by Jon Chaisson
*
“Johnson?”
Caren looked up from reading the Nehalé Usarai report, the voice unexpected. Chief Inspector Farraway stood in the doorway, arms crossed and his right shoulder leaning against the frame. He looked alive and rested, far from the overly stressed version of the man she’d seen just days ago. He was smiling, a tender, fatherly smile he’d shared with her since she was a young cadet, introduced by her parents. She frowned…something was up.
“Hey, chief,” she waved. “Come on in. What brings you out of your cage?”
“The first hour of peace I’ve had in the last two days,” he said, shaking his head. “How are things?”
“Things are good, sir,” she nodded, gesturing with her vidmat tablet. “Reading up on Nick and Sheila’s report. Just want to familiarize myself with it.”
He hummed in response, and looked away. “Listen…” he started. “I…uh…” He stopped, his smile fading. He pushed heavily off the door frame and crossed the room, dropping into Poe’s chair. “Listen,” he said again, his voice much quieter. “Is everything all right with you?”
Caren frowned. Odd question… “As well as can be, sir. Stressed out, but nothing out of the normal. Why do you ask?”
“I…” he sighed, and let out a pathetic laugh. “I apologize...I’ll be straight with you, I’m concerned about you and your team. When someone spiritually awakens half the Sprawl, you start thinking less about the numbers, and more about the fallout. No problems with Denni?”
She sat up and placed both hands flat on the desk, facing him directly. “What is this really about, sir?” she asked slowly.
Farraway knew he couldn’t avoid the subject any further, and looked her straight in the eyes. “I’m worried about you,” he said. “And that the ritual may have triggered some not-so-pleasant memories.”
She pursed her lips and hid her anger. “None that I know of,” she said warily. “Denni’s okay…everything’s fine.”
That answer appeased him. A smile took its time crossing his face, his head still hung low. He was gripping his hands tightly. “That’s good to hear,” he said. Finally, he pushed himself up and headed back to the door, only to stop a second later. The joviality had completely left his face. “That shockwave hit a hell of a lot of people in our city, Caren. I know it reached all the way up your end of town. I’m concerned about the two of you.”
Caren remained aloof. “Really, sir. All is fine. Poe’s grumpy as hell and I’ve been biting people’s heads off, but you know how we get when we’re overtired. All’s well, sir.”
Farraway nodded. “That’s good to hear,” he said. “You guys have kicked ass the last few days, don’t think I haven’t noticed. Thanks, I definitely appreciate it.”
The compliment took her off guard. “You’re welcome, sir,” she said with a blush.
He shook his head at her. “Come on, Caren, stop with the ‘sir’ already. I’ve known you since you were a kid. ‘Dylan’ is good enough.”
Like that would ever happen! “Sure thing, sir,” she winked at him.
He laughed, waving as he left.
