a thousand mistakes // psych

Chapter 2

Lassiter's POV

The look on Shawn's face killed me. I brushed a tear off my cheek- God! I'm crying? When's the last time I cried on duty?- and clenched the edge of the table so hard my knuckles turned white. Chief Vick put a comforting hand on my shoulder and elaborated.

"What he means, Mr. Spencer, is that Juliet is- I suppose we could say MIA. Believed dead. Not- confirmed."

I shrugged off her hand. "Karen, the SBPD thanks you for your involvement, but technically this is my jurisdiction, so I'll just take over the investigation from here."

"How on earth would this be your jurisdiction? The crime happened in San Francisco to an officer of the SFPD and all investigations will take place in the Bay Area and surrounding locations. This doesn't apply to you at all!"

"She's my former partner, Chief. I'm not going to let you put some officer who barely remembers her name on the case. She deserves better."

I turned to Spencer, seizing up the situation in the quick, observant manner I always did. He didn't try to hide his fear and regret. Gus had stepped closer to him, his body language revealing how much he knew about his best friend. His first instinct was to protect him, which was admittedly a bit cute, but cute wasn't what I needed right now. I needed results.

I needed Juliet.

"Karen, come on. Spencer, Guster, and I knew her better than anyone else you could possibly assign to this case. Believe it or not, you need me. If there's anything to find, we will find it."

Chief Vick appraised me. "Alright," she began slowly, "it's not exactly protocol, but you're right. The three of you can work on this, but it's strictly a private job, for me."

I attempt a weak grin. "You won't regret this, Chief. And I'll report to you every step of the way. It'll be just like old times."

She smile sadly. "If only that could be true."