Page 53 of Taken from Her
The office door opened after a brief knock. Captain Michelle Reyes entered, followed by Detective Julia Scott and Lieutenant Angela Hodges.
"Chief," Michelle said, "Morgan briefed us on the threat. We're here to coordinate a response."
Lavender watched Diana straighten, professional mask sliding back into place. But something had changed. The fear was still there, but so was determination that felt different—not just duty, but fierce protection fueled by personal investment.
"The threat assessment indicates it was an organized response," Diana began, falling into command rhythm. "Someone with knowledge of our investigation timeline and personal connections."
"Protection protocols?" Angela asked.
"We need extra security for Lavender and the café. The threat specifically mentioned community spaces becoming the next targets."
Julia consulted her notes. "Community members need to know there's ongoing danger without causing panic."
"Lavender can help coordinate that," Diana said, then caught herself. "If you're willing."
"Of course," Lavender said. "The community trusts me to help keep them safe."
"Resource allocation?" Michelle asked.
"Whatever we need. Personal protection, surveillance, community patrols. I'm not losing anyone on my watch."
The phrase carried weight that went beyond professional responsibility. Diana's team exchanged glances that spoke to years of working together, understanding each other's motivations.
"Chief," Julia said carefully, "emotional investment can be an asset in cases like this. It provides motivation and insight that pure objectivity sometimes misses."
Angela nodded. "Your integrated approach has been effective. Community cooperation has increased significantly after you started working directly with Lavender."
Lavender felt something shift in the room's dynamics. Diana's team wasn't questioning her judgment; they were validating it and supporting not just her professional decisions but her personal ones too.
"The community sees the difference too," Lavender added. "They trust you because they see that you care, not despite it."
Diana looked around the room at faces that reflected loyalty and respect toward her. Her professional family accepted and supported the personal connection that had made her better at everything.
"All right," Diana said, decision made. "We’ll have a coordinated response where professional resources support community networks. We protect everyone by working together."
The team dispersed with clear assignments.
"Your team accepts us," Lavender observed.
"They accept that you make me better at my job." Diana's smile was small but genuine. "And that protecting you means protecting the community we serve."
"We're not so different, are we? You carry the weight of keeping the whole community safe. I carry the weight of keeping the lesbian community connected and supported."
Diana nodded slowly. "We both know what it means to be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of other people."
"And we both know what it costs to care that much."
"But we don't have to carry it alone anymore," Diana said.
Outside the office windows, Phoenix Ridge stretched toward the harbor where Lavender's houseboat and cats waited. Somewhere in the city, more threats moved in the shadows, buthere in Diana's office, surrounded by evidence of professional competence and personal connection, Lavender felt safe.
Not just protected, but understood. Diana's fears about caring too much weren't weakness; they were the same fears Lavender carried about community responsibility. They were both protectors, both leaders, both women who'd learned that caring deeply came with the risk of devastating loss.
But it also came with the possibility of saving everything that mattered.
"What happens now?" Lavender asked.
"Now we go to the conference room and plan how to keep you safe while catching whoever the hell sent that message." Diana stood, straightening her uniform. "Together."
