Blaze groaned when he came into work and the graveyard watch commander told him that Tony had called in sick.
“You’ll have to stay indoors and play WC for the day.”
You should have insisted on bringing Tony to work. Being a watch commander with a hangover is the perfect punishment for someone stupid enough to get drunk when they have to work the next day.
Everyone knew that he wasn’t an ‘inside’ kind of guy. He liked to be out, about, and available, in case the troops needed him.
“Oh, and Bender and Price are already on their way with Ferrari from RHD to interview the gal who owned the car that hit Sinclair, so you’ll be down a unit—at least for part of this morning.”
He took a sip of his coffee. “Swell.” He grabbed the notebook labeled ‘Rotator.’ “Got any more good news for me before I head to roll call?”
“Wasn’t that enough?”
A half hour later, Blaze was back downstairs and performing the duties as the watch commander.
“Amanda, I realize you have that project you’re working on for the captain, but I need you to be available to go out in the field, if needed.”
“I figured as much,” she said. “I hope whatever Tony has isn’t contagious. We’re going to Vegas on my days off.”
“I’m sure there’s no reason for you to worry.”
“Good. I’ll close the door to work on the project, but I’ll listen up on the radio for any supervisor requests.”
One of the officers working the front desk came and stood in front of him.
Blaze looked up. “What’s up?”
“I’ve got a lady on the phone who wants to talk to someone in charge.”
“And so it begins.” He sighed. “What line is she on?”
“Two,” the officer yelled over his shoulder as he returned to the front lobby.
“Devonshire Watch Commander. Sergeant McKenzie. How can I help you?”
“Last night I was driving home, and there was a truck stopped at a red light. The driver didn’t have his foot on the brakes, or his taillights were out because I accidentally hit him.”
“Did anyone get injured?”
“I got a cut on my forehead, but neither of us was seriously hurt.”
“Did you exchange info with the other driver?”
“Yes, I did—”
“Okay, then turn that information over to your insurance company—”
“I know that!”
“Then how can I help you?”
“Because the guy I ran into identified himself as a cop. He showed me an ID card or something. I’m calling because I think he was drunk.”
Blaze slumped a little in his chair. “What makes you say that?”
“He reeked of alcohol. When I asked him about it, he said that he works in the vice office, and they were working in a bar, and someone spilled a drink on him.”
A typical cop story to prevent getting into trouble.
“That’s why I’m checking. I want to know if this guy is legit and works in the vice office.”
“Did you get the officer’s name and information?”
“Yes. His name is Tony Mancuso.”