Evelyn Pike hated Boston's public transportation, which is how she found herself walking to work one Tuesday evening. On any other day, she would've just driven to work in her Chevy. Unfortunately though, her car was in the shop, being repaired after some idiot had backed into her in the apartment's parking lot. It was late September, the winter nip just seeming to settle down in Boston. Evelyn, or Eve, as her friends called her, was on her way to HQ for a meeting with her captain. She was a couple years into her career in law enforcement, a path she had chosen after her less-than prosperous small business had fallen apart because some scam on the internet had stolen her profits. She used to run a coffee shop, a run-down old thing that somehow managed to be both cramped and cozy that she filled with a few old pieced of furniture.

Truthfully, Evelyn had never wanted to own a business, but had tried it after a bit of nagging from her mother. She had always loved animals, and had opted for the police department in hopes of someday earning a position in their K-9 unit. Pike had been working the same domestic violence job for a while now, and had just asked sent in her application for a promotion. She had even taken a test to become a detective, eager for any opportunity to be promoted.

Evelyn had a natural and average face. Her nose was a bit on the larger side, and she had bright blue eyes. Her hair was straight and brown, but it was so dark it looked black. She was a little short, but made up for it with her authoritative demeanor. She had a mean poker face and was always in control of her emotions and actions, which is why she made such a good cop.

Officer Pike, unbeknownst to her, had already been evaluated by her captain, and was selected to begin in the Vice and Narcotics Unit due to her exemplary performance and abilities such as being able to diffuse almost any situation, sniff out a liar from a mile away, and follow orders to the letter without a single objection. Of course, if she did not desire the position, Capt. Richards would transfer her to a similar unit, but he had a feeling she would give the best advantage there. Evans saw a bit of himself in her, and had immediately taken a liking to her, though she would never know. The captain firmly believed in tough love, so he was never one to show preference or affection within a professional environment. Her colleagues had known she was going places from the start, too, and Evelyn had found no trouble finding friends since the police academy. Whether or not she knew or wanted it, Pike would end up much farther than the K-9 unit she was currently coveting.

In the Police academy, Eve had blossomed; she had embraced a side of herself she never knew she had. She had been in the top of her class in every course (except in vehicle crash investigation) and had broken the local high score in firearms training, hitting the cardboard cutout with a Glock 22 further than anyone before her. Evelyn found herself looking at her sudden choice in jobs differently; she wanted to stay in the force longer than she had first anticipated, and had the urge to take this career as far as it could take her.

Strolling down Palmer Street, Officer Pike quickened her pace, realizing she was almost late. The fall air that was once welcome had started to send shivers up her spine. She was about 8 minutes away, still having to go along Vernon and Dewitt, and then go around Madison Park. She was told to report to the headquarters instead of her normal station, and to go to the captain's office upon arrival. Positive she had done nothing wrong, Evelyn was sure she was about to get promoted, and had dressed to impress in her new black suit and had even worn her pearls and fake diamond earrings. She would have worn heels, but she hated not being able to run, especially when offenders decided to flee once she showed up, siren and lights blazing. Her hair was a little shinier than normal, and she had even worn makeup, a rarity for her in this type of business. Eve's Glock and badge were clipped to her belt beneath the jacket, reassuring and solid, pressed into her side.

Up ahead, Pike saw a movement and heard a commotion. Uneasy, she jogged down to the alley to witness a tall, dark haired man with piercings and tattoos all over his arms and face. He was grabbing a scrawny, balding, pale man in polo and khaki slacks, by the shirt and spitting in his face. "I don't care what Joey told you; get me better stuff, now!" He growled in the terrified man's face. "B-b-b-but I don't have anything stronger! I swear the bag I sold you was legit! I gave you the best stuff in town for miles!" he sputtered. She had heard enough. Utterly repulsed and angered, Evelyn dashed into the dead end alley, gun drawn and cocked in her right hand and badge held up in her left. "Boston Police! Both of you, put your hands on the wall and freeze!" she said with such authority that both men immediately obliged. Obviously startled, but regaining his wits, the big man began to reach for his pocket and Eve saw a flash of steel. "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!" she screamed at him, jabbing the barrel of her gun into the man's neck and swept a foot beneath him. Face pressed into the grime by Pike's shoe, the man gave up. The pale one, though, was nervously edging away. "If either of you even twitches, I will pump both of you full of lead! Understand? " Evelyn screamed, her voice almost going hoarse, but not quite. Handcuffed and read their rights, the offenders were hauled to the headquarters, one mumbling excuses under his breath and the other muttering profanities.

Captain Richards had just finished filing papers on the arson incident near Orchard Park when Officer Pike softly rapped on his door three times. Glancing at the clock, he saw that she was, in fact, only ten seconds early. He wondered what had delayed her; Pike was usually at least five minutes early.

Meandering through his door, Richards saw the cause of Pike's delay. She was dragging a ruffian and a roughed-up dweeb through the door, both wearing bracelets. Of course. Evelyn Pike couldn't walk a block without running into criminal. She drew in criminals like a magnet, one of the reasons she had been so successful in law enforcement. Nobody could explain it; she was just always at the right place at the right time. Richards also spotted that the snap on her holster was undone, and she was flushed, as if she had just ran. He decided that it must be from apprehending and dragging the offenders to the station.

"I caught these two in possession and delivery. I'll have a full report on your desk by tomorrow morning." Pike said as she entered, skipping the small talk.

"Alright, please escort them to Officer Marino down the hall. Bag and tag the evidence. But come right back, I'd like a word," The captain replied, holding back a laugh. Ah, the irony. Never in short supply in this line of work. Apprehending two men dealing narcotics on her way to getting a promotion to Vice and Narcotics. And she wanted to be in the K-9 unit!

Stepping back into Captain Richards's office, Evelyn put on her impassive face, all business. She really wanted this job. "You wanted to see me, sir?" she started, after Richards sat staring at the wall for a few seconds, lost in thought.

"What? Oh, yes. Please have a seat, Officer Pike," Richards said as he was snapped back to reality. He gestured to a worn wooden chair in front of his desk.

After Evelyn had sat down, the captain began.

"Now, you have worked for the force for a while now. You have demonstrated excellence, determination, and loyalty to this police force throughout your time here. As I am sure all of my colleagues would agree, I believe you would benefit the force more in a different position. I happen to have the perfect position in mind, so please hear me out. I have scheduled you to begin in the Vice and Narcotics unit tomorrow; your scored well over what it takes to be a detective, and I happen to trust you will do well. Do you disagree?"

Somehow flattered and upset at the same time, beneath the cool mask of Evelyn's resolve, she was reeling. Narcotics? Detective? Me? After a few moments of awkward silence, Pike finally responded.

"Uuhmmm, No, sir. Not at all. But, are you sure? I mean, well, I was sort of expecting something else…"

"Positive. Report to the station about half an hour early tomorrow morning. I'll have Detective Sullivan introduce you to everyone. He's your new partner and will show you the ropes. Good with that?"

"Yes. Of course. Absolutely. Thank you, sir," replied Evelyn.

"It' settled then. Goodnight, Detective Pike."

The title threw Evelyn off. "Detective, Sir?"

"You just got promoted; get used to it, Detective." Captain Richards said, suppressing a smile. She was good, but she a few things to learn.

Evelyn slipped out of the office, softly shutting the door behind her.

Pike inserted the key into her apartment door and took a deep breath before entering. This was her home, her sanctuary, her happy place. The only area work coincided with it was in the office. Evelyn liked to let go of the day in her apartment and be completely relaxed here. It was a simple and cozy, not too sparse or crowded. A comfy couch and armchair, modest television, handed down mahogany coffee table, and a red lamp occupied the living room, all sitting on a warm red rug. The kitchen was a few yards away. All technology was out of date, but still worked fine, even the coffeemaker and stovetop. Wooden cabinets, black countertops, and white tile furnished the kitchen. Passing through straight towards her room, Evelyn proceeded into what she thought was the best room of them all. Her bedroom housed a king sized bed, a giant down comforter, a dresser, and some warm paintings given to her from a college friend. They still kept in touch, but they lived too far away to meet. She had a standard master's bathroom and a conservative closet (though it was a bit too large for her sparse wardrobe).

Eve collapsed on her bed, giving her muscles time to relax before she made dinner and prepared for the day ahead. Her basset hound, Cooper, hopped up beside her. She had found Cooper on the highway when she had a flat tire. It was raining, and the poor pup looked so miserable she had to take him back to clean him up and at least give him off to the nearest humane society, provided she didn't find the owner. After five weeks of looking, Evelyn decided to take him in for the time being. That was five years ago. Cooper had large ears that seemed to hear everything, and was very protective of Eve, making him the perfect guard dog. His barks were loud enough to alert Eve, but not too loud as to annoy the neighbors.

After a couple minutes Evelyn rose from her bed and set off for the kitchen, Cooper trailing behind. She pulled out a pot and began to make lasagna. Cooking had always calmed her. She only had to make dinner every few days. She was the only one, so leftovers lasted a while.

An hour and a half later, Evelyn Pike was scarfing down hot noodles and cheese. She was surprised how hungry she was, though she supposed it was because she hadn't had time for lunch today. Forcing herself to slow down, Eve savored the goodness of a home-cooked meal. When she had her business, she barely had time for a power bar and a cup of coffee for most of her meals.

Setting the dishes in the washer, Eve contemplated what she would wear tomorrow. She decided on a pantsuit that was similar to the one she wore today, and a white blouse. Pike never really cared about what she wore, but she wanted to be respected among her colleagues and dressed professionally. Especially in a job that was dominated by men, Eve had to be on her toes in order to be recognized.

Lumbering into her flannel pajamas and settling onto the couch with her latest novel, she re-played what the captain had said in her mind. Had she really impressed him that much? She wondered, for the first time that day, if she would be happy spending her career as a detective. After a lot of thought, she decided that, yes, she enjoyed police work, and that she would give it an honest effort to be happy in this position.