Power of Will, a SAW Fanfiction

Ch. 8 Pre-Saw: Just Another Dirty Cop

Daniel Rigg

Daniel sat with his hands in his lap. His pressed collar was strangling him. The uniform was stifling and itchy. He kept his gaze downward as the hotshot lawyer's fancy shoes clicked on the linoleum. He wanted to look harmless, shrinking into his chair.

Hoffman had taken one of the higher ups' offices for this meeting. He was calm, sitting behind the desk with his jacket hanging by the door, giving an easy expression that wasn't exactly a smile but wasn't hostile either. He held himself calmly, shoulders squared with the confidence of a man in charge.

Rigg kept his head down, hoping he didn't mess things up this time. The lawyer hardly gave him his attention.

"My client has a broken nose and a fractured cheek bone," his voice was low and bored as he studied the bulletins tacked on the wall. "Administrative leave with pay is not acceptable."

He watched Hoffman who gave him a stern glance. "The IA investigation is underway, Mr. Blank."

The lawyer smirked at this. "In this precinct, huh? What's that gonna get me?"

"The truth."

"The truth? Well I'll tell you what the truth is. The truth is I have an eye witness."

"The man's wife? She gains as much as he does if there was to be a financial settlement. Which is not going to happen because he's lying. He attacked Officer Rigg first."

Art Blank's eyes bored into the top of his head. Daniel struggled to keep his eyes downcast. "According to who?"

"Me. I saw the whole thing," Hoffman's eyes had gone soft, almost nurturing. When Daniel looked up he saw someone who cared. Someone who was looking out for him. There was an understanding there that made him feel safe.

"Would you testify before a grand jury?"

"I've already signed IA's affidavit. The charges are being dismissed." There was almost a smug smile on Hoffman's face.

"You're good," Art Blank rested his shoulder against the wall, cool dismissal sliding off his tongue. "You're - you're obviously thick as thieves in this precinct. But you know it'll come back to you, right? Maybe not today but someday. It'll come back to you."

Daniels hairs stood on the back of his neck and he felt the blood rush out of his face. Hoffman stared up at the man, unphased. There was a low rumble in his words, as though daring him to do his worst. "Well, Mr. Blank, what goes around. Is that all?"

"Unfortunately," the man in the fancy suit slithered out, slamming the door behind him. As soon as his silhouette vanished from the glass windows, Daniel covered his face with his hands and sank into his seat, a sigh ghosting out of his lungs.

"Jesus. That was intense."

"I told you I'd take care of it," Hoffman got to his feet and went to get his jacket. "Go home. Spend the next two weeks kicking back. Relax. Tell Tracy that Angie and myself say hi."

"Thanks, Hoffman. Seriously." Daniel jumped to his feet, taking the man's hand and shaking it with overwhelming gratitude. He was in awe. He didn't understand why people gave the guy a wide berth. He was a fucking saint. "You just handled that so easily."

"Comes with experience. Trust me, you'll get there." He seemed distracted. In a rush. He was already a foot out of the office but Daniel didn't want him to leave just yet.

"Hey, Hoff," Daniel grabbed his arm, flinching when Hoffman stopped and stared at his hand. "Sorry. But just so you know. If there's anything you need that I can do. Just say the word."