Crow's Nest [✓]

Chapter 33

The moment Flint left the apartment, Harry rounded on Thomas with anger in his eyes.

"What the hell were you thinking? Working together with Flint?" he demanded, his voice a mixture of anger and worry.

Thomas held up his hands placatingly, knowing Harry had every right to be upset. "I know, I know. It wasn't the best idea, but listen—"

Harry interrupted, his face red with anger. "No, you listen! You made a deal with our biggest suspect without letting me have a say? We're supposed to be partners, Thomas! We're supposed to trust each other!"

Thomas looked away, knowing he had messed up. "I'm sorry, okay? I should've told you from the start. I just..."

He trailed off, trying to find the words to explain his actions. But what could he say? That he had made a snap decision in the heat of the moment? That he had let his emotions guide his actions instead of thinking things through?

Harry let out a huff, clearly not satisfied with the explanation. "You just what, Thomas? Lost your mind? Forgot how to communicate like a normal person?"

He stepped closer to Thomas, his eyes intense. "We're supposed to be in this together, remember? We're partners. You can't just go off on your own and do whatever the hell you want."

Thomas shot back. "And what about you? You've gone off on your own plenty of times, Harry. How many times have you kept things from me because you thought it was better that way? How many times have you not asked for my opinion, just done your own thing without consulting me?"

His voice rose in anger as he spoke, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You can't criticize me for something you've done yourself, partner. It's not fair."

Harry's expression darkened, stung by Thomas's words. He knew his partner was right, but he couldn't admit it.

"That's different," he said defensively. "My decisions are for the greater good. I do what's necessary, even if it means keeping things from you. But your deal with Flint? That's not just reckless, it's insane."

Thomas couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What's insane about it, huh? We're not getting anywhere on this Syflocyl case, and Flint's the only one who's got any solid lead. I'm not proud of making a deal with a criminal, but dammit, I'll do whatever it takes to solve this case and keep Brooklyn safe."

Harry clenched his jaw, frustration building. "You're not thinking straight, Thomas. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Since when has making a deal with a criminal ever ended well?"

He walked towards Thomas, his eyes boring into him. "We're supposed to be the good guys, remember? We don't work with criminals, we arrest them."

Thomas felt his own anger rising, frustrated by Harry's lack of understanding. "I know what we're supposed to do, Harry. I know it goes against everything we stand for. But what choice do we have? The Russians are a genuine threat to this city, and the Doc is our only lead. If we don't do something, more people are going to get hurt. Can't you see that?"

Harry sneered, shaking his head. "That's what this is about, isn't it? You're too young, too naive to understand the consequences of your actions. You think you can just swoop in and fix everything, like some kind of hero."

Thomas bristled at the accusation, his age being used against him. "That's got nothing to do with it. I'm just as capable as you are."

Harry let out a derisive laugh, clearly not convinced. "Capable? You've been on the force for what, five, six years? You're still a rookie, kid. You don't have the experience, the knowledge that I do."

Thomas clenched his fists, his anger reaching its boiling point. "I may be younger, but that doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. I may not have been on the force as long as you, but I've solved plenty of cases. And I'll solve this one too, with or without your help!"

And with that, Thomas stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him. He was furious with Harry, fed up with being treated like a naive child. He knew his partner had a point, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.