Shoot 'Em Up by Janey Mack

McGrane’s ass so bad on last week’s op-ed, I’m surprised she has anything to sit on.”
    â€œNot quite certain about that,” Paul said, stroking his beard.
    Lennon, clueless his boss had actually penned my column, kept on digging. “Aside from the naïve ramblings of an inbred capitalist?” He shook his head in mock sorrow at me. “It’s not the kind of thing we believe at the Sentinel . We bring news to the people. Not elitist propaganda.”
    I shrugged. We were never gonna be pals, anyway.
    The door opened. “Ms. McGrane?” inquired an office assistant.
    I raised a hand.
    â€œYour ten o’clock is here.”
    Having an appointment announced didn’t do me any favors with the hyenas. I collected my things and followed the assistant down the hall and across the lobby to the conference room where I’d met Nyx and Broady.
    Inside, Sawyer stood at the picture window, dressed, as always, to the nines.
    â€œHello, sir.” Ridiculous and underdressed was a hard combo for inner composure to beat. “How are you?”
    â€œVery well, Maisie. I could ask you that same question, but I’m not sure you’d give the appropriate answer.”
    Sawyer had taken a chance on me when no one else would. And to repay him, I’d gone rogue. Time to man up. “I’m one hundred percent underwater. I’m sorry, sir.”
    â€œShall we?” He gestured to the table and we sat down. “What happened to your neck?”
    I got that sinking feeling. “Coles put his cigar out on me at The Storkling.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œHe finds the sight of me provoking.”
    â€œNaturally. Will there be anyone pursuing recourse on your behalf?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHmm.” Sawyer leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “The mayor’s vendetta against you is disturbing and potentially problematic. How much so, remains to be seen.” He dropped his hands abruptly. “Bring me up to speed on the past two weeks.”
    Floodgates open, I let the deluge pour out.
    â€œWell done.” A nostalgic sort of shadow passed across his thin face. “I, too, find that asking forgiveness has a significantly higher rate of return than permission.”
    It was hard not to sag in relief.
    â€œThe Bureau of Organized Crime’s investigation into corruption within the mayor’s office aside,” Sawyer said, “I’m less than keen for you to become enmeshed with the joint task force.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œThe venality of these federal agencies is notorious. The influence of the Mexican drug cartels within them is as insidious as it is real.” He gave a small sigh. “But what’s done is done. Is Nyx aware of your transparency with me?”
    â€œNo sir. He thinks I’m making a run for a position with the DEA.”
    â€œExcellent. We’ll keep this under wraps, then?”
    â€œIn the vault.” I nodded, feeling the pressure ease in my chest. “Is there anything I should know about Nyx, sir?”
    â€œGunther’s had a meteoric rise in the DEA. Too far, too fast, perhaps. He’s become used to doing things his own way. A slippery slope in undercover work.”
    Yeah, well . . . Fair to say, I’ve experienced that firsthand.
    I pinched the bridge of my nose. I still wasn’t exactly over my last assignment.
    â€œFor a joint task force, Broady and Nyx are maintaining distinctly separate investigations,” Sawyer said. “I sense a reluctance in Broady to involve his team too closely with Nyx. Watch yourself.”
    â€œYessir.” Silly me. And to think I felt out of my depth before.
    â€œIs something troubling you?” he asked. “Aside from a federal turf war and becoming involved with the Grieco cartel?”
    â€œI seem to end up actually liking my targets.”
    Sawyer grinned. “That’s what makes you such an asset to