The chewing-out by Captain Larson Ward didn’t take as long as he thought
it would. It was not as though it was the first time Nik had apprehended a
felon in that fashion. The captain didn’t really mind it so much, but he’d
preferred that Nik do it on his own and not use a partner.
Captain Ward held his head in his hands at his desk. “How long have you
been a cop, Friday?”
“Too long some days.”
“This is one of those days for me!”
Nik shrugged. “I’d be just as happy back in Texas doing what I did.”
“I admit your bounty hunter days help you in tracking, and you’re a hell
of a detective. But your lack of respect for procedure gives me an ulcer. And
yes, don’t remind me, I know I brought you here.”
Nik grinned. “Dwayne didn’t seem to mind much. In fact a lot of it was
his idea.”
Ward’s eyebrows went up. “It was
his idea to volunteer for target practice?”
“We were there, we got it done.”
“And what if that kid sues us?”
“For what? Interrupting his robbery? Give me a break!”
“You stuck a gun up his ass!”
“And don’t think it was easy. Pretty damn tight, that kid.”
Ward slammed his desk with his hand, but there was no real anger to back
it up. “Let’s drop it. Giles is all right, case closed. How’s Behrens working
out?”
Nik scratched his chin in thought. “He has his moments. A lot of them
are happening more often now.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I want him to be trained by someone else.”
“Why?”
“Because one of these days he’ll get himself killed.”
“By who?”
“Me.
He’s got some good instinct, but little common sense, and one of these days
I’ll have to shut him up for good.”
Ward sighed in exasperation. “He stays with you.”
“And if he dies?”
“Then I’ll know I made a bad decision.”
“Damn it, you know I can teach him only so much! I can teach him to
track a criminal or suspect, but you and I both know I can’t tie clues together
to save my own ass. Besides, I like working alone.”
Ward sighed. “I know your skills, and you don’t give yourself enough
credit. For the time being, you live with him. Beat it.”
Nik got up and left the office. Dwayne stood by the water cooler. “We
cool?”
“Dunno. Are we?”
“Can we go talk to Faraday?”
“Don’t see anything stopping us. You eat anything?”
“Danish from the machine.”
“Cop protein, that’s good.”
“I think I’ll have the shits later.”
“Cop metabolism, too. You see, you’re cut out for the job! I spoke up
for you in there.”
“Oh?”
“I recommended you be set loose.”
“What? We work well together, don’t we?”
“I know, but I’ve learned all I can from you, Dwayne. There’s a point
where I gotta try to see how well I do solo.”
Dwayne smirked. “What did Ward say?”
“He said I need more seasoning, so you’re stuck with me. Sorry, I
tried.”
“Can we talk to Faraday now?”
“Lead the way, boss.”
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