Page 55 of Taken from Her
"Community members need to trust the police presence as protection rather than see us as an intrusion. Likewise, officers need to trust community volunteers as assets rather than complications." Angela glanced between Diana and Lavender. "Success depends on partnership that goes beyond standard civilian cooperation."
Michelle nodded. "It requires acknowledging that community networks provide security capabilities we can't replicate through our official channels alone."
Diana straightened in her chair. "Then that's exactly what we do. We acknowledge community expertise, integrate our resources, and protect everyone by working together."
Julia smiled slightly. "Yes, ma'am."
"Assignments," Diana continued. "Morgan, coordinate a technical analysis with the federal task force. Julia, develop community education protocols with Lavender. Michelle, allocate resources for sustained operations. Angela, focus on integrating tactical security with community volunteers."
The team dispersed efficiently.
"Your team doesn't just accept our relationship," Lavender observed. "They see it as a professional asset."
"Because it is," Diana replied. "You make me better at this job. I’ve learned more about understanding communitydynamics and building trust in the past month than in fifteen years of traditional policing, and that’s because of you."
"And I've learned that institutional resources can support community care rather than replace it or without it becoming overbearing and stifling."
Diana gathered the tactical maps on her desk. "We've built something neither of us could have created alone."
"Professional partnership and a personal connection that strengthen each other."
"Exactly." Diana stood, checking her watch. "Is there a community meeting tonight?"
"Seven o'clock. We’re having a safety workshop with practical security measures."
"I'll be there, not as an official police presence…but as your partner."
The distinction mattered. Lavender understood that Diana had learned to navigate multiple roles: police chief and community collaborator, law enforcement officer and a woman in love, institutional authority and a partner in informal networks.
"Diana?"
"Yes?"
"This morning when I got that threat, I was scared. Not just for myself, but for what it might mean for us, for the community, and for everything we've built."
Diana moved closer. "And now?"
"Now I understand that threatening us proves we're worth protecting." Lavender stood, gathering her belongings. "Someone sees our partnership as dangerous to their agenda. That means we're doing something right."
Diana's smile was small but genuine. "We are. And we're going to keep doing it."
11
Diana's office carried the accumulated weight of an investigation that had consumed her life for over a month. Case files were spread across every surface, threat assessments were stacked beside tactical maps, and surveillance photos were pinned to boards that covered the walls. Late afternoon light streamed through windows, highlighting dust motes floating above evidence that told a story of escalating danger.
Her coffee had gone cold hours ago. Diana lifted the mug anyway, grimacing at the bitter dregs while studying the latest intelligence reports. Radio chatter from patrol units provided constant background—routine calls and status updates, the normal rhythm of a department that depended on her decisions.
The threatening message sent to Lavender lay in its evidence bag on her desk. Someone with serious capabilities wanted Lavender to close the café, isolate the community's gathering place, and use Diana's love against her.
Diana's badge caught the light, reflecting fifteen years of service and the current burden that felt heavier than anything she'd carried before. Command had always meant isolation,but emotional investment made every decision carry personal weight alongside professional consequences.
Her phone buzzed: Detective Morgan Rivers with an update on the federal task force coordination. Diana answered, listening to Morgan’s analysis about broader criminal networks while her mind processed resource allocation, personnel safety, and timeline constraints.
"Chief, they're suggesting this threat connects to a larger operation across multiple jurisdictions," Morgan said.
Diana absorbed this, recognizing the implications. Not just Phoenix Ridge, not just Lavender, but a systematic attack on collaborative policing approaches.
"What’s the timeline for their operation?" Diana asked.
