Your Favourite Crime

1

Damien

Monday morning.

Monday morning meetings. Coffee and some pastries while all the commissioners talk.

"We've got our new head of Field Operations, Adriana Nelson, coming in today. She's new to the police force but not the force in all. She's a retired Canadian Army Sergeant. She doesn't mess around. We shall welcome her when she gets here, make sure she's comfortable," I tell my deputies, "She's young, but experienced. Don't treat her any less."

I pass around Adriana's file.

"She has no photo yet?" my deputy of Traffic Safety and Operational Support asks.

"No. HR is having problems with the printer, but it doesn't matter. She should be here soon," I say taking a sip of my coffee

"Young people, don't know how to be punctual," Freddy, Deputy of Investigations and Organized crimes, grumbles.

"I'm sure you were late on your first day as HR does make you answer questions. Or was that decades ago since you aren't so young?"

I choke on my coffee and hold back my laugh. Freddy is two years from retirement.

I stand and turn, prepared to greet my new Deputy.

"Commissioner Carvelli. Nice to finally meet you."

The words to reply are lost. I'm sure I'm standing here like fool looking down at the gorgeous woman instead of greeting her back. But I can't.

Brown skin smoother than I've ever seen. Brown eyes that hold a story. A stand so straight, you can tell she's confident.

"Nice to meet you too... uh, Deputy Nelson," I finally collect myself and shake her hand, "Glad to have you here,"

"Great to be here," she smiles softly, before moving around me to sit at an empty spot. 8I sit back down in my seat and prepare to speak.

"So... um..." I'm still at a loss for words, which is unlike me. I'm always collected

"You'll be able to meet your team. Commissioner will take you out to the bureau to meet your other team," Lauren, my corporate services commander, speaks.

"Yes. And if you're fine with it, I can take you out my patrol for the week. I go once at the beginning and once and the end of the week," I speak, my eyes are glued to the dark oak table

"That's fine with me," her soft voice says

"Perfect!" Lauren says, cheerily, "If that's all commissioner, we've got work to do."

"Yep. Meeting dismissed," I say

The three leave, but before Lauren does, she whispers; "You're welcome. Don't freeze."

I roll my eyes. I take some breaths and try to fully collect myself.

"Don't worry about Freddy. He's two years from retirement, he's cranky. Hated me when I was promoted," I say after a few moments of silence

"It's fine. I hear a lot of things as a woman of colour in this industry," she sighs

I look up at her and her expression is unfazed.

"Well I don't tolerate that shit here. No discrimination, none of that. Someone says anything, you tell me and I'll deal with them myself," I tell her. She nods as if she doesn't believe me.

"I'm serious. It's not how I was raised and it's not what I want in my workplace. You've may of heard it a million times and nothing has happened, but trust me. I make moves and I make them quick. Now let's go, we don't got time to sit around," I say, tapping the table.