Part 3: Call It Confusion

I keep going back over and over to what Officer Douglas just told me earlier. Instead of going to bed early, I ended up making a warm cup of coffee while staring into an empty space of my kitchen wall. 

This is ridiculous. What I meant by gaining a new experience is for me to finally show them what I'm capable of. Alone. As a detective. As a professional worker, seriously. And by that, having someone to work on a case with is the LAST thing I'd want. 

I wasn't able to fully say yes to what Officer Douglas told me about. But certainly, he knows I don't have a choice. It's either I accept this case or I continue to sit on my damn chair all day and read new cases about robbery and sick kids painting private vehicles with spray paint. 

Who would choose the latter, anyway? 

But at the same time, I am damn confuse. I want to do something for myself and my career so badly. I'm trying to make a point that I can do whatever the other officers do. 

Being a woman doesn't make me any less of a professional detective, after all. 

I sit down the bed and repeatedly mix my coffee with a spoon, still spaced out. 

I haven't open the folder he gave me earlier. It's probably a serious one since he said it himself that there are still no leading suspect for the case. 

And I'm kind of hoping it would be serious enough. A real case, this time. 

- 

I got myself out of bed before the alarm rings, which I guess is a good sign comparing to what happened yesterday. 

I had a late night call with Brenna last night about the new case and getting a partner. I can tell from the tone of her voice that she's much more excited than I am. She even said that it wouldn't be a problem having a partner at all. That it would only make the job easier for me to handle. I told her that wasn't the point. But she couldn't care less. She wants me to take the damn case. 

Driving down the road now, I keep praying and praying inside my head not to get into an accident again. It has been an exhausting day yesterday. I wouldn't want to bring that bad luck this morning. 

"Have you heard about the new guy?" I heard Amanda asked Tin. They suddenly turn to whisper to each other when they saw me walk past their desks. 

I rolled my eyes. An immaturity display. 

There's been a weird atmosphere going around the office today. But I can't quite point what that is. Everyone seems too busy and somehow serious. As if they're waiting for an important person to show up and grade their performances. 

I placed my bag and folder down the desk and sit as I breathe deeply. I slightly turn to my left and take a small look at the desk beside me. Wilson seems to be busy typing something down and looking back at the piece of paper on his lap from time to time. 

Then, as soon as I locked eyes with Cameron (whose desk is located across from mine), I gestured him to come to me quickly. It only took a split second for him to agree. 

"What's up, Detective Sam?" He raised an eyebrow. 

Cameron is a fresh graduate with a degree in Criminology. And he's probably the most unproblematic co-worker out here. He just doesn't seem to hold any grudges from anyone. He works, comes home to play video games, sleep for a good amount of four hours, and repeats the same cycle without complaints. 

God, I wish that I could do that. 

"What's going on?" I asked, looking around. "Is someone coming?" 

He nodded and lift his squared glasses on his nose bridge. 

"Apparently, yes." he replied. "He's been transferred here. He used to work at the main branch." 

I frowned. Since when did this station started accepting other officers from the main branch? I thought Officer Rankin was a bit strict with choosing new transferees? 

"That never happened before," I said. 

"I know." Cameron answered. "That's why everyone's acting different. They're probably trying to make an impression." 

"So who's he, anyway?" I crossed my arms. 

He gives off a childish pout. "The promoted guy." 

My eyes widened in surprise. It didn't take a while for Cameron to gesture that he's going back to his desk. I nodded and find myself starting at an empty space again. 

I can't believe Rankin actually promoted someone from another branch. And that also means he'll be the same person that Officer Douglas asked me to work with. 

I immediately stood up from my seat and proceeded to Officer Rankin's desk. There I find him writing something down, with his eyes squinted. How obvious that he can barely read anymore. 

"Officer, you have some explaining to do." I demanded in a soft tone. 

As he looks up, his face quickly changed into a frown as he realized it was me. He dropped the pen down. 

"What is this again, Culkin?" 

I scoffed. "Did you just promote an officer from another branch?" I asked, trying to cool myself down. "Like, not from here?" 

"Yes. What about it?" 

Oh, my God. This is stupid. 

"No one knows him here." I replied. "No one knows how hard he works. We don't even know him." 

"You'll get to. He'll be here today." 

"What?" 

"He deserves it." 

"And I didn't?" 

"Maybe if you start working harder, Culkin." 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I can't believe I spent three years working my ass off in this branch, trying to show everyone how competitive I am. Only for an outsider officer to get the promotion I've been working so hard for. What the fuck is this? 

- 

"I hate him." I sipped my coffee as I watch Brenna apply her make-up in front of me. 

It's break time and we've decided to grab a cup of coffee while we're at it. She seems to be trying to ease herself down so the eyeliner wouldn't turn out bad. 

"Sam, just accept it." 

I laughed sarcastically. "Yeah, sure." 

"I'm sure he got promoted for a reason. He's probably good at his job. Or maybe solved a big case. Who knows?" 

I play with the napkin as I keep playing Officer Rankin's voice in my head. He deserves it. He deserves it. He deserves it. He deserves it?! 

Fuck being deserving, then. 

"I deserve that, too, you know." I said. 

"You do. But don't hate the guy for it." 

I shook my head. "I don't care. I already hate him." 

"Be careful what you say." She puts down her mirror and turn to me. "You never know what might happen." 

- 

I sit down my chair for a thousandth time today and open the screen in front of me. Call it immature but I'm starting to lose interest to open the folder Officer Douglas handed me. 

It's okay to work with someone who got promoted, alright? I'm fine with that now. But the thing is that he's not from the same branch. He's an outsider and that's the problem. 

This is me trying to understand. Yet, just thinking about the efforts I've exerted makes it feel so unfair for me. And okay, I'm a hundred percent bitter. But I just couldn't help but think what if it was me. What if I was actually the one who got the position? Then maybe Dad would be so proud of me. 

Maybe I wouldn't be acting this salty. 

I take out my notepad and try my best to get on with the work. I know this is frustrating enough but there's still so much work to do. 

The silence embraces the room as we all try to focus on doing the job. There are noises I can hear; the typing of keyboards from different desks, sounds of pages flipping, and even the slightest sound of Wilson's metal rock songs playing on his headphones. 

"Good morning, detectives." 

In midst of silence, I notice everyone suddenly turn their eyes to the main entrance of the office. I tried, too, but this stupid and giant plant prevents me to see the man's face. 

"Oh, my, my, my." one of my co-workers said. 

Officer Rankin, Officer Douglas, and their assistants walk out of their offices and splashed a huge smile on their faces. It's as if something miraculous happened for the first time. 

"You're here!" Officer Rankin walk towards the man, offering him a handshake. 

I turn my chair to see them closer but they remain blocked by the plant in front of me. I sighed in disappointment. 

Officer Douglas follows them and offered his hand, too. 

"Detective Clayton Jones." He formed a warm smile. "Welcome to The Detective Tag firm, the L.A. branch." 

Then suddenly, without warning, everyone starts to clap their hands. I find it weird that people just started acting like a celebrity instantly landed in our firm. 

I turn to look at Amanda and Tin as they keep hitting each other's arms like they're in high school again, crushing over someone they just literally saw a few seconds ago. 

I mouthed a curse word under my breath, still confused of what's happening. 

"Detective Samara Culkin," 

The amount of confusion forming in my head suddenly crumbles down as I heard Officer Douglas call my name out. 

Great. And now everyone turn their eyes on me instead. I didn't know I can grab the spotlight that easily. 

"Yes, Officer." I replied, standing up. 

I walk towards them, finally letting the stupid plant out of my damn sight. 

Officer Douglas greeted me with a funny smirk as he points out the man in front of him. 

I turn to look at the man standing. 

"Hi," 

Fuck. 

It's him. 

The same man I had a car accident with. The same man I gave my number to. 

"Meet your partner." Officer Douglas said. "A simple smile would be nice." 

I heard the man chuckled. He pats Officer Douglas' shoulder and shakes his head. 

"I think I know her." The man smiled as he looks at me straightly. "It's nice to meet you again, Samara."