The Men's Camp

Chapter 2 Maria

The commotion at the front counter was pierced by a high-pitched wail. Maria looked up from her desk and saw Nikki running towards the reception area with the first aid kit in her hands. Everyone expected the worst when they heard any sort of disturbance in the public area. As Maria watched, a few other officers appeared from doorways and moved forward to help with the ruckus. A twinge of pain shot up across Maria's spine, spreading like a fan across her lower back as she moved in her seat. As she heard voices trying to calm the chaos at the front counter, her partner Mike breezed through the large open plan space. Maria was sitting at the back of a large crowded office area with a wooden divider screen that gave her desk a semblance of privacy. Standing up, she could see over the barrier and watch as Mike arrived to calm the disturbance. He always seemed to be in the centre of any action.

Mike Romaine was tall, fit and popular. He had many years of on the job experience which made him fun to work with, a clever detective and a very good mentor. In contrast, when it came to his personal life, Maria felt like his older sister or mother. Mike was only two years younger, but he was forever falling in and out of love. Maria instead was in a long-term relationship which was meaningful and intense. Sometimes, Maria wondered what it would take to get Mike to view life as seriously as she did, but then he would come into work with another wild story or broken heart and she couldn't imagine him ever changing for anyone.

She stretched, trying to shift the ache out of her back and considered whether it was time for a coffee or toilet break.

"Too much time on paperwork," Mike suggested as he re-appeared from the front and approached her workspace.

"Probably. I think I need to go get a massage."

"How about an interview instead?"

Maria rolled her eyes. Mike was good at distraction.

"Who is it?"

"A mother is reporting her child missing. She's causing the commotion at the front, so I think you would be good with her."

Maria sighed. She knew exactly what Mike meant. He didn't want to deal with a hysterical woman if he could pass it on to her. She had been working at the station for just over a year now as a support specialist. Her position made her more than an office worker, but she was not yet a police officer either. Although the work was challenging, Maria enjoyed the more hands-on aspect of her work and the break it gave her from the usual piles of mundane paperwork.

"You know I am only supposed to transcribe what she says and assist with your case. A detective is usually expected to interview her."

Mike smiled lazily, "but you are so good at what you do, you should get a pay rise. Plus, it's just paperwork. Missing persons will decide if we need to take it further."

Maria wondered how bad this interview was going to be if it involved so much flattery before it even began. Mike usually saved his sweet talk for the single ladies.

Her back twinged again and she wanted to escape, but instead, she twisted from side to side and breathed out slowly. The ache passed and she suddenly felt more comfortable. The chaos surrounding the distraught mother had piqued her curiosity.

"That's fine, bring her over and I'll take her statement."

Grabbing a chair from a nearby desk, Mike placed it neatly in front of Maria's post as Nikki approached with the slightly more subdued woman. Mike gave them all a winning smile and said, "Maria, our very capable colleague, is going to take down your statement. Then, once we have it, the missing persons department will take it from there. You are in very good hands with Maria, she is really good at what she does."