Work Text:
“We have an incoming 211 at the United Oil Gas Station 4931 West Pico Boulevard. Suspect is Santa Claus.”
Nolan, who had been rooting for a quiet shift perked up at the radio signal, taking a second, then staring at Harper at the steering wheel.
“I’m sorry, I think I just had a stroke. Santa Claus is robbing a gas station?”
“This city, I swear…”, was the only mumbled answer he got, before Harper reached for the radio.
“Seven Adam Fifteen, show us responding.”
“Copy, Seven Adam Fifteen.”
…
Upon entering the gas station, both Harper and Nolan made their way towards the suspect, walking along the aisles to stay clear of being seen. But surely enough, Santa Claus was standing at the register, flailing around with a gun.
“Come on, put your money in the sack and y’all will get really nice presents this year!”, Santa crowded, holding a bag open, shoving it into the faces of scared or rather confused customers, waiting for them to give their wallets.
Nolan looked over to Harper, signaling that she was ready. He nodded in return, before moving closer, slowly raising his weapon as soon as Santa faced away.
“Police! Drop your weapon!”
Immediately, Santa froze, raising his hands and turning around, looking at Harper and Nolan.
“Hey hey hey okay, don’t shoot, don’t shoot! The gun isn’t real!”, he immediately babbled, seemingly awfully panicked all of the sudden.
“Good. Then get it on the floor and carefully kick it in my direction.”, Nolan instructed and Santa followed, the hollow and cheap sound of the gun as it hit the ground enough to give away that it truly wasn’t real.
“Please, I- I’m sorry. Christmas is expensive and I-”, he began but was interrupted by Harper, who definitely didn’t look too happy.
“Turn around, hands behind your head, interlace your fingers.”, she demanded sharply and yet again, Santa oblidged and let himself be arrested by Harper, giving John time to rethink what has actually just happened.
“I guess you won’t be getting any gifts from Santa this year…”, Harper commented, escorting the guy to the shop.
And nope. He definitely wouldn’t.