Raising a Glass
Striding back into the UCOS office he'd left mere seconds ago Robert Strickland looks at his favourite team.
"Maybe congratulations wasn't the best term, what I meant is you've all done a remarkable job and I'm proud of you all so, I'm calling for a poets day" Strickland began, before being interrupted by Brian.
"A what?"
"Poets day, it means Piss Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday." Gerry corrected enjoying being the condescending sounding one while Brian smiled at learning a new term.
"Exactly, go home and later to the pub and raise a glass to Faye. You've all done amazing work, even more than usual. I think you all deserve to have the rest of the day off." Strickland finished watching his favourite team straighten up in pride before leaving the room, each sincerely thanking the younger man all apart from Sandra.
"I'll write it up and meet you later." She explained to the boys before looking at her boss, raising her eyebrow in question.
"What." Strickland asked feeling slightly uncomfortable under the beautiful woman's gaze, her only reply was a slight flaring of her nostrils.
"You four work so hard for a department that so many people hate upon for no good reason, and you've just solved a huge case that the first time round the officers tried really hard to solve which sadly isn't usually the case; and I didn't think you'd even be able to name the victim, let alone find the killer too. Yet you did. I myself said this was unsolvable, you deserve at least the day off giving you a long weekend." He explained.
"Thank you, sir." Sandra smiled almost humbly.
"Least I could do for my favourite unit." He replied enjoying the bright smile he received.
Later that evening, the four detectives and Esther were at Sandra's dining table awaiting their Indian takeaway (Sandra's choice) while discussing everything but work. At the end of their meal they each did as Strickland suggested, they raised a glass to Faye to her parents.
In the back of their minds each were beginning to realise that maybe Robert Strickland wasn't so bad after all.