Chapter Text
Viktor Nikiforov loved his job. He was good at it, if the awards he had plastered all over his walls and key to the city had anything to say about it. There was not a case that he hadn’t been able to solve during his time as lead detective.
So, he didn’t understand why he couldn’t solve his current case. Viktor had completely devoted himself to finding Cao Bin, a politician who had gone missing six months ago, and still didn’t have a single lead to go by.
He knew that it was only a matter of time before the chief told him to put the case to the side and focus on something else, but he couldn’t let it go.
Makkachin whined and pawed at his feet. “In a minute, Makka.”
There must have been something he overlooked. At least, that’s what people have been speculating.
The news had reported on his failure more often now that the rumor had gone around that Bin was probably dead and it didn’t help that the case was more than likely going to turn cold if Viktor didn’t find any new evidence soon.
“Come on , Viktor. You’re better than this,” He muttered to himself. “Find something.”
But there was nothing and when another two weeks had passed, Yakov had grown tired.
Viktor tried to speak the moment his boss walked into his office, but Yakov held a hand up to silence him. “I know that you’re going to give me your excuses or your pleas to let you continue, but I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“I haven’t failed on a case, yet,” Viktor said. “I just need more time.”
“With all due respect, Detective Nikiforov, you’ve had time and we can’t afford to let our lead detective focus all of his attention on someone who may be dead,” Yakov grunted. When he saw the look on Viktor’s face, his voice softened. “I understand that it’s hard, it was hard for me when I failed on my first case, too. It haunted me for years, but I also understood that I had to let it go.”
“Time,” Viktor begged. “Just a few more weeks. Please . If I don’t find any leads by then, then I’ll let the case go.”
Yakov frowned, but nodded. “You have till the end of the month, Nikiforov.”
The next few weeks came and went. With every passing day, Viktor became more frantic and worried that he wouldn’t find anything. He went through the files at least three times each day, he pretty much had them memorized. In an act of desperation, Viktor even went out to talk to Yuri, his informant, who might have seen something or someone. But, there was nothing.
When the first of the month came, he was empty handed. Viktor knew that Yakov would be knocking on his office door at any moment.
He looked at his badge and sighed. Maybe this wasn’t the job for him. Sure, he had done well in his career so far, but how long was that going to last? Obviously not for long.
The knock on his door was expected, but it still sent chills down his spine. “Come in.”
Yakov came in and closed the door. “Viktor.”
He sighed, it was never good when Yakov used his first name. “I know what you’re going to say.”
Yakov raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you’ll finally let it go?”
Viktor didn’t want to let it go. No , he couldn’t let it go, but there was no way that he could tell Yakov that. Instead he hummed and pushed the file away from him. “I didn’t solve the case.”
“I know,” Yakov grunted. Of course he knew, Viktor was just buying himself time to think about his next step. “I’m going to declare that the case is cold later today. I want you there with me.”
“What for? So everyone could witness my failure in real time?” Viktor scoffed.
“That wasn’t me asking you, Detective. You were the lead on this case and it’s your duty to face the public, whether it’s a victory or not.”
Viktor looked away, ashamed. He knew that Yakov had a point, but it was still too difficult to accept.
“Look, everyone has cases like these,” Yakov said in a softer tone. “I remember my first. I was heartbroken and my pride had taken a serious hit. Not to mention I had let a family down, but we have to be made of steel for this job. This happens sometimes, you were just lucky that it didn’t happen sooner.”
“I wasn’t lucky,” Viktor said through gritted teeth. “I was good at my job.”
He saw Yakov shake his head in disappointment from the corner of his eye. “Viktor, you are good at your job. Please don’t let pride be your downfall.”
“I-
Yakov raised a hand to stop him. “After the press conference, I want you to take the weekend off. Detective Popovich can handle the cases I had set aside for you.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Viktor said.
“I do and since I make the rules around here, it’s best that you listen to me,” Yakov said. “The conference is in two hours. Be ready.”
When the door slammed shut, Viktor let his head fall to his desk. He didn’t want to face the relentless press, who had already been putting out articles about his failure, he didn’t want to take the weekend off, and most importantly….
Most importantly, he didn’t know if he could let it go.
He let out a sigh and pulled the file back in front of him. It took everything he had not to flip it open.
***
The files had piled on his desk, along with the various news papers he had his partner smuggle into his office. He knew what they all said, knew that everyone had unanimously agreed that he had failed. Yakov scolded him about reading that type of junk, but he didn’t need to read it. Viktor already knew what everyone was saying about him. He felt it.
Even if he didn’t pay attention to the news media, he could hear the whispers around the station. The mighty had fallen. Viktor Nikiforov had finally failed.
He tried busying himself with the small cases that Yakov had assigned him and Georgi, but his mind kept drifting back to the Bin case. It always did and it had started interfering with his new cases. Georgi had taken the lead on them, even though they were the type of cases that Viktor had handled for years before.
Everything was falling apart, and Viktor knew it was completely his own fault. He should have been able to find Cao Bin, he should have been able to shake it off when he didn’t and he should have been able to leave it be so he could continue to do his job at the best of his abilities. Viktor owed that to himself, his co-workers and the citizens in his district.
Which was why he had to proceed with what he was about to do.
He knocked sharply on Yakov’s door before the old man gave him permission to enter. Viktor put his fist in his pocket as he walked in, his hand clenched more with every step. Yakov didn’t look up from his paperwork, but still raised an eyebrow. “Detective Nikiforov, what do you need?”
“I resign.”
Yakov’s head shot up. “What do you mean you resign?”
“I quit,” Viktor said and pulled his badge out of his coat pocket. The metal felt warm, almost hot, in his hand. “I don’t want this position anymore.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Nikiforov,” Yakov barked. “What is this about? That damned Bin case? I thought you were over it.”
“Of course it is,” Viktor muttered. He put the badge down on the desk. “It’s always going to be about that case. People are still talking about it, I’ve lost my reputation. How could I be over it?”
“I told you not to make it about pride.”
Viktor frowned, “It’s not just pride, Yakov. I can’t stop thinking about it. Something is off. I should have been able to solve it and now I’m second guessing myself with every other case I get. I keep drifting back to that case.”
“It’s closed, Viktor,” Yakov said. “You’re a better detective than this.”
“I’m sorry,” Viktor said. He pulled his gun off his hip and placed it on Yakov’s desk, next to his badge.
“You’re being unprofessional,” Yakov glared. “What about your partner? This is the type of selfish behavior that I’d expect from a Rookie.”
“It’s been nice working for you, Yakov,” He said instead, though what his old boss had said had hurt. Viktor walked out of the office, but stopped in the hallway. He turned back, “Goodbye, old man.”
“VIKTOR.”
Viktor walked down the hallway.
“ VIKTOR NIKIFOROV, GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW.”
He had quit. He would go home, feed Makkachin, order takeout and watch a whole series on Netflix. No Cao Bin, no Yakov, no looks of disappointment.
Well, there’d be disappointment from himself, but…
Viktor could be free.
He could.