The Boot - Next Steps (Book 2)

Chapter Five

LUCY

Today is my first day back after giving birth. It's already been about two months since then, but I've been off work for even longer due to the pregnancy itself. I feel ready, but that doesn't stop the nerves from creeping in. Even though my doctor says I am fine to return to normal activities, Tim insisted that I take the first week or two back easy. He was very adamant about it until eventually I just placated him and agreed.

He offered to drive me to work today, but I reminded him that Sasha needed him. He tried to convince me that she could come with us, but I countered his point by explaining that she was still a fragile newborn and that it wasn't a good idea to take her on any unnecessary car rides.

I pulled into the parking lot a few minutes before my shift was scheduled to start. I technically didn't have to literally be inside the building until my shift started, but I was far too nervous to waste any time sitting still. Besides, I needed to talk to Sergeant Grey anyway.

I get out of the car and walk into the station, making a beeline for Sergeant Grey's office. I knock gently and he waves me inside.

"Welcome back, Officer Chen. It's good to see you again. How are you feeling?"

I know he means how I'm feeling after giving birth, but those symptoms and those of my current pregnancy are very hard to distinguish from one another. "Fine, I guess."

"How can I help you?"

"I- um- I was just wondering if there's a specific space I can go when I need to pump,"

"Oh, yes. You'll go up those stairs, down that hall, then take a left. Continue down the hall until you get about halfway, the lactation room will be on your right. It should be labeled, too, in case you have any trouble finding it."

"Thank you, sir,"

"It's about time for the morning briefing, want to walk down there with me?"

"Sure."

We leave his office and head for the briefing room. I take my seat next to Nolan and Sergeant Grey goes to the front of the room.

"I need a pair to volunteer for a very..." he pauses. "Delicate case."

"What is it?" Nolan asks.

"You all have been briefed on the felon Alejandro, correct?"

The room erupts in murmurs of confirmation.

"He's now in a maximum security prison. However, that doesn't mean his case is closed. We still have a lot of work to do."

I gulp.

"We have reason to suspect that Alejandro was a part of something much bigger than anything we could have imagined. I need a team who is willing to investigate further. Figure out who he worked for, or if he was in fact in charge, who worked for him. We need names. There's only three months until Alejandro's trial, and the more evidence we can collect against him, the better chance that he'll get a worse sentence."

I don't know what came over me, but my hand bounced up. "I'll do it sir."

His eyes widen. "I'm- I'm not sure that's a very good idea."

"Sir. This man has caused more harm and trauma to my family than you could possibly know. Physical harm. Emotional harm. I could have lost my babies due to his actions. I could have lost the love of my life, and they could have lost their father. I could've lost my life."

"I understand that, but-"

"He has damaged my family more than you could ever know. I desperately hope that no one ever has to go through anything close to what I've gone through. This man caused a car accident that broke my bones. I could've been paralyzed. Or worse. I flatlined several times! My babies might not have survived. This man is the reason that my fiance, their father, was shot, and almost missed their birth. I am a victim of his crimes, and I want to be the reason he rots in prison."