This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise showed, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All characters are over the age of eighteen, unless otherwise specified.
Pt. 2 The Precinct
I left Reggie's office with Morgan. I told her to meet me at the casino, but I didn't know how long I would be. I exchanged numbers with her in case I needed to reach her, because I didn't want her with me when I walked into the precinct. The less I stood out, the better.
I walked into my office and everyone acted the same. I don't know what I was expecting. No one else knew my life changed overnight. My Lieutenant greeted me and complimented me on my shave, but told me to get a clean shirt next time. Yep, everything was normal.
I took the elevator to the top floor where the brass had their offices. The Captain's office was the largest on the floor and actually comprised multiple offices separated from the rest by a long hallway. I had only stepped foot on this floor a handful of times, and stepping off the elevator made me uncomfortable.
Another Lieutenant greeted me, "What brings you to the ivory tower, detective?"
This was Lieutenant Jordan Taylor. She was an attractive woman in her early forties. She joined the force right out of high school and was one of our more decorated officers and was always nice to me. I can't find one bad thing to say about her. She has brunette hair that she wore up, but styled it so it came down to her collar. I only saw her in uniform, so I couldn't tell you what she looked like beyond professional and blue.
"I was told the Captain wanted to see me." I responded, trying to smile. Truth was, I didn't want to be there. The Captain was a VIP member of Crimson, which meant he was most likely an asshole. However, I never had a conversation with him, so I had no way of knowing. If he was anything like Reggie, he was privileged and spoiled. I was certain he would tell me I still worked for the department, and he didn't care if Reggie picked me for something important. Just like Reggie, I was expecting him to exert his dominance over me like a dog. I just hoped he didn't hump my leg.
I walked down the long hallway that ended with his cluster of offices. One side was lined with windows, and the other with awards and pictures of the precinct in years past. I looked at a few as I walked, taking a trip through the history of the police in our city.
At the end of the hall was an open area with the Captain's secretary seated behind a large desk. I introduced myself and she told me he was expecting me. I stood there, not sure what I should do, and she looked at me funny then said, "You can go in detective."
She grimaced like she thought I was stupid. Hell, I probably came across that way. I was out of my depth on this floor and I'm sure everyone knew it. Honestly, I've been out of my depth since the limo ride with Reggie. I didn't know what I was doing, or even if I wanted to do whatever it was I was supposed to. If that sounds confusing, and you don't understand what I'm trying to say, that's ok; I didn't know myself.
I opened the large ornate wooden door emblazoned with the police logo and stepped through. Captain Steven Evans sat behind his oak desk, surrounded by bookshelves, awards, medals, and various figurines and nick knacks representing the city's police department. I couldn't lie; he was a handsome man. I put his age around mid-fifties, but they trained me to be observant. Anyone else would have thought he was in his forties. The eyes and the hands always give it away. Captain Evans definitely worked out, and presented a somewhat muscular and toned physique in his custom-tailored uniform.
He was the Chief of Police for our city. The mayor selected him ten years ago, and continues to serve. There were other Captains on the force, but they were subordinate to Evans and oversaw other precincts. Multiple Lieutenants ran the day-to-day operations of our precinct, including Lieutenant Taylor, who I met earlier.
"Good morning Detective Greene." He greeted me. "Please, have a seat. I haven't seen you since the Christmas party two years ago. I hope you've been doing well."
That was bullshit. Everyone knew I was a drunk, including the Captain. They wrote me up for that party when I drank too much and caused a scene. I went a little overboard on the eggnog and over spiked mine with whiskey. That was fun. Throwing up in the locker room for an hour, not so much.
"I've been well." I lied. "I hope your family is also well."
His family is a mess. His wife, last I heard, was sleeping around with a few officers. His two daughters are not much better. One is in and out of rehab, while the other became pregnant by her boyfriend at seventeen. She's married to the father now, but they probably won't last much longer. He is on the force, but doesn't appear cut out for a long career in law enforcement. He's more of a free spirit, something the Captain hates.
"I just hung up with Reggie and he told me about your, how should I call it, promotion." He said, with a slightly celebratory tone. "I think that's great. To have one of my officers closely associated with an important person like Reggie can only be a boon for me and the department. He must have seen potential in you."
Was he really kissing my ass? I expected him to exert some dominance, but he's puckering up his lips and getting them moisturized. This was unexpected. I wonder what other surprises he has.
"Thank you Captain." I replied.
"No, don't be so formal." He cut me off. "Please call me Steven, or Steve."
Well, I won't be doing that in the precinct, but sure, why not.
"Thank you... Steven." I answered.
No one makes it to Captain in the force without breaking some heads along the way. I didn't know Captain, err, Steven well, but I was sure this was just an act. Come to think of it, Reggie was awful nice this morning. He was almost overjoyed to give me the keys to his kingdom. I didn't think about it, but taken with Captain Evans' behavior, I believed they were playing with me. Time to find out.
"Steven, I have a few questions." I told him. "The first is, why are you acting like I'm your new best friend. You know, as well as I do, I'm the precinct drunk. You don't respect me. Most of the other officers don't respect me, and it's for good reason. I don't care about much of anything. Please enlighten me why that has suddenly changed."
His expression changed for a moment, and I glimpsed disgust. That quickly morphed back to a more genial tone when he said, "James, everyone makes mistakes. I've always had the highest of respect for you, and knew one day you would overcome your issues. You've been through a lot in your life. Anyone else wouldn't have done as good a job."
Oh man, I think I'm about to get sick. The amount of sugar he's trying to force down my throat is turning my stomach.
"Bullshit, Captain." I cursed. "You don't believe that, and neither do I. Why don't you stop screwing around and tell me how you feel. If you don't, I'll advertise your membership in Crimson. I don't like when someone tries to play me."
His expression went straight to pissed off. He sat there fuming for a moment, trying to gather his words. When he did, he said, "I tried to be nice. And for the record, I think you're a fuckup. I do not know why Reggie chose you for that position. Did you know a few of us wanted that? He had a number two until a few years ago. That man got himself killed by blackmailing the wrong husband and meeting the business end of a .45. Do you remember when three people were killed on Dearborn Avenue a few years ago? That was the real reason behind it."
"Yes, I remember that." I answered. "They reported it as a robbery gone bad. Well, that's too bad. He shouldn't have put his hand in a hornet's nest."
I remembered that case. The man that was killed was a circuit judge, and they also killed his two security guards. The shooter was a construction worker, and they apprehended him at his house a few days later. He is sitting in prison doing three life sentences.
"You'll be Reggie's vice president, but he doesn't use that title." Steven explained. "He likes 'right-hand man'. It probably sounds less formal to him."
"Reggie told me you would put him away if he crossed you." I informed him. I wanted to see what Reggie's relationship was like with the other members.
Steven looked down for a moment, then answered, "James, that's not correct. Reggie has information about all of us. He holds enough material on me to put me away for multiple lifetimes. He has that on all the members."
"Is he blackmailing all of you?" I inquired.
"No, that's not it." Steven explained. "We're all members voluntarily. Reggie keeps the info to ensure he's protected. We all know, however, that if he wanted to, he could uproot our lives."
"You could do the same, couldn't you?" I asked.
"Yes, absolutely." He answered. "It would mean mutual destruction. No one wants that, so we remain friends. My point was, I wanted that job. You are part of his inner circle. We're VIP members, but not part of his business. There's no other way of saying this; you just became one of the more important men in the city. You can't hide from it, and people will want to get a piece of you."
Great. I went from not wanting to be seen to everyone seeing me. The uptake from this conversation so far is Reggie lied to me. Well, sort of. People could take him down, but Reggie could take them down just as easily.
"Reggie wants me to assign you to the casino as a liaison." Steven explained. "Initially, you were to remain in missing persons to run interference, but we have a better option now. It seems your lieutenant has found himself in trouble. His wife, Linda, skimmed money from the charity she works for. Our fraud division received the call yesterday, and I just found out last night. I'll have them brought to me a little later, and I would like you here for that."
