2
The chief’s square office sat against the far back wall. Through the windows I could see him seated inside in his chair. He was bent over a piece of paper on his desk and scribbling something on the report. I opened the door and stepped inside.
“No,” the chief told me as I came in.
I paused and frowned. “No what?”
“I’m not letting you have the case,” he explained.
I stepped inside and slammed the door behind me. “Why not?” I asked him as I marched up to the desk.
He didn’t bother looking up. “You know the rules. If you’re in too deep you don’t get the beat.”
I slammed my hand on his desk. “But Howard can’t solve this case! He’s an i***t!”
“He’s not involved and I didn’t trust Bart to take the case, so he’s got it,” the chief told me.
I frowned. “Why didn’t you trust Ba
