“Thank you,” I reply as I lower myself into one of the two sleek, black, cushioned chairs across from her desk, the worn leather creaking softly under my weight.
“I’ll take it from here,” Rodriguez says, turning her attention briefly to Kline and Perez.
I half-turn in my seat, glancing back just in time to catch Perez staring at me. His gaze lingers for a moment longer than necessary before he shifts his attention to Rodriguez, gives a slight nod, and disappears down the hallway with Kline following close behind.
I exhale quietly and refocus on Rodriguez as she leans back in her chair, studying me with an appraising look.
“So,” she says, her voice a little lighter now. “How was your first day out in the field?”
I hesitate for half a second, considering whether I should mention Perez’s attitude. But what good would that do? I’m not here to make enemies, and I don’t need to give him even more of a reason to dislike me by running straight to his boss.
“It was great,” I say instead, and honestly—it’s not a total lie.
Sure, Perez’s attitude was grating, and there was that one gut-punch moment where grief came barreling out of nowhere and nearly knocked the air from my lungs. But beyond that? The ride-along was the most real experience I’ve had in the field so far.
Not just simulated scenarios or hypothetical lecture discussions—realpeople, real consequences, real unpredictability.
Compared to my last ride-along, which dragged on for ten uneventful hours with only a handful of low-level calls and long stretches of radio silence, today had been… intense. And constant. And honestly? Kind of thrilling.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Rodriguez says, offering a small smile. “You’ll have plenty more opportunities for ride-alongsover the next fifteen weeks. But while I’ve got you here, let’s talk about your duties around the station and what areas of law enforcement interest you most, because that’s where we’ll try to focus your time.”
I nod, shifting slightly in my seat to give her my full attention.
“While you’re at the station, I’ll assign you a mix of responsibilities. Some tasks will be administrative, including filing, organizing case files, and assisting with data entry. You’ll assist with logging reports and, occasionally, updating digital records to track property or evidence. It’s not glamorous, but it’s important.”
She taps her pen on a legal pad and glances back at me. “We’ll balance that with time in the field. I expect you’ll spend roughly half your hours on ride-alongs or shadowing officers in different units. The idea is to give you a full view of the department, not just the flashy parts.”
“I’m good with that,” I say quickly, then add, “honestly, the two areas I’m most drawn to are patrol and criminal investigations.”
Rodriguez smiles like that’s the answer she was hoping for.
“We can definitely work with that. I’ll most likely pair you with Detective Meyer at some point. She has been a part of the Criminal Investigation Department for some time. She has worked on a wide range of cases, including robbery, homicide, missing persons, and even cold cases. You’ll learn a lot from her.”
I nod, even more interested now. “That sounds perfect.”
“Good,” she says, scribbling a quick note on her pad. “We’ll get your schedule mapped out by the end of the week. In the meantime, if you have questions or would like to explore other units, such as traffic, forensics, or community outreach, please don’t hesitate to let me know. This internship is what you make of it.”
Rodriguez finishes jotting down a few final notes before flipping the notepad closed with a quiet snap. She looks up at me, offering a final smile. “That’s it for today. You’re free to head out,” she says with a nod. “First days are rarely smooth, but you handled it well.”
“Thank you,” I reply as I rise from the chair, the observer’s vest still draped over my arm. “Ma’am,” I say to get Rodriguez’s attention. She looks up at me, brows slightly lifted in question. I hold out the vest.
“Oh! Thank you,” she says, reaching for it. “I completely forgot you still had that.”
“You’re welcome. I hope the rest of your afternoon goes well.”
“You as well, Miss Carson. We’ll see you on Thursday.”
I nod and step out of the office, the door clicking shut behind me. My footsteps echo faintly as I make my way down the hall toward the lobby. A few passing officers offer polite nods as I go, and I return each one with a small smile.
Entering the lobby, I spot Thomas behind the front desk and give him a wave as I pass. He grins and returns it, then continues his conversation with a visitor as I make my way through the crowded space and back out into the heat.
I cross the lot at a steady pace, the heat radiating off the pavement in shimmering waves as I approach my maroon Optima. Key in hand, I press the button, and the doors unlock with a soft click. I slide into the driver’s seat, thankful that I don’t have leather seats, and press the start button beneath the steering wheel. The engine rumbles to life, and a rush of cool air spills from the vents, sweeping across my flushed skin. I lean back into the seat, letting the air hit my face and dry the sweat that was beading along my forehead as I close my eyes for a second, hoping to decompress and let the weight of the day melt off me.
My mind, however, has other plans.
It’s running in a hundred directions, but nearly every thought circles back to him.
Emilio Perez.
