Comeuppance

Full of apprehension, I was kept waiting 20 minutes before being sent into the Captain’s office. He sat at that big teak desk, hands folded in front. Smiling.

"C'min John, C'min. Take a seat."

After a few minutes of schmooze, he got down to business.

Read Crimson Trail from the beginning

"That Section One you witnessed out at Woodland Road parking lot this morning..."

"Yes Captain?"

"I understand there were some… irregularities?

"Yes, Captain. Stupidly, I left the scene without signing out. I’m sorry sir, I have not been myself lately."

"Why I told you to take some time out."

I didn’t remind him that he had also just called me back in.

"Anything else you'd like to tell me?"

"Nothing sir, just to repeat my regret that I departed from protocol."

He nodded, stroking his chin.

"You carrying?"

"Yes, sir."

He held out his hand, accepting the service P224 I offered, grip first. I felt sure he was going to ask for my badge next.

Pointing the pistol at the far wall, he flipped out the clip, looked at it half negligently, before slotting it back in with his thumb.

"When did you last discharge it?"

"Never have, sir."

There was a long pause, as the Captain nodded to himself, sagely.

"What I thought."

"Problem, Sir?"

"Not that I am aware of." he replied, returning the weapon. He folded his hands back on the desk and took a couple of slow breaths, as if considering something.

"I’m signing you off for two weeks... medical leave."

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Two weeks' medical leave for our (anti) hero? How will he use it? Will he try to work out his alibi, cover his tracks, convince Stevie and the Captain of his innocence? Has the Captain given him leave just to keep him out of the way, or because he suspects his top detective of something and wants to give him a chance to incriminate himself?

Read the next exciting episode: Well-earned break

O ~ 0 ~ o ~

Back to the beginning: Telltale Crimson Trail