
Trevor preferred Andreas do the heavy lifting and keep their interaction to the necessary minimum. Andreas, who admitted to having little love for people, thrived under the arrangement.
Shireena paused to reflect on the lunch debate.
“If I had to guess, they want the Atumwa Chief to dominate the luncheon, but Andreas will not allow anyone to outshine you.”
“That was my impression. He’s rabid about the particulars.”
“A Governor should demand no less. Speaking of, see you at lunch.”
“It’s a date.”
Trevor got used to the offerings at Central Administration’s private dining room. A mid-shift meal that didn’t involve kiosk pellets or cost a fortune in UCVs. Yes, please.
At first, he spread himself thin dining at tables with different members of Central’s bloated staff. Schmoozing, he called it. Convincing everyone he was worthy of the office and in no way resembled his predecessor. In recent days, he found a corner table and ate only with Shireena.
They were open about it to anyone who asked. Better to quell the gossip before it morphed into something unseemly. Then again, Trevor held considerable leverage. After all, his name appeared on their pay stamps. A little fear was OK if it kept them from saying anything to hurt Shireena.
Effie must have sensed Shireena’s awkward stance. She put to rest any potential tension by inviting the couple of join her and Reginald for dinner.
Surreal did not begin to describe it, but Trevor left that night grateful for Effie’s gesture. She accepted Shireena without condition and promised to pave a gentle path through Ana’s heart.
