Chapter Text
The Next Day
The hospital room was dim, the steady hum of machines filling the silence. Lucy lay on the bed, her head wrapped in fresh bandages, an IV line taped to her hand. The oxygen mask covered her face, her chest rising and falling in a shallow rhythm.
Across the room, Tim sat slouched on the sofa, his head tilted back against the wall. Exhaustion had finally caught up with him, his eyes closed in a restless nap.
A faint sound broke the quiet—a soft groan. Tim’s eyes snapped open. He turned sharply toward the bed. Lucy’s eyelids fluttered, her face tightening in pain as she slowly opened her eyes.
She looked around, disoriented, then down at herself—bandages, an IV, and the mask. Her hand trembled as she reached up, pulling the oxygen mask away.
Tim was already on his feet, moving fast. He slid into the chair beside her bed, leaning forward, his hand wrapping gently around hers, careful of the IV line.
Lucy’s voice was weak, barely above a whisper.
“Oscar…got away?”
Tim’s jaw tightened, his grip firming on his head. He hesitated for a beat and then leaned closer, his voice steady.
“Um, yeah. He’s gone…but we’ll catch him again, Lucy."
Lucy’s eyes widened, the weight of failure crashing down on her. She turned her head away as her jaw clenched and her breathing grew shallow.
Her eyes landed on the table next to her bed. With a sudden burst of anger, she snatched the glass, which was filled with water, and threw it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall, water spraying everywhere, the sound echoing in the room.
“DAMN IT—" Her voice cracked with frustration.
“I had ONE JOB—and I failed!" she continued.
Tim leaned forward
“Lucy, stop. You’re alive, and that’s what matters the most right now," he said.
“I could’ve lost you…" he continued as his voice cracked a bit.
Lucy’s rage immediately cooled down, shifting her attention towards Tim, who rarely showed his emotional side.
"Tim, come here."
Tim shifted his chair closer, almost beside the bed as lucy wrapped her arms around him, despite her hand IV-taped to her hand and hugged him warmly
“I’m sorry; I got carried away in rage."
Tim sobs as he clears his throat
“It’s fine, baby." He smiles, locking his eyes with Lucy.
Lucy smiles too and then lays down on the bed
“So, when am I getting discharged from the hospital?”
Tim gulps as he has something to say
“What happened, Tim? "You want to say something?" she says.
“Well, the IA is coming here to ask a few questions. You’re under investigation..."
Lucy couldn’t believe what Tim just said
“I’m under investigation for WHAT exactly?!”
“I have no idea, but they checked your bodycam and saw you shooting a guy in his shoulder and then kicking him off the vehicle, which made him roll down the road, and he ended up dying," he explained to Lucy.
“I was LITERALLY defending myself?! It was self-defense! That’s rubbish."
“I know—I know…but my hands are tied. I tried my best to question them why they are even investigating you in the first place...”
“Tim, you have to believ—"
The doors suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall. Both Tim and Lucy turned sharply.
A man in a dark suit walked in, his badge clipped on his belt. His presence was commanding; his expression was unreadable. There were two more uniformed officers behind him, but it was clear he was the one in charge.
Tim stood up instinctively, protective.
“You must be...”, He spoke.
The man stood at the foot of the bed. He looked serious and professional.
“Internal Affairs, Detective Nick Armstrong. I’m the one leading this investigation, and I need to speak to Sergeant Chen.”
Lucy’s jaw tightened, her body stiffening against the pillows
“Now? I just woke up?!”
Nick Armstrong’s gaze was cold and unwavering.
“Yes, NOW. This won’t wait."
Tim’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in his mind. He just didn’t know it yet, but Nick wasn’t here for Justice. He was on ??’s payroll, sent to make sure Lucy’s investigation cut deep.
“She just woke up. You’re not questioning her in this condition.”, Tim made it damn clear.
Nick’s gaze turned to Tim, cool and firm
“Sergeant Bradford, I would need you to step outside. This is Internal Affairs Business.”
“Not happening. She’s weak; she needs support. I’m staying.”
Nick gave a thin smile
“Fine. Better not interfere," Nick said.
Lucy’s grip on Tim’s hand tightened, her bandaged head throbbing as she braced herself. The tension in the room thickened—the officer from IA standing tall at the foot of her bed, Tim seated firmly at her side, refusing to move.
Nick Armstrong stood still, his tone clipped and professional
“Sergeant Chen, I’ve reviewed your bodycam footage. There are concerns about your use of force.
Lucy’s eyes narrowed, her voice weak but sharp.
“Concerns? I was defending myself. He would’ve killed me if I hadn’t acted.”
Nick gave a small nod, his expression unreadable
“That’s your perspective. But the bodycam shows you firing into a suspect’s shoulder, then kicking him off the vehicle. He rolled, and he died. Internal Affairs doesn’t take that lightly.”
Tim interrupted in between
“She was fighting for her LIFE!! You know damn well that’s self-defense. Stop with this bullshit."
Nick’s gaze flicked to Tim
“I remember telling you to NOT interrupt us, Sergeant Bradford.”
Tim stayed silent as Nick’s gaze flicked back towards Lucy.
“Self-defense or not, the optics are bad. The department has to protect itself. Which means this investigation will be thorough… and time-consuming," Nick said.
Lucy seemed clearly pissed with this decision
“That’s bullshit—the bodycam is the clear proof that shows I’m defending myself! This is unacceptable!!”
“I’m afraid IA doesn’t approve your methods of self-defense."
Lucy’s chest rose and fell faster, anger simmering beneath her exhaustion.
“So, what happens now?" Lucy said as she was close to crying.
Nick straightened, his words final.
“Effective immediately, you’re placed on administrative leave. You’ll be under watch until this is resolved. You are required to submit your duty belt and your weapon. No objections will be taken until something changes.”, Nick stated firmly.
Lucy’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face.
“You’re sidelining me?! For doing my job and trying to save my life?!”
Nick’s tone stayed cold.
“Cooperate and maybe this gets cleared. Resist and it gets worse.”
Nick continued.
“Duty belt and weapon," he asked.
Tim interrupted Nick Armstrong again.
“You’ll get her weapon once she’s stable enough. Not NOW. If you’re done with shit-talking, please get the fuck out.”
With that, Nick Armstrong turned and started walking out as the other two uniformed officers followed him out of the room.
The door shut behind him, leaving heavy silence.
Tim exhaled, his jaw tight, then turned back to Lucy. She tried to hold herself together, but the weight of it all crashed down. Her eyes welled, and she couldn’t stop the tears as they spilled over.
Tim then leaned closer, connecting their foreheads with each other
“Hey… it’s alright. I’m here," he assured her.
Lucy shook her head weakly, her voice breaking.
“I failed, Tim. And now they’re treating me like a criminal.”
Tim’s own chest ached at the sight, but he stayed steady and then kissed her forehead as he always used to whenever Lucy felt low.
“You didn’t fail. You survived. That’s what matters. We’ll fight this together. Got it?”
Tim continued
“I am so proud of you. I love you.”
Lucy then wiped her tears and then buried her face in Tim’s chest, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him closer as if she didn’t want him to leave.
“I love you too!! Please don’t leave me, Tim.”
“I would never." Tim assured as he kissed her head.
Lucy then immediately put her head on his lap and fell asleep
While At the Station
Lieutenant Wade Grey was arranging his stuff when he heard a knock on his cabin’s door. Grey turned and saw Nolan standing as he signalled him to come in.
“Heard Lucy’s being investigated?”, Nolan asked.
“Yeah, IA feels the way she tried to defend herself was too violent."
“That’s so stupid? She was just trying to save her life!”
“Nolan, I know. But it would be better if you stayed out of this mess. You don’t want to get involved in this.”
“I certainly do. Lucy’s my friend, and I should have accompanied her when she volunteered to escort Oscar.”
Grey walked to Nolan and put a hand on his shoulder
“Nolan, I get it. You care about her. But IA isn’t something you want to tangle with. They’ll drag you down with her if you’re not careful.”, Grey said.
“But I’m confused; she didn’t call me? I’m the union rep, so technically I should be there as per the rules.”
“Nolan, listen to me. Nick Armstrong is someone you don’t want to cross paths with. He bends rules, twists them, and somehow always lands on his feet. If he kept you out, it wasn’t by accident.”
“Nolan, I want you to keep your head clear and—"
Grey’s phone buzzed loudly on the desk. He frowned, picking up and glancing at the screen.
Grey sees it's Tim who’s calling and picks up
Call Conversation
Grey : Hey, everything alright? Has Lucy gotten up?
Tim : “She’s asleep, but things aren’t looking good.”
Grey : “What happened?"
Tim : Lucy’s been put on admin leave. Armstrong just left and said her duty weapon, belt, and badge have to be submitted immediately.
Grey : “What? That’s rubbish.”
Tim : “I clearly mentioned he won’t get it until she’s discharged from the hospital.”
Grey : "Ok...ok. Thanks, Tim. Take care of her.”
Grey hangs up slowly setting the phone aside
Grey froze, his hand tightening around the phone. For a moment, he was silent, processing the weight of it. His shoulders sagged slightly as he turned back towards Nolan.
“What happened, Sir?" Nolan asked.
Grey exhaled, rubbing his forehead before meeting Nolan’s eyes.
“Lucy has been put on administrative leave. Armstrong’s already have asked her to submit her duty belt, weapon, and badge. She’s under watch now.”
Nolan’s face hardened, disbelief flashing across his features.
“That’s insane. She defended herself, and now they are portraying her as if she’s the criminal.”
“Nolan, keep your head clear. We’ll talk about this once Lucy’s discharged and comes to station to submit her stuff.”
“Sure Sir.”
Grey turned back toward his desk, gathering a few files, when Nolan’s voice cut through the silence.
"Sir…can I visit Lucy?" he asked
Grey paused, his hand resting on a folder. He looked at Nolan for a long moment, weighing the risks, then finally nodded.
“Go. But try not to ask things about the investigation. You don’t want to drag yourself into that mess.”
Nolan gave a firm nod, determination in his eyes. He turned and walked out of Grey’s cabin, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Later that evening, Nolan pulled up outside the hospital. The headlights of the car cut across the pavement. As he parked. He sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, his mind racing with everything Grey had said to him. Then, with a deep breath, he stepped out of the car.
The hospital lobby was quiet, the faint sound of phones ringing behind the reception desk. Nolan walked up to the reception
“I’m here to see Sergeant Lucy Chen. Can you tell me her room number?”
The receptionist checked in the system, and then nodded
“Room 312, Third Floor.”
Nolan thanked her and headed towards the elevator. The ride up felt longer than it was, his mind repeating things Grey said to him. When the doors of the elevator slid open, he stepped into the hallway, scanning until he spotted Tim sitting on a sofa outside the room.
Nolan approached, frowning slightly
“Why are you out here? Shouldn’t you be inside with her?”
Tim lifted his head, exhaustion etched across his face. He shook it slowly.
“She doesn’t want to talk to anyone right now. Says whoever gets close or tries to talk to her will just get dragged into this mess and end up under IA’s watch too.”
Tim rubbed his forehead, his voice low and heavy
“She’s starting to feel guilty too. About shooting that guy. Keeps blaming herself.”
Nolan turned, glancing through the small window in the door. Inside, Lucy is lying on the bed, her back to the room, face hidden against the pillow. The sight hit him harder than expected.
“I’ll go see her. She needs to know she’s not alone; her friends got her back too."
Tim shook his head slightly, his voice low and heavy
“She won’t listen, Nolan. She’s convinced and drowning in guilt over that shooting.”
Nolan settled in, leaning back on the sofa.
“When is she getting discharged?”
Tim having his head down, replied
“Doctor said they’ll check her again. If she’s at a hundred percent, she’ll be discharged tonight…but only for home rest.”
Nolan leaned back, nodding slowly, his eyes drifting toward the door again.
“Home rest is better than nothing. At least she won’t be stuck here.”
The Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
Inside the lavish hotel suite, Oscar lounged back on the sofa, drink in hand, the city lights of downtown LA glowing through the tall windows. His phone buzzed. He smirked, answering casually.
“Armstrong, Is the job done?" he said while taking a sip from his drink
Nick’s voice came through the line
“Sergeant Lucy Chen is out of the path. Kept her aside from her policing duties. Put her on administrative leave; her badge, duty weapon and belt would soon be submitted at the station once she’s discharged from the hospital."
Oscar chuckled, swirling the glass in his hand
“That’s beautiful. Fewer eyes on me," he said.
“IA will keep her tangled up for weeks, maybe months.”
Oscar leaned forward, his grin widening
“You’ve done well, Nick. Keep her tangled in the investigation.”
“Consider it handled. Focus on staying quiet. Keep a low profile."
Oscar raised his glass toward the skyline, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
“To Lucy Chen…sidelined and out of our way.”
Oscar smirked as Nick’s voice faded from the line. He lowered the phone, cutting the call with a tap, the screen going dark. The city lights shimmered through the tall glass windows, casting a glow across the lavish hotel suite.
He rose from the sofa, drink still in his hand, and walked inside his suite.
Inside, sitting calmly, with a folder open on the table was ??. Oscar leaned against doorframe with a smile on his face
“Did it work?" ?? asked.
“I said Nick could do it. In the end, I’m helpful!" Oscar said.
?? closed the folder slowly, eyes narrowing with satisfaction. They leaned back in the chair.
“So, Lucy’s out of the way?”
Oscar stepped further into the room, setting his drink down on the table
“Nick, put her on administrative leave. By the time the IA’s investigation is over, we’ll be 5 steps ahead.”
“Good, clears a path for us. With her gone, the department’s focus shifts elsewhere. We can move forward without obstacles.”
The two shared a quiet, knowing look, the city skyline glowing behind them as their scheme tightened its grip.
“Who’s Next?”, Oscar asks.
?? slowly turned her head, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. No words followed, only silence, deliberate and heavy, leaving Oscar to read the answer in her expression.
A week passed
Things had changed a lot in Mid-Wilshire. One officer was missing, and it was affecting the rhythm of the division because they were missing their supervising sergeant. The absence left a gap that couldn’t be ignored.
Inside his cabin, Tim Bradford sat at his desk; word had spread Grey was stepping down as Lieutenant role to serve as Watch Commander until IA’s investigation reached its conclusion. That meant Tim was now the supervising sergeant, holding the line in Lucy’s absence.
Grey stepped into Tim’s cabin, closing the door behind him. His expression was serious.
“IA’s investigation is dragging and Lucy’s still sidelined. I am sure the investigation isn’t getting over anytime soon. Until this clears, we need someone to fill the gap. You’re acting as Supervising Sergeant but you can’t do it alone.”
“I can do it alone. I'm not weak," Tim said.
“Who said you’re weak? But. I can’t let you go alone on patrol. So better call up someone. Hell, call up Aaron.”
“HIM? Oh hell no. I rather go out alone.”
“That’s an order.”, Grey said as he walked out of the cabin.
Tim leaned back in his chair, exhaled, then picked up his phone. He scrolled to a familiar number and hit dial. The ring echoed in the quiet office until a voice answered.
“Sergeant Bradford? I wasn’t expecting a call from YOU," Aaron said.
“Things have shifted here. Lucy’s out on leave, and the team needs stability. You left Mid‑Wilshire for North Hollywood for your own reasons; I respected that. But right now, I need you back," he said.
“Woah, everything ok?" Aaron was surprised to hear.
“Long Story. Anyways, I expect you to report from today after lunch. Sounds Good?”
“Sounds Perfect.”, Aaron said.
Tim ended the call, setting the phone down with a firm nod.
Since A week had passed, Mid‑Wilshire was running differently. Lucy Chen’s absence left a hole; Grey had stepped down to watch the commander, and Tim Bradford was now the supervising sergeant. The division was under scrutiny—citizens doubting if the LAPD could still hold the line.
Grey stood in front of the Roll-call room even though he took Roll-call during the morning, his voice sharp and commanding.
“Alright, Listen Up. Crime doesn’t stop because we are short one Sergeant. We adapt and fight back. Officer Aaron Thorsen is re-integrated into Mid-Wilshire. He’ll be accompanying Sergeant Bradford today," Grey announced.
Aaron stepped forward, nodding to the room. Some officers exchanged glances, but there was a spark of energy that Aaron brought.
“I’m glad to be back at my home. And ready to help in any way my fellow officers and the city needs me to."
And with that Roll-call ended as Tim and Aaron rolled out on patrol in their shop. Nolan and Celina paired up, and the Detective Mom’s, Angela Lopez and Nyla Harper remained at the station.
Lucy was called back to the station for the NINETEENTH time in the same week. The endless questioning had worn her down; every visit felt like a trial. Every answer she gave felt like she was reading the same script. Across the table, Detective Nick Armstrong flipped through the thick folder chewing gum with a smirk
“Sergeant Chen, we meet again—well, you know the drill. ”, he said while chewing his gum
“Let me guess, you want to ask the same questions for investigation purposes?" she said exhaustedly.
“You’re starting to realize some real police work, Sergeant Chen. I’m impressed. Anyways, first question. Apart from shooting, Did you have any alternative weapons on you?" Nick questioned.
“I had my baton, my taser. But none of them would’ve stopped an armed suspect who was aiming to kill me.”
Armstrong leaned back in his chair, chewing his gum with exaggerated slowness. He tapped the folder with his pen, the smirk never fading.
“See, that’s the thing. IA wants to know if you considered those options. Whether you hesitated or not. Whether you went straight to lethal force.”
“I considered survival. I considered not dying. That’s what I considered.”
Armstrong chuckled
“Nineteen times, Chen. Nineteen times you’ve told me the same story. You’re consistent, I’ll give you that. But consistency doesn’t always mean innocence.”
“I just know you want to make me plead guilty.”
Armstrong leaned forward, close and whispered
“Well, you may be a sergeant, but you definitely think like a detective. I’ll give you that.”
Armstrong continued
“I guess we’ll meet again, Sergeant Chen. We wasted a lot of time today…so until next time."
With that, he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him. The room fell silent, leaving Lucy alone under the harsh glow of the single overhead light. The shadows stretched across the walls, pressing in on her.
She lowered her hands onto the table, then buried her face in them, shoulders trembling. Her voice came out in a whisper, cracked and raw.
“What the hell… I’m going to be stuck in these endless loops of investigation.”, she whispered to herself.
It was late evening, most officers ready to clock out, when Grey stepped out of the office and announced.
“Listen up. We’ve been assigned to a high‑profile security detail tonight. City officials and business leaders are gathering at the Civic Centre for a special event. Every unit is on guard duty—no exceptions," he said.
Tim exchanged a look with Aaron and Nolan with Celina. Lopez and Harper were already pulling up schematics of the venue. All of them were clearly tired, but they had no choice.
"Since you all look tired, I am allowing you all to be in plain clothes," he announced as he walked back in his cabin.
The Civic Center glowed under floodlights, guests mingling in suits and gowns. LAPD officers blended into the crowd, eyes scanning rooftops and alleys. Tim and Aaron patrolled near the entrance, Nolan and Celina covered the side streets, and Lopez and Harper monitored from a distance through their drones.
“Just when I thought it was going to be a normal day in LA…" Aaron spoke.
“Welcome back to Mid-Wilshire, Officer Thorsen." Tim patted on his back, mocking him.
“Timothy don’t be such an ass”, Angela spoke through the radio as all of them were plugged in.
“Well, did you know Nick called Lucy for the 19th time at the station for asking some questions and investigating?”, Nolan said on the radio while walking with Celina.
“I’m sorry, NINETEETH time? That’s crazy.”, Aaron said.
“Wasn’t able to call or message her today," Tim replied to Nolan
What they didn’t know across the street, on the roof of the office building, was Malvado, who was also called “The Watcher," was crouched low. His sniper rifle rested on the edge, scope trained on a state senator shaking hands with other members. His finger hovered over the trigger.
“Steady…" Malvado whispered as he scoped in.
A single crack split the night as the bullet ripped through the senator’s chest and dropped instantly, chaos erupting across the plaza. Screams filled the air as officers dived for cover.
Tim and Aaron ran towards the senator but realized it was too late. Meanwhile, Nyla scanned the surroundings with her drone, trying to find the direction the bullet came from.
“Tim! sniper, East Building. Rooftop," Nyla shouted through the radio.
Tim and Aaron spun toward the building. For a split second, they caught movement—a shadow shifting against the rooftop ledge. The glint of a rifle barrel flashed under the floodlights.
Without hesitation, Tim and Aaron broke into a sprint, weaving through panicked civilians as Nolan and Celina peeled off from the side street to flank the building. Lopez pulled out her Hellcat while Harper tracked the suspect while sitting in the passenger seat, voices sharp over the comms.
“I see some movement. Nolan and Celina call the airship and get the shops ready!”, Nyla commanded as Lopez made a drift to make a turn.
Malvado pulled back from the rooftop, rifle slung across his shoulder, boots pounding down the stairwell two steps at a time. He knew LAPD had eyes on him now. The hunt had begun.
Tim and Aaron burst through the lobby doors. The building echoed with footsteps above.
He’s heading towards the side exit—third floor," Aaron clearly breathless
“You get our shop while I chase him; DON’T BE LATE." Tim sprinted.
Malvado crashed through a side exit, shoving the door open into an open parking lot. Nolan and Celina, at that same moment, rolled up in front of him thanks to Nyla’s drone tracking. Malvado skidded and then jumped into a dumpster, sprinting deeper into the maze of alleys.
“Stop, LAPD," were Nolan’s words until Malvado jumped.
Tim burst through the door as he asked them both
“Where did he go?! ” he asked, breathing heavily.
“He jumped down in the dumpster, Sir.”, Nolan said.
Tim immediately looked down to see Malvado running away and, without any second thought, jumped from the 3rd floor into the dumpster and immediately got out of it to chase him.
"Nolan and Celina, get your ASS back in the shop and try to cut him off," Tim screamed on his radio while chasing Malvado.
“Tim, we are 3 blocks away. He’s purposely going through small routes where our vehicles can’t reach. Nyla said.
“I’m on him; just keep me posted where he’s going," Tim said.
“He’s heading towards Subway station!”, Nyla guided Tim.
Malvado vaulted a fence into a crowded street market. Stalls collapsed as he shoved through, scattering fruit and crates, sending civilians screaming. Tim followed, hurdling debris, his boots pounding against asphalt. Aaron was right behind him, breathing ragged but determined.
Then cut into the Metro entrance, sliding down the escalator rail. Tim didn’t hesitate—he dove after him, sprinting through startled commuters. Malvado vaulted the turnstiles, sprinting down the platform as a train screeched in.
Tim lost him in the crowd as he pushed the earpiece.
“Nyla? Where did he go?! Do I have to board the Subway?”, Tim asked in a rush.
“Wait, don’t board the subway. I’m finding it.”, Nyla was assessing where Malvado disappeared.
Nyla then saw Malvado disguising himself by wearing a clown cap and boarding the subway as Angela glanced at the computer screen too.
"Tim," Nyla said.
“WHAT? SPEAK UP?!" Tim was furious
“Board the FUCKING Subway," Angela screamed as she glanced at Nyla with her angry eyes for the lack of communication.
Tim immediately turned as he saw the Subway taking off and he started running side by side and then jumped on the backdoor, which was locked until he saw the subway assistant sitting infront of him
“Open the door, please," Tim said softly through the glass.
The assistant was too shocked to react until Tim repeated again.
“Miss, Open. The. Door.”, Tim said this time with seriousness.
The assistant got up from her seat, still shocked, and opened the door.
“Safety Protocols," as he made his way through the subway.
“Can you track him?" Tim asked.
“I am not able to track him. But he did wear a clown-themed cap. Try to look for it.”, Nyla said.
As Tim moved forward, he saw a bunch of guys in clown costumes.
“There are like 20 people in a goofy clown costume. "What do you want me to do?" Tim said.
Tim made his way through trying to find Malvado.
"I can't find him. "Can you see him?" Tim asked before the subway started to slow down.
The train slowed at the next stop. Malvado smashed through the opposite doors, sprinting into the tunnels. Tim followed, leaping onto the tracks. A train roared past, sparks flying, the steel screaming inches from his body. He rolled and came up running, eyes locked on Malvado.
Tim immediately spotted him and made his way out of the subway
Malvado scrambled up a maintenance ladder, bursting onto street level. Tim was seconds behind, emerging into another alley. Nolan and Celina cut in from the side street, trying to box him in.
“We’ve got eyes on him—east side alley!”, Nolan said on the radio.
“Do Not Lose Him, I repeat!" Tim ran like he was running for his life.
Malvado immediately saw Nolan and Celina trying to box him and held himself for a second until he grabbed a random guy’s bike by knocking him on the ground hard as Malvado swung on the seat, kicking in the first gear and revving the engine and speeding away.
As Tim got up to the street level, he saw Malvado fading away from him until Aaron pulled up on his sports bike
“Hop on, Sergeant Bradford!!! COME ON," he said through his helmet as they chased him
Tim didn’t hesitate. He swung onto the back, gripping tight as Aaron gunned the throttle. The bike surged forward, weaving through traffic, headlights slicing the dark. Malvado was ahead, still speeding furiously on the stolen bike, but Aaron closed the distance fast.
Tim crouched low, as if ready to jump
“What the hell are you doing Sergeant Bradford?!”, Aaron screamed while trying to close in on the gap.
“Getting ready to jump—now Shut the FUCK UP," Tim said, almost on the verge of losing it.
“With all due respect Lucy would kill me!" Aaron was concerned more about what would happen afterwards than the present.
“Not if you snitch on me," Tim said.
Aaron leaned hard into a turn, the sports bike screaming as it ate up the gap. Malvado glanced back, panic flashing across his face. He tried to swerve, but Aaron matched every move, closing in like a predator.
Tim rose slightly from the seat, timing it perfectly. As Aaron pulled alongside, Tim launched himself off the sports bike, slamming into Malvado mid‑stride. The stolen bike wobbled, then crashed, sending both men sprawling across the pavement
Both of them were bleeding as the concrete made contact with their skin.
Tim was lying on the sidewalk while Malvado fell near the streetlight.
Aaron immediately stopped the bike and ran towards Tim while in his mind he kept saying “Im so dead” “Lucy’s going to kill me” in a loop.
“Sergeant Bradford, are you ok? ”Aaron picks him up as he sees a lot of bruises around his arm.
“We need to get you to the hospital," Aaron continued.
While Nolan, Celina, Nyla, and Angela pulled up to the scene. Nolan and Celina cuffed Malvado and threw him in back of the shop and then came to check up on Tim
“That was one hell of a chase.”, Nolan is grinning, shaking his head.
“Did you watch any James Bond movies last night, Timothy?" Angela smiled and looked at Nyla.
"I—I am sorry, Tim. For the lack of communication.”, Nyla apologized.
“It happens. Just don’t make me do this stuff next time. This shit hurts. I don’t know how they do it in movies," Tim said as he walked towards the shop limping.
Back at the Station
Malvado was taken into the interrogation room as Detective Nyla and Angela both started to question him. Malvado didn’t speak a word. He just sat there calm and composed.
Angela pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down, sliding a file onto the table with a sharp tag. While Nyla was leaning against the wall, her eyes locked on Malvado.
“Let’s make this easy”, Angela started the conversation.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about”, Malvado smiled.
“Give us the name.”, Nyla said while leaning on the wall.
Malvado didn’t answer.
Nyla stepped forward placing her both hands on the table
“You just took a shot at the city official," she said.
“I want a lawyer.”, Malvado asked.
“Of course you do.”, Angela stuttered.
Angela and Nyla looked at each other with grumpy faces and then left the room annoyed.
Outside the Room, Angela ran a hand through her hair.
“He knew exactly when to shut the fuck up," she said.
Before Nyla could answer, there were footsteps behind them. As they turned to see who it was...
"You've got to be kidding me.”, Nyla said.
“Oh, Detectives…did you miss me?”, Monica said with a smile on her face.
“Also, did you try to force my client to answer the questions he isn’t supposed to answer?”
Angela’s expression hardened instantly.
“As expected.”, Monica said.
She had a small, polite smile, completely unfazed.
“I’m efficient unlike some people who forget the basic procedure.”, Monica continued.
Nyla crossed her arms
“He asked for a lawyer. We stopped. DON’T start twisting this. ”,
“Well, good. Then we won’t have a problem.”
With that Monica made her way in the interrogation room shutting the door behind her.
Malvado heard the door opening and saw Monica enter
“What took you so long?”, Malvado leaned back in his chair with his hands cuffed.
“I had to make sure everything was aligned.”, Monica replied.
Monica put her bag on the table as she sat in front of Malvado.
“Did you say anything?", she asked.
“No. Didn’t give them a name or any details," he replied.
“Good.”
She studied him for a second, then continued
“From this point, you don’t speak unless I tell you to. Not to them. Not to anyone.”
“I know that," he replied.
“Was it clean?" she asked.
“I don’t know. Nyla must have seen me through her drone. I’m not sure. But since I was chasing, they must have figured out.”, Malvado said.
Monica didn’t react right away. She had doubt in her eyes and a slight shift in her posture.
“You might have been seen," she said.
“So what? This goes bad?”, Malvado asked.
"No, but it changes the approach.”
“If this goes to court, I’ll try to reduce the damage. Sentence gets down to something manageable.”
“Does that sound good news to you?”, Malvado said.
“The real good news is that I can try to remove the evidence present. Witnesses, drone footage, and cctv recordings.”
“And if it doesn’t happen?" Malvado asked as he shifted his posture.
“You take the hit. It’s your fault for making a mess. Monica replied.
“But you need to keep your mouth SHUT. So the rest of things don’t fall apart.”, Monica said.
“So I need to sit in a cell while you try to clean it up?”
“Yes, that’s the only option you have right now.”
“But are you sure you can do this?”, Malvado questioned.
“I can’t promise you. But I’ll try my best.”
With that, Monica grabbed her back and got up from her chair, walking out of the interrogation room.
As she walked out she saw Angela and Nyla sitting outside chit-chatting
“He’s all yours, Detectives. Have a good night."
Monica had a smile on her face, which made Angela and Nyla look at each other.
“What was she so happy about? ”,
Nyla asked as she told the officers to take Malvado into the holding cell while they were ready to clock out.
“Well, I’m tired. I'm going to have a nice shower when I get home and then just binge-watch the new series, and...if you want, you and James can come over too!”
“Well, that’s kind of you. But—"
Angela interrupted Nyla
“Well, let me correct myself. I wasn’t asking you. You both ARE coming. Angela smiles as they both grab their stuff from their desks.
Tim’s House
The engine of Tim’s pickup truck rumbled low as he pulled into the driveway, headlights cutting across the quiet street before going dark. For a moment, he just sat there in silence, hands resting on the steering wheel, the weight of the day still clinging on him
Then he exhaled deeply and stepped out, shutting the door of his pickup truck.
He pulled out the keys from his pocket, unlocking the front door. He knew Lucy was at home but kept the keys because he didn’t want to disturb her.
The house was too quiet.
He stepped in, immediately slipping off his shoes near the entrance. His bag dropped onto the side table as he ran a hand over the back of his neck, still feeling pain after he jumped off Aaron’s bike to tackle Malvado.
"Lucy?" he called out, not too loud.
No answer, but he saw the soft glow of the Television flickered from the living room.
Tim walked in slowly, and there she was.
Curled up on the couch with a blanket pulled over her legs, eyes fixed on the television. Even though she wasn’t watching. Her exhaustion was visible.
Tim felt sad seeing her in that situation before he tried calming himself and sitting down right beside her on the couch.
Lucy didn’t look at him immediately, as her eyes were glued to the television’s screen, watching Top Chef's latest episode.
“You’re watching Top Chef without me? ”, Tim tried to lift up her mood.
But all that came back was a murmured reply
“You’re late," she said.
"Yeah…had some work at the station," he replied, keeping his voice low.
Then, he reached over and put his arm around her shoulder, slowly pulling her closer to him. Lucy didn’t pull away.
“Did my Boo eat?”
“I wasn’t hungry," she replied.
“That’s not optional. The doctor said you need to eat to keep yourself healthy," Tim replied.
“You’re not my Watch Commander right now Tim.”, she let out a weak huff.
“You went in again today," he said.
“Nineteenth time…same questions, same room," her voice cracked.
Tim pulled her even closer, and Lucy finally wrapped her arms around him
“Hey…you didn’t do anything wrong, ok?" he assured her.
“Then why does it feel like I did...Tim?" she whispered.
Tim didn’t have an answer for that
“I missed you today. A lot."
Lucy said as she no longer wanted to watch television and buried her head in Tim’s chest as if hiding her face, feeling ashamed.
“I missed you too! I’m sorry I couldn’t call you or text you," he apologized.
“No, it's fine. You were doing your job. I get it," she replied.
“You want me to make you Veggie Burgers?”, Tim asked her.
Lucy pulled her head out and looking at him
"Seriously?" she asked as she couldn’t believe it.
“I mean, yeah? If that lifts your mood and makes you feel happy! At last I want to see a smile on my boo’s face”, he smiled.
"Ah, no, you just came home all tired...let it be," she said.
“Hey—I'm not tired, ok?" Tim said.
A small smile was visible on her face, which Tim noticed immediately
“There you are! My baby!", Tim smiled too.
Lucy rolled her eyes, but her smile stayed.
“Don’t make it a big deal," she said.
“I have been waiting for a week for that," Tim said.
Lucy shifted closer again resting her head against his big bulky shoulder and this time fully leaning in
“You better start making those Veggie Burgers or you’re sleeping on the couch.”, Lucy said with a laugh
Tim made a goofy face to pretend he was shocked to hear that
“Uh-huh, you weren’t in a mood to eat and now you're already commanding me? So rude…" Tim said with a smile too
Lucy laughed, her hand finding his, fingers intertwining.
“So, how many bruises are you hiding under those sleeves?”, Lucy asked.
“What are you talking about? What bruises?” Tim asked, trying to play it off.
Lucy tilted her head slightly, unimpressed.
“Well, stop hiding it from me, okay?”, she said.
"Aaron called me. He Said you jumped off his bike onto Malvado just to tackle him…", Lucy said that with a smile on her face.
Tim's eyes widened.
“That son of a bi—”
Lucy quickly pressed her hand over his mouth, cutting him off.
"Uh-uh...don't you dare. I'm glad he called me", she said, keeping her hand intact on her mouth.
Her expression softened as she looked at him again
"Someone had to make sure you're okay since I'm not there..", Lucy pulled her hand back from his mouth, still smiling.
Tim's expression softened too as he watched Top Chef's episode with her, running a hand through her hair, calming her down.
“Feeling better?" he asked.
"...yeah," she said.
“I love you, Tim", she said as she looked up, locking her eyes with him.
“I love you too”, Tim said with a soft smile
Then Tim leaned in slowly as their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. Lucy’s hand came up, resting slightly on his cheek.
When they pulled back, their foreheads rested together for a moment, and Tim then gave her a head kiss.
Meanwhile
Monica stood near the window, standing outside of her car, the city lights reflecting faintly in her eyes as she called Oscar
“Malvado completed the task but couldn’t keep it clean. He may be in prison for a couple of years," she said.
Oscar let out a quiet, unimpressed exhale
“Well, I guess we don’t need him anymore.”, Oscar said it casually.
Monica’s expression didn’t change but her tone sharpened slightly
“So, you want to just cut him loose?”, she asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? If he keeps working with us, he’ll be a liability."
“Or he knows how LAPD is operating right now," she said.
“That’s not exactly the kind of asset I trust.”
Monica exhaled softly.
"...Fine," she said.
“Find a way to quiet him.”, Oscar said as he hung up the phone.
Oscar turned and walked out of the suite’s balcony area, stepping into the main hall.
The lights were dimmer. As ?? was sitting on her chair at the table, flipping through without urgency with her back faced towards Oscar.
“Malvado’s in custody. Did the job but got sloppy," he said.
“So, do we keep him in play or cut him loose?”, he asked.
?? closed the file
“Obviously not. Loose ends get tied off", ?? added.
“Already figured you would say that."
The chair creaked softly as it turned.
?? was facing him. Her face buried in shadow.
?? stepped forward out of the shadows, going towards the window to admire the night view.
“Malvado served his purpose.”, ?? said calmly.
The glass reflected the room behind her. The outline of the face, the tilt of the head, the faint curve of a smile.
“So, what’s the plan?”, Oscar asked who was standing behind.
“I think it’s time we brought in someone…who is more reliable," ?? replied.
?? continued.
“And I already have someone in my mind…”
The reflection sharpened slightly after leaning closer to the glass.
Revealing the cold eyes, curve of her devil smile, and face outline of the Most Wanted and The Silent Controller of the project.
Rosalind Dyer
Her smile deepened after saying that, looking at Oscar through the reflection.