The next day, Grace went to work with Roger and got ready for her day. Part of her fellow cops whispered about her showing up with Roger, but that was nothing new; they liked to gossip about everything. Roger was a good friend and partner to her, but she had no interest in him as a man.

"Where should we start?" Grace hummed as she thought, while sitting at her desk. "Ideally, we could take a look at the security cameras to search for the men..."

"Not always the easiest," Roger said as he leant against her desk and drank coffee. "That park also has cameras."

"But I wonder if any of them are good enough to see in the dark."

They both sighed, their shoulders slouched.

"Maybe we should ask Pez?" Roger suggested. "He's the best we've got for intelligence."

"But he'll want something in return. This isn't official business." The last time Grace asked him for something, he got a dinner date out of her.

"He's a big eater, despite the petit body, so I hope your wallet is full."

"Ugh..."

A newspaper swatted her desk, startling both of them. "Finish that bust, and you two start slacking off?"

"Uh... No, sir." Roger stood up straight.

"Get back to your old patrol root," the chief said, and left.

"How does he always pop up out of nowhere like that?"

"No idea. He must've had ninja training," Grace joked.

"That would explain a few things."

Roger and Grace headed out of the office to their patrol car.

"Let's hope today is uneventful," Grace said as she started the car.

---

"You cursed us at the start, didn't you?" Roger complained after they stopped another fight in the streets. "It's like people have gone crazy."

"Maybe it's a full moon tonight; brings out all the crazies." Grace put another man in the back of their car.

"But it's so much more work for us..." Roger leaned in close. "And how are we supposed to have time to look into your issue?"

"I've been trying to keep an eye out for people staring at me, but I haven't noticed anyone."

"Maybe they gave up after yesterday's failure?"

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Since when do the bad guys give up that fast?"

"Maybe they're waiting for nighttime again."

"They could be... It's easier to strike when it's dark out." Grace slammed the door shut and got back into the driver's seat. "Let's process these people and then go see Pez."

"Okay."

---

"Fine, I'll help you, but in exchange... I want a date at a fancy restaurant." Pez tossed the stick from his lollipop into the garbage.

"Seriously? My life is at risk, and you're extorting me for high-end food? You know my pay ain't that good." Grace pouted.

"You know what you're asking for is against the rules, and we could both get into trouble. If you're so against the dinner date, then go turn this into an official investigation."

"You know they won't let me investigate it when it's about me! They'll try to keep me away from it, and if it turns into something bad, I'll be put into protective custody, or I'll have cops watching me all the time."

"You know you're a cop, right?"

"Yes, and I don't like them watching me."

"The choice is yours, Grace." He swivelled, turning back to his keyboard.

Roger leaned in close to whisper, "Just do it. I'll help you pay for it if it's that bad."

"Arg!" Grace stomped away from both of them. "I'll just find another way. Let's get back to work."

Roger rushed to catch up to her. "Do you really think we can figure things out without him?"

"There has to be another way. How about we go old school and ask around in that area? Someone's bound to have noticed one of those sketchy men hanging around."

He grabbed her shoulder. "And what if someone attacks you again?"

"I'll fight and then run... or you could try to save me."

"That's one way to say 'I'm going regardless of what you say'." Roger sighed and let go. He knew she wouldn't listen to him once she made up her mind.

"You know me so well." She smiled and kept going.

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not..." There was no way he'd let her do things on her own, so he knew he'd be dragged in – as per usual. "Quit walking so fast." He rushed to get in-step beside her.

"How about you quit walking slow? We don't know how long we have."

"By the way, you should probably stay at my place again."

"Depends on what information we find."