George swallowed hard. “I don’t want to just let it slide because no matter what terrible assholes the victims were in life, they deserve justice. And I don’t want the chief to have the gratification to see us fail.”
“Fair. If you put your personal animosity, as justified as it is, aside, what are your thoughts?”
“That the police shouldn’t be judges because it’s just notright.”
“Good. What else?”
“I can totally relate to Andi’s point of view, and it scares me while at the same time riles me up because it goes against everything I was taught to believe in and everything our family stands for.”
“Have you tried explaining this to Andi?”
“No. I kind of started yelling first.”
“Kind of?”
“Fine, I got my hackles up and pushed him into what I think was a minor breakdown, and now I feel bad.”
“Bad enough to consider going with his suggestion?”
“No. He wouldn’t expect or even want me to. I know him well enough to say this with absolute certainty. He’s got no problem with me seeing things differently and expressing my view. There’s just so much playing into the topic, I get the feeling it isn’tmineno matter what I do.”
“This is fucked-up, even for you, brother.”
“Thank you very much. I’m aware. Now help me.”
There was a sigh on the line. “Me just listening to you didn’t help?”
“It helped a lot. Now tell me what to do.”
“So you can ignore it?”
“Basically, yes.” Getting Daniel’s advice was good, because it helped George decide what he absolutely wouldn’t do.
“I distinctly remember you ignoring my advice and falling into a river in mid-March.”
“I was ten, and it was the only time you were ever right about anything!”
Daniel tsked loudly. “What if this is the second time?”
“I’m going to risk it. Now stop stalling.”
“Fine. I see several problems here, George. First, there’s your personal entanglement with Andi, and don’t you dare deny it. You feel responsible for him, which fucks with your usual pragmatic take on situations like these. Then there’s your beef with the charming Chief Norris, a problem you know you’ll have to address sooner rather than later and which I trust you have under control. Both things influence your way of thinking. Then there’s the fact that our parents raised us to be citizens so upstanding, we could as well have swallowed a broom.”
At that they both chuckled, their parents undoubtedly having left a mark on them.
“From what you’ve told me—and I’m sure you’re leaving a few crucial points out—”
George winced audibly. “I’m sorry, I….”
“It’s fine, I get it. I’m in law enforcement as well, remember? From what you’ve told me, I can see how not solving the case would be a way out. Yes, it would hamper your precious solving statistic, though none too badly, but your partner would get a much-needed break and the chance to catch a breather.”
“I would also have to live with the fact that I let a killer go unpunished.”
“Yes. It’s a question of priorities and ultimately what you value higher—your integrity, which only you know about, or your career, which is for the world to see, or your partner, who is so important to you.”
George gulped. He hated to admit it, but the choice wasn’t as clear-cut for him as he would have wished or thought of himself. Interpreting his silence right, Daniel went on.
“You don’t have to decide right now, brother. I assume you have at least the night to sleep on it. Go for a run. You do your best thinking when you’re exhausted.”
