I'll Help You Hide From Them

Enter Kier

After everything that's happened, I look up Ralph's brother, finding that he's in the academy, training to be just like his older brother.

"He's actually running top of his class, he's almost going to beat all the records you set." His tutor tells me.

"That's a good sign. I was thinking of taking him under my wing for a while. He could do with some experience on the front line." I shrug.

"He doesn't know what happened to his brother, does he?" His tutor figures out.

I shake my head with a sigh. "Ralph wasn't that close apparently and I can't bring myself to tell him that I watched his only family left die."

"I think you should tell him the truth. He deserves it." His tutor tells me.

I shrug. She notices that I'm still a little shaken up about how he was killed so she doesn't press it.

"I'll get him." She adds, leaving the room for a while. I'm surprised that when she returns that she's got a fairly tall man with her who looks almost too much like Ralph.

"This Detective wants to speak with you." His tutor informs before leaving the room.

"Hi there, my name's Kier, is something the matter Detective?" He checks.

"No, nothing like that, I've heard good things about you actually." I shakily manage.

He gives me a strange look, as if he's starting to recognise me. "You were at my brother's funeral." He recalls.

"Yes, I was. He was my partner and I owe my life to him-" I start only to be harshly interrupted.

"Sure, it's all good saying that now but you couldn't protect him when it mattered." He snaps.

I bite my lip at the sound of this. Even though it's harsh and he doesn't really know what happened, there is a sense of truthfulness to it.

"Before he died, he begged me to take care of you. I can't do that if I'm working cases and you're still in the academy." I point out.

"You were with him when he died?" He checks.

I can't bring myself to say anything so I just nod.

He notices that I'm slightly emotional about this so his hard expression softens. "I know a place we can talk, you could get yourself something to eat while you're at it. I find it helps."

"So does alcohol." I admit before remembering that he's under aged. "I really do miss your brother."

He shrugs before guiding me to a local café. I smile at the familiarity since I used to spend all of my free time here when I was still in the academy.

"Hey Drew, it's been awhile. Still want my famous coffee blend?" Sam, the owner of the café, instantly greets when he sees me.

Kier seems surprised. "You know about this place?"

"Knows about it? His first week in uniform he almost tried to arrest me to find out how my coffee tastes so good." Sam laughs. "What brings you two here?"

"Just your brilliant coffee." I lie.

Kier gives me a curious look but doesn't say anything. Sam notices that I'm holding something back so he instantly understands.

"You can take your usual spot upstairs. I'll get your order ready." He tells us.

"Thanks Sam." I force a smile as we make our way upstairs to the quietest corner of the café.

Kier catches sight of me fiddling with my fake finger. I can tell that he's curious but he doesn't ask. This seems to be a technique that runs in the family so I sigh.

"I'll only tell you if you're really good how I lost my finger." feeling instantly relieved that my other hand is wearing a glove so that he can't see it's completely plastic.

He gives me a look for a moment before working it out. "Every time you look at me your thumb strokes it. It has something to do with my brother, doesn't it?"

I manage a smile. "So it's not just your looks that make you top of your classes."

He giggles at the sound of this. "I'm just used to excelling at whatever I apply myself to."

I'm just about to say something when I get a phone call. I immediately apologise to Kier and answer it when I see it's from my boss.

"Woolnough, you're needed at the station house. This dirt bag says he'll only speak to you." Laurence tells me.

"Okay Captain, I'll be right there." I reply, hanging up.

"What is it?" Kier asks, his eyes glowing in curiosity.

"Someone just being an ass, wanna watch me do an interrogation?" I offer, collecting my coffee mug and heading towards the precinct.

Kier follows closely, a little nervous so he almost hides behind me.

"What's he doing here? Hang on, aren't you Ralph's brother?" Laurence checks.

"Yeah, this is Kier, I would like to request that he becomes my partner from now on." I reply on Kier's behalf.

Laurence gives me an uncertain look for a while. "Are you sure that's wise?" He quietly asks me.

"Does it matter? Please let me look out for him, it's what Ralph would've wanted." I sensitively reply.

This seems to win Laurence over but he stops me. "You can't let him see the interrogation."

"Why not?" I instantly get defensive.

"Because of who it is." Laurence gives me a look, making me immediately know who it is.

"What does he want?" I growl.

"He's offering to give us the name of the shooter, only if he talks to you." Laurence explains.

"Shooter? You mean my brother's shooter?" Kier checks.

We both ignore him.

"Drew this is the only way we can find who that other man was." Laurence adds.

I glare at him for a moment before shrugging. "Fine, keep an eye on Kier."

"Don't worry, that goes without saying. There will be security watching you just in case something happens." Laurence tries to reassure me.

"The damage is already done." I simply tell him.