Chapter 4: Galvanized

She broke into one of the buildings through it's side door. It was a dilapitated low-income apartment complex similar to what I had grown up in. I still couldn't believe that the ravaged girl I saw earlier was up and about. Donovon Waltz, the present higher-ranking officer, had assembled a team to enter and find the girl before anyone else got hurt. As the team enters the building, I turn and see Lieutenant Goree, just in time to catch him staring at Lonny and I, "What are you two doing here? I thought you were off duty?" he says. "Sir, it looks like you need all the help you can get tonight.", I reply. He smirks and tells me and Lonny that if we want to, we can resume our patrol and work the graveyard shift. I ask Lonny to be my wingman. "No way, man! This is my night to cool off, I need a little R and R. Sorry bud, but the Mrs. needs me." Luckily for me, I have no attachments outside of work. No family, no girlfriend, no life. "It's cool, Lon, don't worry about it." I drive him back to his car, this time accepting the uncomfortable solitude. We arrive just in time to catch Phil closing up. "Hey Phil!" Lonny shouts, "Be careful going home tonight, I'm serious." I realize that Lonny's careless demeanor has changed since earlier. Phil laughs, "Hey asshole, I'm still not giving you free liquor so get your lips off my ass!" I catch myself laughing, feeling a little bit more at ease. "Hey Lonny...you and Karen take care tonight, yeah?", I tell him with concern. "You too Pete, watch your ass tonight." He says. I quip back, "I won't need to, your wife will do that for me." Lonny chuckles as he shuts the car door, "Yeah, ok, smart ass. See ya, Pete." He starts his engine and gives me the peace sign as he pulls out of the pub lot. "Have a good one, Lon. Good drinkin'!" I shout. He drives away and I begin driving back to the station. As I'm driving, I begin to notice empty cars with their doors wide open. I pull up to a red Honda and peer into the driver's seat...nothing. I reach the station and Claire, the "Latina dispatcher", welcomes me.

Claire: "Hey, chino?"
Pete: "What's up, chika? "How's the night?"
Claire: "Busy." She replies, with a look of disgust.
Pete: "I'm gonna go saddle up for the GS. Take it easy Claire."
Claire: "Bye, chinito. You watch out tonight, you hear? Lots of crazies."

I suit up and head out in my cruiser. As I head back to check on the situation with that red-headed girl, I get a call from Claire, "Hey, chino, before you head back can I get you to check up on a call I'm getting from East Lake and Porter? Some kid is saying that he thinks there's been an attack in his neighborhood." I hit the gas, "I'm on my way."