“Thank you, sir.”
I stand and walk toward the door.
“And Bianchi?”
I turn to look at him and he nods at me.
“Congratulations.”
A thrill goes up my spine. It’s really happening. I’m really detective material.
I can’t help the bounce in my step as I walk out of the office, but I try to keep my expression blank.
“Did you get reamed out?” Scott hisses as I walk by, but I just shake my head. “You didn’t?”
“I got promoted,” I say, keeping the same blank expression on my face.
Scott’s wide eyes widen even further, threatening to bug out of their sockets.
“You’re serious? Detective?”
My face splits into a huge grin. “Detective.”
Scott claps his hand over his mouth, but it doesn’t hide a squeal.
I giggle and slap his hand, trying to tell him to keep it together.
Not that I’m keeping it together myself, not very well, anyway.
“Baker! Bianchi!” the chief barks, peeking out of his office door.
We both jump and turn toward him.
“Yes, sir?” Scott asks hesitantly.
“Process that perp you brought in. Then you can go home and celebrate.”
I nearly salute him but restrain myself.
Scott breaks out into a big grin after the chief closes his office door.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Scott hauls Hampton into a standing position even as the man protests and we all head toward the processing area.
There’s glass separating us from the lobby, but I don’t pay too much attention, thinking about all the new, exciting position I’ve been handed.
I’ve been wanting this since the day I joined the academy. I look up at Scott, still smiling, and then I realize that he’s pouting.
My smile fades. “Hey, what’s wrong with you, grumpy Gus?”
“Don’t call me Gus,” he mumbles, and I frown, taking his hand as he puts Hampton in position to be photographed.
He shakes me off and mans the camera, taking Hampton’s hundredth mug shot.
“Scott, seriously, what’s your problem?”
“It’s not a problem,” he mutters. “It’s stupid.”
