42

I stood at the top of the steps in front of city hall, dressed in the official blue policeman’s uniform that I never, ever wore. Until this morning, I hadn’t touched it since I’d been promoted to detective. It was a miracle I still fit into it given how much weight I’d gained since then. Luckily for me, I’d lost it all under Shay’s supervision.

She stood beside me, dressed in her own official blue duds. A crowd milled before us at the base of the steps, a collection of service members, first responders, journalists, city officials, their families, and a nice group of bystanders as well. To our right stood a podium, centered on the stairs a few steps below us. It remained empty for now.

The sun shone down upon us. A bead of sweat formed at my temple. I lifted a hand to wipe it away before I realized I’d picked the wrong hand.

I grumbled. “I hate this cast. I can’t wait to get it off. It itches so much.”

“Get used to it,” said Shay. “You’ve got another two weeks. And you should be counting your lucky stars it was a clean break. Could’ve been much worse.”

“That bite was anything but clean,” I said. “You never got to see the basilisk. It smelled like a dead weasel.”

“I said the break was clean,” said Shay. “You’re being obtuse.”

“Not to mention a baby,” Quinto huffed from behind.

I turned to look at him. He stood there next to Rodgers, his arm in a sling and a crutch under one armpit. Both he and Rodgers were also outfitted in their barely used official uniforms.

“Couldn’t you have loomed over someone else?” I said. “Having you right behind me is cutting back on the empathy I’m getting over my hand.”

“What a shame.” Rodgers nodded to the side. The other injured officers who’d aided us during the raid of the Freemont Plaza building stood beside us. One of them had Quinto doubled up on number of crutches.

“Point taken,” I said.

I glanced at the podium again. It was still empty. I sucked on my lips and shifted my weight between the balls of my feet.

“Why are you nervous?” asked Shay.

I tucked my good hand into my pocket reflexively. “Why aren’t you, is the better question. You actually like ceremonies?”

“Relax, will you?” She squeezed my arm. “We’re all in the same boat. It’ll be over before you know it.”

Just as I was about to make a joke about prostate exams, I heard a rumble among the crowd. I looked to the side and saw the Chief of Police descending the steps, the commendations on his blue uniform sparkling in the mid-afternoon sun. A purple bruise marred the right side of his face, but otherwise he looked as tough and grizzled as ever.

He stepped to the podium to generous applause. He lifted a hand, beckoning for silence, but it took a good twenty seconds for the crowds to acquiesce. “Thank you. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen; officers and detectives; lieutenants and captains of the New Welwic Police Department; members of our city’s fire and emergency medical response teams; our armed forces; members of the city council; Mayor Greenburg, and all of your friends and families and colleagues, thank you for presence.

“One week ago today, our city faced off against evils both unnatural and also quite human in their essence. All of you are aware of at least one manifestation of these evils. The cyclone which struck our city on the night of the twenty-seventh was swift, potent, and deadly, and made all the more so by its unexpected arrival. Only thanks to the timely efforts of our police officers, firefighters, medical first responders, and members of our national guard were we, as a city, collectively able to minimize the loss of life that would otherwise have materialized from such a deadly storm.

“Sadly, however, the storm was not without its victims, nor were the forces responsible for its sudden manifestation. Today, we join one another here to honor the memory and mourn the loss of those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great city.

“For Officers Mason Wayne and Celina Rodithas, their day began like any other. A warm meal, well wishes to their families, and off to work. Little did they know a cyclone would hit the city that night, bringing with it powerful lightning strikes that would raze over a dozen homes and businesses to the ground. But Wayne and Rodithas were officers of the law. They knew that from the moment they put their uniforms on until the moment they removed them, their duty was to the city. To protect others from harm. Wayne and Rodithas did just that, saving eight citizens from a burning three-story dwelling before paying the ultimate price when said building collapsed. Today, we mourn and honor their sacrifice.

“Officers Wallace Dunbar, Mario Chelios, and Lucretia Djorkert also answered the call of duty. When their fellow servicemen and women called upon them for aid, they came without question. They braved the fierce winds and driving rains, joining their fellow officers and detectives in the pursuit of the villains who attacked the city through both conventional and magical means, fully aware of the danger involved. When their fellow officers were trapped, cut off by terrorists with murderous intent, they fought back, sacrificing themselves to save their fellow man. Without their efforts, even more of our friends and colleagues would be dead, and our city less safe. We mourn their sacrifice as well. If you would please honor their memory with a moment of silence.”

I bowed my head in respect, as did those around me. Silence reigned over the hall’s steps, broken only by the steady hum of the city.

“Thank you,” continued the chief. “But we do not assemble here today merely to mourn those we have lost. We also join here in celebration, to honor those still living among us whose quick thinking, sacrifice, determination, and bravery saved countless lives and helped protect our city from future threats.

“First among them: Of the Old Town Precinct, Officers Dedrick Watley, Julia Navarre, and Filverel Falynn. Along with their fallen compatriots, these brave officers stepped forth when faced with the call of duty. Risking danger to life and limb, they helped quash a violent insurrection, and their actions at One Freemont Plaza aided in the elimination of a savage terrorist. For this, they will be awarded medals of exceptional merit. Officers? Please step forth.”

The three officers stepped or hobbled to the podium. The crowd cheered and clapped as the captain of the Old Town Precinct stepped forward to bestow each of them with their decorations. As the cheers subsided, they returned to their posts.

“Next,” said the chief. “From the Fifth Street Precinct. For their tenacious pursuit of their fellow officers in the gang-infested war zone that was the King’s Theater, for their enduring bravery in the face of armed opponents at One Freemont Plaza, and for their pivotal role in the elimination of the terrorist who sought to place our fine city under his thumb, it is my great pleasure to present Detectives Gordon Rodgers and Folton Quinto the prestigious Police Combat Cross. Please come forth, Detectives.”

Rodgers and Quinto shuffled past us to even greater applause. I caught Cairny’s beaming face in the crowd as Captain Knox stepped to the podium. The Captain shook each of the detective’s hands before draping a medal over their necks, a brilliant silver eight-pointed cross with golden trim.

Rodgers and Quinto took their positions behind us as the Captain continued his speech. “Also from the Fifth Street Precinct, a detective who has distinguished herself spectacularly in her first year of service, Shay Steele. For tenacity in the face of her kidnappers, for quick thinking and courage in the subduing of a dangerous escaped convict, and for exceptional bravery in the face of enemies both mortal and supernatural, it is my distinct honor to present her with the Department’s Medal of Valor. Detective?”

The chief looked back, and Shay stepped forth to thunderous applause. She dipped her head, and Captain Knox placed a six-pointed golden star over her neck. The Captain shook her hand, and the chief did the same, leaning over to whisper something into her ear. She nodded her head before returning to stand next to me.

My arm trembled even before the Captain continued. “And finally, another member of the Fifth Street Precinct’s finest. A twelve year member of the homicide division. A true champion of justice, Detective Jake Daggers. During the thirty-six hour window that encompassed the arrival of last week’s life-threatening cyclone and the terrorist and criminal acts that preceded it, this brave officer survived multiple attacks on his life. He doggedly pursued his partner’s kidnappers, defeating countless numbers of their ranks with his intellect, creativity, and physical skill. He single-handedly eliminated a creature most of us would’ve cowered before, helpless and afraid. Atop a fifteen story building, he braved supernatural winds and rains to help subdue the terrorist behind that night’s attacks. Because of his quick reflexes, he saved Mayor Greenburg from certain death. And along with his partner, Detective Steele, he personally saved the lives of me and my entire family. It is with the utmost gratitude and respect which I present to him the department’s highest accolade, the Medal of Honor. I can think of no one more deserving of it. Detective?”

With wobbly legs, I stepped forward. The crowd erupted in applause, clapping and cheering with even more force than they had for Steele, if that was possible. I dipped my head as Captain Knox placed the golden, twelve-pointed star over my neck, leaning into my ear as she shook my hand. “Congratulations, Detective. I couldn’t be prouder.”

“Thank you, Captain.” My legs felt a little stronger, and my heart beat a little steadier.

The chief shook my hand, too, leaning in as well. “My sincerest gratitude, Detective. I wouldn’t be here if not for the actions of you and your partner. This city owes you an immeasurable debt, as do I.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The cheers followed me as I returned to my post. The chief beckoned for silence once again with a raised hand. “Thank you. Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the officers and detectives behind me, all of our fallen brothers in arms, and every member of the fine New Welwic Police Department. Because of your actions, your bravery, and your relentless pursuit of what is right and true, this city remains a paragon of liberty, prosperity, and creation. Thank you, each and every one, for your service, and may the gods bless us all.”

Once again, the crowd erupted in applause, and this time I joined them in cheer.