Erin's pov

I was looking at a case I was handling next, from around ten years ago. A traffic ring leader had been sitting in Rikers for trafficking drugs and attempting to traffic people, along with racketeering and extortion. She had not said anything during the whole trial, nor had she during the years she had spent at Rikers thus far, the first of a life sentence. The case had not been originally mine, but I was getting acquainted with it because now the defendant was ready to talk, willing to give us bigger fish in her network in exchange of a reduced sentence. Her name was Kylie Vans, and she had a mile-long rap sheet for various misdemeanors prior to this big ring bust. I was about to look at the file of the Detective who had arrested her, praying it was not Danny, because when we had to be in court together, or work in each other's cases, it was usually not a pretty picture. After I finished sufficiently studying her file, I would be heading off to Rikers to talk to Miss Vans myself.

Before I could start studying the file of the Detective on her arrest, my door burst right open, no doubt being either Jamie or Danny. Most likely Danny, lets be honest. The angry, agitated voice that followed too me by complete surprise

"What on Earth are you DOING?!"

I set the file down, eyeing my eldest nephew in a gobsmacked manner

"Joe?! What are YOU doing here?! What's with the attitude?"

What he said next made everything click for me

"You're considering reducing the sentence in the Kylie Vans case? Are you clinically insane?"

I eyed him in surprise

"It's you. You were the Detective that made the arrest."

He nodded, still visibly angry

"This bust was what made me a Detective at the age of 21. By all means, get the bigger fish on this, or let me try to find the names, but don't reduce her sentence. Aunt Erin, she abused other people. Sold them into who knows what. Preyed on the innocent. She's liked for a string of murders, though those went cold. I was not even on her case as a cop. I was... I was dating her at the time. Charged her and dumped her as soon as I had enough evidence. I was lucky that I overheard her discussing her plans on the phone and happened to record the call while pretending to still be asleep. She might give you a sacrificial lamb, even if it ends up being someone actually higher than her in this trafficking ring. But don't be fooled, she's the real threat. If she gets out, let it be now or in a bit longer, she will start again. Please. Don't let her go hurt someone else."

I sighed

"I have a court-appointed duty to hear her and give the adjustment I deem fit."

His jaw tightened

"You have a court-appointed duty to do what's right. Don't mistake the two."

Gaze piercing his, I spoke, tone firm and professional

"Mind your words, Detective. This is a place of professionalism and mutual respect."

He rolled his eyes

"If that were so, you'd be heeding my advice and doing your job the right way."

My voice rising, I shot back

"On the unsubstantiated say-so of the biased arresting officer?!"

His nostrils flared in anger, eyes flashing

"Biased?! She wasn't even on the radar of the cops until I overheard her confess in my own apartment! I gave the NYPD this case. Took this threat off the streets."

Before I could properly think, I shot back, taken by the heat of the moment

"How do I know you're not just scared I'll find something amiss in the arrest and cause you to be stripped back down to police officer?!"

Something more than anger and indignation came over his face, but it was too late to take it back now. I saw a flicker of hurt flash in his eyes, but he composed himself, steely gaze on me

"Wow. So THAT'S what you think of me. That's what you think I'm worried about. Good to know how you really feel. Nothing like the love of an Aunt, am I right?"

The last part was obviously sarcastic, obviously. I tried to speak

"Joe..."

His demeanor enraged, he spat

"Save it. Go set that psycho free, or give her a timeline of when she can expect to see the light of day again. I dare you. Then whatever she terrorizes the city with next will be solely. On. You."

With that, he left, making the door slam behind him, muttering something about conducting his own investigation into the claims Miss Vans had made. Rubbing my temples, I started studying the files.