I park the car and we step out to begin our foot patrol. I know that Eddie heard me ask the Boss for this sector. She hasn't mentioned it though. She's good like that; trusting and loyal. I couldn't ask for a better partner. But that's beside the point.
She sighs as she pulls her hat over her blond bun. Her hairs always up at work. "Another day of crime fighting." She walks towards the front of the car to meet me. Her expression suddenly changes. She goes from tired and bored to giddy and excited in a minute. "We should get cape!" she exclaims. Only Eddie.
"I should get a new partner" I reply. I have to look away as I saw it. It's a joke. I know it's a joke and she knows I would never, but I still have to look away. She laughs. It's a beautiful sound.
"So why did you ask the boss for this sector today?" She asks. She watches me as we walk. I keep my gaze forward but I can feel her eyes on my.
"Favor for my niece and sister. Friend of Nikki's was in this area the other day lookin' kinda rough, so I said I'd look for him."
"Man, you do more for your family by nine A.M. than my family's done for each other our entire lives." I have to stop myself from asking. I want to know more. I mean, I know about her Dad, but what about her mom? Does she have any siblings? Are they in touch? I don't ask. I really should ask one of these days.
"His name is Tyler Jefferies," I explain instead. "He's about five foot eight. He's sixteen. He's got blond hair. I got a picture of him here." I root through my breast pocket and show it to her. She studies it for a minute and then nods. I return it to my pocket.
"So where do we start?" she asks. I smile. She really is the best.
We find his about a block down from where Nikki said Erin saw him. Eddie actually spots him. He's rooting through a trash can. We approach.
"Tyler?" Eddie tries to get his attention. The kids head shoots up and he freezes just long enough for us to get up close to him. "We just want to he-" He shoves her and she, having not been expecting it, falls. He takes off and Eddie comes up swearing. She gives chase. I follow. The kid takes a corner and by the time we turn to follow him, the alleys empty and he's gone. We keep our eyes open for the rest of shift, but Tyler doesn't turn up again.
Eddie requests the sector again the next day, claiming that she knew I wanted to find him for Nikki. Ad, a s usual, she was right. Sure I was upset that Nikki lied to me and her mom, but he was a friend of hers who needed some help. I did want to find him. So we headed out again.
I don't know what to call the feeling I get as we watch Erin leave with Tyler and Nikki, but it feels amazing. The fact that Eddie's right next to me makes it even better. I turn to look at her and she, at the same moment, turns to me. Her smile is contagious. I can't help it. I turn to go before I say or do something I may regret.
"I want a cape." Her voice follows me as I go to change. That's it. I feel like a superhero.
Sorry it took so long. Just finished finals and I had family in town for my graduation. Let me know what you think! I hope I get the next chapter done soon.