The video call ended with a faint beep.
Taryn waited a beat, then pushed the door open like she hadn’t overheard them.
Amara, rising from her desk with her trusty tablet in hand, stiffened.
‘Morning.’Taryn offered a polite smile.‘Would it be okay to use this big table instead of the interrogation room?The Batcave feels more appropriate today.Less hostile.’
Amara gave a half-smile.‘Romy will appreciate that.’
Taryn began setting up the table, and casually dropped, ‘Commissioner Bannon rarely calls constables directly.Especially not during an active audit.That’s… unusual.’
Amara squeezed her tablet tighter.‘I—he…’ She cleared her throat.‘The Commissioner just wanted an update.’
‘Then he should ask the superior officer directly,’ Taryn said, keeping her tone light.‘They’re the ones paid to carry the responsibility.’
Amara chewed on her bottom lip, clearly caught in the middle of something.‘I agree.But…’ She shrugged, full of unease.‘The Commissioner asked me, like it was a direct order.’
Taryn saw it then—the tightrope of blurred lines that poor Amara was walking.Still new to the job, torn between the chain of command, and her loyalty to the man who’d built this squad from nothing.
Thanks to her parents, Taryn was well-schooled about ranks, especially the power and danger of command.A Federal Commissioner had no business placing that kind of weight on the constable’s shoulders.
‘You should let Finn know.He is your OIC.With a team this small, the chain of command matters—especiallyduring an audit.’She waved her hand over the piles of files she’d been trudging her way through.
Amara pressed her lips tight.Then finally, quietly, she said, ‘I will.’
‘You’re not in trouble, Amara.I’m only saying this as a friendly warning, female officer to female officer.When someone that high up goes around your OIC to pressure you for information… it’s not just bending the rules—it’s putting you in the firing line.’
Amara’s frown flickered, full of uncertainty.
‘My mother’s in the military.And she always says the higher the rank, the heavier the consequences if things go sideways—especially when the chain of command isn’t followed… Guess who takes the hit when something leaks or paperwork doesn’t line up?Not the Commissioner.The constable who answered a call she shouldn’t have.’
Amara swallowed hard.
‘I don’t mean to harp on about protocols, when I know you see me as the bad guy.I get it.’But Taryn was hoping Amara understood the gravity of the situation and the potential risks.‘But I believe in protocols because they were created to protectyou.All of you, from being manipulated.’And the Commissioner knew better.
Enough said, Taryn gave the young officer a soft smile, then went over her notes for this morning’s interview.
Yet, Amara lingered by the door.‘Porter mentioned he spoke with you yesterday… Something about glitter cannons and cocktails?’
Taryn grinned.‘Tanisha was telling us how she’s making glitter cannons to surprise her friend Felix for their next cocktail party, but her cats keep setting them off.And how Stone did that one time...She’s a force of nature that woman is.’
Amara smiled at that.‘It took me weeks to figure out whether Tanisha was joking or testing me.Turns out it was both.And Stone, well…’
Taryn gave a knowing smirk.She’d witnessed Stone teasing Amara like an annoying big brother.But underneath the cheek and charm was some healthy respect, too.It was just that Stone’s way of showing it was loud.‘One day, you’re gonna stop curtsying and actually bite back with the boys, Amara.I just hope I’m around to bring the popcorn.’And she’d be cheering for the Tiny Titan from the sidelines too.
Taryn had grown up around lots of men like that—the uniforms, the banter, and the hierarchy.Luckily, her mum had taught her how to hold her ground with a smile and a spine.The constable was still learning, but she’d get there.
Amara glanced toward the doorway, then back again.‘How are you going at the pub?’
Taryn shrugged.‘The staff seem like nice people.’
‘They really are.The chef used to have Michelin stars in his restaurant in Europe, and you can taste it in his meals.But don’t order breakfast or talk to him before midday.He’s a real grouch…’
‘Duly noted.Any other tips?’
‘Samantha is a lot more switched on than any of us realise, but she won’t interfere.Billy’s great for gossip and as a chaperone should you ever want to sit at the front bar.And Mean-Rene, she’s a mother of four boys, who’s really a sweetheart under all that black leather and ink.’
‘Four boys?’
