Blurred Lines

Chapter 6 - A Building Falls On Riley

Next shift, Riley had made up her mind. She was done with Luke Maddox. She steeled herself and walked into the precinct, straight to Sergeant Donnelly, and made her request.

"Temporarily, at least," she said, trying to mask the anger simmering beneath her voice. "I want to switch training officers. John, if possible."

Sergeant Donnelly raised an eyebrow but didn't question her. "I'll make the change for today. But you might wanna smooth this over with Maddox."

Riley nodded curtly and headed toward the briefing room, where she spotted John chatting with a couple of other officers. He looked up as she approached.

"So, I'm with you today," Riley said, trying to sound casual.

John smiled warmly. "Well, isn't that a surprise. What happened with Maddox? The old man finally push you too far?"

Riley shrugged, forcing a grin. "You could say that."

John chuckled. "Well, I'm happy to have you. But, uh—just don't expect me to be as much of a hard-ass as him."

She shot him a grateful look as they headed to the lockers to gear up. Riley could already feel the tension loosening in her shoulders. Maybe this was what she needed—a break from Maddox, and someone who wasn't so intent on judging her for her past.

But before they even made it out of the briefing room, she saw him. Luke Maddox stood by his desk, arms crossed, his eyes boring into her with a mix of confusion and anger. He marched over, catching up to her just as she slid into the passenger seat.

"Torres!" His voice had that sharp edge she recognized too well. "What the hell is this?"

Riley turned to him, steeling herself. "I requested a switch for the day."

His eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"You know why," she shot back, unable to keep the bitterness from creeping into her voice. "Maybe I need to work with someone who doesn't think I'm a walking liability."

Maddox's jaw clenched. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "This is a joke, right?"

"No joke," Riley said. "John's got me for the day."

John, sensing the tension, piped up with a grin. "Don't worry, Luke. I'll take good care of her. We're about to get coffee and donuts to celebrate the change. Wanna come?"

Maddox glared at John, clearly unimpressed with the lighthearted approach, but after a moment, he stepped back. "Fine. Don't screw up," he said, his gaze lingering on Riley for a beat longer before he turned on his heel and stalked off.

"Yikes," John muttered as they walked in the other direction. "Didn't expect him to take it that hard."

Riley exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "He'll live."

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Riley leaned against the squad car, waiting for John to come out of the precinct. She rubbed the back of her neck, sore from tension that hadn't left her in days. Avoiding Luke Maddox wasn't easy, and the constant tension and glaring whenever he was in the room was starting to take its toll on her. Maybe Donnelly had a point- maybe she should try to smooth things over.

"Ready to roll, Torres?" John Meyers' voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He stood beside the car with a grin, his arms crossed, looking every bit the seasoned cop that he was. Riley had always found comfort in John's easy-going nature. After twenty years on the force, he still carried a lightness that seemed impossible for someone who had seen what he had.