“This is getting ridiculous,” I shouted to whoever was in listening range.

“Deputy, do you know what I find ridiculous? The way some law enforcement officers can’t do their jobs right the first time.” I turned to see DA Fagan walking into my office holding a stack of papers. “I have a murderer sitting in jail, a cop killer, and guess what my biggest issue is?”

“That it wasn’t me he killed?” I couldn’t restrain my sarcasm.

Brandon gave me a scornful look. “No. My biggest issue is that the man might get off on a technicality because some incompetent deputy doesn’t know how to fill out paperwork correctly.” Fagan’s ire leaked out in a calm and executed tone.

“Wait a fucking minute. I filled out all of the forms, twice. What you mean to say is that you’ve lost them—again.”

Some of the deputies from Bravo shift, the one after mine, gathered outside my office. Obviously, Brandon and I were louder than I realized. I couldn’t believe that I had to deal with his petty bullshit when I should have been out of there two hours ago.

“What the fuck is going on in here? Either pull each other’s hair or throw a punch but this shit has got to stop,” Captain Getty announced as he pushed through the onlookers.

“The DA’s office is accusing me, again, of not turning in my paperwork for the case against Erskine Sello.

“Bullshit. I witnessed it. I even called your assistant and confirmed receipt,” Captain said to Fagan.

“Oh, Deputy. See. Right there, that is part of the problem. Exaggeration.”

I felt someone’s hand grip my bicep. I turned to glare, but it was Piper. She didn’t say anything, just shook her head and tried to silently tell me something. Brandon was goading me.

Brandon seemed a little too happy about Piper’s presence. “Oh. Don’t let me and justice stop you from flirting with your girlfriend.”

Piper’s hand tightened around my arm. I wanted to deck Fagan. Fuck being a civil servant. I could work for my family’s construction company.

“Enough,” Getty ordered. “Exactly what was wrong with the paperwork? I looked it over myself. Christakos is highly respected and extremely detailed.”

“Perhaps that is why you’re a cop and not an attorney. Let alone the District Attorney.”

“All right, Skippy.” Getty’s face turned stoic and any moment I was expecting him to order some fava beans to go with a nice chianti.

I crossed my arms but couldn’t hold back my smile. Brandon Fagan had done the one thing we all go out of our way to avoid. He pissed off the captain. Mark Getty was like a rapier, one of those well-honed, extremely pointed swords that you’d have no clue you’d been stabbed with until you saw your blood.

“I’m the captain. I’ve earned my title. It wasn’t a popularity contest; it was service work. Something you should try doing. Until you do, I suggest you go and sort your office out, because it seems like that is where you will find the weak link. Not here. Not in my station.”

Brandon didn’t say another word before Getty stormed from my office. At least the man knew when he’d been bested. Unfortunately, he had no issue with waiting until my office had cleared out with the exception of Piper before turning his venom on me, again.

“Just remember, Deputy, you are a civil servant, and as such, you fall under a code of ethics. I don’t think fraternization with a subordinate constitutes ethical behavior.”

“I am not fraternizing with my subordinates, and if you feel like I am, you’re free to file a complaint with IA. What I find most interesting is that the DA is in my office threatening me when he’s supposed to be helping us get the criminals off the street.”

“I’d advise you to watch your step, Deputy Christakos. Especially if you value your livelihood.” I ignored Brandon’s threat.

“DA, you know Kayson’s girlfriend, right?” she asked him, her smile sharp.

Brandon got to the door of my office and froze at Piper’s words. “Don’t believe that I do.”

“Hmmm,” Piper said, but she didn’t elaborate.

He left my office, slamming the outer door as he exited. He was good and pissed.

“Care to tell me what that was all about?” I asked Piper.

“No. Just something that’s been bothering me. I don’t want to jump to conclusions. Need to look into it a little more,” she explained. “By the way, Ariel and Stella should never be allowed alone together.”

“Noted. Will you look over this report if I print it out again?” I asked Piper as I pulled up the file on my computer and printed off another fucking copy. Piper reviewed it and then the captain reviewed it before signing off on it, again. With a cover letter that read:

Attention: Brandon Fagan. Here is the report for the third time.

I left off his title on purpose, and as soon as the fax went through, I sent it out again but changed the cover page to say the fourth time. I continued this until it had been sent a total of twenty times.

“Feel better?” Captain asked from his spot against my doorframe.

“Much.”

“Go home. It is almost eleven, and you will be back here at six.”

Fuck. I had lost track of time. I pulled out my phone and sent Ariel a text.

Me: Hi, sweet.

Ariel: Hey.

Me: Sorry. Just leaving the station.

Ariel: I’m already in bed. Talk tomorrow?

Me: Sure. Night, sweet.

Ariel: Night. Oh, I thought about something today while I was out.

Me: You did?

Ariel: Yeah. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out. . .