How long had it been since he had felt this way? He had been in the force for ten years, the police academy for longer. When he had finally graduated he had felt like the world was his oyster. He tackled job after job, relentlessly pursuing justice, throwing himself at each task, eager to make a difference. The first time he felt at a loss in his career was three months in when a woman had left the police station battered a bruised. Not even a week later, he was attending her funeral from a distance. Protect and serve. That was oath that was taken, yet why was this woman allowed to leave without any real help? Because she couldn't prove who had beaten her or put her in that state. She was so desperate and they had turned her away. Why had they really turned her away? He found that out three years later that the one who had assaulted her was the son of the mayor.
Robert Jernkin was a piece of work. He had so many aliases and used them to date multiple women. He had a make-up artist disguise him for each woman, had a different "job" to work at, a different college. He put so much work into his disguises. And these so called "harmless flings" had killed a woman. Instead of blaming Robert, however, Caleb blamed himself. How could he have not known? He should have known. He worked so hard to make up for his failure. He saw more than his fair share of people who hated the police. The corrupt cops who only cared about appearances. He wanted to argue with them, tell them that he wasn't like that, he wanted to help, wanted to make the world a better place. He didn't have the face to tell them that. He saw just another cop whenever he looked in the mirror. There was a time he hated his job, he tried to get more power, but the more he tried to grab that power, the more he was trapped in a web. He realized how wrong things could get when he was shot on the job.
He had been chasing a perp only to get shot by a civilian. When he woke up, he found out that the man who shot him was the son of a man who had been wrongly arrested. The system was crushing him, and his failures to protect the LA was only stifling him. He was banished from the LAPD, and found a home in a small college town. He had several people who cared about the citizens. However every good thing that he did always had something that was sacrificed. In the end, nothing ever seemed to be gained. Justice didn't exist.
Caleb took another sip of coffee and looked over at the desk where papers were floating. Case reports, files, and photos. He shook his head, how long had it been since he had actually investigated something he wanted to? Since he was able to feel a little gratified? Looking back now, Caleb could remember a little girl who had come to deliver homemade cookies to thank him for finding her when she was lost, the flower given by the shop owner of the flower shop who he had saved from an armed robber, and the people who always said hello to him on his route. He felt something ruffle through his hair wisps of air like fingers patting his head. Suddenly there was a fresh, hot cup of coffee in front of him and a blanket on his shoulders. Gratitude. He felt gratitude from the ghost who was haunting him.
You can rest for a bit... you haven't slept in a few days. The case isn't going anywhere.
"What, are you my wife or a spirit that's been haunting me?" Caleb rolled his eyes. He pushed down the smile threatening his lips as he read the writing on the notepad. This was ridiculous. He didn't get an answer, but he felt the feeling of embarrassment fill the room. This spirit must have been an open book in life! Caleb let some of his amusement slip.
You should smile more. Caleb made his lips frown.
"Shut it." Caleb leaned back, "I'm going to take a nap."
...sleep tight... he thought he heard a small voice. When he awoke he saw a note left for him next to a fresh cup of coffee.
Thank you for your help again, sir!
...ten years since he had felt any sort of gratification in his job, and the one rekindling this lost feeling was the ghost who was haunting him and forcing him to do his job right.