accessory (noun)
1. a supplementary part or object
2. a small accompanying item of dress
3. supplementary; additional; subordinate
He carries his life around with him, the daily reminders of a road hard travelled.
There's his gold shield; the emblem of his success, signifying the hard work as he rose through the ranks. The night shifts and undercover operations, the hours spent poring over evidence looking for patterns, the hours spent in interviews and interrogations studying human behaviour ...
His gun; the modern day sword of the white knight proudly attesting which side of good and evil he stood for. It represented a lifetime of public service, first to his country, then to his city.
His knife; the illicit thrill of the snick of the blade a reminder of Lewis, who had gifted him the knife when he left New York for the army; and true to Lewis' words he had found it far more useful as a tool than a weapon.
His handkerchief; aside from its more prosaic uses, his father had demonstrated the value of a clean white hankie in the charm offensive, how it could be used to dry a tear, as a peace offering, as a bandage to heal wounds, as gesture of care. All valuable ways to breach defences.
His leather binder; a gift from his mentor, Declan, who had quickly grown tired of the paperwork spilling on the floor, in the clumsy fumble to locate a pen or a relevant photo, in his protégé's arms trying to corral the evidence as his mind tried to organise ideas.
His blue pen; nothing special, but a recommendation from a sergeant in his early days as an MP, who was frustrated by reports smudged and barely legible. The nib worked smoothly even when wielded by a left hand, and the ink dried quickly.
His tie clip; a graduation gift from his mother. The warm golden bar a memory of the warmth he had felt as he had basked in her pride, her mind clear and lucid, focussed, for once, entirely on him...
But no gold band...
He has no need of this symbol, no need to be reminded. Because she is beside him every hour of every day, with a matching badge and gun signifying her own loyalty and service, their partnership.
She is so much more than a mere accessory.
