Chapter 1
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren slowly followed Detective Ed Green out of her office. She stopped at her door and watched as he walked towards the elevator for what might just be the last time. Poor Ed truly did have the weight of the world on his shoulders and he walked like it. Not his usual confident strut but instead the faltering steps of a dejected man.
Van Buren wanted to do something, to say something, but she could not think of anything that made sense or that would reverse the recent events in Ed's life. He had been hiding a gambling addiction, and had shot and killed a hustler, and had lied to her and to Internal Affairs (IA). What in the world would ever make any of that right?
How could she not have known he had a gambling problem? Hell, she was the one with the problem. As his supervisor, she should have known he was troubled and she should have helped him. Then future of a good cop, a good man, would not be on the line.
***
The distance from Van Buren's office to the elevator seemed like ten miles to Ed. Although it felt strange how the squad room was deserted, Ed was glad he didn't have to talk to anyone and suffer through the awkwardness. Surely folks knew he would be in this morning, probably for the last time. Either they decided to make themselves scarce out of respect for him or out of disgust. Probably the latter, Ed thought. No matter what his reason for the gambling or for shooting that hustler, he would always somehow be tainted.
Ed stepped inside the empty elevator and reached back to press the down button. He did not turn around because he did not want to face Van Buren who he knew was still watching. Ed closed his eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled, and let the doors close behind him.