Guardian Angels

Chapter 36

Clara approached Sam's desk with a purposeful stride, her expression a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. In her hand, she held a small evidence bag containing a straw, its significance far greater than its unassuming appearance suggested.

"Guess what my rookies found," Clara began, laying the evidence bag on Sam's desk with a hint of triumph in her voice. "A straw disposed of by Alex Mason, complete with clear bite marks. It's not much, but it's something."

Sam looked at the straw, an item that symbolically tied her two worlds together, a small smile playing on her lips as she congratulated Clara. "Congratulations, Clara. Every piece of evidence counts."

The conversation then shifted to a more serious topic. "With Thomas Wright out of the picture, the department's been through a lot," Clara said, her tone turning somber. "We lost some good people in the Lorenzo Moretti case, and now we're short-handed. We've got two major targets: Giorgio Maloni and Alex Mason. I could really use your help back in detectives, Sam. Which one would you prefer to tackle?"

Sam's response was immediate and clear. "Neither, Clara. I've got my hands full as it is." She then shared the news about Izzy Diaz's ambitious plan. "I was at Diaz's Crossroads last night, and Izzy mentioned she's organizing a concert. It's meant to rally people together against the godfather. My division and I, we'll be there securing the scene and maintaining order."

Sam continued, her tone reflective. "I didn't get the 'promotion' at first, spent a lot of time trying to escape it. But I've realized something important, especially when dealing with Eli Solomon. I don't want to go back to being a detective. I've found my place here, my responsibility to serve and protect the community in this capacity."

Clara looked surprised but listened, the weight of Sam's words sinking in. After a moment, she sighed, a mixture of disappointment and understanding coloring her voice. "I respect your decision, Sam. You're a good cop, no matter where you are. And I have no doubt your dad... Richard would be proud of you."

Sam lightened the mood with a playful remark. "Besides, one of the perks of being Sergeant Gray is not having to work overtime. And if I finally quit the nightlife, think of the wonders it'll do for my skin." The double meaning of the last sentence was clearly beyond Clara's understanding.

Their laughter echoed briefly in the space, a moment of lightness amidst the challenges they faced. Clara walked away, her respect for Sam's choice evident. Sam turned back to her work, her resolve strengthened. Her path, though divergent from the one she initially imagined for herself, was clear. She was where she needed to be, making a difference in her own way, honoring her father's legacy and protecting the city he loved.

***

As the day of the concert at Diaz's Crossroads approached, a tumult of emotions surged within Sam. Today, she would stand not cloaked in the shadows as Alex Mason, the vigilante, but in broad daylight as Sergeant Sam Gray, amidst the crowd, to watch over Izzy and listen to her songs that carried hopes of a new dawn for Angel City.

Deep in thought, Sam leaned against her police car, the trunk slightly ajar, revealing the contents hidden within—Alex Mason's armor and weapon, lying dormant yet ready to be donned at a moment's notice. The duality of her existence, encapsulated in that small space, weighed heavily on her. Today, more than ever, the line between Sam Gray and Alex Mason blurred, their destinies intertwined in the fight for the city's soul.

The discovery of the straw by Clara's team played out just as Sam had anticipated. A piece of evidence coming from the vigilante's seemingly inconsequential carelessness, yet pivotal in confirming Alex Mason's "identity" posthumously. This strategic placement was part of a larger plan, one that Sam had meticulously crafted, knowing the risks and the sacrifices required.