James walked through the station and looked around at the other officers, nodding towards a few he was friendly with. Seeing Peter, he walked over to him and, with a friendly smile, wrapped his arm around his shoulder and put him in a weak chokehold, "You free tonight?" Peter smiled at James' antics and playfully pushed him off.
"Same place?" James nodded, making Peter look to the clock, "I'll be off in around an hour. I'll meet you there if you get off earlier." With a nod, James carried on making his way to the captain's office. Knocking, he waited for a second before hearing his deep voice call out to enter.
Letting himself in, he saw the man at his desk. He wore a white shirt with a black tie, his muscles beneath threatening to blow out a button at any sudden movement. The captain looked up through his black hair, his dark eyes meeting James' as a small frown formed on his chiselled jaw.
"Things got out of hand." The captain got up and moved to the corner of the room, flicking the camera off.
"What's the situation?" James nodded and took a seat, taking his hat off. Recounting everything that happened, he watched as the Captain's frown got deeper. Finally, he fell into his chair and sighed, tapping his desk with his index finger.
"Captain. This is a dangerous situation." The captain said nothing and typed on his computer. Pulling up the previous footage, he paused and zoomed in on Alannah and stared at her picture.
"I've been curious. I recognise her, but not for any crime. It's something else." James leaned forward as he watched the man fall into thought. A minute passed before he sighed and shook his head. "Maybe I'm trying to see something not there; the footage is blurry, and she is wearing a mask."
"What do you want me to do going forward?" James patiently waited, hoping to get the answer he wanted. The captain looked into his eyes and saw what it was, but hesitated on whether he should allow it or not.
"Are you sure you want to pursue this. Most of this work will be off the books, and unlike in the warehouse, I can't protect you. If you get into a situation." He stopped, not needing to say anymore. James smiled and shrugged.
"Sir, we live to serve this city. Right now, something is brewing, and it can't just be swept under the rug. If it is, I think it will be too late. Now I won't be taking a risk like today. This was unexpected. If I work at my own pace, you know how effective I can be." The captain paused and looked out the glass towards the rest of the station.
"James, if you do this, no one can know. This is a blurred line you'll be on, one where you can be charged with vigilatism." James nodded in understanding. Although the punishment could cost him his job, he had walked on the line long enough to know how to avoid trouble. "Do what you want. But going forward, your mouth can't report anything you find. You know what I mean." James nodded once more.
"If this leaks, sir, you know what deal," James said, getting a nod in reply. They both knew the deal. He would be given freedom to act; in return, if he were discovered, the captain would burn him. Whilst it was callous to think, James knew they weren't friends but associates at best.
"I'll trust you, but make sure you get a burner. You can't have his number on your main phone." James smiled and got up, seeing the captain had nothing more to say. Walking past the door, he turned the camera back on and left the station, put his hat back on and walked to the bar that he and Peter frequented.
After a ten-minute walk, he stepped into McNeils and ordered a beer, taking it to the booth he and Peter usually sat at. Lighting a cigarette, he threw the packet and lighter on the table, before taking his hat off and resting it by his side. Finally able to relax, he sank into the seat and slowly smoked, taking the occasional sip of his drink. He let his mind go empty, not wishing to linger on the case.
Forty minutes passed, and James opened his eyes, seeing Peter's playful smile before him, pushing over a second pint of beer. "I got off early." Grabbing James' cigarettes, he pulled one out and took it for himself. James couldn't help but stare at the pint Peter bought for him before chuckling and taking a sip.
"How much did you take?" James asked, making Peter look away in fake embarrassment.
"We split 50K between us. Some of the guys wanted to take more, but you know how it is." James chuckled and lifted his glass. He didn't blame Peter. Although he didn't trust Samuel's sweet words, he spoke the truth when he said the force was underpaid. Although it was a personal boundary he never crossed, he didn't blame the normal man like Peter for taking a small bonus to help get by.
"Your treat then." Peter rolled his eyes.
"You only called me out cos you knew I would have spare cash today." Shrugging his shoulder, Peter groaned and nodded, "Fine. How'd it go today?"
"Eventful to say the least. But I'm not too sure where to go from here. I have the clues, but don't know where to start." Taking another drink, he sighed, "Enough work for now. I just want to relax."
"Suit yourself." Peter took a sip of his drink and looked at James' empty ring finger, "Then, when are you planning on remarrying?" Seeing James not wishing to talk about it, Peter shook his head, "If I'm buying, I get to ask. You always dodge the question."
"I don't" Trying to convince himself as much as Peter, he quietly said.
"Come on, man." Peter scoffed, "You just turned thirty. Surely you haven't given up already." James sighed and took another sip of his drink.
"Vanessa left me for a reason. Granted, she wasn't perfect, but she had every right. I was just awful." Peter shook his head and took a deep inhale of his cigarette.
"You made her leave. That big fight you guys had before she broke it off. You were never like that." He paused to think for a second, "It always felt forced."
James swirled his drink and looked into it. Deeply exhaling, he remembered the fight and drank half of what remained, "It was to an extent. She had many grievances that she bottled up. I forced them out of her. Once it all came out, we both realised that either we stay together and pray that it might change, knowing it won't or end it whilst we still didn't hate each other."
Peter shook his head, "But it doesn't mean you should give up. You're getting to the point where you can get a promotion. Less street work. Settle down, have some kids."
"Nah. At the end of the day, she was right." James pulled out another cigarette and lit it. Taking a deep inhale, he blew out a cloud of smoke into the sky, "I loved this city more than her at times. I wasn't willing to give it up when I needed to, and I know going forward that will always be the same. Besides, I am still deeply in love with her." James said mockingly, making Peter laugh.
"Whatever." Waving his hand, Peter finished his drink and got up to get another round.
"What about you. You preach marriage, and your finger is still empty."
Turning around, Peter smiled, "I have a girlfriend, James. I actually know how to separate my work and social life." James chuckled and closed his eyes, remembering the marriage. It made him smile to remember the best moments, but he knew he was cherry-picking. Seeing it as a whole, he couldn't help but feel guilty and ashamed at how he treated Vanessa. For three years, they forced the marriage, and whilst they had their moments, he knew he had taken those years from her.
Bringing the cigarette to his mouth, he took another deep inhale and watched as Peter walked over with two more drinks. Finishing the one he already had, he smiled and took the new one.