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Minutes passed and then, finally, a white Nissan Altima pulled up and parked ahead of us across the street. Phoenix tapped my shoulder and pointed at the SPD police car coming it hot behind us.

“Did you call for backup?”

“No, I didn’t.”

We both watched in confusion as the cruiser pulled directly behind the Altima and parked. The officer got out of the car at the same time a woman fled her vehicle and began storming toward him, shouting obscenities. Phoenix rushed out of the car first, then me, as the officer snatched the woman up by the arm and vehemently slammed her against the side of her car. He spun her around and then proceeded to slap her hard across the face.

My service pistol was in my hands then and immediately I approached them with Phoenix flanking me, his gun raised. The woman shouted for the officer to let her go at the same time I commanded he back the fuck away from her before my finger decided to get trigger happy.

The officer released her and then backed away with his hands raised high. Nothing but malice carved an ugly and dangerous path along his face the longer he glared at the woman.

“Are you Charlotte? Charlotte Greene?” Phoenix spoke first, following the woman’s path as she raced over to us, hiding behind me and panting hard.

“Ye-yes,” her voice shook as she gripped the back of my suit jacket and pulled me closer, her body trembling. “I’m Charlotte.”

My jaw flexed the harder she shook and desperately tried to use me as a barricade.

“And who the fuck are you?” I growled, my grip tightening around my weapon as I sized the officer up. He was too far away, so I couldn’t read the name on his badge.

“He’s my ex-husband. He followed me here.”

“What’s his name?” I asked when I glanced at her over my shoulder.

“Karl. Karl Greene.”

“Officer Greene,” Phoenix shouted, taking a single step closer as Karl began to back away. “Care to explain what the fuck is going on here?”

“No need,” a loud voice boomed behind us.

My partner and I, plus Charlotte turned to find a man fleeing a black Charger and daggering Officer Greene in utter disgust. Right away I recognized him and lowered my gun, as did Phoenix. It was the chief, our captain’s boss.

“Chief—” Officer Greene stammered.

“Not another word,” he spitefully hissed through bared teeth, his face casually softening and lips spreading in a sweet smile when his gaze landed on Charlotte. “Charlotte, my dear, how are you?”

“I could be better, Chief.”

“Peter paid me a visit and told me everything.” Little by little the smile on Charlotte’s face receded, her eyes blown fretfully wide. “After today, you won’t have to worry about Karl bothering you again.” To Karl, he said, “My office. Now. I’ll follow you back to the precinct myself.”

“God damnit, Peter,” Charlotte murmured to herself before putting on a fake, strained smile and meeting Chief’s gaze. “Thanks, Chief. I appreciate it.”

Officer Greene scoffed before he got in his car and drove away. Chief followed behind, and it was then that Phoenix approached Charlotte and tenderly grasped her face, checking her over.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” she huffed as she yanked out of his grip, rubbing the cheek baring her ex-husband’s handprint. “I’m fine.”

“My apologies,” he said sincerely, raising his hands as he backed away. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked as I strapped my gun back to my hip.

“I’m a little shaken up, but I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting him to follow me here.”

I wanted to ask what the fuck his problem was. It wasn’t my business though, so I decided to just keep my mouth shut.

“Are you okay to proceed?”

“Yeah.” She straightened her posture and smoothed her hands down her white shirt and black skirt. “I’m good. So, what are we looking at?”

“For starters," said Phoenix. "I’m Detective Rhodes, and this is Detective Hutch.”