Crow's Nest [✓]

Chapter 15

After grabbing a cup of coffee from the breakroom, Thomas approached Liam, telling him to run background checks on Lucas Anderson and his friend Johnathan. Liam's eyes widened a bit, a hint of excitement in his expression. This was something he could actually contribute to.

"Sure, no problem!" He nodded, his tone eager, "I'll get right on it!" Liam already had his computer open, fingers poised over the keyboard.

"Thanks, Liam," Thomas said, acknowledging the eagerness in Liam's voice with a nod. "We need to know everything we can about Lucas and especially about this 'Johnathan' character his parents mentioned. Any links we can find, any connection between them, any little detail that could help us."

Liam gave a determined nod, already typing away at his computer.
"I got it," he stated, his focus on the screen. "I'll scour every database, social media, school records, anything I can get my hands on. If this 'Johnathan' is out there, I'll find him."

Thomas turned to Harry.
"I'm going to write up a report for the day and hand it to the boss, afterwards we can leave. You still alright staying with me while you're here in New York?"

Harry smiled, his expression genuine. "Yeah, of course," he agreed, his voice casual but sincere. "I appreciate the offer. It beats paying for a hotel every night. Plus, your place isn't exactly a hole-in-the-wall, right?"

Thomas chuckled at Harry's casual observation. "It's not a pent-house, but it's far from a slum," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. He began walking towards his desk, ready to start the report. "Feel free to relax, watch TV, do whatever you want. I'll just be here writing up this thing and then we can take off."
"Sounds good," Harry said, still standing near the break room door. "I'll probably just read or something. See you in a bit."

With that, Harry walked back to the break room while Thomas sat at his desk, ready to get to work on the report.
With a weary sigh, Thomas took a seat at his desk, eyes scanning the stack of papers that needed to be filled out. He began typing away, listing out all the details regarding the case to that point, being careful to include anything that might be relevant.

Time seemed to pass in a blur, the only sound in the quiet office the click-clack of Thomas's keyboard. After a while, he leaned back in his chair, eyeing the completed report. He took a moment to run his eyes through the entire report, making sure no important details had been missed. Satisfied, he hit the 'print' button, the sound of the machine whirring to life behind him.

Once the multiple printouts were done, he gathered them up, making sure they were in order. Now came the less pleasant part - facing the boss.
Thomas reached the door of the boss's office and knocked, the sound feeling like a hammer against a hard surface. Within seconds, a gruff voice from inside called out, "Come in!"

Taking a deep breath, Thomas opened the door and stepped inside, the boss's displeased expression greeting him instantly.
Chief Devin Gibson, a stern-looking man in his mid-fifties with a no-nonsense attitude, looked up from his desktop as Thomas entered. His gaze fell on the stack of printed reports in Thomas's hand, and a frown etched deeper wrinkles across his brow.
"You've got something for me, I presume," he said, his tone lacking any warmth.

Thomas swallowed his nerves and stepped forward, placing the stack of reports on the desk in front of the Chief. "Yes, sir," he began, his voice steady. "These are the reports from today's investigation regarding the Syflocyl Drug Case."
The Chief picked up the reports and began to flip through them, his expression remaining stoic. "Sit down," he ordered, gesturing at the chair across from his desk.

Thomas obliged, the chair creaking as he took a seat, feeling like a student in front of a strict teacher. He waited in silence as the Chief continued to peruse through the reports, the only sound in the room the rustling of papers. He spent several agonizing minutes looking over the reports, turning the pages without making a sound. As he read, his eyebrows raised slightly, a rare sign that he was perhaps interested in the information. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he placed the reports back on the desk.

"So," he said after a moment of silence, "looks like you and your new partner are making headway..." His tone was a bit softer than usual, a small approval.
"Detective Harry has been helpful. I understand why Norway sent him." Thomas said nodding.
The Chief nodded, his eyes shifting between Thomas and the reports, a hint of thoughtfulness in his gaze. "I see," he mused, a slight pause following. "And how are you two getting along? Any issues?"

The Chief always had a keen sense for team dynamics and whether detectives worked well together. It was something he keenly observed.
Thomas responded with a confident smile. "Things are going well," he said, keeping his tone even and optimistic. "Harry is a good detective and a level-headed person to work with. We're working well together, bouncing off each other's ideas. It's almost like we've been partners for a while."

The Chief leaned back in his chair, a faint smile appearing on his lips. It was a rare sight to see him in such a good mood. "That's good to hear, Thomas," he said, his tone uncharacteristically almost fatherly. "It's important to have a good partner, after all. We can't solve these cases alone."

"I saw you sent Detective William home sir," Thomas said curiously.
The Chief grunted softly, a hint of a scoff escaping him. "Yes, I did," he stated, his tone returning to its usual sternness. "The man was in no state to work, clearly hung over and not at his best."
The Chief let out a huff, his expression turning serious again. "We can't have detectives stumbling into duty like that," he said, his tone firm. "It's a distraction and a liability. He needs to keep it together."
Thomas nodded, aware that the Chief was right. He'd give William an earful about maintaining professionalism next time he saw him.

The Chief let out a sigh, his gaze shifting back to the reports. "Make sure your new partner stays on the straight path too," he said, his tone half warning, half concern. "The last thing we need is him becoming another William."
Thomas stood up from his chair, nodding to the Chief as a sign of acknowledgment. "Understood," he said, his voice steady. The Chief dismissed him with a wave of his hand, signaling that the conversation was concluded.

Thomas exited the Chief's office, closing the door behind him with a soft click.