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John Nolan enters the Mid-Wilshire Police Station excited for his first day as a police officer. Six months ago, he made the brave (though some would say foolish) choice to change his career midway through life. He knows being the oldest rookie in the entire LAPD won’t be easy, but he believes he has found his calling.
The transition was made easier by his college buddy Ben inviting him to live with him while he attended the police academy. On the first day he made quick friends with fellow cadets Jackson West and Katie Barnes. The three of them not only helped each other through academy training, but also hung out regularly during their free time. Allowing John to get more comfortable in his new environment. He’s grateful all three of them will be doing their field training together.
He walks through the doors and begins searching for the locker room to change into his uniform. While he considers stopping someone to ask for directions, he notices a gorgeous woman with rich dark hair, honey colored skin, warm brown eyes, and a genuine bright smile as she laughs at something the man walking next to her is saying. The man is equally as handsome. Almost as tall as John, but with a decidedly more fit frame and slightly darker blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. He knows this is Los Angeles and people here are ridiculously attractive, but he’s beginning to wonder if he accidentally walked into a modeling agency instead of a police station.
He must have been staring too long because the man glares at him.
“What are you looking at, Boot?”
John fumbles for his words. “I was looking for the locker rooms… sir.” Noticing the three stripes on the man’s shoulders he quickly amends. “Sergeant…” Looking once more at the man’s name plate he adds “...Bradford.” He winces as he finishes awkwardly.
Sergeant Bradford scrutinizes him with his steely gaze before making a decision. “First, you need to present yourself to the Captain. Then you can change out for roll call.”
John is about to ask where he can find the Captain when the woman scoffs as she playfully hits Sergeant Bradford on the chest. “Ignore him. He’s just trying to prank you. The Captain will meet you when she wants to.” Pointing towards the direction behind them, she adds “Locker rooms are that way. I’m Officer Chen. One of the training officers.”
“Thank you.” As he passes by them, he overhears Sergeant Bradford saying “You’re taking away all my fun messing with the rookies, Lucy. You know how much I love this day.”
“Yeah, and you’re going to be late for roll call if you spend all your time scaring the new recruits. Then Sergeant Grey will bust you back down to P1.”
Nolan turns back to watch them as they continue down the hallway. He hopes he’ll be lucky enough to get Officer Chen as his training officer.
***
Luck is not on his side apparently. After cracking a few jokes about John’s age, Sergeant Grey hands out the rookie assignments. Jackson will be paired with Officer Lopez while Officer Chen will be Katie’s training officer.
“As for Officer Nolan, we have a new officer transferring to the department next month. Detective Harper will be your training officer when she arrives. If you’re still around by then. In the meantime, Sergeant Bradford has offered his expertise. Before his promotion he had eleven rookies wash out of the program. Good luck.” Sergeant Grey adds with a smirk.
In addition to mocking him at roll call, Sergeant Grey also keeps him back to make it known in no uncertain terms that Grey doesn’t want him at his station or even in the program. He’s not surprised by the man’s opinions. He’s certainly heard it all before. But John is also determined to finish his training and become a full fledged police officer. Nothing will stop him.
Though he might be second guessing that when he sees Sergeant Bradford waiting for him. Arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Without a word, he walks towards the body camera station expecting John to follow which he quickly does. Handing him a camera, Bradford clips his own on. “Grab our war bags and meet me at the garage.” He leaves without telling John where the garage is.
Thankfully the kit room is right next to the body camera station or else he’d have to ask for directions again. Officer Chen is signing out the gear as she introduces Katie to Officer McGrady. They are having a pleasant conversation as John steps up to get his and Officer Bradford’s gear.
Officer Chen must notice the overwhelmed expression on his face because she tells him “I know Sergeant Bradford seems scary, but trust me he has good heart. He wants to make sure he trains only the best officers, and he does. I know because he trained me.” She adds with a satisfied smile and an almost dance like twist of her body.
Maybe she can help him survive his training. “Any tips for getting on his good side?”
“Yeah, don’t expect it to happen anytime soon.”
“How long did it take you?”
“About a month, but then again I’ve always been the exception with him and not the rule.” She’s clearly pleased with this fact.
“Great.” He says without emotion. “Sergeant Grey said he’ll only be my training officer for a month.” He doesn’t stand a chance.
“Look, just do your job at the absolute best level you can. If you mess up, he’ll certainly let you know. He’s getting better at giving praise, but don’t expect too much.” She assures him before pausing to add. “With Sergeant Bradford, it’s best to consider that no news is good news.”
Her and Katie are halfway down the hall before she turns back, “Oh, and if he turns his murder gaze on you, back down and don’t say anything until long after it passes.”
They are nearly out the door before he considers the women are likely heading towards the garage as well. He quickly grabs the war bags and races to catch up with them.
***
After Sergeant Bradford explains the protocols for the cameras, the gear and the shop; they begin their patrol. He didn’t bark any orders at John, but he wasn’t friendly either. Stoic would probably be the best way to describe him. Mostly silent since they got on the road.
Which is why John is surprised when Bradford suddenly asks him why he wanted to become a police officer. John is just beginning his story about the bank robbery when the sergeant slams on the breaks.
“I’ve been shot!” Bradford yells.
Wait...what? For real? John is about to ask when Sergeant Bradford turns on him. “Where are you, Boot?”
What is happening? “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t understand.”
Bradford continues completely serious. “I’m bleeding to death. You have to call for help. Where are you?”
“I… uh… I don’t know, sir. I only moved hear a few months ago, and I’m still learning...” He looks around for a street sign.
“Now I’m dead. It’s your fault.” He drops the hard edge in his voice. “Get out.”
“Sir?”
The hard tone is back. “Get out and walk. You can get back in when know where you are.”
John exits the car and slowly starts walking as Bradford drives beside him keeping pace.
This is definitely not how he expected his first day as rookie to go.
***
It’s at least a half hour of walking before Sergeant Bradford allows him back in the shop. And only then because they got a call at Hollywood Boulevard.
They pull up on the scene at the same time Officer Chen and Katie arrive in their vehicle. As the senior most officer, Sergeant Bradford takes charge. Instructing the other officers to help with crowd control while they assess the situation. That situation being a man standing on top of a car while holding a baseball bat as he yells nonsense to apparently no one.
The man refuses to listen to Sergeant Bradford’s order to drop the bat as he continues to yell. John looks over at Sergeant Bradford and Officer Chen standing side by side. Their stances mirror each other as they both rest their hands across their duty belts. “So, what do we do?” He asks the two senior officers.
Bradford and Chen look at each other before Bradford states plainly. “Deescalate the situation.” He points toward the man indicating he expects John to prove himself.
John cautiously steps forward to speak to the overexcited man. “Sir, how about you tell me what the problem is?”
“The unicorn is laughing at me!” Obviously the man is high on something and completely believes in what he is saying. So John knows it would be in his best interest to go along with his delusions.
“Okay, great, we can help you with that. We just need you to get down off the car.” He states calmly.
For a moment it seems like the man wants to believe him before he changes his mind. “No. No, you’re trying to trick me. No. You don’t want me to find him.”
John keeps his voice calm yet assertive. “Sir, I can handle unicorns, all right? This is what we train for. I just need you to get off the car and give me a description so we can find him.” The man seems to believe him now as he moves to get off the car. “Exactly. Yeah, just jump down. Put the bat down right there.” Thankfully, the man drops the bat. Now John needs more information. “Excellent. Perfect. What’s your name?”
However, that question triggers the opposite response of what John wants as the man turns and runs away from him. John turns back to see what Sergeant Bradford wants him to do which is when he gives the obvious answer. “Go get him, Boot.”
As John races down the crowded street, weaving between people, he sees Katie run passed him. Thinking he found a shortcut, he runs through hoping to cut the man off. Unfortunately for him, the shortcut ends with a locked gate, and he gets tangled in the chains as he tries to climb over it. Katie, however, tackles the suspect and begins arrest procedures while John still can’t get out from the chain.
To add to his humiliation, Sergeant Bradford and Officer Chen arrive in their vehicles just as Katie makes the tackle. Officer Chen helps her with the arrest as she congratulates her rookie on an excellent take down.
Bradford shakes his head as he frees John from the gate. “Welcome to the arrest,” he adds sarcastically. So any good will gained from deescalating the situation somewhat has now been lost.
The man continues yelling about needing to find someone. His cell phone rings as Officer Chen asks him who needs him.
The man continues to scream about someone named Lucas as Officer Chen grabs his cell phone to answer the call. “This is Officer Chen… Yes, ma’am, I’m with your husband now. Please slow down.” She listens to the rest of the call before turning to the man. “Sir, where is your son?”
“I only left him in the car for a minute. The unicorn has him.” The man making both an odd bit of sense and nonsense as the true horror of the situation dawns on everyone.
John looks up at the sun in the sky. “That car is gonna be an oven. We got to find that unicorn.”
This day keeps getting worse.
***
Chen and Katie took the man back to the station for booking while other units help search for the missing vehicle and kid.
“There has got to be a better way of doing this than just driving around.” John insists.
Bradford’s voice is eerily calm as he explains, “Airship is searching while patrol car units search in a grid pattern. By the book is the best way in these situations. That way no one misses anything.”
John accepts that reason, but he is still worried. “We have got to find that kid.”
“Be prepared if we don’t find him in time. Seeing a dead kid changes you.” Bradford’s hands tighten on the wheel. “Some people really shouldn’t be parents.” The anguish in his voice is the most outward emotion other than gruffness that John has seen from Sergeant Bradford all shift.
There seems to be a story there, but before John can ask he spots a car that might be the one they’re looking for. However, it’s not the right one. But before he can get too discouraged, he notices unicorn balloons and pinatas hanging from a store front. He sees another car that matches the description and runs toward it.
Inside a young boy is in the back seat yet sadly looks unconscious. John desperately tries to open the locked door. Then tries to bust the window with his police baton, but nothing works.
Bradford pushes him out of the way and uses a tool that punctures the window’s glass. He quickly opens the door and grabs the kid. Gently checking for a pulse and rocking the boy into consciousness. Both men are relieved when the child gasps for air. Bradford continues to speak softly to the kid as they wait for an ambulance to arrive. He doesn’t let go of him until the EMTs need to place the child on a stretcher.
Apparently, Officer Chen is right. Sergeant Bradford does have a good heart.
***
The immediate rush of adrenaline from finding the kid and knowing he will be okay lost some of it’s luster when Sergeant Bradford informed John of the mistakes he made on that call. However, John took his criticism with the best of intentions. Knowing he is meant to learn from these mistakes so he doesn’t make them again if God forbid there should be a next time.
They’ve settled into some kind of understanding when they stop for lunch back near the precinct where several food trucks have parked. “You buy lunch on the first day, Boot. And that’s not a prank.” Giving John his order and reminding him not to forget the hot sauce as he walks over toward the table where Officers Chen and Lopez are sitting.
As he stands in line, John learns from Jackson and Katie that their days are going infinitely better than his own. Jackson is proving himself to be a standout to Officer Lopez. Meanwhile Katie can say nothing but good things about Officer Chen.
He has to admit he’s extremely jealous Katie will get to spend entire shifts every day with Officer Chen. She’s nice and inviting. And clearly very personable. The exact opposite of Sergeant Bradford.
John looks over to see Chen and Bradford are now standing off to the side huddled together talking about something. Probably about the case with the kid considering the despondent expression Bradford is sporting. His posture is rigid, but the more Chen talks to him the more he loosens up. His expression gradually fades from a stiff frown to a soft smile as he continues to look at her. Until eventually they walk back toward the table to sit down. Bradford seemingly much more improved than he was moments before.
If Officer Chen can make even someone like Sergeant Bradford smile, she must be an incredible woman.
***
Immediately after lunch, they take a few more calls but thankfully nothing as heart wrenching as this morning.
In the downtime between calls, John summons the courage to ask Sergeant Bradford a question. He figures he might regret asking. Especially because they’re currently in a relatively good place. But if anyone is likely to know the answer, Sergeant Bradford will. And he’s not ready to go to the source just yet.
John tries to broach the topic carefully. “Officer Chen is really nice.”
Bradford eyes him, but doesn’t say anything so John takes that as permission to continue. “Is she dating anyone?”
At this, Sergeant Bradford’s head turns sharply toward him. And there are the murder eyes Officer Chen warned him about. He tries to sink down into his seat. She did tell him to remain quiet, but he can’t not explain himself. “I just meant… I wanted to know because if she’s single...”
“Officer Chen’s personal life is none of your business, Officer Nolan.” The use of his name lets John know that Sergeant Bradford is deadly serious. “And if you continue this line of questioning, I’ll make sure you do a hundred push ups between every call for the entirety of your training and well into the rest of your police career. If you make it that far. Understand me?”
“Yes, sir.” He answers quickly.
John doesn’t speak unless spoken to for the rest of their shift.
He really should have waited to ask Officer Chen herself if she would be interested in grabbing a drink with him.
***
John is out at a bar with Jackson and Katie celebrating their first day on the job. Well, they are celebrating. He’s more like wallowing. He’s happy for them. He really is glad to know his friends’ first day went so well. He only wishes he could say the same for himself.
“So Lopez has plans to become a detective. She’s hoping to be the next one tapped.” Jackson informs them.
“That’s only if Lucy doesn’t get the tap first.” Katie teases continuing the officers own friendly spirited fight over the job.
“Wait, she lets you call her Lucy?” John asks.
“She insisted.” Katie informs him. “Said it helps promotes trust and honesty between training officer and rookie.”
He doesn’t even know Sergeant Bradford’s first name. And doubts the man would allow him to use it if he did. Wonders if Officer Chen... that is Lucy had to wait until she was no longer a rookie to call him by his first name.
Katie continues. “She really is quite amazing. She became a police officer right after college. I know I’m going to learn so much from her. She’s patient and kind.” She pauses before guardedly adding. “And she understands that I’m still going through an adjustment period after coming home from war. Her husband is a veteran so she knows what he went through and wants to help. Pass along any tips he has for settling back into civilian life.”
He’s happy to know Katie has someone looking out for her because he’s observed her having a difficult time readjusting; but other than being there for her, he doesn’t know any way to provide solid help.
So it’s a good thing Katie will have Lucy and her husband helping her. But he’s astonished to learn Lucy has a husband.
Though now that he thinks about it, he shouldn’t be surprised. Of course, Lucy would be with someone. He was crazy to think even for a moment she could be single. A man would have to be an absolute fool not to ask her out the minute he had the chance.
Still though, why couldn’t Sergeant Bradford just tell him Officer Chen is married when he asked?
***
His next shift is going slightly better than the last. He’s checking the shop’s computer for any connections to the BOLO that Grey mentioned at roll call. “Sir, I found a known associate of Lance Selby’s in our patrol zone. Darius Nguyen.”
“Leave that to detectives, Boot,” Sergeant Bradford replies.
“Do you have any desire to become a detective, sir?”
“No, I’m good with advancing my career while remaining on patrol. This is where all the action is.” Bradford answers truthfully.
Since he has the sergeant opening up more than usual, might as well keep the conversation going. “So you’re leaving the detective position up to Officers Lopez and Chen. Who do you think has a better shot of getting it?”
“Both women are smart and determined. Officer Lopez has been on the force a few years longer, but Officer Chen is an over achiever. She’s already made a name for herself with a few high profile cases.” Bradford answers diplomatically.
“Let me put it another way. Who would you like to see make detective first?”
To John’s amazement, Bradford quickly answers in favor of Officer Chen.
“Oh, I promise I won’t tell Officer Lopez you said anything.”
Sergeant Bradford smirks. “She already knows my preference.”
Well, then it’s a good thing the officers’ friendships are strong enough to withstand Sergeant Bradford’s clear favoritism of Officer Chen.
Changing the subject back to the matter at hand, John mentions “Sergeant Grey did say Selby is dangerous and needs to be off the streets. And if patrol is where the action is...” He leaves that thought hanging.
Bradford relents. “Fine. We’ll check it out.”
***
When questioning Nguyen, John makes an observation of the building thanks to his knowledge as a contractor. Revealing a false circuit breaker as a hiding place for cash, drugs, and a weapon.
With that they are able to leverage him for the whereabouts of Selby’s possible location. After they radio in the address, Bradford pulls the shop into the alley behind the location in case Selby runs when Chen and Katie take the call.
However when they get there, Selby and another man are already standing next to a car with the trunk open. Bradford has John call in backup and airship. They carefully exit the shop but stay behind the doors until Selby is cleared.
Sergeant Bradford addresses the men. “LAPD, gentleman. Step away from the car and show me your hands."
Selby answers. “There a problem, officer?”
“There will be if you don’t show me those hands. Now!” Bradford doesn’t hesitate to answer as he orders.
Suddenly the two men pull weapons from the trunk and open fire. John and Bradford are in the middle of returning fire when a bullet pierces the window of the shop’s driver side door. Hitting the sergeant in his abdomen. John ducks as he continues to return fire before dodging around the car to the other side. He radios in that an officer is down and gives their location requesting an ambulance. He keeps low as he reaches his sergeant. Pulling him behind the vehicle and out of the line of fire.
John is about to check Bradford’s wound before the other man yells at him. “Don’t worry about me. Shoot back!” He does as he is ordered and continues to return fire. In the distance he sees and hears another patrol car entering the alley but before he can fully process that, their own patrol car catches fire. He places his arms under Sergeant Bradford and moves him back away from the car.
John hears shots firing around him, and looks up to see Selby running off. Lucy and Katie stop to check on them just as the ambulance arrives. He notes the flash of worry in Officer Chen’s eyes as she checks Sergeant Bradford’s wound before schooling her features. “You’re going to be okay.” She's certain in her statement, but there seems to something else communicated in her voice.
Something only Sergeant Bradford understands. “I know.” He answers her sincerely. “Now go get the bastard who shot me.”
Officer Chen nods determinedly as she moves out of the way so the EMTs can work. “Barnes. Nolan. Follow me,” she orders.
They catch up to Selby on foot in record time. However, when they do he has a hostage. He runs out of ammo so he grabs a knife instead. All three officers have their guns trained on him. Officer Chen takes the lead.
“I’ll kill her!” Selby threatens.
“No you won’t, Selby. And you know why?” Chen challenges him. “Because I have excellent aim, and you’ve given me more than enough reason to put a bullet right between your eyes.”
If you asked him before this moment, John could never imagine Officer Chen’s voice to sound so cold and deadly. He doesn’t know if she means it or not, but he wouldn’t want to test her to find out. Apparently, neither does Selby because he drops the knife and releases the hostage. Officer Chen keeps her gun trained on Selby as Nolan cuffs him while Katie protects the hostage.
As he keeps Selby securely handcuffed while they wait for another patrol unit to pick him up, he thinks about what Katie also said about Officer Chen.
Lucy Chen is one hundred percent total badass.
And her husband is one lucky man.
***
By the next shift, life has only improved marginally for John. Sergeant Grey is appreciative of his efforts to aid Sergeant Bradford when he got shot so he has given John a temporary reprieve on the teasing for now. Officer Chen has taken a few personal days so Katie is riding with Officer Wrigley. She says he is nice, but doesn’t like to put himself into the action. The calm allows for a needed break, but she’s eager to get back into what she considers actual police work.
Meanwhile, John has been assigned to Officer Smitty while Sergeant Bradford is recovering. It’s possible Sergeant Grey hasn’t backed off as much as he thinks, and this is actually another form of punishment. Smitty’s work ethic is insufficient to say the least. He’s thinking of asking for a switch. He knows he only has a month to go until his permanent training officer arrives, but he’s willing to be assigned to front desk duty if it means avoiding Smitty.
After shift, he decides to take Captain Anderson’s suggestion to visit with Sergeant Bradford whether he would appreciate it or not. He assumes Bradford isn’t the type to want flowers or balloons or stuffed animals. Would probably see any gift as a shameless attempt to get in his good graces which would in turn only backfire on John. However, as he stands in front of Bradford’s hospital room door about to knock, he second guesses himself. What about candy? Everyone likes candy. And even if the man can’t eat it now, he could have it later.
John is about to turn back down down the hall to go downstairs to the gift shop when he catches sight of Bradford through the window blinds.
He’s asleep.
And on the bed sleeping next to him is none other than Officer Chen.
Her body curled into the opposite side of where he was shot. Her head lying against his chest. One of his hands covers the arm Chen has carefully wrapped around his waist while the other cradles her body. His chin rests over the top of her head. And he has the most content smile on his face as he rests comfortably beside her.
The pieces fall into place.
The mirrored stances.
The silent communication.
The comfortableness with each other.
Katie said Lucy’s husband was in the army, and Bradford exudes army training.
No wonder Sergeant Bradford wanted to kill him when John even hinted that he might be interested in asking Lucy out.
John is a walking dead man.
Maybe he’ll catch a break, and Sergeant Bradford won’t be back to work until after John’s new training officer arrives.
But he should probably consider transferring to a different station anyway.
And rethink his decision to become a detective. He missed all the clues staring him in the face.
One acknowledgement is for certain: John will definitely learn from this mistake.