Maddox's stomach dropped.
She read the email again, searching for details and clues that weren't there. Her mind immediately started cataloging recent calls, looking for mistakes. Had she missed something in her reports? Violated a procedure? Zeus had been flawless on every call this month, so there were no issues with searches or alerts. Her use-of-force documentation was up to date, and she hadn't had any complaints from civilians.
What the hell did I do wrong?
"You okay?"
Maddox looked up. Riley was watching her, concern evident in her expression.
"Yeah. Fine." Maddox closed her email and pulled up her patrol schedule again, even though she'd already reviewed and memorized it.
"You don't look fine. You look like someone just told you Zeus failed his certification."
"I'm fine," Maddox repeated, more firmly this time.
Riley studied her for another moment, then shrugged and returned to her own work. "If you say so."
Maddox stared at her computer screen without seeing it. Personnel matter, mandatory attendance, the words kept circling in her head, each repetition ratcheting her anxiety higher.
She pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering over Jade’s name in her contacts. But what would she even say?Hey,got called into the chief’s office, panicking for no reason.No. Besides, Jade was probably in a session already, and this was probably nothing.
Probably.
She put her phone away and tried to focus on her paperwork, but the words blurred on the screen. Her mind kept spinning through the possibilities, each one worse than the last.
At nine-thirty, she gave up pretending to work and headed to the K-9 building. Zeus looked up from where he was lying in his kennel, his tail thumping hard against the concrete when he saw her.
“Hey, buddy.” Maddox unlocked the kennel and Zeus came out, pressing against her legs. She crouched down, running her hands through his soft fur. “Just needed to see you for a minute.”
Zeus whined, his dark eyes searching her face. He could sense her anxiety; he always could. His whole body tensed, mirroring her own tension.
“Just got to go to a meeting. Nothing to worry about.”
Zeus didn’t look convinced.
Maddox stayed with him for a few minutes, drawing comfort from his solid warmth and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Whatever this meeting was about, she’d handle it head-on as she always did.
At nine-fifty, she secured Zeus back in his kennel and walked toward the administrative wing. The hallway was quiet, most officers already out on patrol or in briefings. Her boots echoed against the tile floor, each step feeling heavier than the last. Chief Marten’s office was at the end of the hall, the door closed.
Maddox stopped outside it, straightening her uniform shirt and checking that her badge was positioned correctly. When she was confident she was properly composed, she knocked twice on the door.
“Come in,” Chief Marten’s voice called from inside.
Maddox opened the door and stepped into the office. Chief Marten sat behind her large mahogany desk, her expression neutral but not unkind.
She gestured to the chair across from her. “Close the door and have a seat, Shaw.”
Maddox did as instructed, settling into the chair with her back straight. She pressed her hands on the tops of her thighs. Every instinct she had was screaming danger, but she kept her face carefully blank.
“Thank you for coming,” Chief Marten said, even though they both knew it wasn’t optional. She folded her hands on the desk in front of her, and Maddox noticed a little folder there. It was thin but imposing.
About her? About a call? About?—
"I'll get straight to the point," Chief Marten said. "I received a report yesterday afternoon regarding your conduct."
Maddox's heart rate kicked up, but she kept her expression controlled. "What kind of report?"
"A report alleging an inappropriate relationship with a department contractor." Chief Marten's tone was carefully professional, giving nothing away. "Specifically, with Jade Kessler."
