Working in a big city Police Department is like being in the middle of Peyton Place. There are rumors, innuendos, and affairs by the dozens. I've heard of dispatchers fighting because they found out they were dating the same officer, and officers who found out their wives were cheating by overhearing the boyfriend talking to his buddy on the other side of the locker room.
I had always been able to stay out of the fray. I was the quiet one that no one thought about, no one noticed. At parties I was a wallflower, standing around while others flirted, went to dark corners to make out like teenagers, and left in pairs to have fun before their spouses expected them home.
Working around Police Officers had given me a false sense of security I guess. I figured that since they had to go through a rigorous hiring process and background investigation, they would weed out any ne'er do wells. I found out I was wrong, the hard way.
I was working a slow winter night. It was just dragging on. I felt like I would fall asleep any minute. None of my friends were working in the field, and I was so bored. No one seemed to need 9-1-1 that night. Good for them but bad for me. A message popped up on my computer from an officer asking about a previous event. I answered his question and we started chatting the rest of the night. My shift ended at 1 am and I said good night.
The next night after I had settled into my little cubbyhole, a message popped up on my screen. It was the same officer from the previous night. We talked the night away. We talked about how long we had worked at the Police Department, about how we ended up here, and by the end of the week, he felt like an old friend. His name was Dave.
The weekend came and went, and soon enough it was back to work. I was just starting to take calls and yes, another message popped up. This went on for weeks. I had no idea who he was, but he seemed nice enough. Finally, after a month, he asked me if I was the one that everyone went to with their dog problems. I laughed, "Yes, I am the dog lady." I had previously worked at a Veterinary Hospital and was well known for helping the Canine Unit and anyone else that asked.
The message popped up, "My dog has been limping. Would you be willing to look at him and give me an opinion of what I should do next?"
I couldn't very well say no. We made arrangements for me to meet him after work one night and follow him home to check out his dog. I had never met him, and I thought he didn't know who I was either. But he was a co-worker, a cop, nothing to worry about, right?
I met him in the parking lot. I almost stopped dead in my tracks. He was drop dead gorgeous. He was over 6 feet tall, well built, full head of dark hair and a mustache. Of course I'm married so just looking. We shook hands and started talking about his dog. He didn't live that far from the Department so it would only take a few minutes to get to his house. I'd be done in a few minutes and on my way home. My husband was out of town for a few days, and I always hated going home to an empty house anyway.
I followed him the few blocks and parked in his driveway. We walked inside and a Labrador retriever came bounding out to meet us. He practically knocked me over saying hello. I really didn't see anything wrong with him, but I asked Dave what the problem was. He described it but he looked normal to me. I suggested he video tape him the next time he saw the problem and then take him to an Orthopedist. He said that would be great since he had a great camcorder and wanted to practice using it anyway.
I was about to say goodnight when he asked me if I wanted anything to drink. "Do you have any Pepsi?" A minute later I was holding a glass and sitting on his couch. As we were talking, I noticed the room was kind of spinning. I looked up at Dave and he was smiling.
