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"So," Angela says as they walk through an upper-class residential neighbourhood. "Tell me what possessed you to start sleeping with your T.O."
"Excuse me?"
"You and Tim are lucky that you're good at hiding it," Angela says. "I only know because Tim told me"
"Well, I met him in a bar the night before I started working at the station," Mirana says. "One too many Tequilas and well-"
"Tim has a lot of personal stuff," Angela says.
"I know," Mirana nods. "He's told me some of it"
"He did?"
"Yeah," Mirana nods and Angela hums.
"Just be careful, Mirana. Relationships within the department can get complicated," Angela warns. "Tim will be fine but you'll get a label that you can't shake"
"I know," Mirana nods.
Angela steps up to the door and hammers her fist against it loudly. "Nestor Garcia, police. Come out"
"What if we talk to one of the nosiest types of humans in the world?" Mirana suggests.
"Old ladies?"
"No," Mirana nods at the boy manning a lemonade stand. "Kids"
"Nice," Angela nods. "Lets go"
"Hey," Mirana says to the kid. "Can we ask you some questions?"
"You want lemonade?"
"Have you eaten anything with nuts today?" Mirana asks and the boy nods. "Did you do a full cross-contamination prevention? No? Didn't think so"
"You know the family next door?" Angela asks.
"Sure," The kid nods. "The dad's a drug dealer. My mom gets really talky when she has Chardonnay"
"Have you seen him around today?" Mirana asks.
"No, he's probably at the thing,"
"What thing?" Angela asks.
"Buy some lemonade and I'll tell you,"
"Are you trying to extort a law enforcement officer? Or potentially kill a law enforcement officer?" Angela asks.
"No, it's basic supply and demand. I have something you need, so I can set the price,"
"At least he's getting a quality education," Mirana says to Angela.
"Too bad he won't get the same one in juvenile detention. You got a permit for this lemonade stand?" Angela asks and Mirana bites her lip to stop the laughter from escaping her mouth.
The kid looks genuinely shocked, "Uh... no?"
"Alright, kid, here's the deal," Angela says. "We're not going to shut down your lemonade operation, but we need some information. You tell us what you know, and we'll consider this a friendly negotiation, okay?"
The kid squints his eyes and then grins, "Deal."
"Where have they all gone?" Mirana asks.
"His daughter turns fifteen today, they're having a big party,"
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"There he is,"
Mirana jerks her chin to where they see Hector Garcia leading a teenage girl out onto the dancefloor as spectators applaud them.
"Did you get a quinceañera?" Mirana asks Angela.
"Yeah and I looked amazing," Angela grins.
"It's sad that her memory of her quinceañera is going to be us hauling her dad off to jail after their dance is done," Mirana says. "I suppose this is actually self-indulgent for him"
"Selfish dad eh?" Angela says. "So you want to let him finish the dance?"
"We're not monsters right?"
"No, we're not,"
The two officers watch as Hector Garcia and his daughter finish their dance. Mirana can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the teenage girl. Once the dance concludes, Angela steps forward.
"Hector Garcia, LAPD. You're under arrest for unlawful escape. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you."
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Mirana waits for Angela to return from the food truck as she scrolls through her phone. Jackson saying that Tim hates him, Lucy saying Bishop hates her and Nolan saying Lawrence seems like an OK guy.
"How are the others faring?" Angela asks. "I won't tell anyone you ratted on them"
"Tim hates Jackson, Bishop hates Lucy and Nolan's living his best life with Lawrence," Mirana shrugs.
"And you?"
"I'm glad for the change of teaching methods," Mirana says.
"I checked with the vendor," Angela says, handing her a burrito. "No nuts of any kind"
"Thanks," Mirana smiles. "So your quinceañera, who'd you dance with?"
"My aubelo," Angela smiles. "He made me laugh the entire time, my mom was pissed"
"That's sweet,"
"What about yours?"
"Oh I didn't-"
"LOPEZ!"
Tim's shout makes both Angela and Mirana jump in shock as he comes storming over to the table.
"I'm just gonna-" Mirana quickly walks away, heading over to where Jackson is sitting in the car.
"I'm a failure," Jackson says glumly.
"What are you talking about?" Mirana asks.
"I think Bradford's going to get me fired," Jackson sighs.
"Why would he do that?"
"I froze up when the shooting started. Same thing happened at the Selby shootout, but Lopez covered for me, so - Look, I don't know how to fix it. I have to fix it,"
"Your problem is your dad trained you in so many hypothetical scenarios," Mirana says. "He gave you confidence which is good in the right amounts. But he never gave you reality. Bullets flying at you while you're responsible for the safety of yourself, your fellow officers and the general public is a lot"
"Get lost Boot," Tim says to Mirana who grabs his arm.
"Darle una oportunidad," Mirana says.
"Por que?" Tim asks, glancing at Jackson before they move out of earshot.
"He's not used to the reality of policing," Mirana says. "He needs a dose of reality to see what will happen if he lives in fear and nothing else. Do you know any victims who are scared of the world? Keep in touch with any of them?"
"You're a genius," Tim grins at her and Mirana winks before walking away.
"What was that about?" Angela asks.
"If my idea works, Jackson will still have a job," Mirana says.
"If that happens I might give you a kiss. I know T.O.s are your type,"
