Kay and I snuck through the garage door around the back of the building to avoid any unwanted attention from our colleagues.
The garage was a dimly lit with the scent of rubber tires in the air. Several empty police cars lined the walls. All was stark and quiet.
" There sure is a lot of room in here! Is this a new addition?"
With an affable smile, I replied. " My father remodeled before his passing. Of course the materials were a lot cheaper then... and there were more men to work on the project. The community came together- it was actually quite amazing to see."
" I wish I could have seen it. I'm sure it was amazing."
With each footstep echoing off the empty walls, we continued through the parking garage.
" Sir, why do you think some of the men in Bay City have abandoned their jobs?"
" The mayor has been openly broadcasting that we are against the people. This is, of course, false. Our police force have never sided or disagreed with anyone! 'Prohibition' on alcohol is causing division within our home."
" But a prohibition is needed."
"I- I refuse to comment on the matter, Kay. I don't know what is the correct answer."
We were coming within reach of the door when I turned to her. " Hang on, I should probably smoke before going in. You want one?"
" No, that is a filthy habit."
My hand struck a match and lit the cigarette that hung from my lips, " This place might make you start."
" I'll let you know if I need one." She winked.
As I leaned against the garage wall, Kay watched me take in a huff of nicotine.
" This is just a precaution in case I run into nonsense today."
Her eyes widened. " Do you mean-"
I let out a smokey chuckle. " Not from you, but from some of the officers. They teased me earlier- always going on about me being without a woman."
" That's no one business!"
Biting my tongue, I attempted to avoid uncomfortable concepts which tossed and tumbled through my mind.
' It would be inappropriate to confide her. She already has so much going on in her life.'
Kay went on. " It's because you're successful, they're just curious about your private life."
Abruptly, I interjected. " I just don't have time for any of that."
' Is that what you're telling yourself, Onyx?' My mental reasonings made me grimace.
" Have you ever... been with anyone?"
" Yes. Only once." I took another draw before dropping the cig. " Planned on marrying her- we were both only eighteen."
" What happened?"
My shoulders shrugged as the sole of my shoe squelched the spark. " She left wanting to be a doctor- guess I was just getting in her way."
Amidst melancholy feelings, my eyes fell into Kay's honey hued irises which were staring back at me. I felt a sort of compassion radiate from her.
" Daylight is being wasted, let's go in."
Upon entering, we proceeded down the hall leading through the back of the police station. A few individuals who happened to be passing by took no notice to either of us. After walking around the corner, we reached the sitting room and my office. She looked about- the boring, green-ish painted walls contrasting with the dull, brown mahogany trim and door. A single window was on the adjacent wall letting in early afternoon summer air.The drab room seemed unfit to hold such a beauty as she.
" This is where you will do your work and this is where I will do mine."
A quiet smile crossed her face.
" What are you thinking, Kay?"
" I am hopeful that this will work out."
" Ok, let's start the training." I pointed. " Here are pieces of paper and your pencils to take notes. There is your rotary phone- your chair and desk obviously."
Running to my office, my hand fumbled through the stack of papers on my desk. I pulled out a folder. " This is a file folder. They need reviewed by me whenever an officer completes an investigation."
I held up a flyer. " These are handed out when we need our guns cleaned or inspected by the local weapon smith. I get one of these every time it's needed."
There was a long, white box labeled 'Investigations' beside the desk. I lifted and set it on the table top. " When you retain the folders, they go into this type of box. You then mark it with the dates of the cases. Afterwards, the box goes into the storage room."
"Would you like to walk with me there?"
Suddenly Kay and I were interrupted by Deputy Matthews who rushed in from the main room.
" Chief, there's a call for you at my desk."
Without hesitation we followed him.
Reaching his desk, my hand picked up the handset and answered. " Chief Finn."
I leaned in. "Hello?"
Faintly, I began to make out a familiar whispering voice. " It's William- they're talkin'. Something's ruffled their feathers- awry. I don't know- a gun maybe?"
" Affirmative. Stay put Will- unless there's an immediate threat."
He spoke a bit louder when asking. " Did you take something if theirs?"
" I-I don't know what you mean." Noticing Kay and Matthews studying me.
" Got to go."
The line went silent.
I placed down the phone.
"Well sir? What was that about?" Matthews spoke up.
" William. I couldn't make out clearly all what he was saying."
" Are you worried about it, should we send back-up?"
" No. I think he's stable at the moment. I will let you know."
" Okay."
" Let's get back to the training, Kay."
After I introduced her the remaining rooms, we returned to our office.
" Scheduling and phone calls will get easier as you do them more often. When you answer the phone, say something along the lines of 'BCPD Secretary Kay speaking' . I almost guarantee they will tell you their problems."
Scribbling notes on a piece of paper, she looked up to me intermittently.
" You will also be in meetings occasionally with Commissioner Hadee, he is bringing in new hires every so often to Bay City because we are short staffed."
" How do you do this everyday on top of your other responsibilities?"
" It's a lot. I'm glad you're here."
" How long have you been chief?"
" About two years."
Kay watched as I started to put on my coat. " Being chief has always been my life goal. I'm living it right now."
" W-where are you going?"
" Enough training for today, let's go have dinner."
" It's 4'o clock, sir."
" I realize that, but I want to celebrate."
" Why celebrate?"
" I just acquired a secretary- that's a huge plus for us."
" Well, where are we going?"
"Eh, we'll figure that out when we get there."