Mayhem

Ch3

I can already tell that working with Adrian is going to be a handful, he has been testing my patience since we've first started working together. Deciding that staring at the board rather than my hands while we waited seemed like a better option, I tried to solve the puzzle to his dates. His murders weren't evenly spaced out. With the kind of man he is, I can only assume there is a method to his madness. This method however, is entirely lost on me. There doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern to these dates that I can see at the moment.

"How old are you?" Randomly questioned Adrian, breaking the silence.

"Men don't typically ask a woman that unless they are looking to get hit." I replied, annoyed with him beyond what I've ever felt for anyone before. I don't know what it is about him that riled me up, I usually don't let people get to me. He remained silent after that and I started to think that maybe he took it as a threat. "Twenty-three." Answering his question seriously, I didn't bother asking him his age.

"How long have you been a detective?" He asked, I could feel he was hunting for some type of answer. The hidden question he had was beyond me.

"Almost two years, I got promoted early." Keeping my answers short, I was hoping the series of twenty questions would end soon.

"Because of your relationship with the Chief I presume?" His reply was quick, very short and direct. He assumed I got to where I was because of Ronald, and that infuriated me.

"Excuse me?"

"I've noticed how close the two of you are, it's okay to have connections in higher places. Some of us just have to work a little harder than others to get where they want to be." Sitting back, he folded his hands behind his head.

"I've worked hard for everything I've gotten in my life, nothing was handed to me. Detectives Mathews and McCombsy also were promoted with me. A group of our people had gone out on a case for a bomb threat, the bomb went off killing them all. We were short staffed, and crime rates were starting to rise. They needed more detectives." Huffing back at him, I crossed my arms to try and cool myself down. I could recall that day perfectly, it's one of the events that made me a better detective. The three of us went into action without thinking to try and save as many people as we could, if only we would have been able to save our friends as well.

"I've been a detective for two years, did three years as a cop before joining the others as a detective. Before any of that, I was in the marines for four years. I've never had a partner during my career, I never wanted one to begin with." Replied Adrian, his voice seemed to calm down a little.

"You're very arrogant and rude, it's no wonder you yourself have never had a partner." Still angry with his comments, I wouldn't be kinder just because he was being less sassy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm not used to working with someone else, I don't want someone who can't handle the pressure and will get us both killed is all. I guess we'll just have to get to know one another." Trying to be nice all of a sudden, I looked at him suspiciously.

"I never wanted a partner either, I don't like someone risking their life for me. If we're going to be partners, I need you to know that. If something happens that could risk both of our lives, worry about saving yourself first. Don't go risking it all on me, I can handle myself." Nodding toward him, I turned my attention back toward the board.

"You know, that almost sounded heroic until that last part." Letting out a small laugh, I could tell he was now amused which only seemed to tick me off even more.

"I'm no hero." Was the last thing said before the office doors opened, and the two Chiefs finally returned with what looked like our case along with them.