Page 55 of Just Friends

“Sorry Chief,” he walked into Matheson’s office, closing the door. “I have to get caffeinated before you yell at me.” Weasel sat across the desk from the Chief.

“Harlan, you’re a damn good detective. Your record speaks for itself, but you need to be a better role model to these younger guys we have.”

Not his job to be a role model for anyone. “That’s unfair. I’ve done nothing but work my ass off for this department.”

“I’m not complaining about your work ethic. You’ve worked harder than pretty much everyone else and don’t take time off.”

“And now I have a small amount of personal life, and you’re up my ass.”

“You showed up late; looking rode hard and put away wet. That denotes a lack of respect that I can’t have permeating this station.”

“You think I don’t respect you?”

“I know you do, but those guys don’t.”

“Look, had I cleaned up, I woulda missed the meeting—“

“You could’ve at least combed your hair.”

“Fine, Rebecca left this morning, driving eight hours to Chicago alone. The thought drives me insane.”

Ed sighed and shook his head. “Just don’t be late to my morning meetings again. Oh, before I forget, you need to work on being nicer to the rookies.” Weasel raised an eyebrow. “Officer Dotson complained to HR that you were mean to him during the investigation of the overdose found on Coopers Road.”

“The idiot left a baby in the car with overdose victims.”

“I read the file. But I’m supposed to tell you to be nicer.” Weasel stared at Matheson who broke out laughing.

Weasel stood. “Maybe he’ll stop being a pussy once his balls drop.”

“Be nice,” Matheson yelled as he left the office.

Nick caught him as he exited. “Hope she was worth that.”

She was worth a whole lot more than that. “That was nothing. Matheson needs me to act more respectful, so all these rookies fall in line. And Dotson says I’m mean.”

“He’s got a point.” Nick followed him to the front door.

Weasel rolled his eyes. “I’ll take being mean and everyone staying alive over soft and dead.”

“Preachin’ to the choir…. Where are you going?”

“To get cleaned up and respectable looking.”

???

“Did I wake you,” he asked. Rebecca answered the phone on the third ring but she sounded half asleep. It was late, but he needed to hear her voice. Weasel dialed her number as soon as he’d dropped to his sofa, lights off, still dressed and armed.

“No,” she replied sounding groggy.

“Sorry for calling so late.”

“It’s okay. Are you just now done with work?”

“Yeah, I just got home,” he admitted.

“It’s Christmas Eve.”

Almost Christmas Day. “Holiday time is the worst.”

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