• I had to get to the chief's office as fast as possible! I glanced outside my window to make sure no one was waiting outside, just in case. With my gun hidden in my belt, I ran to my car. The car sputtered as I drove off to the Station.

    ****


    [No one's view]

    The Police Commissioner sat in his chair calmly. Which is almost impossible to do when there's a gun aimed in between your eyes.

    "So, Commissioner..." Adrian chuckled, cocking the gun, "I have some business with you."

    The Commissioner sighed, "This isn't the first time I've gotten such a threat, you know." A shot went off right by his head and he jumped.

    Adrian frowned slightly, "As you see, I have no problem in killing you. If that doesn't scare you, I'm sure the mayor would love to hear about your old drug-dealing days." He cocked the gun again as the Commissioner began to shake.

    "Fine." The Commissioner scowled, "What do you want?"

    "I want a cop off of my case. Just put her on a short vacation or something."

    "What's her name?" The Commissioner sighed again. He couldn't believe that this was actually happening....

    Adrian smirked, knowing he was winning this game, "Kathleen. Kathleen Kelly."

    ****


    [Kathleen's view]

    I ran into the police station, gasping for breath. As soon as Luke saw me he said, "Hey, Kathleen. What's going on? You alright?" In huffed breaths, I explained everything that happened.

    "That guy..." Luke scowled, "Did he hurt you?"

    I answered, "No, but he could've. I got to see the Chief." Small mumbles of "What's with Rebel?" erupted around the building as I stomped past them, Luke following swiftly behind me. I even walked past the Chief's secretary into his office before she could utter a single syllable.

    "Chief!" I yelled, "I have to talk to you!"

    The Chief turned around in his chair, "Ah, yes. We were just talking about you."

    "We?" Luke asked, brushing his sandy-blonde hair out of his face. That was when I noticed the man sitting in the chair facing the other direction. The man stood up and I knew who he was immediately. It was the Commissioner, but the last time I had seen him was during the Police Officers Ball [which I was forced to attend, if memory serves].

    He spoke in a deep, timber voice, "I heard about your new case and I have to say I'm impressed. You take on some of the most difficult cases out there... Then you solve them. When I heard about you, I assumed you were.... older."

    "Sorry to disappoint you." I said in a smart-alec tone, earning a glare from the Chief.

    "Well, " the Commissioner continued, "It has come to my attention that you haven't had an actual vacation... Of course you've had days off, but no actual paid vacation. Plus, I hear that you have been becoming too obsessed with this case."

    I could feel my knuckles shaking as I spoke in a slight Irish accent, "If ya're droppin' hints for me to drop this case, I'm afraid I can't do that, sir."

    The Commissioner sighed out, "Listen. I'm trying to be polite to you, my employee in a manner of speaking. But to be honest, I think you are a young cadet of an officer that has little to no experience. I think that up to this point, you hit lucky breaks and now that you're hit with a real case, it goes over your head. I'm also trying not to be sexist in this position. But I'm old fashion and my opinion is that women should stay at home and men should do the work. I'm just doing this nicely by saying you need vacation. So just turn around and don't come back for two weeks." I was ready to knock this guy out. But just before I could do it...

    WHAP!

    Blood spurted out of the Commissioner's nose as Luke's fist collided with his face. Most likely it was broken. At first no one moved. No one even breathed. The Chief stood there with a look that said 'I don't know if I should cheer or try to get out as fast as I can.'

    The Commissioner just adjusted his glasses before speaking, "Remember that I could fire all three of you without a second thought. Try to get some rest, Kathleen. You, boy, watch your step." And there, in that few minutes of horror, I got shoved of the case. I was to leave before I could do anything.

    "I'm sorry." the Chief mumbled, "I tried to convince him out of it. I-"

    "It's alright." I interrupted, "Ya couldn't have done much. Thank ya for doin' what you could." Then, I turned to Luke, "That was a really stupid thing ta do, ya silly arse.... Thanks."

    "Talk normal." Luke said, smiling, "You're so mad that your still talking funny. It's too easy to read you." He stuck his hand out, trying to be friendly. I shook it before walking through the Station, feeling the stares of the other officers. They probably heard everything through the crappy thin walls. I gave them all a sad smile, walking out of the doors.

    "Wait!" a voice yelled out from behind me. I turned to see one of the senior officers. She was one of those old people that would say, "I'm so old, I've been doing this since before you were even born." She was alright, though, considering that she, like myself, is one of the only female officer's in this city.

    She continued, her voice cracking, "Rebel... Don't let him get to you. When I was in the academy, we women got a lot of crap about getting into the force. Pretty much all of us had had nervous breakdowns by the time the year was out. I regret that I didn't keep my head up... Like you do now. Prove him wrong. You're too stubborn to let go of this."

    "Exactly." Luke said from behind him. And behind them, I could see the rest of the officers, [even some of the janitors!] all standing behind them in silent agreement.

    I felt like I was going to cry, "Thank you. All of you! You guys know me too well. I will not give up until this case is solved!" Cheers could be heard all the way to the heart of the city, I'm sure of it.

    "You hear that?" I whispered to myself, "Adrian? Don't think you're home-free yet."