The Next Generation: The Legacy (Book 3)

Chapter 3 - First day adrenaline.

Chante

The car chase was the most exciting thing I had ever experienced. Officer Campbell was clearly an expert, and he explained every manoeuvre and every move we made to try and keep the public safe while trying to take the criminals off the streets. I kept thinking I wanted to tell my dad what an amazing day I had, and had to keep on reminding myself that I couldn’t. My dad and I used to be inseparable. Our relationship was non-existent after he was taken into custody. I had no idea what to say to him.

“Hold on.” Officer Campbell’s voice pushed through my thoughts as he did a pit manoeuvre and the car in front of us spun around. It finally came to a halt against an embankment, and we jumped out shouting for the suspects to get out of the car with their hands up. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when they got out of the car with no resistance.

Chaos broke out as the men were arrested, and I felt a little nauseous, to say the least. As Officer Campbell ran through the things that could have gone horribly wrong, I felt sick to my stomach. We were incredibly lucky, and it dawned on me how incredibly dangerous the job really was. I knew it was dangerous. I knew I could get shot, but it didn’t hit home as much as it did at that very moment.

The suspects were taken to the station by other officers while we returned to the scene where paramedics had arrived to take care of the shop owner who had been shot. We were the first on scene and had to give our statements to the detectives. I felt a little offended by one of the detectives and his questions, but Officer Campbell stepped in, and it felt nice that he seemed to be protecting me from his colleagues.

I knew the day I got the letter that I had been stationed here that people wouldn’t like me long before they met me. I just didn’t think it would affect me as badly. I had an appointment with Captain Bradley after my first shift, and I was seriously thinking about asking for a transfer. Maybe it would be best for all of us if I had a fresh start somewhere else. Sadly, deep down, I knew it wouldn’t change my circumstances. My father’s face was plastered on every news channel. Every station in the country knew he was a traitor to the badge!

“Hey, don’t let them get you down. They are just doing a job just like we are.” Officer Campbell shoved me slightly and I smiled. I knew that, but it didn’t change the fact that I was probably the second most hated officer in the force. My father was the first.

“Yeah, I just wish all of them would give me a chance to prove myself. It feels as if nobody wants to give me that much. I’m not my dad. I haven’t even been to see him since he was locked up.” I shrugged, realizing it was incredibly easy to talk to him. He frowned and I sighed deeply.

“Don’t you have questions?” He frowned as we got back in our car and drove back to the station. We had to bring our car in for inspection before we could go back out.

“I have loads, but I don’t think I can believe anything he tells me right now. What is the use in asking those questions when I feel he might just lie?” I shrugged, and we drove in silence the rest of the way.

Freddie

Everything in me was screaming for me to judge the young woman sitting beside me, but I had to keep an open mind. I had to give her the benefit of the doubt when nobody else was willing to do so. It was the toughest thing I could have done after losing so much, but at least it kept my mind off what seemed to infest all my thoughts. The hatred I felt for Cat and anyone who worked with her or for her could have pushed me to do something that would completely ruin my life.

“Listen, since we are going to be partners for the next couple of months, why don’t you just call me Freddie when we are alone. It will just make things easier for both of us.” I smiled as we waited for the inspection of our car to finish. If she felt comfortable with me, she might talk. If she talked, I would have a much easier time finding out who she really was. What made her tick and whether she had been influenced by her father.

“Thank you, but I would prefer to keep things professional, if that’s okay with you?” She squinted and I nodded, smiling. It had only been a couple of hours since we met the first time, and she surprised me around every turn. She stayed calm during the chase, which was just incredible, since I couldn’t imagine being that calm on my first day for anything!

She told me how she felt about her father, but she didn’t lose her temper with any of the insults people were whispering. It was a good start for both of us. A good first day. Better than I ever expected it was going to be. The squad car was released, and we hit the streets again.

“Why did you want to become a cop?” She asked me out of the blue and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Actually, I didn’t. I followed my best friend. I had no idea what the hell I wanted to do with my life and when he told me he was joining the force, I just followed him. It turns out it was the worst decision of his life, but the best of mine.” I shrugged. It was a very personal thing to share, but it was the truth. If I wanted her to share, it meant I would also have to share some personal things.

It was the personal touch that made partners such good partners. I learned that much very early in my career. She nodded seemingly deep in thought.

“I have always wanted to be a cop. I know a lot of people who refuse to follow in the footsteps of their parents and what not, but I felt as if it was in my blood.” She shrugged, and it felt as if we were making headway again. We pulled up onto a street just as a new call came in, and I wasn’t sure if we should take it. I had a rookie with me! She answered without even looking at me.

“I guess we are taking that.” I laughed as she switched on the lights and sirens. It was definitely going to be one of those busy days and I loved it!