NICK

(Continued from Firefighters' Fateful Encounter, Part 1)

I stood just inside the front door. Sophie’s voice carried through the office door, as clear as if she was standing right beside me. I regretted having put on cologne.

“An external? You hired an ostie de calisse external candidate? I thought it was just a formality, you know, show that there was the appearance of fair competition or something.”

The door flew open and Sophie exploded into the room like a Mentos mint dropped in a bottle of Diet Coke. She didn’t see me and turned back toward the office.

“If you think for one minute I’m going to cooperate with your connard, external foutu hire for my job, you’re delusional. In fact, if you think anyone in this department is going to welcome an outsider with open arms, I’m going recommend you see a neurologist because it is my professional opinion that you, Sir, have brain damage.”

She turned and Storm Troopered her way toward the door to leave and stopping dead in her tracks when she saw me.

“Shit,” we said at the same time.

She turned back to yell at the office. “Decker, since you’re the big boss, you can hang around until seven and let the guys know what’s happening. I’m out of here. Let’s go,” she said, grabbing my hand. “My work here is so done.”

Shit shit shit shit.

“So…” I was at a loss, not at all sure how to proceed. This was...