"Seargent Alarick, on what ground would you justify your assault on a senior officer?" ASP Dexter turned from the window to Alarick who was standing at attention in front of his desk. Dexter was not fooled by the laid-back stance of the office though, he knew he was brimming with anger especially after he had shown him the evidence of the assault that Dickson had given to him earlier as if the sickly bruise colour on his face was not an evidence enough. Dexter had never liked the weak-faced inspector but what could he do when he had received orders? He had to do it. Especially when that order had been laced with a thinly veiled threat?
The Baleria Police Department had become something he had never dreamt of when he was still dreaming of becoming one of the good people that brought bad people to book. Times were gone when the right had been right and the wrong nothing but wrong. With the way several powers had infiltrated the forces and government of Baleria these days, Dexter was looking forward to his retirement with much longing. He had tried his best but it had not been enough. The likes of Dickson were likely to take over his position when he finally retired in a year but there was nothing he could do about that. Just as he had been able to do nothing when he had been demoted to his current post from being an SP. his offence had been that he had not known how to bend enough. His smarter colleagues had climbed up in the ranks. One of them was even the CP now but he was an ASP, a position he had been told by the power that be that he should even be grateful for. Dexter had to give up the fight after his wife had developed chronic hypertension when their eldest had been killed. In her presence.
The elderly man had believed all was lost up until the arrival of Alarick almost two years ago. He saw determination and patriotism coupled with a good head in the young man with the penetrating gaze. He saw himself about twenty years ago. Even though his instinct had told him that the boy was good news, he had not allowed his hopes to get up because he had seen a lot of them like that that came in with good intentions but in no time; all the intentions would evaporate in the face of greed, threats and fear. He was glad to see that he had not been wrong when he saw that Alarick had not bowed to the manipulations of some of the bad eggs nor the intimidations of Dickson. It was the first time that he would see that rotten guy handled so well by anybody. Multiple types. So, Dexter started giving Alarick as much support as he could, as many tangible cases as he could. Discreetly of course.
The "Your wife would be next" threat he had gotten was still very evident in his mind after all, just as the bloodied paper it was written on was burning holes through his tightly locked safe box. He had no idea why he kept it but he had never been able to throw it away. Maybe it was so he could see it whenever he wanted to. The evidence of his cowardice.
Allan Dexter shook his head before he turned from the window. Too bad that the boy was still rash. And strong headed too. Just like his father.
With sadness in his eyes as she turned to Alarick, with grief in his heart as he saw the resemblance of Bassie in Jordan's alert stance; he asked that question.
"I wouldn't call it an assault sir" Jordan repeated without releasing his stance.
"Oh?" Allan smiled to himself as he thought. Yes, he was Bassie's son alright" then he wiped the smile off his face as he moved to Jordan's line of vision.
"What then would you call raising your hand to your superior as seen in that video recording?" Allan had no idea how Dickson had been able to record that by the way. It was obvious that the man had been expecting the punch and had someone lying in wait to capture it. The punk. That was by the way now though, Alarick hard erred and he would have to be punished for it. It would be better if he took it up now before the idiot decided to cry off to his supporters.
Allan sighed and his expression turned paternal as he looked at Alarick's straight-faced expression "I understand. I understand that emotions are running high now, what with the unsuccessful operation coupled with the death of your partner. I understand. But that still didn't excuse the fact that you hit a senior officer. Twice" Allan rubbed his hand over his face as he thought of how good Hawai sounded right now. Yes, that would be a good place for retirement. Now that his other two kids have built their families away from Baleria. He and his wife could go there. Yes, the atmosphere there should help Carren.
He looked at the stony-faced young man in front of him as his voice turned commanding again. What had to be done had to be done. "Seargent Jordan Alarick, do you find yourself guilty of hitting Inspector Lance Dickson twice in the face?"
"Yes, sir. I would gladly do it again, sir!" Alarick saluted him.
Spunky lad, the man thought with an inward smile "Do you agree that you will be punished according to the law for this, Seargent?"
"Yes, sir! I agree sir! After which I have something to tell you, sir!"
Apprehension filled Allan's body as his instinct told him that he wouldn't like what the boy was about to say. His expression changed as he asked, "What do you have to say, Jordan?"
"I am resigning, sir!"
"What?" Allan Dexter bellowed in surprise. He was not expecting that at all.
Yes, he did not like it.
Not one bit.