The Rookie (OC x Lucy) (Fan Fiction)

Chapter 18: Homefront

With Wesley

At the station

Wesley and Lucy walked with the group, which included John, Tim, Lopez, and Jackson. Their conversation flowed easily, but it was clear everyone was on edge.

Lopez glanced at John and said, "Hey, I heard you're officially a cop now. Welcome to the club—complete with your first lawsuit."

John rolled his eyes. "Yeah, this guy claims I dislocated his shoulder while pushing past him during a pursuit. I don't even think I touched him, but now he wants fifty grand to settle."

Tim clapped John on the back. "Don't take it personally. Getting sued is just part of the job."

Lopez nodded. "That's why we're required to have liability insurance."

Tim asked, "Union assigned you a lawyer yet?"

John replied, "Yeah, some guy named Simon Parks."

Lopez smirked. "You're lucky. Parks is a legend."

Tim added, "Saved my ass a couple of times. He's a cranky old SOB, but he knows what he's doing. You've got nothing to worry about."

As the group reached the briefing room, they noticed several officers gathered by the window, staring intently outside. Wesley asked, "What's going on?"

Bishopn watching alongside the others, said, "IA just arrested Jenkins."

Jackson's eyebrows shot up. "The Robbery Homicide Detective?"

Tim nodded. "Yeah."

Lucy asked, "Why?"

Before anyone could answer, Grey walked in and commanded, "All right, everyone, grab a seat."

Once everyone settled, Grey began, "It's never a good day when one of our own gets arrested. I know you have questions, and Commander West from IA is here to provide some answers. Commander?"

Commander Percy stepped forward, addressing the room. "Thank you, Sergeant. After an extensive investigation, we uncovered clear evidence that, ten years ago, Detective Jenkins lied on the witness stand. Because of those lies, an innocent woman was convicted of first-degree murder."

Lucy's eyes widened. "She's been in jail this whole time?"

Percy nodded solemnly. "Yes. Her name is Samantha Bennett. She was released two days ago. In addition to charging Jenkins with perjury, we've placed him on the Brady List."

Unfamiliar with the term, John asked, "Uh, what is the Brady List?"

Jackson explained, "It's a record of law enforcement officers who've withheld exculpatory evidence."

Bishop cut in, "It's a list of dirty cops."

Percy continued, "IA has reviewed all of Jenkins' past convictions. Among them, three other cases were suspicious enough to warrant the release of those felons."

Tim frowned. "But you're not sure those three are innocent?"

Percy shook his head. "No, but their convictions were overturned."

Lopez sighed. "When this gets out, every lawyer in town is gonna be lining up to get a Jenkins conviction overturned."

Grey stepped back in, "That's tomorrow's problem. Today, protocol dictates that we make voluntary contact with these released felons. Lopez, West, you'll talk to Samantha Bennett. Wick, Chen, you're assigned to Max Kegel—he was doing 25 to life for drug trafficking."

Grey handed papers to Lopez and Wesley before continuing, "Bishop, Nolan, take Terry Wright, who was in for armed robbery and attempted murder. If you observe anything actionable, send it up to Major Crimes."