I had no idea that's how she started her day at the office. My wholesome young wife's secret morning routine. Never would I have known what she was up to. Were it not for those infernal taxes.
It was the last day to file without paying a penalty. We'd procrastinated and forgot to make an appointment with the family accountant. Luckily, she could accommodate us at the last minute. The afternoon of the day that the taxes were due.
I could not be there because of my work. We were about to execute a search warrant on a drop house. As lead narcotics detective, I'd be working all afternoon probably well into the morning the next day. There wouldn't be any time for me to fuck around in an office.
My wife could make the appointment though. Right after her workday was finished. While I questioned the junkies and mules, she'd be discussing deductions and tax rules. Of course, she would need all our forms and 1040s. The exact sort of documents she forgot at our house when she left extra early.
My wife was a very dutiful, meticulous person. It was in her conscientious nature. Of course, we all become habituated to our routines. The daily rituals that get us through our hectic workdays partially on autopilot. It's like when I first arrive at the station. I always check all my equipment to make sure I'm not missing anything before confirming my handgun is loaded and in proper duty carry. She must have woken up and focused on getting ready while forgetting all about the tax forms.
My face pinched together, and I sighed with exaggeration when I saw the papers sitting there in the kitchen. The papers crinkled as I scooped them up in my arms. I guess I would have to drop them off at my wife's office on my way to the station.
It seemed like a maze. Those small medical offices bunched altogether. It took me forever to find the right one. Dr. Anderson's Psychological Services.
They tried there to help the junkies and addicts. A noble but ultimately foolish endeavor. These people needed to be arrested and made into convicts. Taken off the street and sent to prison where they could be housed together. Institutionalized until they changed their wicked ways.
All the available covered parking said reserved. I'd have to leave my car in the hot sun. The pavement sizzled against the soles of my boots. I approached the tinted front doors of the office.
The landscaping was sparse. Just some decorative rocks and a cactus. Fake but sleek-looking brick paneling bordered the bottom of the office exterior and extended approximately waist high. The remainder of the walls were made of sand-colored stucco. The office was well windowed yet entirely hidden through matching closed blinds. Red Spanish tiles stacked together formed the roof of the building.
When I opened the door, it triggered a bell to ring. The receptionists droned on into an office phone as she examined her painted nails. The flooring was tiled atop of which a few leather seats rested in front of the receptionist's long desk. To the left I could partially see down a long hallway. I could see no other person.
The receptionists looked over at me. Her eyes gazed at the police vest hanging over my chest, the badge dangling from a chain around my neck, and the 9mm handgun holstered to my hip. She blinked twice before clearing her throat. "Give me one minute," she said into the handset before lowering it down from her face. "Uhm, good morning, officer. Is there something I can help you with?"
I nodded my head as I approached the reception desk. "My wife Katie," I said. "She's a behavioral therapist here. I need to speak with her for a minute." My eyes gazed over at a ticking clock that hung over the reception desk. It shouldn't take long to just drop off some paperwork.
The receptionist's eyes jerked over towards the hallway before the top of her teeth bit down on her lower lip. "Oh, uhm, yes. I just saw her come in. She's just getting situated right now. It'll just be a few minutes and then I'm sure you'll be able to speak with her. Just go ahead and take a seat." The receptionist raised the headset back to her head and resumed speaking to whoever she was on the line with.
I sat down in one of the leather armchairs and set the tax paperwork down on a nearby end table. What was is with medical offices? They always seemed to make you wait around all the time. At least when its busy at the barber shop, the man who cuts your hair still stops and greets you personally when you come in.
As I sat there, my ears detected something. My very first clue. The sound of heels clacking on tile. I knew what it was. All the scoundrels, dealers, and whores I've dealt with over the past few years. The noise was not new to me. Nor did it surprise me to hear it here. A place that caters to the perils and problems of broken people.