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I take a second outside of my boss’s door, needing a moment to myself to get my shit together. I’m too tired to deal with any of this, but it’s not like I can just ask for the rest of the day off and go home. Elizabeth deserves justice, and it’s up to me to make that happen.
I tap lightly on the chief’s door, waiting for him to acknowledge me before entering. I don’t hesitate to close the door behind me once I step inside. The walls and doors are thin in this place and even with the door closed, if voices are raised everyone else will still be able to hear any conversation that occurs inside.
He holds up his hand before I can speak. “I already know what you’re going to say, and it’ll only be a waste of breath.”
“He was a suspect,” I hiss, using my left arm to point out into the hallway to indicate the man as if my boss has forgotten exactly who he is. “How is this appropriate?”
“Lennox,” the man warns.
“He was the last person to see her alive.”
“That’s not possible, now is it, considering that we have still photos proving someone else was in the car with her?”
I grind my teeth, stopping just shy of stomping my damn foot. Acting like a child isn’t going to be what makes me win this losing battle.
Chief Monahan sighs, steepling his finger against his chin.
“This is the hand we’ve been dealt. I don’t think I have to state the facts, but I will. If you hadn’t jumped the gun and arrested an innocent man for sexual assault and murder, I wouldn’t be forced to agree to just about anything the Cerberus MC wants so long as it’s within reason.”
“And this is within reason?” I snap, so sure I’ve just crossed the line, and he’s going to ask for my badge and gun, which honestly seems like a better alternative than to have that man shadow me all damn day.
“The department has been known to do ride-alongs on occasion,” he states.
They’re not as popular in recent years because of the danger and liability that’s involved.
“I’ve been with this department for five years,” I remind him. “I’ve never done a ride-along before.”
“I think it’s something every officer should experience,” he says, stating it in a way that sounds like a dare to continue challenging him.
Know when to hold them, know when to fold them, or how ever the saying goes, right?
I know the man is my boss. I know I should just get the day over with, but really, I can’t spend time alone with the man.
“We had sex,” I blurt.
The chief’s mouth opens and closes several times but no sound comes out. I watch in horror as the tips of his ears turn bright red, knowing it’s a sign he’s about to lose his fucking mind. I’ve seen it happen before with other officers who’ve fucked up in the past. I’ve never been on the receiving end of it but Colton told me once that pissing the chief off so badly that he blows his gasket is sort of a rite of passage.
“Last night?” he growls, his voice low and animalistic.
“Of course not!” I snap, my head jerking back indignantly.
“You got involved with a suspect?”
“Oh!” I hiss, popping my hands on my hips. “Now he’s back to being a suspect?”
“Detective Maison,” he snaps, the tone a warning on its own.
I wait, watching him pinch the bridge of his nose.
“I should’ve fucking retired last year like I’d planned,” he mutters.
It’s long minutes and several long, measured breaths on his part before he looks back up at me, his palms flat on his desk.
“I’d suggest not letting that happen again on the ride-along.”
If it were physically possible, my jaw would be at my feet. “What?”
He blinks at me as if confused that I don’t understand.
“Don’t have sex with Mr. Maddox during the ride-along.” Each word is slow and filled with purpose. Each feels like a slap in the face, and it makes me wonder if the confession was a mistake.
I swallow, fearful it’s going to change the way this man sees me.
“Surely you aren’t still going to make me do this.”
He sucks in another labored breath before speaking. “Did you arrest him without cause? Is there still a chance that he could sue?”
“I know you are not suggesting that I give into his… whims just to prevent a lawsuit.”
My boss narrows his eyes at me. “I’m suggesting no such thing. What I’m telling you is that you’re going to take that damn man on a fucking ride-along.”
His voice is loud enough that I know anyone outside his office heard every word.
“Report back to me at the end of the day.”
I clench my jaw but I can’t do anything else other than offer him a nod of agreement before heading for the door.
