Chapter 6: Gunfire and Cases

July 18, 2011

Lassiter's POV

I was looking forward to shooting with Gullingham. I wanted to see how good he was with the gun. I saw him walk into the office. I looked at my watch. It was 8:30. I will wait until 9:30.

1 Hour Later

I stood up and went to Gullingham.

"Are you ready to go to the shooting range?"

"Yes I am, Detective."

"Let's go."

We walked down the hall to the stairs leading to the range. When we reached the range, he pulled out his glock. He professionally dismantled and mantled his gun. I watched with fascination. His hands were almost a blur. He turned off the safety switch. I did the same. I fired 3 rounds and looked at my score when I finished. I had an accuracy of 9.2. Gullingham went next. He also did 3 rounds. He pulled up his score. I peeked at it. His accuracy was 9.8. It was amazing. You don't see a score like that often.

"That was excellent shooting," I said.

"Thank you, Detective."

"Where did you learn to shoot like that, Detective Gullingham?"

"Places."

"What places?"

"Are you just going to ask me questions or keep shooting, detective?"

"I want to know where you learned to shoot with such a great accuracy."

"You don't need to know!" he yelled.

"You know what; I don't feel like shooting anymore. I'm going back upstairs," he said.

He flicked on the safety and left without another word. I just started to shoot again to get rid of my frustration. Why won't he just answer my question? I wonder if he is hiding something. I was determined to find out what he's trying to hide.

Juliet's POV

I saw Gullingham come back upstairs early. Lassiter wasn't with him. Gullingham looked angry. That's the second emotion I have seen him make. The other was that flash of amusement yesterday when we met. When he realized I saw his facial expression, it smooth out into his usual blank look. He went straight to work again. I wonder what happened down there. Carlton finally came up 20 minutes later. He glanced at Gullingham suspiciously. I went to his desk.

"Carlton, what happened down there?"

"I asked him where he learned to shoot with a 9.8 accuracy, and he said places. I ask him to elaborate. He says I don't need to know and storm off. If someone is that reluctant to answer such a simple question, then they must be hiding something and I will find out what it is."

I glance of at the person who is the topic of our discussion. He was watching us. I had a feeling he knew we were talking about him.

"Don't you think he deserves his privacy?"

"Don't you know me at all?"

"I'm just saying, if he doesn't want you to know, then maybe you don't need to know."

"Whose side are you on, O'Hara."

"Nobodies. It's just my opinion."

I look at Gullingham again. He gave me an appreciative look. Emotion number 3. He looked back down to his work.

"Your opinions are not needed, so I invite you to shut it."

"Oh, not again. I thought I clearly stated years ago that if you tell me to shut it, I will shoot you. You are lucky that threat expired. So, I say this again. If you tell me to shut it again, I WILL shoot you. Clear. Threat restated and fresh."

"Whatever."

"CLEAR!"

"Ok, clear."

"Good. I would like to get back to my work like Gullingham and I think you should too."

I walked to my desk and sat down. I could see that Gullingham was very neat since his desk is touching mine.

Gullingham clears his throat. I look up. He stared me straight in the eyes. I stared back.

"Uhh… thank you for defending me over there. I really appreciate it."

"I don't want to know how you know we were talking to you. So, you're welcome."

"It is kind of obvious. I am new, I walk out on Lassiter with a huff, you approach after that occurrence, and you glanced at me twice while you were talking."

"Okay, that is acceptable."

"Great."

And that was the end of it. I can't wait to get a case. I want to see how he works in the field.

Gullingham's POV

I realized Detectives Lassiter and O'Hara were talking about me. O'Hara glanced at me twice and she seemed to be defending me. When the conversation ended, she walked over to her desk which is touching mine. I should thank her for defending me. I clear my throat and she looked up. I stared her straight in the eyes. I hate it when people avoid eye contact. I only do it in certain situations. She stared right back. Good.

"Uhh… thank you for defending me over there. I really appreciate it," I said.

"I don't want to know how you know we were talking to you. So, you're welcome," she replied.

"It is kind of obvious. I am new, I walk out on Lassiter with a huff, you approach after that occurrence, and you glanced at me twice while you were talking," I explained.

"Okay, that is acceptable."

"Great."

And we went back to work even though it was obvious she was thinking about something. She is probably pondering me. I seem to be everyone's interest.

Lassiter's POV

I watched my new and old partners. They were talking. It seemed like Gullingham was thanking O'Hara. It's probably for defending him. That traitor, she is supposed to be on my side and helping me. Whatever. I just wonder what Gullingham is like out in the field. I can't wait to get a case, so I can see his skills.

Chief's POV

I just received a case file on my desk. Something about the homicide of a 28 year old white male in his apartment. I poked my head out my office and called my three detectives., This should be interesting. I wonder how Gullingham works in the field. A great time to find out.