Chapter 20

"Brian," a female voice spoke through his fog. "Brian."

"He's coming to," another voice said. "Brian are you all right?"

He was fully awake now, with both Marie and Captain Shields kneeling by him. "What the fuck?"

"I didn't think you'd take the news of your promotion so well," Shields joked.

Brian sat up and looked over at him. "When promotion was mentioned, I initially thought I was going to be transferred out to either another department or another precinct. I didn't expect you to practically give me a heart attack with the news I'd be the other hand in heading up Major Case."

"Imagine if this had happened out in the squad room," Marie said to the captain. "This is a man who has seen everything from decapitations to the most heinous of murders to gory car accidents with little to no effect on him, but tell this same guy he's being promoted and he faints."

"Yeah, well, let it be known I'm about to become your other boss, Davenport, and if one word of this gets out, I'll ship you back to The Tombs," Brian kidded.

"No you wouldn't," she laughed. "You couldn't live without me."

"She's right," Shields agreed. "Marie is one of our best detectives. Now, are you sure you're going to be all right?"

"Yeah, I'm good, nothing some of that rotgut coffee won't cure. Think I could get some?"

Marie nodded. "I think we can all use some. I'll be back."

Brian then got up and straightened himself. "Now that I've humiliated myself, what other surprises do you have in store for me today? And how about letting me sit down before you let me know this time?"

"Well, on that note, have a seat," Shields smiled before making a call to his secretary. "Marilyn, you can tell them they may come back up now."

Within a few minutes, Shields instructed Brian to turn around while beckoning to someone outside.

A huge grin crossed Brian's face. "Well, what is this?"

"Hi, Dad!" Joey said cheerfully as both she and Lorelei bent down to kiss each cheek.

"I should have known something was up when you were slow getting to school," Brian said to Joey as Marie returned with his coffee.

"Captain Shields called the principal and Mr. Ross said it was okay for me to skip today," she replied. "Hey, Marie!"

"Hey, ladies," Marie smiled. "Nice to see you again too, Paul."

"Ahh the lovely Detective Davenport," Paul smiled. "Looking good, dear lady."

"Hi, Marie," Lorelei smiled back. "And yes, Brian, my supervisor knows about me and gave me a paid day off," she added.

Brian grinned and then glanced at Paul. "Oh God, not you again. Don't you have some adulterers to chase?" he asked jokingly.

"What, and miss the big announcement of your promotion? Like hell I would," Paul replied, clapping him on the shoulder. "Congratualations, man."

"Yeah, I guess now I know why you were really here talking to the Captain the other day."

"Of course. I had to give my best buddy and the best partner I ever had a glowing reference, taking into consideration you got me off a murder rap and saved my reputation."

"And glowing reference he did," Shields answered. "Even without it, the job would have been yours anyway. Paul just drove the point home."

"Glad to oblige," Paul grinned.

Shields then looked at his watch. "Well folks, much as I hate to break up this party, the media awaits, and now I have to make the official announcement."

"Right," Brian nodded, draining the coffee and making a face. "But how about no more surprises this time?"