Dearest Detective · ONC

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Barrett kicked over a chair, running a hand down his face. Barker and Harold walked in but stood back. After Barrett finally collapsed into his own chair did they come forward. "Detective, you can't get mad at us for this," the sergeant said. "Just because I didn't give you the case. You're not the best detective there ever was. There will be cases that just don't get closed."

Barrett stared at him. "How did you ever make sergeant?"

The sergeant opened his mouth but was cut off with a quiet, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

All three men spun around and Harold's jaw dropped. A woman with soft blonde curls had just walked in. She smiled at Harold, her red lips shining in the light. "Don't catch flies," she said. Harold's mouth closed with a snap.

Barrett's eyes widened. The woman walked farther into the station, to Barker. "I'm Detective Ellen King," she said, reaching out her hand. Barker took it, with a scrutinizing look. "I don't mean to be rude but, who are you?"

Evelyn laughed and Barrett couldn't help but appreciate the smoothness of her voice. "I'm Detective King, I called you yesterday."

Barker lifted an eyebrow. "You're Detective King? "

"Yes!" she said with a giggle. "I personally called you."

"I thought you were the detective's secretary."

"Sorry to disappoint you," she said flashing her white teeth.

"No, no," Barker said, hands coming up. "I was merely confused. Welcome to the 12th precinct. This is who you'll be working with." Barker gestured to Barrett. Ellen smiled and strode over to him. "Hello, I'm excited to work with you." Her smile wasn't so cheery this time. She looked deep into his eyes and he thought he saw fire. Fire he couldn't trust. This was the woman from the elevator.

Ellen gripped his hand. "Hopefully you won't have a problem with a woman being your new partner."

"Temporary partner," Barrett said. "And no. As long as you don't get in my way."

She let go of his hand and turned to face Harold. "It's nice to meet you too," she said. Her eyes darted to his left hand, where a plain band shone dully. "How long have you been married?" she asked.

Barrett snorted and looked at Barker. "This is your brilliant detective? Any fool could tell you that." Ellen pounced on that. "I was merely trying to be sociable," she said, a little cool. "But I could tell that you're divorced, no kids, no love interest."

"Oh?" Barrett said. "And you could tell that from my lack of ring and the fact I have no photographs on my desk?"

"Yes, and I could tell you're divorced because you kept fidgeting with your ring finger. There used to be a ring there."

"A regular Mr. Holmes you brought here," Barrett said. "And no."

"No, what?"

"I do have kids."

"And no pictures of them?"

"My wife won't send me pictures of my daughter."

"How old is your daughter?"

"You tell me."

Ellen smiled and turned back to Harold. "How long have you been married?" she repeated.

"Uh, 5 years now." Harold blinked his eyes tightly and smiled. "I've got a son and a baby on the way. We're hoping it's a girl."

"How fun!" Ellen said, clapping her hands. "I congratulate you and your wife." She faced Barker. "Barrett and I should get to work, yes?"