She barely spoke to Dutch the next few days, and he reciprocated. She could see the red welts around his neck and his stoic silence was defensive. She knew. She had been there before herself.
She didn't see Curtis either; she had heard he'd been suspended but no one had confirmed it to her. She didn't really speak anyone at the Barn after that. She had intended to come in, do her job and keep her head down. It may have been a little late but she still did it anyway, because it was the only way she could force herself to come into work knowing what people probably thought of her.
Despite not seeing him, and his supposed suspension, she still found herself looking for Curtis when she arrived every morning. They had been together for two years, he was the man she would have put her career on hold for. Given her life for. Whispers had been circulating around Sherwood that he was going to propose. Two weeks later he was breaking up with her, telling her that he needed to focus on his work.
She missed his arms holding her. She missed him; coming home at night, climbing into bed and finding his warm body there. She always melted into him.
"Detective McGowan."
Claudette was standing over her desk, hands folded over her chest as she surveyed what she saw.
"Follow me up to my office please," she said. "Now," she added needlessly.
Kate had a feeling she wouldn't escape the whole escapade unscathed. She followed and when they entered the office, Claudette shut the door carefully behind her.
"Nice show the other day."
"I'm really sorry-"
"I understand you and the Strike Team members have…history…hence the brawling in my station?" Claudette asked, her voice hard. She sat on the edge of her desk, one leg swinging slightly like a metronome.
"I know Vic and Shane from various other posts."
"And Lemansky?" Claudette asked, one eyebrow raised. Her tone demanded an answer, a correct answer at that.
"We have personal history. I'd rather not talk about it."
"Now's not the time to be prim and proper, Miss McGowan," Claudette said with a laugh.
"Especially not after what I saw."
She stood up and regarded Kate. Whatever she was trying to say was obviously difficult, because she took a couple of breaths, her mouth poising itself to say something and then letting it fade.
"I have my suspicions. About the Strike Team," Claudette began, tapping a pen against her fingers as she walked over to the large window that looked out onto the Barn.
"Meaning?"
"They're dirty. I think," she said, walking back over to Kate and resuming her seat.
"No, I know. They're a smear on my station but thanks to our previous Captain, they're going to be a bitch to get rid of." Claudette leaned in, her eyes unflinching.
"I assume I can trust you to come to me if you hear any whispers?"
"Actually, Captain Wyms, I've been meaning to come and see you. I've got something to ask you before I give you an answer on that," Kate said evenly, looking at her boss. Claudette smiled.
"Yes?"
"I'd like a transfer please."
"A transfer?" Claudette laughed, but stopped when she realised Kate was being serious.
"Really? Because of what happened with Dutch and Lemansky?"
"Partly," Kate answered. "I feel like I've breezed into Farmington and made a show of myself. I'd like a fresh start."
"Well," Claudette said, standing up and circling her desk until she reached her chair.
"I wasn't expecting that. Another transfer, McGowan? Won't look good on your records."
"Farmington wasn't a transfer. It was an invitation," Kate answered quickly, looking down at her hands.
"I can't say I'll be glad to see you go. You've got me some good results. And you worked well with Dutch, despite…" Claudette said, tailing off with a wave of her hand. Kate felt her cheeks reddening.
"I'll see what's available around the area. I assume you don't want to move states?"
"No Captain."
"And if you hear any whispers…?"
"Yes, Captain Wyms."
"I'll draw up the paperwork, then. You are dismissed," Claudette said and turned away a little, waving her hand.