Quotes
These stories are supposed to be about the women. While the woman is only this one for a second, her comment has a lasting impact. This is about how Jean Innocent changed the two men for better or worse.
Jean Innocent looked at them, exasperated at the pair. When she'd agreed to their partnership it has been with the thought they would change each other for the better. It had not been with the thought they would pick up the bad habits of the other. Rolling her eyes she fixed them with a glare, "The principle behind a partnership such as yours is that the junior office matures to the level of the senior rather than the senior officer should regress."
Robbie sat at his desk later, playing her words over in his mind. Had he really regressed? He didn't think he had. It's not as if James was some carefree, immature DC who needed maturing. James was the oldest young person he'd ever met.
"Oi, James, what do you make of what the Chief Super said earlier?"
James shook his head, "I think she hoped I would mature you when she partnered us together."
"Correct me if I am wrong sergeant but I am the older member of this partnership."
"Perhaps in age sir, but mentally I am vastly older than you."
"And yet, you are the one who made the cheeky comment about, what was it, 'Shelly, Byron and the other boys in the band.'"
"Don't forget Keats, sir."
Robbie smiled, settling back in his chair. "You have changed me you know."
James paused, flattered Robbie would say so, "How's that sir?"
"You've given me a purpose."
Sensing a joke coming, James looked at him skeptically, "In what way sir?"
"When I first met you James, you had a rather large stick wedged in a very uncomfortable spot. It's my job to help you remove it."
"How's that coming along sir?"
"Well since it was you that got us called in by the Chief Super rather than me, I'd say pretty well." Robbie stood grabbed his jacket, "I think I'm going to call it a day, take a walk around town before the sun goes down. See you tomorrow James."
James watched him leave. It was his turn to reflect on the Chief Super's words and his conversation with Robbie. Turning off his computer and collecting his things he smiled to himself, "Good result sir."