Complexity

Chapter Eight.

Dominic turned, not expecting to see the disgraced man.

"What the hell do you think you're doing putting your dirty paws on my woman, huh?" Reichter walked forward, standing in front of Dominic, being a few inches shorter than him.

"I'm comforting her because she can't deal with you."

Reichter puffed his chest up like a bird, "She can deal with me perfectly fine, she has for years."

Dominic eyed Jean before fixing his gaze on Reichter, "How about we take this outside?"

Reichter laughed, "You threatening me? You threatening a lieutenant in his place of work? Real smart, yeah?"

"Not a threat, it's an invitation."

Reichter shoved Dominic back, "Get the hell out."

"Get the hell out of her life first."

Reichter let out a hearty chuckle, "Wow, you're a comedian, aren't ya?"

They bickered back and forth for a little bit, until,

"James, I want a divorce."

Woah.

Reichter scoffed, "No you don't. Don't let this...Asian...influence your choices."

"He didn't influence me. It was my choice, it was my idea."

Reichter laughed, holding his ribcage, "Oh wow, you've got to be kidding me. You're quite the comedian too, yeah?"

Jean deadpanned, "I'm being serious."

"Nah. Everyone loves me. You have no reason to want a divorce."

Dominic moved Jean, pushing her gently so she stood behind him, "You laid your hands on her. That's a pretty good reason to want a divorce."

"Buddy, she's my wife. I will enforce whatever rules I want on her, especially in my own home." Reichter inched forward.

"So what, just 'cause she's your wife means you get to hurt her? That's just plain abusive."

"It ain't abusive. I'm not an abuser. I'm treating her the way I see fit. Now if ya don't mind, how 'bout you leave her be, yeah?"

Jean glanced at Reichter who now had his eyes focussed on her, "James please. I want a divorce."

Reichter wiped tears from his eyes from laughing, "Sure. Sure ya do."

"James, please just go."

Reichter's eyes flickered back and forth between Jean and Dominic before he threw his hands up in defense, "Fine. Fine."

As he wandered off, he stopped at the door, briefly turning to get his final words in, "It's Reichter. You know to call me Reichter when we're at work."

As he wandered off, Jean and Dominic stood there, bewildered and baffled.

"I think he's either extremely narcissistic or he's extremely stupid. Or, maybe he's both." Dominic rubbed the back of his neck.

"Both, he's both."