Josie led Chloe out to the lobby where the girl met with her mother.
“Price, come on.”
Bender was behind the front desk, and he waved an overtime slip in the air at her.
She didn’t know what to do. She was sure the teen was referring to herself when she asked about blackmail. But Josie didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, in case she was wrong.
The desk officer pushed a button releasing the lock in the door between the lobby and the restricted part of the station, so she could enter without using her key.
Bender was in his street clothes and pacing behind the front desk. While he’d be the logical person to go to for advice, he was so agitated by working OT, it was obvious he just wanted to get going.
“Geez, what were you two doing in the bathroom? Knitting potholders?”
Not waiting for her response, he handed her the green overtime slip. “I’ve filled it out for you. All you need to do is sign it and give it to the watch commander. I brought in the equipment from the car. Your war bag and clipboard are outside of the kit room.”
She nodded.
“I’m taking off. Complete the Daily Field Activity Report and turn it in to the WC along with your OT slip. If you have a problem completing the log, bring it up here to Officer Slater. He’ll help you out. Won’t you, bro?”
Slater glared at Bender. “Yeah, you go home and collect your P-3 pay. In the meantime, I’ll finish training your probationer. Don’t overwork yourself,” he said, sneering.
“Relax. She’s pretty sharp. I doubt she’ll come to you with any problems.”
Bender glanced at her. “See ya tomorrow, Price.” He turned and walked toward the empty administrative offices.
“He’s going that way so the watch commander won’t catch him leaving,” Slater said. “What a jerk. I’m sorry you’re assigned to work with him.”
She looked at the desk officer and smiled. “I think I’ll be okay with the DFAR.”
He shrugged. “I was just giving him a hard time. If you have questions, bring your log to me. We’ll get it done.”
“Thanks.”
As she walked back to the kit room to retrieve her clipboard with their daily field activity report, she suddenly knew who she could call about Chloe.