Page 68 of Rookie Days

“I didn’t really growl, did I?”

“Kinda did.”

“Oof. Kinda wish I hadn’t, to be honest.”

“Whatever, it’s done.” Quinn shrugged dismissively. “You handled yourself extremely well in front of Mills, so don’t worry about it.”

With the initial rush of adrenaline dissipating, Ellie’s thighs had gone wobbly. But if her lieutenant told her that she’d done well, she would believe it.

“So, what’s going to happen now?”

“Nothing.”

“Really? That’s it?”

“Yes. Gonzales doesn’t have a case. His lawyer knows this, though he has to at least be seen to try. Now Mills will confirm that his client doesn’t have a hope in hell, and that’ll be the end of it. You don’t have to worry,” Quinn repeated. “Mills is good.I’ve seen him make corrupt officers who thought they were hard and gnarly cry like children in Interrogation.”

“I thought you said not to worry.”

“Sure. Internal Affairs are good guys too. Mills wasn’t here to take you down today, but to have a sniff, see how you’d react. As interviews go, this one was pretty relaxed and easy, I can tell you.”

“Good to know,” Ellie grunted. “I still sweated through my shirt.”

“Oh, yeah?” Quinn threw her a proud look. “It didn’t show, so well done. Were you pissed as well?”

“A little bit, yes.”

“Good. That, I saw, and so did he. I think you earned Mills’ respect today, so it’s all good. Now take a seat and tell me why you still look so troubled.”

Ellie sat with her elbows on her knees, leaning forward, and blew out a hard breath.

“This doesn’t feel good. Or clean. I basically lied to him. I don’t like keeping secrets. And I hate the fact that you had to lie for me too.”

Quinn watched her with a fond smile.

“Now you really sound like a baby cop, Detective. So cute.” And when Ellie growled, for real this time, she laughed. “Okay, moment of truth.”

“Please…”

“A, I didn’t lie.” Quinn took the chair in front of her and she mirrored her posture. “B, I don’t cover for dirty cops. Welcome to the real world, my friend. It’s all shades of grey out there, not clean black and white. You have to get used to wrestling in the mud with people who don’t respect the rules, and learn to bend a select few yourself.”

“Yes, I understand that.”

“Make sure you don’t forget it. In the end, what happened the other day was not a game ender, either for yourself or for Gonzales. So it’s all good, like I said.”

“Yes… Thanks to you.”

“True. I have your back, Ellie, just like I know that you have mine. My point is that nothing would be gained from throwing you to the wolves. You’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

“And if I had?”

“I told you,” Quinn said softly but firmly. “I don’t cover for rogue officers.”

“Okay. Roger that, Lieutenant.”

“Ellie, you are an excellent cop with a long career ahead of you. This was a lesson, not a life sentence. Now I want you to cut yourself a bit of slack. And move on, okay?”

“Yes.” Ellie exhaled, nice and slow.