Debriefing Riggs

Episode 3

Best buds

Martin figured there would be no debriefing this time as they hadn't technically solved the entire case. DEA was handling Angela's decapitation and Ned was still on the run. So, Martin figured – open case, no debriefing. Apparently he was wrong, at least if Avery marching his way was any indication.

"Riggs, my office, now." Brooks had questions and wanted answers before considering closing the case. He'd gotten himself some coffee on the way, but was already considering adding booze to it, now that he had to deal with Riggs. Well, he could always indulge in some scotch at home. But for now, he needed his wits about him. Dealing with the Texan was never easy.

Martin cringed, realizing he wasn't as lucky as he'd hoped. He considered swinging by the coffee machine first, but Avery cocked his head impatiently and remained near the doorway, making it very clear he should start moving. Avery's impatience puzzled Martin; he was under the impression that he hadn't done anything wrong!

"Sit down," Brooks said as he walked over to the window and looked out over LA. He gathered his thoughts and turned around. It was the third time Riggs was in here for discussing a closed case and he hadn't seen the Texan this nervous before.

"Why am I here? We didn't technically close the case. There's Angela's death and Ned still being on the run. I'd figured debriefing wasn't necessary," Martin explained.

Technically Riggs was right, but Brooks considered that a mere detail. "I have questions."

"I figured as much," Martin muttered beneath his breath, desperately trying to think of a reason why he was in trouble, but he couldn't come up with anything. "What do you want to know, cap?"

"First of, whose decision was it to give into the robbers' demands and exchange the money for Ned? I don't remember being consulted in that matter!" He wouldn't have endangered Ned's life and would have okayed the operation, but he couldn't let Riggs get away with ignoring the rules without reprimanding him.

"Mine," Martin replied without hesitation. In truth, Roger and he had both agreed that the exchange was the right thing to do, but he wasn't going to let his partner get into trouble when he could take the blame. He'd realized Murtaugh and Avery were friends and he was merely a temporary asset to the team.

"Is that so? Roger had nothing to do with it?" He knew his former partner very well. Roger would have stopped Riggs if he'd disagreed with the Texan.

"He's completely innocent, cap! He has nothing to do with this," Martin maintained. He'd told Roger he'd always have his partner's back and he'd meant that. "I take full responsibility."

Well, Riggs had caved way faster than he'd expected. "There's also the matter of getting yourself electrocuted, Riggs." Roger had told him what had happened; Riggs had taken that cattle prod for his partner, apparently without any hesitation. Brooks wasn't sure he'd have done that for his former partner.

"Hey, Murtaugh has a pace maker, it was an easy choice to make! I can handle getting zapped, he can't." End of discussion as far as he was concerned.

"I don't know what to do with you, Riggs," Brooks admitted tiredly. "My main concern is ensuring you live another day, and you… You get shot, jump off rooftops, get electrocuted and… What's going to be next?"

"I have no idea, cap, but I'm sure I'll find out!" Martin grinned naughtily. "Life's full of surprises! Live a little!"

In Riggs' case it was more like, die a little more every day! Brooks realized he wasn't getting anywhere and was about to dismiss his detective, when he remembered something else he'd wanted to ask Riggs. "How did you get the City Attorney off your back? I expected him to demand your resignation. Instead, the calls stopped. You did go see him, didn't you?" He was under the impression Riggs had done so.

This was his least favorite subject and Martin proceeded with caution. "Yeah, I talked to him. Explained matters and smooth talked my way out of it. Sweet Texan charm, cap, works every time." He hoped it worked this time too, as he smiled mischievously at his captain.

Brooks was no fool; he knew Riggs was trying to manipulate him. He decided to play along – for now. "Well, keep it that way. I don't want the City Attorney breathing down my neck because you keep wrecking stuff!"

"I'll work on it," Martin promised as he slowly got to his feet. "More questions, cap, or are we done here? I have loads of paper work to catch up on." And another session with Cahill scheduled, which he could do without, but he would show up.

"For the time being, yes, we're done. Get back to work, Riggs."

"Yeah, going back to catching bad guys! Night, cap!" Martin quickly left the office and sighed deeply after closing the door behind him. He hadn't minded the first couple of questions, but Avery asking about Ronnie worried him. He had to ensure his father in law stopped calling Avery. Maybe Ronnie would back down if he messaged him once in a while. At this point, ignoring Ronnie would backfire on him. He just had to remind himself to stay in touch with the guy. Avery was already suspicious and that was a dangerous thing.

TBC