The Moons

Chapter 3: Harter & Chatman

*January 3, 2031* *12:31 AM*

LAPD Detective Lewis Chatman sat at his desk in an isolated office corner, scrolling through his previous case files on his computer. Throughout his 15-year career, Lewis achieved numerous accomplishments, especially since getting promoted to detective. However, his work and reputation have been tainted. While Lewis loved being a detective, the role turned his life upside down until he began developing aggressive behavior; his old friends and colleagues no longer recognized him as the person he once was. In his last case, which involved a missing child, Lewis' behavior worsened, leading the detective to get suspended and the case to be closed and remain unsolved.

While Lewis scrolled through his computer, he was interrupted when Captain Ellie Eastwood called him into her office. As Lewis walked toward Eastwood's office, a mixture of thoughts ran through his head, primarily the possibility of losing his job. However, as he stepped into Eastwood's office, suspicion overtook his feelings when Eastwood locked the door behind him and drew the blinds shut, which was a sign that something serious was about to be discussed. After a tense silence, a distressed Eastwood sat on her desk and turned up the television volume, capturing Lewis' attention.

"I'm assigning you to the case, and I want you to be there now" Captain Eastwood says as she lowered the television's volume and slid a folder on her desk toward Lewis' direction

"Am I working alone?" Detective Lewis asks

"Are we really doing this again?" Captain Eastwood asks

"[Chuckles] I don't know how many times I have to say this until you get it...I'm not going to work with other detectives..." Detective Lewis says

"Oh, my God" Captain Eastwood says as she threw her head back in frustration

"We both know how it's going to end up: we'll keep undermining each other's authorities and we'll come to you to complain only for you to close the investigation" Detective Lewis says

"Lewis, we've been over this before. Please, let's not waste time. This is a very important case" Captain Eastwood responds

"Good. I don't want to waste any more time either, which is why I'm giving you two choices: either you give this case to someone else, or you save us both some time and money and let me do the case myself" Detective Lewis says

"I choose the third option, which is me rescuing your ass and you shutting up and do what you're told. What do you think has been going on the past few months? Do you think the IA has forgotten about your little incident? They are still talking about sending you to retirement" Captain Eastwood says

"That's not going to happen!" Detective Lewis responds

"Damn right, that's not going to happen. Lewis, you're a good cop and you bring answers, but if you keep up this crappy attitude, you might as well take the retirement, which I know that's something you don't want to do. Can't you see I'm trying to save your career here?" Captain Eastwood says

When Lewis got suspended, many internal investigations took place where Internal Affairs condemned the detective's behavior and strongly suggested forcing him into retirement, which was something Lewis wasn't willing to do. Lewis did everything in his power to prevent being forced into retirement with assistance from his lawyer and Union Rep; they helped him appeal the decision, but the most significant help came from Ellie, who vowed to have Lewis take over low-profile cases and take anger management sessions.

After Eastwood's words resonated with Lewis, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as he walked away from his boss, pacing the office as he contemplated all the office visits, depositions, and appeals that took place not too long ago; Lewis didn't want to go through it again, and retirement wasn't an option he was willing to accept. He had no other choice. Lewis finally exhaled, opened his eyes, and approached his boss again.