Fault Lines

Tuesday

"Officer Walsh I am surprised you are interested in our private security company?" the owner, Simon, greets gesturing toward the desk chair. He was curious when he received the resume and request for an introductory meeting.

"Sir, I see a great opportunity for both of us; as an integral part of your enterprise you would benefit from my expertise, training and respectability within the community," Shane pitches his newly developed game plan. I will be the Next Big Thing in Kings' County.

"I have to ask…why leave the department?" his curiosity is peaked.

"To be plain…man to man…opportunity. At the department promotions require tests and retirements. I am eager and ambitious," he obfuscates.

"Describe what you want?" Simon continues to probe.

"The title and responsibilities of a Captain…involvement with staffing, procedures, and equipment selection; if we can give them what the department offers imagine what they would be willing to pay-what we could charge. I want to be your trusted partner in services and profits," he sells hard. I can be the envy of Kings' County with the important job, big house, hot wife and stellar kids.

Gideon agreed to hold his Blake story in exchange for exclusive details and interviews. The truth of the matter is he wants the evil, misogynist to rot in jail so he chooses not to do anything that could deter the prosecution. His new focus: 'The Curious Case of Public Defender Mike Owen'. Why resign? What did he accomplish? Where did he go? Why such a short tenure?

He strolls down the courthouse staff hallway. He reaches his destination and is pleasantly shocked and surprised. "Excuse me…I was looking for Lori. I am Gideon," he greets with a charming smile. She is cute and I am a sucker for a spicy brunette.

"Oh…I get that regularly. I am the new court recorder-Rae Ann," she extends her hand.

He returns the gesture, "Welcome to the neighborhood. Is she on vacation or transferred to a new position?" he questions.

"Nice try Mr. Wallace of 'The Gazette'. I cannot be your source," she challenges with a hint of spirited attitude.

Gideon laughs, "Well played…I will move on; although I think I will see you around," he flirts.

"Of course you will. I plan on doing my job-well," she winks and returns to her work. He could be fun.

"Monique you were right. I need to decide what I want. I do not need the drama. I deserve good things," Jessie affirms.

"Thank you…now let's plan a night out to celebrate. What about 'Indigo Cue'…pool tables, dart boards, live band or the massive jukebox? I had the best fun," she encourages.

"I am in and I will even take your fashion advice," she laughs.

Wednesday

"Xavier…I appreciate you coming forward early. Honestly, I need you. Mike is gone and no replacement is on the horizon. He resigned before the Ethics investigation started. We are prepared to honor your paternity leave but I need you to give us more time if you want to leave permanently," Ethan pleads.

Maybe I can leverage this. "I may be able to return part time or on a flex schedule but you will have to follow my directions to the letter or no deal," he maximizes his position.

"Deal," he extends his hand.

Tyreese is listless. He pushed his normal workout to later in the day. He still had no answers for his mother but he had a lot of questions about his choices and behavior for himself. How did I get here? When was the last time I thought about wanting something…anything?

As he approaches the community field he notices a flag football game and a heated argument, "Hey-what is going on?" he bellows across to the group of pre-teen boys and girls.

All the heads turn and begin speaking at once:

"He cheats."

"She doesn't know the rules."

"This is taking too long."

"This whole thing is a waste of time."

"Where is your Coach?" he asks the group. They point to a college age guy on his phone next to a tub full of equipment.

"Dude…get over here," he shouts and gestures.

The young man walks over, "Uhm…you shouldn't be talking to them," he reprimands.

"Well since you aren't doing your job someone has to step up. What is this anyway?" he nods around the open field.

"Parks and Recreation After-School Program," he shrugs.

Wow…that is how I started. "Get your boss on the phone," Tyreese directs.

Sasha looks around the minimal office spaces. "Well…it is functional," she finally responds.

Daryl laughs, "I know you want to style the space but I just need to work," he explains.

She nods, "I get it but at least consider a crash room. Bunk beds, clothes rack," she suggests. Pick your battles; Xavier will fix it-he has to.

He stops, "Good suggestions…plus I want Xavier to have some say. He will be my partner-sort of. He's not my Rick," he trails off.

"Awe…the Bromance lives," she teases. He blushes. Sasha continues, "One thing does need to happen-christening," she pulls her panties down and flings them off with her foot.

Daryl unbuckles his jeans and drops them around his boots before sitting on the edge of the industrial desk, "Bring all that good ass to me," he commands.

Quinn falls onto the couch. Xavier folds laundry and Jesus plates dinner. "I do not understand this at all. Three college educated adults and one 8 lbs. baby and I think we are losing," she ponders.

"I know we are losing…what happened to all those onesies and pajamas…why can't we stop doing laundry?" he shakes his head.

Jesus enters the living room handing out food and taking over the folding. "Eat while you can…King Javier refuses to wait for anything," he warns. They burst into laughter before covering their mouths with their hands to muffle the sound.

Carl sits against his headboard tucked in a grey 'Vader was Framed' hoodie with his headphones firmly in place. He opens the gallery on his laptop and picture after picture of Justice spills out for his personal viewing pleasure. She is everything. Each candid shot taken without her knowledge: laughing with the 'Geek Squad'; biting the top of her pen before revising her writing; dancing at the studio-full of power and grace in the movement or her face animated by the emotion of the piece. His favorite-the profile of her face buried in a book. The song lyrics deepen his mood-If the Lord should come for me before I wake…If I can't hold you close…what good would heaven be…heaven can wait…

"Hello," Shane answers the unfamiliar number.

"Shane is that you man?" the caller asks.

"Hey Chase…yeah it's me. Thanks for returning my call," he replies enthusiastically.

"No problem…how is life treating you?" he engages.

"Things are looking up. I am moving into the private sector…taking on a bigger role-you know how it is," he boast.

"I understand. I was surprised to hear from you. Are you coming to my part of the world?" he probes.

"No Man…a Michigan winter would kill me. Listen…I was curious if your family was thinking about selling the party house or for you I guess it is the family home," he goads.

Chase laughs, "We did have some good times when the Folks were away on business. Actually you're just a little too late. I accepted an offer-sorry," he states.

"Are you in escrow…are you willing to consider a counter offer?" Shane pushes.

"Hmm…if it were normal circumstances I would but it Rick man. If he changes his mind I will give you a call. I doubt it though…with that goddess on his arm he did not come to play. Can't say I blame him. I clearly left Kings' County too soon," he ribs.

Shane sees red. Why is that prick always in my way. His mental tirade is stopped by Chase voice through the phone, "Shane…you there man?" he asks again.

"Yeah…no big deal; I thought I would ask before I looked into the new development on the other end of town," Shane attempts to save face.

Chase whistles low, "Those are nice…granite counter tops…great rooms, wine refrigerators. You can't go wrong with one of those," he compliments.

"Exactly…well I won't keep you but give me a call next time you are in town. We can catch up over some top shelf whiskey," he brings the call to a close.

"Sure thing…take care of yourself," he ends the call.