“Shaw, you and Zeus are the obvious choice for demonstrations. You’re good with kids, and Zeus is solid in those environments.” Julia’s tone was casual, but her eye contact was firm. “And Jade has experience with developmental psychology and trauma-informed education. It makes sense to send you both.”
Yep, there it was.
Maddox kept her face neutral. “I can handle demonstrations solo. I’ve been doing them for three years.”
“I know.” Julia didn’t back down. “And they’re effective. This isn’t about you being not good enough but about showing kids the full picture that officer competence and emotional wellness aren’t separate things. It’s all connected.”
Across the table, Jade spoke quietly. “I’m happy to support however it’s helpful. If Officer Shaw prefers to maintain her current format, I can provide materials for teachers to use separately.”
She was offering her an out and giving space for Maddox to refuse without looking uncooperative, which somehow made it worse. Because now if Maddox said no, it would be obvious she was avoiding Jade specifically, and everyone at this table would know it.
Julia waited and stared at her, patient but expectant. Maddox felt the trap closing, not malicious but just inevitable, the kind of corner you backed yourself into by being too resistant.
“Fine,” she said. “We’ll coordinate.”
“Great.” Julia made another note, already moving on. “First one’s scheduled for next Tuesday at Riverside Elementary with second and third graders. I’ll send you both the details.”
The meeting continued, other officers discussing logistics Maddox barely tracked. Her mind was already working through the problem of how to minimize Jade’s involvement and how to get through a school demonstration without Jade there observing her the way she observed everything.
Twenty minutes later, Julia adjourned the meeting. Officers stood and gathered their belongings as conversations fragmented into smaller exchanges. Maddox was on her feet immediately, moving toward the door.
“Shaw.” Julia’s voice stopped her. “Quick word?”
Maddox turned back. The room had mostly cleared, and it was just Julia still at the table and Jade gathering her things near the window.
Julia kept her voice low. “I know you hate this, but you’re good with kids and Jade’s approach works. The feedback from her sessions has been solid.” She paused. “Just…give it a chance. You might be surprised.”
Maddox held Julia’s gaze for a beat then nodded, a non-committal motion without enthusiasm. She left before Jade could corner her in the hallway.
The spring evening was visible through the precinct windows—longer daylight now, the season turning despite the dampness that clung to the morning air. Maddox desperately wanted to be outside, away from stifling conference rooms, forced collaboration, and most of all, Jade Kessler.
She headed for the K-9 building where Zeus was waiting for her, where things made sense and nobody asked her how she felt about any of it. Her phone buzzed before she reached the exit, and she dug it out of her pocket.
Jade:Thursday 3pm work for a planning meeting? My office or wherever you prefer.
Maddox stared at the screen before typing back a curt response.
Maddox:Your office. I’ll bring Zeus.
The response came back quickly.
Jade:Perfect. See you then.
Maddox pocketed her phone and pushed through the door into the cool evening air. Two days. She had two days to figure out how to get through this without letting Jade see any more than she already had.
Zeus would help. He always did.
Thursday arrived faster than Maddox wanted.
She stood outside Jade’s office at 2:58 p.m., Zeus at her heel, telling herself this was just logistics. Coordinate the demo, establish parameters, get out—thirty minutes tops. Zeus looked up at her, ears forward, reading her tension like he always did.
“Behave,” she muttered, more to herself than him.
She knocked once and pushed the door open without waiting for an answer.
Jade looked up from her desk, her expression warm. “Hey, come in.” She gestured to the chairs. “Zeus can make himself comfortable.”
Maddox walked to the same chair she’d taken during therapy sessions and sat in the same rigid position with her knees together and hands flat on her thighs. Zeus circled the small office once, methodically checking corners and exits before settling at Maddox’s feet with a soft huff.
