Chapter 4: Two days before Christmas- Revelations

The following morning I could smell trouble in the air right after I entered the locker room. I tried to say hi to Davis. He was about to answer, but Sully gave him a look as if to warn him to be silent. I changed quickly and went in for row-call.

Lieutenant Swersky started with announcements. "Morning everyone. First things first, news. Detective Monroe sustained some serious internal injures last night and decided to take personal time off. She won't be coming back to the 55. I suggest that as a courtesy call for her courageous attempt to capture the shooting suspect you should all feel free to visit her at the hospital to say goodbye." He surveyed the room, but everyone was already noisily mouthing off swearwords and rude comments, none of them Sasha deserved in my opinion.

Swersky continued. "Quiet down now. Sullivan, you're riding alone in 55-Charlie today. Davis, you're back with Finney in 55-David."

"What! You can't put them together again!" Sully yelled.

"Of course I can Sullivan. Probationary Officer Finney certainly can't ride by himself, so unless you want to ride with him, I suggest everyone get to work." Swersky fumed.

Davis and I looked at each other. He stood up and walked over. "Get your stuff and I'll meet you by the patrol car."

I made my way to the car and saw that Davis was already seated in the driver's side. I haven't been riding with him in the past two weeks because he took so many personal days off, but somehow the dynamics have changed. I really miss my old partner, but he was in such a dark mood that I kept my thoughts to myself. It was barely lunchtime and this shift was turning out to be the longest one of my life. Finally I just couldn't stand it anymore.

"Davis, if you got something to say to me, say it." I confronted him.

"No. I don't, Finney. Can we not talk about this?" Davis kept his eyes on the road ahead.

"That's the problem with you. You keep everything to yourself. We're supposed to be partners." I was getting really annoyed. "Listen, if you're mad at my father because he was the one who assigned Monroe…"

"Shut up, Finney. This is not all about Monroe. You don't even know the half of it."

"You know what, enlighten me. I'm sick of hearing how evil my father is from you and Sullivan. If you have anything to throw at me except colorful adjectives, bring it on."

The squad car swerved, barely missed the sidewalk and screeched to a stop. I was suddenly thrown forward. "Are you crazy, Davis? You don't have to try to kill me."

"You really want to know?" Davis stared at me, I could see that he's totally lost his cool. "I've had it with you. Acting as if your old man's holier than the rest of us mortals. Sully says I shouldn't talk to you, because God forbid your father probably planted you here to keep an eye on me. But I don't think so. I think you're just naïve and stupid. Plus, what do I care, I've already laid down all my cards with CT Finney. I don't give a damn who else knows. You, of all people should realize what kind of a person your father is." He reached for a thick manila file and shoved it in my face. "Go ahead, I dare you to read it."

I took the folder and opened it, my heart raced in my chest and my hands began to shake slightly. I didn't know what I expected to find but it can't be good. A few minutes into it I could hardly believe my own eyes. It was an old IAB file about the murder of Ty Davis Sr., and all the evidence seemed to point to my father. This can't be true. There's got to be some other explanation for it. I thought. "Where did you get this?" I threw the folder back at Davis.

"Monroe gave it to me, and the man who showed her the file was killed two days ago."

"This is just crazy, my father is not a killer." I argued.

"Tell that to Raymond Morris. He admitted to the whole set-up and was stabbed to death the same night I went to visit him in prison. Are you gonna tell me it's all a coincidence?" Davis stared at me.

I didn't know how to answer him. It was obvious that he and Sully already made up their mind about my father, but I was sure I could find some other proof. I pushed open the passenger door and stepped outside to take a big breath. I'll prove them wrong. I have to. Davis honked and I got back inside. We finished the shift in suffocating silence, and I could almost hear snowflakes falling silently on the windshield.