Walking Dead: Fragile Bonds
Chapter 3 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Short, it was longer than the previous chapter, anyway, thanks :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.
Chapter 3
Rick had to admit, he was surprised, he had never seen her before and despite his listlessness he had been aware of the people in town and such. So he knew she had to be new in town, anytime in the last week or so he estimated. Yet she was composed, friendly, calm and clearly not out of her depth despite how overwhelming being in such new surroundings could usually be for people. She was carrying a few bulky folders but Rick instead focused on the niceties.
"Andrea, right?" He repeated, to make sure he got it right.
She nodded. "Yes."
She took his outstretched hand, shaking it and, at his invitation, sat down opposite him at the desk.
"So, how can I help you?" He asked, trying to keep himself focused on business for a change.
"I was tasked to give you these." She explained. "I'm working here now, in charge of the case files and ensuring who is given which case…"
Rick nodded slowly, knowing what to expect. "So, you have a case for me, something rather bland as usual."
"I'm...not too sure." She replied, looking at him, confused. But she then continued. "Anyway, here we go. Complaint forms mainly, from the same club, an over twenty-ones night club in town about some unruly patrons...apparently they are all outstanding for almost a month and still hasn't been resolved."
Rick paused for a moment, unsure, before taking the file and looking it over.
He grimaced as he read over the file, it was indeed a number of complaints from the club staff regarding a group or sometimes two groups of people, usually getting rowdy, drinking too much, harassing other club goers. If the two groups were both in the club at the same time things would readily descend into fights, usually rather violent fights. Rick raised an eyebrow at this, before looking up at Andrea who remained seated, watching him expectantly.
"Seems like quite the litany of issues here, this club is quite popular. They've never had this much trouble before though." He noted. "Are you sure I was to look into this case, I certainly haven't investigated anything quite so...deep, in quite some time."
Andrea nodded, passing over the other, larger, folder. "The chief said I was to give it to you, he believes it's connected to this case, which is the main one he wants you to do."
Rick took the folder, confused, looking at it and his eyes widened.
"Wait, he believes that these club issues are connected to the gangs that have been become more prevalent lately?" He queried. "The chief wants me to take this case on? Unbelievable...after all this time, he still thinks I can…"
"Mr. Grimes?" Andrea queried.
Rick sighed and quickly cleared his throat. "Sorry, it's...I've been in a serious slump for the past few years, the chief never trusted me with any top level or large cases. Why now?"
Andrea shrugged. "I'm sorry, that, I don't know...Although, if you need help, I'll be glad to offer it. I'd need to stay in touch to make sure we have full reports on any progress made after all."
Rick nodded. "I...alright, that sounds good to me."
Smiling Andrea stood up, handing him a card. "Good, here, my number's on this card, I hope to talk to you more, Mr. Grimes."
Taking the card Rick nodded.
"Thank you, and please, call me Rick." He replied.
She nodded and, still smiling, she made her way out of the station while Rick looked down at the case files, curious and a little worried.
Approaching the chief's office, Rick paused for a moment, unsure, worried. But then he cleared his throat, straightened up and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
He entered the office, the chief was behind his desk, working on his computer. He looked up and saw Rick and his expression changed, he straightened up.
"Rick, I think I know why you are here?"
Rick nodded, approaching the desk. "I just don't understand, sir. Why am I being put on this case, after all these years and what I've done...I don't even understand why-?"
"Rick I need to stop you there." The Chief said. "Despite what has happened to you, you're still a good cop and I know you are capable of this. To be completely honest Rick, we can't keep things as they are. You need to shape up and you need to realize what you are capable of again. I understand you've had a hard time and it's been traumatic...But you can't keep letting this weigh you down constantly."
Rick shook his head, trying to keep calm. "I'm trying, but dammit I can't stop seeing their faces every time I try to sleep. My relationship with my son has fallen apart and barely even live anymore, it's like I just-"
"This is your chance Rick, to pull yourself out of this pit." The chief fired back. "To try and rebuild your life, to prove to yourself to be the person you still can't be. The person we all know you can be."
Rick had no reply to that, unsure what to even think about that.
"Okay so, I need you to look into the complaints from the night club first, try and catch the ones responsible. We're almost certain both cases are connected, that it is the gang members that are causing the ruckus at the club." The chief explained.
"Yes sir." Rick said at last.
Then he left the office, made his way back to his desk and sat down dejectedly, preparing to look over the case files as he would be unable to properly handle the night club cases until the place opened. He contemplated about the gangs; they had sprung up and drastically increased the crime rate lately. Something that worried all the police greatly, but Rick couldn't help but wonder, exactly when had the gangs first sprung up. Deciding to see if he could find out and began to look further into the case file on the gang activity. If he was going to take this case on, he better get started.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.