Millie was on the phone when Maria entered her office. She held a finger up to tell Maria it’d only be a brief wait. Maria’s badge was already sitting on the desk, waiting for her.
Maria thought about grabbing it and going. But that wouldn’t end well. Not that she really cared. She doubted she’d ever be back in this office again.
Millie hung up. Put what was probably supposed to be a sympathetic look on her face.
On the list of punchable faces, Millie’s was up there. At least top three, if not top two.
“I assume you’ve heard the latest about Michael,” Millie said.
Maria had heard the latest. He was getting moved out of intensive care. He’d lost a leg, but not his life. Maria wondered if she’d ever be able to look him in the eyes without being overrun with guilt. Partnering with Maria Varela had ended up being the worst thing that had ever happened to Michael. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but everyone knew it was true.
“The loss of a leg will definitely change his options here with the police, and you and I both know even on the job injuries don’t get the compensation they should and his happened not only off duty but while he was on leave. But he’s smart. He doesn’t have any brain damage. I’ll get him transferred to digital investigations. He’ll probably never be in the field again, but he can still do good work,” Millie said.
God, this woman knew exactly how to drive a spike into Maria’s soul.
“There is some other news that will be coming out later today,” Millie said.
The badge sitting there on the desk was driving Maria nuts. She wanted to reach out and grab it and be out the door, not listening to Millie throw implicit insult after implicit insult.
“Hiller is retiring next month,” Millie said.
“I’m sure you’re totally devastated by the news,” Maria said.
“He’s an institution. A living legend. The only officer who inspired more respect was your father,” Millie said.
“Yeah, and he has the position you want,” Maria said.
“Is there something wrong with wanting to move up in the world?” Millie asked.
“I guess it depends on what you’re willing to do for it,” Maria said.
“I’d almost forgotten what an asshole you are,” Millie said.
“I’m happy I was able to come remind you,” Maria said.
“Why do you want your badge back, exactly?” Millie said.
“I’m still an officer, am I not? And you told me my suspension was over,” Maria said.
“Your informal suspension is over, but coming back to active duty with all that’s gone on probably isn’t the best idea for you,” Millie said.
“Why would that be?” Maria said.
“You’ve been through a very stressful time, Maria. Obviously, you’ll be processing your grief, and it wouldn’t be responsible of me to put an officer out in the field who has been going through so much stress. Can’t have you losing it in the middle of an investigation. Not to mention, not too many people are interested in partnering with you at the moment,” Millie said.
“Did you just accuse me of being too emotional to do my job?” Maria said.
“No, I said I was worrying about your psychological state and whether it would be conducive to good police work,” Millie said.
“So why did you have me come down here if you weren’t going to give me my badge back?” Maria said.
“I am going to give you your badge back. I have it here all ready for you and everything, but what I want you to understand is that it's time for a change. For all of us. Me, you, Michael, Hiller, everyone. Coming back to Homicide and Sex Crimes isn’t in your future. Take a couple of weeks, finish your leave, meet with the shrink, and think about what you want to do next. But if you come back to work full time, it won’t be here,” Millie said.
“On a scale of one to a hundred, how much did you enjoy telling me that? Eighty-five? Ninety?” Maria said.
“I had hoped we could have made all of this work out and solve a lot of crimes together,” Millie said.
“Yeah, sure you did. Can I get my badge now, please?” Maria said.
Millie rolled her eyes. Motioned toward the badge with her nose.
Maria took it off the desk and turned to go.
“One of these days, you are going to realize that keeping everyone away just makes your life more difficult,” Millie said.
“Good luck getting your promotion. If you need a letter of reference, ask someone else,” Maria said.
“Yeah, I’ll make sure to ask someone whose opinion actually carries some weight,” Millie said.