Jackie and John sit in the center of the briefing room, having already eaten and gotten their coffee for the meeting. They watch as officers start to walk inside and applaud them for their early attendance. Jackie briefly flips them the bird. The officers laugh in response and stop clapping.
The captain and four lieutenants walk into the room. The captain has several red folders in his hands. He walks to and stands behind the podium, Jackie sees that his attitude solemn. The lieutenants line up against the windows, facing the room with a sense of duty on their faces as they cross their arms.
Jackie is amazed by the attendance of all the lieutenants appearing to the meeting all at the same time. They displayed better attendance on the golf course, so she now knows that their jobs were threatened.
"Alright, alright...sit down," the captain says.
He unfolds the first folder when the officers sit down and settle down.
He continues, "As you may or may not have heard, Officers Sarah Hall, Chris Divine, Joe Frost, and Kevin Queen volunteered to leave the prescient effective yesterday afternoon, pending an investigation with the DEA. In which if anyone has or comes across with important information should communicate with me only."
The captain looks up at them for confirmation and then looks back down.
"That being said...due to the loss of staff, we're going to keep the current partner rotation for the rest of the week, maybe longer."
Jackie shares a brief concerned look with John as the captain closes the first folder and opens the second folder. Jackie takes a sip of her coffee to calm her nerves. She now knows that this meeting isn't just another hour to waste their time about reviewing procedure.
"This is a letter from the department's lawyer." The captain clears his throat before he reads mechanically, "Dear Colleagues, in light of the recent investigation I ask that you refresh your understanding of the department's guidelines regarding accepting gifts and invitations from past/penitential/current suspects, suppliers, vendors, and outside business partners. Please take the time to review our policies which are located on our LVPD intranet site listed under HR Information and Forms".
Jackie smiles at herself briefly after the captain folds the folder, procedure is still procedure.
He looks back at them and continues, "If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to myself or any member of the leadership team." The captain gestures to the lieutenants.
The captain looks down and opens the third folder. "I need the following officers to come see me in my office after this meeting."
Jackie takes a sip of her coffee.
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John is driving while Jackie is riding shotgun. She looks at his face, full of grief and disbelief.
"Are you alright John?"
"I'm still in shock from this morning's briefing. I really got to know some of those guys. I mean...not all of them were great..."
Jackie sees him struggling with his words. "What? Just say it, it'll be between us."
"I knew Joe was up to something, because he'd always be talking about starting a marketing scheme on his own. Kevin is just a punk, but Chris got four kids and Sarah...she was so nice to me. I think she said she was on the force for seventeen years."
"Nineteen years... two years until retirement," Jackie comments as she looks out her window, trying to not think about it herself.
"Jesus Christ!"
Jackie looks forward and she recognizes the black Lexus that speed past them. It then drives through a red light, swerves on the road, and nearly hits a bum on the street.
"Who is this asshole," John says as he gives chase.
Jackie knows. Peter Roman, the Senator's aid, a handsome young Italian known by the experienced officers to visit hookers more than his family. He also pays for special treatment.
As they approach a stretch of abandoned houses, John reaches for the speaker microphone to call dispatch, but Jackie stops him by putting her hand over his hand. "We got this John."
"What?"
"Women's intuition, trust me just focus on the driving."
"Women's what..."
Jackie talks on car outside speakers and announces, "Driver, this is Jackie Dupre of the LVPD, pull over the vehicle...now!" Jackie watches as the Lexus pulls over, Peter knows what the deal is now. As they park behind it, Jackie tells John, "I have this, stay by the cruiser."
"What? Are you kidding me?"
She leaves the car before John can ask more questions.
She walks towards the car, briefly looking back to see John sitting on the hood of the cruiser, watching her carefully.
Jackie understands the situation when Peter unrolls the windows. Jackie grins, understanding his concern as his shirt is out and his pants zipped but stained. She then looks at his company, Alexis, a popular local blonde escort, with big tits that are barely contained by the straps of her short dress. Her lipstick is smudged and has matching stains on her cleavage.
Jackie is sort of impressed, Alexis isn't cheap. She's called the "Meat hook" in some areas, known for her section during blowjobs; Jackie took notes last time she busted her.
"Hey Alexis, I see you haven't lost your touch...you might want to...um..."
Alexis looks down and says, "Shit." She takes some napkins, takes her breasts out, and wipes some cum off. And some expensive body spray and body glitter Jackie imagines.
Peter says frustrated, "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Alexis asks innocently, "What?" She covers her breasts.
"You're a lucky man sir," Jackie teases.
