Chapter 3:
"What a first day for you." Mac joked with the new detective. "A drowning on top of the Statue of Liberty… this is gonna be a good one."
"Oh yes," Agreed the woman, "This is my first job ever, like this. Back home, I was a high school teacher-history. When the teaching jobs started to become a dime a dozen I had to find something else, and I was able to get this certification in criminal investigation in 2 years, my ex-husband didn't support it at all, but I had to find a way for me and my son-Cayden- to get by. I knew his dad wouldn't get anything to help us get by, and I wouldn't depend on that bastard for anything. Cheatin' son-of-a-bitch, I put up with a lot from him over the years, but I never would stand for that." She was raging, obviously she was comfortable talking and sharing her life with people, and Mac was enjoying the talking, though he wasn't sure how to reply and knew it wasn't a professional topic.
"I'm sorry about that. I understand how you're feeling though, not through experience, but I can imagine. This is a demanding job, I'm not going to lie, but it's very rewarding and never the same. How old is your boy?"
"Oh he's nearing 17, I had him when I was 19. He's a great kid, I'm so blessed and thankful for him. His dad and I were together from our junior year of high school until the bastard cheated. Cade-that's my nickname for my boy- he is thinking of being a cop, but I'm a worried mom and I don't want him doing this kind of stuff. He's so smart and wonderful, he'd be a great dad and husband and I don't want him putting himself in danger. I want him to find love and have a family and-"
"So… You don't want him to be a cop because of danger, yet here you are." He eyed her up and down, "I see you're not really a lead by example kind of mom." Mac smirked,
"I don't want to be in danger either," She was defensive suddenly, "My kid is my life, but when he leaves the nest next year I need something to keep myself occupied. I'm 36, I'm not going to find a man again and I'm too old to adopt some kids. I need a job that pays the bills, and I've always wanted to be in law enforcement, but was always too scared to actually try and get into it when I was younger. I'm excited and totally dedicated to work now, just not on my boy's birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, my birthday… Well preferably no holidays but I understand-"
"This isn't the kind of job to have if you have to have a picky schedule." Mac warned gently, "I love it, but I wish I had more time at home." He was running through all the basic things on the body as he talked, "My late wife hated my job, and now I just wish I'd of taken some time off to be with her." He was quiet a moment, "I'm out of gloves, I'll have to pack some more in the kit when I get back to my office." He took his gloves off as the medics bagged the body of a middle aged businessman. "It's a hard job, but it's rewarding." He repeated, not quite sure why he was telling this lady so much of his personal life having only just met her, there was a silence for a moment, and the lady spoke softly,
"I'm sorry." Mac looked up, quizzically, "About your wife." She specified. Mac nodded.
The entire team was on lunch, it was a rarity that they all ate around the same time, but today they did, and the new detective was the center of attention. She stayed near Mac, she had been told that he'd become her partner- she had taken the place of his old one, Jo, after she'd moved to Alabama- and so she figured it'd be good to get to know him. "I always love a woman's hand around this place." Lindsay said, grabbing the woman's hand while bouncing Lucy on her knee, "It isn't easy keeping all these boys under control all by myself."
"Oh Baby, you know you wouldn't have it any other way." Danny grinned,
"No," Don disagreed, "You know we'd do fine without you, Linds," He was just offering a rebuttal to be disagreeing with her.
"We love Lindsay, she keeps these two knuckleheads in line," Mac motioned at Danny and Don, "Not to mention she does her job and she's very good at it, might I add." The whole team shared a laugh and Don was about to add some sarcastic remark when Mac glanced at the clock and announced, "Well, I'm out, there's work to be done and we shouldn't be around chatting when there are murderers running free, let's get to work." Some of the team members groaned as they had been having too much fun on their break, and some got up quickly. The new investigator, knowing Lindsay was good, followed her, but Mac was quick to bark at her, "Ms. Bryan, I want you to come with me!"
"Yes sir," The new addition to the team agreed, her voice shaking from her nerves. She gathered up her courage and her pride and got into step beside Mac. Mac could sense her nerves, he wouldn't have had to be a detective to figure out that this strong and motivated exterior she was putting on was a cover for a nervous-but still motivated- mom who wasn't quite sure what she was doing and needed a firm hand as her teacher. Mac knew his patience was something to be called into question, but he had trained many investigators in the past and every one of them had turned out to be the best that they could be,
"Calm down, I'm not going to bite you." He tried to comfort, but even with all of his years of working, talking, and dealing with people, he was still awkward when it came to first meetings and people that he wasn't so familiar with, "maybe bark a little, but I don't bite-unless you break the law."
"Detective Taylor, should I go to the lab or maybe run some errands you might have around the crime lab or..?"
"Follow me; we're going into my office." His voice was its usual flat tone, and he sensed as the woman's at his side nerves went even crazier than before.
"Detective Taylor, I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm doing!" She couldn't hide the panic in her tone, "I'm new to this, like I said I'm an ex- teacher. I am not making excuses, but please at least give me time before you have a problem with me. I'm sorry for whatever I did, please-"
"Ms. Bryan," He opened the door to his office, "Please sits down, and while you're at it, calm down!" She walked through the doorway and seated herself at a chair in front of his desk, and Mac settled himself in his chair. Once they were settled in, Mac couldn't do anything but notice her shaking leg and edginess, "For the last time, calm down." He smiled and added a light laugh for added comfort.
"I'm sorry Detective-" Her voice shook.
"Mac." He corrected, letting her know he was an equal to her and just because he was her boss didn't mean she should be nervous around him.
"Mac," His name was new in her mouth. She smiled, brushing some golden hair from in front of her eyes, and making eye contact with him- the first name made her much more comfortable. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but Mac cut her off before she could begin to form the sentence.
"I don't like formal titles in my lab, may I have your name so I don't have to keep addressing you as Ms. Bryan, Ms. Bryan." He grinned at the poor end of his sentence
"Allie." She answered, and Mac nodded, extending his hand,
"Nice to meet you, glad to have you here on the team. I know you'll be a great addition, and I have confidence in you."
