Chapter Two: Introductions

"He should be arriving today, Sean."

Captain Sean Renard of the Portland PD nodded. "And you're sure that I can trust this detective?"

There was a pause from Captain Roth's side and Renard sighed. With all the dramatic pauses this man was capable of, it was hard to tell whether something was actually wrong or not. "Of course. He is, or was, the best detective I've had in years."

"Very well. How's Monica?"

"She's doing well, thank you for asking." Renard could hear the happiness in the older man's voice. His wife had recently come back from the hospital, where she had been incapacitated for some time after a heart attack.

"Tell her I said hello."

"Of course. Don't be a stranger, alright?"

Renard smirked and hung up the phone. It was a running joke between them, 'don't be a stranger'. They both had their work, official and not-so-official. It was hard to be more than a stranger with just about anybody. It was miracle that Roth and Monica were still together, in Sean's opinion.

There was a knock at the door, two quick raps. "Come in."

The door opened, and Wu leaned in, his usual tired but humorous expression written across his face. "There's a Detective Devonshire from Saynor here to see you, cap'n."

Renard nodded wordlessly, pocketing the phone.

A tall man entered, eyes wandering the office for a moment before resting on Renard. He wore a suit, not atypical for a detective in Portland but not as common as in other cities. He was still relatively young, about thirty years old, but if there was anything Roth had stressed in his description of Portland's new detective, it was that he was anything but inexperienced or untalented.

Renard stood. "Welcome to Portland, detective."

Jonah gave him a thin smile and held out a hand. "Happy to be here, captain."

They shook hands, and Renard noticed the barely concealed look of distaste on the other's face. Annoyed, he wondered what that was about, but decided to let it go. "Have you had a chance to meet your new partner yet?"

"Um, no, not yet," he replied, his face clearing. "I'm afraid I don't know what he looks like… or his name…"

"Right. You'll be partnered with Burkhardt, and he…" Renard frowned, glancing out the window and seeing Nick's desk empty. "He must be out on a case. Should be back soon."

Jonah nodded, opening his mouth to ask some question or another, when Nicholas Burkhardt entered the precinct.

-break-

Jonah really didn't know what to make of the captain, having only known him for all of thirty seconds, but he could definitely tell that he was Wesen. Not only that, but a one that smelt of death and decay and a hidden nervousness that reflected his own. Of course, that most likely couldn't be helped, so Jonah decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and back off.

He'd been just about to ask what had happened to Burkhardt's previous partner when the Captain's face flickered with recognition of someone behind him, so he turned to look.

A shorter man, about his age, was leading a far taller man away in handcuffs. It was clear that the suspect's nose was broken, and the detective looked exhausted as he handed his arrest over to a few officers who would escort him to a cell. He, however, seemed to not have a scratch on him.

He passed Wu, who stood by the coffee machine. Words were exchanged, and Wu gestured to Renard's office. Looking curious, the detective strode over and opened the door.

"Nick, come on in," Renard welcomed, sitting down at his desk, gesturing for them both to sit as well. Glancing curiously at each other, Nick and Jonah took a seat. "This is your new partner, Jonah Devonshire."

"Oh, yeah," Nick had only just remembered that Hank's temporary replacement was arriving today. "Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too," Jonah replied uncomfortably. He'd never been good at introductions, and it was clear that Renard was scrutinizing his every move. So, he dropped the introduction and turned back to the Captain. "Um, do we have a case?"

"Depends. Nick, how did the McKay murders case turn out?"

"Pretty well, I'd say," he replied, hint of a smile on his face. "Case; closed."

"Really?" Renard couldn't help but be impressed. Nick had only received the case earlier that day. "That was fast. I'll assume that was the suspect you led in here?"

Nick nodded. "Turns out, it was a robbery gone wrong, perpetrated by one of the neighbor's kids, Jacob Tull." He rubbed the back of his neck like it was sore. "Once we caught him, he confessed to everything. That along with the forensic evidence made the case solid."

"Hmm. Well, that's great. Since you're on a roll today apparently, want another case?"

"Sure."

Jonah nodded, unsure if the question was also directed at him.

"You're in luck. A call just came in from Truman Bank not long ago. Robbery and homicide. Wu is heading over there too to fill you in."

The detectives stood, but Nick gestured for Jonah to head out while he loitered by the door. Jonah gave him a funny look, but continued on his way.

"Something else, Nick?"

"Uh, yeah, have you heard from Hank in, say, the last hour or so?"

"No, I have not," Renard muttered, half-distracted as he sifted through a stack of files on his desk. "Why?"

"Well, that last case? The guy kinda put up a fight and my phone was, well, another casualty."

"I see. I'm sure he's fine," Renard tried to reassure him. Nick had this bad habit of mother-henning people who tended to not need someone hovering over their shoulders. Besides, it wasn't like Hank Griffin was somewhere dangerous; he was in Maine, helping some aunt or another care for an ailing relative. He'd be back anytime between a few weeks to a few months, then he would be reinstated as Nick's partner, and Jonah would find someone else. "Anyway, best head off. I doubt Detective Devonshire knows where the garage is."

-break-

"So, where exactly are we going?" Jonah asked once they were in the car. He was always on edge when he didn't know his way around an unfamiliar place, the 'unfamiliar place' specifically being the entirety of Portland.

But as his new partner pulled out and explained what he knew of the case, Jonah didn't understand why his scent was vaguely familiar. He'd never met Detective Burkhardt before, of that much he could be sure, but still… a tug of doubt remained in the back of his mind.

Jonah forced the thoughts back and focused on what Nick was saying. In any case, he was willing to give his new partner a chance, maybe the Captain too. Maybe even this city.

He noticed dark clouds gathering at the skyline and felt his spirits drop slightly.

Maybe if this damn weather lets up, I'll give this place a chance.