"Somehow I feel like I know exactly why you want to talk to me alone, and quite honestly, I have neither the time nor desire to do so right now."
Mike's words were meant to cut straight through Lenny's confidence, but like so many times before, the Psychiatrist nodded in stoic acceptance of the hostility toward his position.
"Don't you think it's understandable that there are concerns about the effects of this case on your team, Lieutenant?", he explained calmly and leaned back in the guest chair, decidedly more relaxed now that his credibility wasn't the center of attention any longer, "The Chief has ordered me to have two trauma specialists on standby 24/7 for all the survivors, next of kin and anybody who is affected by this tragedy. But he was very clear about me handling all the police affairs personally. And I think that's a good idea. Nothing worse than throwing a new guy into this shark tank right here…"
Gracing the remark with an indifferent grunt, Mike watched his partner through the closed door, talking to Hank, his body language suggesting irritation; if not dismay with the order he'd been given.
And he hated giving that order, but knew it was best for everybody involved at this time.
"So what exactly do you want? It's barely been eleven hours since the shooting. Even if any of my men were going to be affected by it, don't you think it's a little early to wave your wand around? Right now, we're too busy finding our killer to have you stand in our way and make us look at ink spots. I will go ahead and call Conden to get this assignment stopped."
"Call him all you want, Lieutenant, but an order is an order, for both of us. The severity of this case dictates early intervention. Whether you want to admit it or not, what you guys had to see was probably the single worst thing you've ever had to witness in your career. And even if not, it's a close second. The point is, if I can help before a problem becomes a fundamental issue, causing deteriorating mental and physical health, staff turnover, or in the worst case, suicide, then why not? We've worked together like this before and my…interference, if you want to call it that, has never jeopardized your case. If anything, you want me close by. You need me close by. Because the first time somebody finds a guy who might be our killer, you're going to want me to be there and help nail him to the wall. And I'd love to help you do that. You owe me that much, Lieutenant. Believe me when I say that you guys aren't the only ones who are in shock at the sheer magnitude of this…this senseless killing spree."
Drawing in a deep breath, Mike nodded slowly, knowing well enough when to pick his battles.
As his eyes left his partner's desk behind and wandered back to the Psychiatrist, he was surprised to see that Lenny had watched the scene surrounding Hank as well, seemingly sharing the same concern.
"So the ehm…the first thing we need to establish is to recognize which one of your detectives has had prior experience with mass casualties, be it the war or any event with a significant amount of fatalities, like a fire, large crash, anything like that. Typically, prior exposure will lessen the initial strain this puts on the psyche, allowing your experienced staff to operate normally under high-stress situations. However, prior experiences may also aid in forming triggers in regards to mass casualty events, as well as exaggerate the onset of posttraumatic stress."
Trying to hide the eye roll, Mike's distracted mind thought long and hard about an explanation for Lenny's presence when briefing his staff, a decision pushed down from the brass that felt like an utter breach of confidence.
"Both Norm and Dan should be fine. I am not too worried about them. They both served in the army for several years, and whatever they haven't learned there, they've learned in the fifteen some years in Homicide. They share a strong bond and I feel confident that they will handle this situation fine."
Relieved at the news, Lenny pointed his chin at the row of desks closer to Mike's office.
"That leaves your three juniors; Lessing, Tanner and Wonderboy."
"Don't call him that!", Mike sneered in exhaustion-induced frustration, after having fought far too many battles for his partner to be treated like any other vital part of the homicide department, regardless of his age.
"Alright, alright, point taken.", Lenny said soothingly and stood up to help himself to a glass of water from the nearby carafe, "So, you gotta think about what this is going to do to these youngsters. And as you do so, consider their family structure. Do they have a support network, are they willing to talk to you about their problems, is there anything in their work history that would indicate them having issues with this case. Things that could come to mind are homosexuality…or let's say losing a friend at a young age, right around the age that most of the victims were …had they been directly or indirectly involved in a mass shooting before…."
"Lenny, I am not going to sit here and waste my time psychoanalyzing my men, especially when I am busy hunting down an animal, okay?", Mike countered rudely and huffed in frustration, before gesturing over to Bill's desk, "Tanner has a wife he loves very much, I am sure she'll be able to deal with anything that comes up. Same with Lessing. As for Steve…he has me. He knows he can talk to me about anything. See? Problem solved. It's time we move on."
Sighing, Lenny ran a hand across his tired eyes and leaned an elbow onto the file cabinet, trying to remain calm.
"Well, Lieutenant, barring your vast background knowledge in psychology, do you honestly think that a guy you recruited from Vice because he cared so much about his fellow human beings will not be affected by the tragedy he witnessed today? That same guy who you just ordered to get rid of a friend he dragged up here against the rules, a guy whose only experience with war is to protest it? 'Cause I think you're dead wrong. And I think the same goes for your other two juniors as well. Quite honestly, we have a lot of work ahead of us to keep your guys going and to make sure we all make it through this case unscathed. And that doesn't even count in yourself."
"I am fine.", Mike growled through pursed lips, somewhat relieve to see Steve escort Hank out the door.
"Of course, you'd say that.", Lenny fired back, this time far more determined, "But did you realize that recent studies have shown the significant health toll an occupation such as yours takes on the body? You guys don't just put in an 8-hour day on the assembly line, you work for days on end sometimes, you have no regular sleeping pattern; you go from slow times to fighting for your life in a matter of seconds. You look at the wrong side of that barrel almost on a weekly basis, taking a chance at facing death each time you get into that car and having to find solace in that fact. It puts you straight at number three in the slot of highest chance for a job-induced heart attack or stroke, right after fire fighters."
"Three? We only get a three for everything we do? Then who in the world is number one?"
Ignoring the facetious tone in Mike's voice, Lenny straightened out his shoulders, before clearing his throat.
"Number one is for doctors, especially those in Psychology and Psychiatry…understandably, if I may say so myself."