Altruism | Part Two : Care

Episode Five

"Henry got engaged." Nolan announces.

"Yeah, he just turned 20." Jackson responds.

"wait, he's engaged at 20?" Ana asks, softly.

"I know. It's too young." Nolan frowns.

"I'm 26 and I haven't even had a boyfriend" Ana crosses her arms.

"wait, seriously?" Lucy asks, coming over.

"there was never really time, there still isn't really time" Ana shrugs.

"Damn, but if it makes you feel better, Henry's getting engaged way too early" Nolan says, making Ana nod.

"Didn't you get married around then?" Jackson asks.

"That's not the point." Nolan replies.

"So, I just talked to my dad. Apparently, he only brought home a bagel for himself. He did not bring one for my mom." Lucy announces, looking at her phone.

"That's why she left?" Ana asks, softly.

"Bagel that broke the camel's back. Maybe it's for the best." Nolan shrugs.

"Oh, God, no. Separately, they will make my life twice as miserable. I have to get them back together." Lucy shakes her head.

"yeah, definitely do that, when my abuela and abuelo got divorced, it got so much worse" Ana groans.

Ana looks up when Detective Harper walks in.

"morning, ma'am" Ana says, softly but Harper ignores her.

"damn" Lucy whistles.

"So, Officer West, can you tell us what a "friendly" is?" Grey asks, starting roll call.

"Yes, sir. A "friendly" is another term for a Confidential Informant." Jackson responds.

"Correct. And Confidential Informants can be an incredibly useful tool." Grey nods.

"They're definitely tools." Tim says, making other officers laugh.

"Are you saying you don't use them, Officer Bradford?" Grey asks.

"No, sir. Just saying they're lying liars who lie and they need to be dominated, never allowed to think they're in control." Tim replies.

"Officer Lopez, you agree?" Grey questions, turning to Angela.

"No, sir. C.I.'s are most useful when they think they're part of the team." Angela replies.

"You're both wrong." Harper says.

"Please, school us, Detective." Grey gestures.

"C.I.'s are just people trying to get by. Some are psychopaths who play ball because it's the best available option, some are people in over their heads who cling to you desperately as a way out of trouble. Treating them all the same is a mistake." Harper explains.

"Well, it's time to put these theories to the test. Nolan, Cabrera, Chen, part of the second phase of your training is developing your first C.I. See, you've known this day was coming, so I'm confident that you have a plan of action in place. But be forewarned -- you will be evaluated on the arrests generated by your C.I., as well as their long-term viability. So, choose wisely. Alright, that's it. Be safe." Grey says, dismissing them.

[Timeskip]

"Thanks Nolan" Ana says, softly, over the phone.

"Of course, you were the one to help me carry that marble and your abuela made me cookies, so, name is Bianca Windle, I just texted you a picture of her" Nolan replies.