Joe's pov
I was called to a scene of a car crash that had ended in a fatality. I was on my way, almost there, when I got a call from my supervisor
"Actually, Detective Hill, you are wanted at 1PP. Forthwith."
Ok, weird... Nevertheless, I turned to go back to 1PP and was taken straight up to the 14th floor. I was feeling more unease by the second, wondering why I had not only been pulled away from a routine crash scene, but then gotten the command to not only turn around, but to go to my Grandfather's office. the Police Commissioner's office. What was going on? Things only got worse when Baker took me right in to see him. His face was irritatingly unreadable as he stood up
"Hey, Joe. Have a seat. Baker, please give us the room."
She nodded, closed the door and left. I eyed my Grandfather
"What's going on?"
He sighed
" You can't run point on this fatal crash, Joe. And I'm very, extremely sorry to say that the victim has been identified as Paula Hill."
My world crashed around me, one piece at a time and simultaneously all at once. I barely registered my Grandfather helping me sit down, tears rolling down my face
"F-fatal?"
He hugged me tight and spoke
"Anything I can do to help?"
I sighed
"I need to make the arrangements and everything. I can't be working right now. And where's Connor?"
I don't know how much time passed until my baby brother walked into 1PP. I hadn't moved from where I had been sitting anyway. The first thing I registered since getting the news was Connor wrapping me in a tight hug
"Joey, I'm so sorry!"
I hugged him close, burying my face in his hair, and I finally let everything go, safe in the arms of my little brother.