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Tim glared at the reports on his computer screen as if they’d personally wronged him, as the brown evidence boxes taunted him out of the corner of his eye. It seemed he couldn’t escape the barrage of brown cardboard, ever since he bought the first set for Lucy to begin packing her things two months ago.
Box after box wheeled past him from the roll call room back out to evidence and he vowed that an error like this would never again happen on his watch. And Smitty would never be allowed to catalog evidence again. Ever.
Sighing, he looks back down at his screen. Only another hour and he could pack up, change out and put the past two days in his rearview. Another hour and Lucy would hopefully be walking through his office door so they could go home. Together. The thought still brought a smile to his face, even after two months.
With his reward on the horizon, Tim refocused his attention on the reports, letting himself get lost in his work of reviewing, giving final approvals and returning documents for filing.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but his attention was broken by the familiar clack of heels and woosh of air from someone—who was definitely not Lucy—sitting down in front of his desk in a huff. Tim looked up to see Angela slouched in the seat, staring at him expectantly. Her relaxed posture was a stark contrast to the expensive suit that she wore, no doubt one of the many purchases she had made on her recent splurge with Wesley’s trust fund.
It was clear that something was on the detective’s mind. And given the fact that she didn’t immediately go into what she wanted he gathered it wasn’t work-related. But it wouldn’t be right if Tim didn’t at least give her some shit.
He raised an eyebrow at her but turned back to his computer. “It’s called knocking, you know. You should try it sometime.”
“Please,” he could hear the eye roll in her voice. “Just because you’re watch commander now doesn’t change the fact that I am above such trivial acts when it comes to you. Especially if I’m not coming here in an official capacity.”
“We’re not babysitting,” he deadpanned, not wanting to give up his alone time with the love of his life in any capacity, even for his godchildren.
Angela wrinkled her nose, “Ew, no. You and Lucy haven’t lived together long enough yet for me to risk sending my kids to you. You’re still in the honeymoon phase. You’re literally glowing when you guys walk in each morning. I’d say it was gross if I didn’t have such a vested interest in your happiness. You’re much less grumpy when you’re getting laid.”
“I’m thrilled,” he replied, his tone sounding much more like the grumpy cop of old. “What do you need?”
“I need advice from my BFF.”
That made him pause his clicking and look up, then he frowned, his expression slightly put out. “Isn’t Harper your BFF?”
“You can have more than one BFF, Tim.”
He shook his head, “I distinctly remember you telling me that you can only have one BFF.”
“Are you jealous?” she asked with a gasp, bringing a hand to her chest in mock surprise. “Is Timothy Bradford jealous that I have another friend?”
“Of course not,” he waved her off. “I’m just playing your logic back to you. Should’ve thought of that before you tried to butter me up.”
Angela let out a little noise, not believing him for a second. It was true that once she and Nyla started riding together, they grew a lot closer. But it only made sense given the similarities between their families and their profession. It never meant that she wouldn’t make time for Tim, as evidenced by how much she’d been there for him during the entire breakup.
“Well, you were my BFF before Harper became my other BFF, so technically you’re like my OG BFF.”
“What is it with the women and my life and the damn acronyms lately?” Tim mumbled to himself under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he replied louder. “Fine. I’m your OG BFF. What can I help with?”
“I need your advice.”
“Really?” he narrowed his eyes at her, jaw dropping in surprise. “You are asking for advice? I’m sorry, did hell freeze over in the last twenty-four hours?”
“I know, it’s a novel occurrence but I’m at a loss. Harper wasn’t any help—”
“So you did go to her first,” Tim interrupted knowingly.
“Seriously?” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “What, do you need me to remind you how important you are to me? I literally spent hours getting you and Lucy back together—”
“No, you didn’t. Lucy and I decided that on our own,” Tim deadpanned and Angela tossed him a look.
“Which you wouldn’t have if I hadn’t found your happiness to be so important to me that I orchestrated the plan to get you two in the same vicinity to talk,” she countered. “You’re watch commander now, and part of that is giving credit where you know it’s due and you know it. Now, can we get back to the part where you pay me back for getting you back together.”
Tim could only roll his eyes, but finally leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and letting out a breath, knowing he was beat. “Fine.”
Angela smiled and her eyes lit up with delight for a moment as she took the win before dimming when she remembered the real reason she was there. She leaned forward and took a breath, preparing to share the news.
“Wesley was approached to run for DA.”
Tim didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I was wondering when that was going to happen.”
“What? You knew? Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“First of all, I’ve been a little preoccupied,” he gestured to the mess of files on his desk and the damn boxes rolling past his office. “And second, I didn’t know. I just suspected that they might go this route after DelMonte stepped down. Eckert as DA is…”
“A disaster waiting to happen?”
Tim smirked, “I was going to say she’s…a poor choice if we’re truly trying to change public opinion. Seems to go more off of ego rather than what’s actually right.”
“So, you think he should do it?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” he shot back immediately, leaning forward and placing his forearms on his desk, clasping his hands. “I’m not married to the man. What matters is what you think.”
“I think,” Angela sighed dramatically, mirroring his body language, and placing her elbows on her knees as she met his gaze. “Him running opens our lives up to public scrutiny in a way that we’ve never experienced before.”
“It does,” Tim nodded, but didn’t offer anything more, sensing she had more to say.
“But the kids…I worry what all this would do to them. Not to mention letting the public dictate how we live our lives. For god’s sake we won’t even need to buy a new house because of perception.”
That made him do a double take, “You’re moving?”
“Not the point, Timothy,” she glared.
“Right,” he nodded again and lifted a hand gesturing for her to continue. “Go on.”
“And not to mention the whole Elijah mess that nearly ended his career,” she frowned.
“I imagine they’re well aware and will figure out a public relations spin on that one, if they haven’t already.”
Angela scoffed, leaning back in her seat and shaking her head. “They did. According to them, it demonstrated that he’s a progressive leader willing to risk everything for justice, and that his experience on both sides gives him the perspective to be truly fair—which is exactly what’s needed right now.”
“All true,” Tim agreed, “It sounds like they made a compelling case.”
“They did,” she sighed, “And now Wesley is all about being in the position to influence real institutional change.”
“I mean, he’s not wrong,” he replied, “I mean…today was a direct example of how our system has failed people time and again. Wesley as DA is exactly the change from within that we were talking about when Harper and James started the taskforce.”
“I know,” she groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Even Harper got on board literally two seconds after he started talking.”
“Listen,” he started and Angela lifted her head to look at him, but her eyes weren’t hopeful, they were resigned. “I know that this is a huge step. And it’s definitely not something you should take lightly. And knowing Wesley, he’s not going to do this unless you’re one hundred percent in—”
“He’s not,” she cut in, and Tim nodded.
“But, something tells me you’ve already made your decision, and talking to me is just a last-ditch effort to see if there’s anything else that might be able to sway you.”
“I hate you,” she glared, but there was no heat in her voice.
“Sure you do,” he smirked, but then sobered, his gaze intense. “And listen…when all this starts...you know we all have your and Wesley’s back.”
“I know. Thanks.”
“But maybe hold off on the babysitting for like another four or five months,” he reached for his mouse, clicking windows closed, before shutting his laptop and pushing back from his desk.
Angela wrinkled her nose, “Have you even let the woman up for air to unpack? Geez.”
Tim shot her a look as he shoved reports back into their folders. “Do not even joke about that. I only just got out of box hell a month ago. And now I have been back in it for the past two days. Granted it was partially my own fault—”
“Well, the first round of boxes was completely your fault,” she reminded him.
“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t driving me crazy.”
The detective let out a laugh as she finally stood. “It’s good to see you so happy, Tim.”
Tim looked down and then back up, his cheeks slightly pinkening at her words, “Thanks.”
She turned to head out the door but paused and glanced back. “And you know…you aren’t half bad at this whole giving advice thing. Grey made a good choice.”
Tim merely smiled, accepting the praise that his best friend so rarely gave. “Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks. Goodnight.” Knocking her knuckle once against the doorframe in farewell, Angela left his office as quickly as she came in, her gate a little lighter than when he first heard her walk in.
Exhaling slowly, he watched as the last few boxes were wheeled away, finally feeling the weight beginning to lift as he turned his attention to packing his backpack. Despite the tragedy of the day, he did manage to right the ship on Smity’s evidence blunder and help his best friend. The only thing that would make it better was Lucy walking through the door.
And moments later, as if he had manifested it, her voice suddenly floated through his door, bright and excited.
All was right in his world.