A man in a dark trench coat slides in behind and looks over Ross’s shoulder.“New case? Something tells me she waited on your desk for more than a ‘thank you,’ Sarge.”
“Valentine, tell me what happened in the baker’s case? Don’t tell me his sentence was long… I wonder how long that stupid sentence will go on for. A woman like her who's only interested in her own gain will make that man’s life a living hell.”
“Especially when he has his own family to take care of.” Valentine taps Ross’s shoulder, “best not to take things personally during work hours. Messes up our train of thought.”
“Good thinking.” Ross replies, “a clear mind to concentrate on is the best way to consult.”
“Atta Sarge!” Valentine intensifies.
Ross glances back at Valentine, “also, let’s keep out the ‘Sarge’.”
“You got it Sarge!” Ross smirks at Valentine’s opposing comment and sits at his desk.
He goes over papers and in the drawers. One paper’s color is pink, and it says, ‘Eugene Whiteflower.’ It was the same woman with Avery. He slams the drawer shut and sets a paper next to the open file he reads.
“Miller Case?” Ross reads the files under his breath. Until a man invades the station's front desk. Causing a noisy ruckus with their loud voices. Ross stands since the situation only seems to be getting worse. He walks to the front as the rest inside watch the one’s struggle.
“This isn’t right! I didn’t cross the red light! This fine is way more than it is!” The dark colored man shouts at the clerk as the 2 security guards try to get a hold of him.
“Sir! This fine is written the same to anyone who breaks the streets law.” The Clerk shouts in distress.
“Oh, street law? Is it because I’m black? Because I BELONG in the streets?” The black man uses more force to go against the clerk. While the Clerk begins to tremble.
“Okay! Okay! Break it up!” Ross Yells, then points his right palm to the black guy. “You, Sir! What’s your problem? Don’t go making situations worse when you can solve it here!” The dark man stops and makes eye contact with Ross. “Follow me,” using a hand gesture to follow him. And he did as soon as the two guards released him. They sit across from each other at his desk.
“Okay, Mr~?”
“Cole.”
“Okay Mr. Cole, what seems to be the problem? Was it the ticket fine?” Ross says with his hands clamped together on top of the desk.
“A $1500 fine for crossing a red light!” He raises his voice.
“Settle down! Let’s not shout, that way we can get this over with.” Cole slightly slumps on his chair. “Full name.” Ross settles his hands at the computer’s keyboard.”
“Jay Ise Cole.”
“I-C-E?” Almost begins to type.
“I-S-E.”
“I assume Jay is J-A-Y.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It says here…” Bernard observes the screen, “ You have plenty of tickets actually.”His tone changes higher, “why is this one ticket in particular you choose to discuss out of the rest of the tickets you haven't paid off?” Ross goes back to his position while the rest of the officers listen in. “The reason better be good.” Jay gulps and seems unsure.
“Uh, I didn’t have the time.”
“But you have time to complain?” Ross crosses his arms behind his head.
“Tuck! Val!” They make eye-contact to Ross. “Cage em.”
“No! This isn’t fair!” Jay stands, “I’m leaving.”
“I believe you can. I mean, just look at those muscles.” Ross attempts to intimidate Jay.
“Thanks, I go to the gym.” Jay responds then dashes to the door but a crowd of officers on break are in the way of the exit. Eating donuts and ham sandwiches. Ross, Valentine, and Tucker catch-up.
“Hey look! It’s the new sarge!” One of the young officers screams out.
“Woo! Congratulations,” the rest of the crowd cheers.
“Thank-you, but not now. This man is trying to escape.” Ross glares at Jay, “Ready to call a lawyer? Get it done before this turns into a mess?” Jay gives an extended exhale at the ground. “Please wait at my desk.” Ross demands, and Jay follows.
“Already shouting out orders.” Valentine mocks Ross.
“Maybe this’ll be fun.” Tucker defends Ross.
Val changes his tone of voice. “Oh, I know it’ll be fun. Ross makes everything right, in his own way.” Jay Cole sits at Ross’s desk, dialing on his phone.
“Sorry boys, but I’m the boss now. Get used to it.” Ross exclaims as he spreads his arms in comfort. Him, Valentine, and Tucker gave quick glances to each other.
“Although, it sucks when he gets cocky.” Tucker criticizes.
“Yep, too many times to count.” Valentine agrees.
“Ha! Then don’t be so cocky to wear hawiian shirts at the station. That indirect religious advertising is still among the most topics chosen for controversies.” Ross’s statement grabbed all the lady’s attention in the room. Giggling at his outrageous comment.
Tucker also notices so he chooses to defend himself. “Hawiian is not a religion! In fact, I choose hawiian shirts because they’re the only ones that fit me!” A woman bursts with laughter after hiding her face with a binder.
“Ha-ha! I just can’t relate.” She joins in the conversation.
Valentine rests his arm on Tucker’s shoulder. “Give it up. Ross obviously said that because he knew you’d expose yourself in front of a crowd.” After listening to Valentine’s advice, Tucker realizes something. That the woman only came close because of Ross’s passive insult and not because she had found him cute. So he points his finger and nods it 3 times at Ross.
“You manipulative jerk. You did that on purpose to get the ladie-.” The lieutenant interrupts Tucker.
“Is that the way you should talk to your superior?” Tucker lowers his hand, as the lieutenant captures his attention. “Don’t let me see this again, quirreling isn’t needed at a workplace.” Then, she captures Ross’s attention. “Come, I have something to talk to you about in my office.”
“Yes, lead the way boss.” The lieutenant's face formed a little grin, easily caught from both sides, in cause of Ross’s comment. They leave together in the direction of her office.
Tucker watches them leave as Valentine takes a closer look at Tucker.
“Mmmm, you know what? The real controversy here is if black guys should even wear hawiian shirts at all.” Tucker makes an odd face towards Valentine. Then, Valentine nods his head towards Jay. “I mean, just look at him. He’s got those muscles which goes with his unstylish tank-top and that’s what the ladies dig.” Jay finally gets a hold of someone, but who is it?
“Mom? Are you there?” Valentine and Tucker here him. “Listen mom, I’m here at the police station, and I-” Tucker and Valentine hear shouting out of Jay’s phone. His so-called ‘mother’ starts cursing at him as he turns down the volume.
“At least I can dress myself up without mama having to help.”
Valentine tells Tucker, “at least, he’s got the looks.”
Without blinking, Valentine is more intimidated than before. “Get your arm off me.” He shrugs.
In the lieutenant's office, they sit for a while. Waiting for a conversation starter until Ross gets right to the point. “What is it that you’d want to personally talk to me about, lieutenant?”
Unsatisfied by his conversation starter, she raises one brow. “The thing is, Ross...” She stays quiet again and proceeds to talk after a moment, “is that you're a Sarge. Watching you handle the situation over there at the front was fantastic. Although, that’s not your place. Your place is to give instructions, guide fellow colleagues and others, especially those under you.” Immediately, he realized that the purpose for bringing him in wasn’t because of his actions.
“Yes lieutenant. I’ll do a better job next time.” He feels threatened that she had displayed her non-work related actions onto him. He gets up, pushes in the chair and lays his hand on the door knob and tells her again, “I will not do it again.” He knows she wouldn’t care for what he does, she just desires his attention. “You have my word.” Only his word of displaying too much of his own attention to others, in front of her. Of course, She didn't mean to rush things but he stands at the door. Waiting to be dismissed.
“We all make mistakes in which we do to learn from them. You may leave.” He walks out, to his desk. He grabs the folder and walks out, away from the crowd.
“You’re leaving, Ross?” Valentine questions his actions which only increased Ross’s flowing paranoia.
“I’ll be back. Gonna grab a bite for my empty stomach.”
“But you just got back.” Valentine says.
“We’ll go with you!” Tucker joins from his desk.
“No thanks, I also have to do business. Can’t have any distractions.”
“Geez, you never take a break from work.”
“No, Val.” His paranoia eases, “but I’ll be back to do the lab work with the rest of you.” They say their farewell to each other as the lieutenant watches his every step until he reaches the outside of the station.
Finally outside, he stays facing forward because without checking, he already knew that the lieutenant was watching his every move. Judging from the few other ‘incidental’ and ‘coincidental’ encounters, he finally realized that she is his stalker. Disgust floods in. He continues walking away, seeing how he will and how long until his legs get used to walking long distances.
I wonder how long I have to keep this up for. Ross thinks to himself, searching the sidewalk. Things would be easier if she wouldn’t disturb my space. I mean, what’s she got to do with me? Is it that she likes being neglected. No attention brings the girls? He sighs, wondering the big question. What is love? He views the sky, covered in smoke. A man with a navy blue jacket shouts.
“Detective! Detective!” In spite of the fact of his screams, Ross couldn’t while daydreaming. He continues walking, blocking out the honking at the Joylen since the traffic lights had turned green. He drives away in his green van, wondering what’s wrong with Bernard.
Later on, Avery wakes with a drilling head-ache. Her eyes go red from tears. “My head-,” the ropes prevent her from touching her head. She feels greater pain, physically and psychologically. Having Jewel watch her movement, she calls Eugene with a message.
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