Lin 9

The esteemed chief of police sat at her desk in her quiet office filling out the paperwork for Pema's arrest. She never thought that she would be the one fabricating an arrest record, but she was so angry and hurt that she sought vengeance as the answer; she wanted to make her pay. Some part of Lin's brain knew that this was wrong, but a larger part held the want to get away with it – and she would get away with it.

Lin reveled in the idea of what this arrest could do to Tenzin's reputation and to his and Pema's relationship. Their perfect little life and all of their stupid self-centered master plans would deteriorate and they would be left with a chasm between them that could never be filled. Yes—and though Lin hadn't realized the parallel, she would force upon them what was taken from her; that closeness—that connection that you feel with another person. The one she felt with Tenzin…

And so she wrote the order for her arrest… Her expression was serious and unwavering, her body was upright and alert, and through her uncompromising exterior, in her head she was working on what she was going to say when Tenzin arrived. She was ready for him too—more so than she had been the day they broke up, that's for sure. She recalled a variety of insults that she refrained from using over the years and sorted them into this situation. Lin had no reservations about sparing Tenzin's feelings anymore—no matter how sensitive he could be.

After Lin finished writing, she examined her work and sighed to release the tension in her chest. She set the papers aside, pleased by her work, yet disappointed in herself… Quickly shaking off this feeling, Lin moved on to another stack of papers to keep her mind focused; all she had to do was bide time and wait until Tenzin arrived.

It was no less than 2 hours later when Lin looked up from her desk upon hearing commotion in the room before the detectives division. She didn't so much as flinch because she knew immediately who it was—she could recognize that arrogant voice anywhere. She heard the door to the detectives division burst open with what she assumed to be a gust of wind followed by more incessant shouting as the sound of papers flapped through the air.

Lin took in a shallow breath and continued to finish what she had been writing. It was time and she was ready—let the games begin.

After what felt like an eternity, when in reality it was about two minutes, Lin's door gusted open, the breeze blowing her hair back away from her face. She did not look up; she simply put a firm hand on her papers so they would not fly all over the place and kept on with her business.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Tenzin boomed as he entered her office his robes ruffling all around him.

Lin's mousy assistant June entered quickly behind him and bowed. "I'm sorry. The councilman insisted that—"

"That will be all June, thank you." Lin said, still not raising her eyes as she received a look of bewilderment from the timid girl. "Close the door on your way out."

"Of – of course." June responded and left without another word.

"How DARE you arrest her! You have NO grounds to—"

"I did not arrest her. She did that all on her own."

"She did NO such thing!

"Lower your voice Tenzin." She said calmly. "I should not have to tell you—you are not a child." She stood, still not looking at him, and crossed over to file the three papers in her hand. "Or perhaps I do because you are considerably lacking self-control and discipline even though you preach the opposite." She said as she walked back behind her desk and looked him dead in the eye. (One point for Lin)

"Do not bring me into this, Lin! You have no grounds to arrest Pema. She has done nothing wrong!" He continued angrily, but complied and lowered his voice.

Lin said nothing and sat down to pretend to go back to her work.

"And what more—Pema said that you were personally overseeing her arrest? What could she have possibly done?" Tenzin was livid and Lin had absolutely no tolerance for it, but she managed to hold back her comments. She looked up at him with an irritated expression and listened as he paced back and forth, reading her the riot act. "She is one of the most responsible, law-abiding most—most mature women I know. She would never break the law!"

Lin suppressed a stab about Pema's age and her supposed 'maturity' and shook her head—she knew she had to let him finish yelling before she would be able to get an actual word in.

"I was in the middle of a meeting when I received the call. I rushed down here as fast as I could but I was informed that I was not allowed to see her until they cleared it with you. They wouldn't even tell me what she did! What kind of place are you running here?! I have a right mind to bring this matter to the council!" The vain in his forehead was pulsing and his face was burning red. He obviously built up so much anger while he hurried to the station that he was losing the ability to think straight. "I refuse to let her stay in prison any longer. I demand you release her at once!" He yelled.

They stared at each other for a while as Tenzin caught his breath and Lin collected her thoughts.

"Are you done shouting, or shall I tell my officers to keep listening outside the door?" Lin asked coolly and pointed to her office door.

Tenzin opened the door to at least 10 embarrassed faces leaning close to hear what all of the fuss was about. Tenzin walked away from the entrance and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, embarrassed himself for letting his anger get the better of him. He sat down on the couch to Lin's left and sighed; he knew that she would find a way to handle it.

"Saikhan," Lin called in a cordial tone. Another officer pushed him forward to the front of the crowd.

"Y—Yes Chief? I wasn't listening if that's—"

"Take everyone down to Yang's for lunch, on me."

"Really?" He blurted out involuntarily which elicited a glare. "I—I mean I will—thank you." He shooed everyone away. "Come on, we're going to lunch!" He shouted and corralled them quickly out of the office. Saikhan hung back for a moment and gave her a reassuring nod before closing the door behind them.

"Now that we have some privacy, is there anything more you want to say, or did you embarrass yourself enough in front of everyone else?" Lin asked pointedly. (Two points Lin)

"I have nothing more to say. I think I have made myself quite clear." Tenzin responded as he regained his composure.

"Alright. Then it's my turn to talk and ask the questions." Lin said and pulled out Pema's file as she stood. "First of all, do not think that you can come into my office and disrespect me and my position. I have work to do here and you have already sufficiently interrupted it, so much in fact that I had to send this entire office out to lunch so that we could have a free conversation. If you had not made a scene, than there wouldn't have been a problem. Secondly, you seem to be under the impression that your precious girlfriend is innocent when I have report here that says otherwise."

"I'm telling you that she hasn't done anything. It isn't like her." Tenzin responded with frustration.

"Maybe she is not the woman you think she is. Have you thought of that? Though I enjoy making you look like a fool, maybe you should listen to the facts and the evidence."

"Fine! What are you accusing her of?" Tenzin asked and stood again.

Lin stared at him for a moment. It was perfect. Lin was finally able to say to Tenzin what she had been thinking for months after their breakup.

"Theft." She said finally.

"Thank goodness" He sighed with relief.

"You're—happy about this?"

"If there is anything she could be wrongly accused for, I am thankful that it is something so minor."

"How are you so sure that she is innocent?"

"I would not want to spend the rest of my life with a woman who goes out of her way to hurt other people." He said and glared at her. (One point Tenzin)

Lin's chest tightened. How could he say that to her?! Pema was the one who went out of her way to steal Tenzin away from Lin. How could Tenzin compare the two of them and somehow manage to put Pema ahead.

"You've only been together for a few months and you want to get married? It somehow makes sense the way you traipse her around like some trophy you won." Lin scoffed, her voice rising in volume. (Three points Lin)

"I love her more than anything and she is ready to start a family. But—But that is NONE of your business!" Tenzin said, the subject of his new relationship flustering him.

"Give her a year. A girl can only take so much of your overly-controlling, self-righteous, perfectionist behavior!" Lin said loudly, desperately trying to suppress her rage.

Tenzin was about to yell something else, but he caught himself and took a deep breath before settling on something different to say.

"Is that the case file?" He asked in a low voice.

"Nothing gets past you." She said, her blood still boiling from before, and threw the file hard onto the floor in his direction just so that it would be more difficult for him to receive.

Tenzin sighed and picked it up so that there would not be another argument. He straightened the papers inside and peered at the pages. Lin crossed her arms, on the defensive, and leaned on her desk.

"She stole a – necklace, a scarf, and a belt? It doesn't even make sense. She has no use for these things."

"Don't ask me to explain the whims of those who break the law."

"– Wait," He said, finding something interesting as he continued reading. "She didn't steal them – It says right here! A child stole her bag and when she got it back, the items were inside! She has told you the truth. She is innocent."

"And I am supposed to take her word for it?

"Yes! You can sense it. You are a human lie detector! You must know that she was telling the truth."

"You do not know what I may or may not sense." She hissed. In spite of herself, Lin incriminatingly averted her eyes.

Tenzin stared at her expression, recognizing that he has seen it before – Lin used to do that same thing with her eyes when she was young. It was her tell – her involuntary response when she was devising or lying. The rest of her person was always so steady, unfazed, but her eyes were expressive and gave away her inner thoughts and feelings. Tenzin shook his head, unable to believe what she was doing.

"What did you sense?" He proceeded carefully.

"I have not yet determined –"

"When you spoke with her, was she lying or not?" He asked harshly.

Lin hesitated, solidifying Tenzin's suspicion.

"This isn't even about Pema's case, is it?" It's about you and me." (Two points Tenzin).

"That's preposterous!" Lin scoffed. "It's just like you to assume that everything revolves around you!" (Four points Lin).

"You are still angry about our break up! This – All of this is just some ill-fated attempt to hurt my reputation!" (Three points Tenzin).

"How dare you assume my intentions?!" Lin shouted, and approached him.

"Why must you always challenge me?!" Tenzin yelled, fury burning in his cheeks. "There are many reasons why we didn't work out, but this is CERTAINLY one of them!" (Four points Tenzin).

"We didn't work out because you were an unfaithful, petty – GOOD-FOR-NOTHING –"

"For the last time, I was NOT unfaithful!"

"I can't BELIEVE we are still having this conversation!"

"I can't believe YOU'RE still not over our relationship!" (Four points Tenzin).

"Oh, I am BEYOND over you."

"I wouldn't be here right now if you weren't!"

Lin paused, her heart pounding and her breath quickening as all of the emotions she so successfully suppressed began to bubble to the surface.

"Well – Well what do you expect, Tenzin?!" She finally blurted out. "We have known each other since birth – we were together for years! How can you forget about that – forget about us without a second thought?!" Lin's outburst took Tenzin aback so when he didn't respond, she kept releasing her thoughts. "All of a sudden your new relationship is all over the news – you're taking her to parties, showing her off – I am TIRED of hearing about how 'in love' you two are when you have only been together for a few months! You can break up with me, you can start dating someone else even if it you are INSENSITIVE enough to do it after a couple of WEEKS, but you do not have the RIGHT to come in here and tell me that I should be OVER EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD!" She screamed, shaking from anger. (Negative Two Points Lin)

Tenzin just stared at her, remembering previous times she yelled at him like this at this volume – it was only if he really managed to hurt her feelings.

Lin took in a few deep breaths, attempting to release some of her tension as she stared back, crossing her arms again. She couldn't believe that she actually said that. It just slipped out – it was certainly not her intention to unload all of her feelings, therefore exposing herself in front of him… She was angry with him, but at this moment she was more furious with herself. She sighed loudly and rubbed her temples with her left hand.

"Lin," He started, lowering his voice.

"Just – don't, okay?" She responded quickly, her voice defeated. They were silent for a few moments until Lin spoke. "It is time for you to leave, now."

It took a few more minutes and more unbearable silence for Tenzin to muster up the courage to come back to their initial conversation.

"Lin, I know you are angry with me, but you cannot arrest an innocent person for that reason."

Lin shook her head. "No, Tenzin, but I am going to do my job."

"If you take this to the council, you will lose this case."

"And what makes you so certain? This is personal for you. They won't even let you in on the case."

"I'll out our previous relationship. They will be forced to look at you and your motivations more closely."

Lin couldn't believe that the man standing before her was once in love with her. "I don't believe for a second that you would do that."

"I do not wish to bring our past into this, but I will. Unless you see reason and let her go, I'm afraid I have no choice."

"Go ahead. I can take it." Lin said, desperately trying to cling to keeping the control of the room. She couldn't back down; not after everything that happened.

"Do not challenge me, Lin. You will not win this time."

"Try me."

"I don't think you understand. Release her," He began seriously, hoping that he wouldn't regret his next words. "Release her, or you won't have a job to worry about anymore." (One Thousand Points Tenzin) "I'll give you until the end of today to tie up all of the loose ends."

As Tenzin moved to leave, Lin slid down into her chair behind her desk. He will win – he already won. All this time, she thought she was in control – she was in charge of the most important sects of the city – but no matter how much power she had, she always had to answer to the council and to Tenzin. He could make her life just as terrible as she could make his, but the difference is she would be out of a job. Lin looked up to watch him go. How could he do this to her? Why would he say that when he knew that she was hurting?

"Tenzin –" Her voice broke as she called after him. She stood as he turned around, his hand on the door. "You never apologized." It wouldn't make anything better, or make her forgive him, but she thought that maybe if he admitted that he was wrong for what he did, then she could start to get over it.

They stared at each other, searching – for what they didn't know. Finally, Tenzin shook his head ever so slightly and said, "I have nothing left to say."

That was it, and just as quickly as he barged in, he let himself out.