Page 6 of Zero Divergence
“Sergeant Locke, would you like to say something?” Mendoza asked.
Telling Fuentes to keep his hands and eyes off Sawyer came to mind, but it wasn’t what the new chief meant. “Welcome to the team, guys. I think SPD has several excellent teams, but I doubt you’ll find a greater bunch than the men and women of the MCU. We’re more like family than colleagues here. All of us want you to feel welcome, and we want you to succeed because it means we all do. I’m here to assist you in any way I can, and I feel comfortable saying that goes for the other detectives also.”
“Thanks, Locke,” Mendoza said. “Why don’t we allow Carnegie and Fuentes to chat with the commissioner and the other detectives while the two of us meet in my office.”
Royce glanced at the pink box Sherry had placed on one of the empty desks and repressed a sigh. He hoped there were bear claws in there, but no matter what she’d baked, it would be delicious and devoured long before Royce returned and had a chance to grab one.
Catching Royce’s longing gaze, Sherry Rigby spoke up. “You better grab your pastries first, or else there won’t be any left by the time you finish. I have it on good authority that our new chief is fond of cannoli.”
Mendoza made an appreciative hum in the back of his throat, and Royce figured they were going to get along smashingly well. “Yes, I’m the Hispanic man with a passion for Italian pastries. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble,” he said, stepping over to the box. Sherry lifted the lid to reveal dozens of cannoli stacked neatly in the box. “Oh, wow,” Mendoza said in awe, taking two pastries. “Better grab yours, Locke.”
He’d never had cannoli before, but he’d also never met a pastry he didn’t like. Wanting to make a good impression, Royce only placed one pastry on his napkin, then followed Mendoza to the sparse office. He’d heard Rigby had relocated to her new space at city hall while he was on leave, but the starkness bothered him. He’d become so used to seeing her awards and certificates hanging on the walls and family photos and various decorations sitting on the bookcases, credenza, and desk. The room was bare and naked, stripped of personality and warmth.
Mendoza sat down in the leather chair behind the large desk. Royce hadn’t expected it to bother him as much as it did, but he knew he’d adjust to the changes eventually. He set his napkin-wrapped pastries on the gleaming mahogany surface, so Royce did the same. “I’m aware I have large shoes to fill.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You have quite the reputation, Sergeant Locke.”
“It’s mostly exaggerated, Chief,” Royce replied.
Mendoza chuckled. “I wasn’t insulting you, Sergeant. Your reputation is for getting things done. You have the best closing rate in the department.”
“Nah, that would be my partner, Detective Key. He’s batting a thousand.”
“Detective Key hasn’t been with us long enough for his closing rate to register, but I know of his reputation, and I expect great things from both of you.”
“We won’t disappoint you, sir.”
“See that you don’t.”
They spent the next fifteen minutes going over Mendoza’s goals for their unit, and the department as a whole. He wanted to improve relations between the police department and the citizens; he was dedicated to making sure the correct arrests were made and not just easy ones, and he expected the MCU detectives to lead the way. “Communication and leadership are critical components to achieving my goals, so I want to be very clear and set expectations on day one. This is no longer Commissioner Rigby’s unit. All issues that exceed your authority should come directly to me. Going over my head is insubordination and is something I will never overlook or accept. I will never question or embarrass you in front of the officers under your command, and I expect the same in return. I will have an open-door policy, but I will not micromanage the team.”
“I approve wholeheartedly of your approach, Chief.”
“Glad to know we’re in agreement.” Mendoza briefly stroked a well-manicured finger over his lips. “Now, about your reputation for breaking the rules…”
“Mostly bullshit stories, sir.”
“Let’s keep it that way.”
Royce nodded firmly. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll leave you to show the new detectives around and get started on their training.”
“Training, sir?”
“Yes. I’m leaving it up to you to show the rookies what I expect in my department.”
“I consider it an honor, Chief.” He really thought it was a royal pain in his ass. Royce rose from his seat and picked up his cannoli. “Congratulations again on your promotion, sir. Welcome to the team.”
“Thank you.”
Royce pivoted and left the room so the man could enjoy his pastries in peace. He found Fuentes and Carnegie getting to know the detectives in their unit. He ate half his cannoli in one giant bite and fought back a moan as rapture spread throughout his body.
Blue didn’t miss his reaction. “Better than a bear claw?” Royce held up his thumb and forefinger an inch apart, signaling it was close. “How’d it go in there?” Blue quietly asked once Royce swallowed his bite.
“Good. Mendoza is a straight shooter and doesn’t believe in bullshit. Rigby made a great call.”