Boarded Windows

title of your story

The next morning seemed groggily repetitive minus the looking for Annalee in the news. Ryan had also made himself scrambled eggs, another breakfast favorite. He skipped the coffee and had orange juice instead. He had taken a shower the night before so he donned jeans, a classic blue and white striped polo, and sneakers before heading out the door. Ryan was a freelance officer meaning he took cases only to his specifications and worked almost like an undercover cop. Much to the dislike of the chief he often noticed. Chief Bradley wanted Ryan as a fulltime undercover agent and pulled him into his office at least once weekly to try to change his mind with some new offer. It wasn’t about the money though; he just needed the extra time to try to help the people he saw in his dreams. More often than not he could tell when and where his dreams were taking place and he could at least attempt to stop the tragedies that lie in the future for the helpless victims. He knew if he took the full time position free time would be absolutely impossible to find and he would be on call twenty four hours a day. He simply couldn’t commit to that, not with all the unknown lives at stake.

The sun outside was blinding and it was a very warm day for fall in Shannon so he grabbed his sunglasses of the dash as he slid behind the wheel of the Spyder. Pulling the gear into reverse he backed out of the driveway and took the roads at an even pace towards the police station. Driving into the parking garage he pulled into his normal space and walked into the station and was greeted by a few of the other officers that had already gotten in or were just leaving after the night shift. Settling down at his desk he picked up the file to his most recent case. He leaned back and positioned his feet up on the desk crossing them at the ankles. The case was a sad one involving a young boy being abused by his mother… his only living parent. His job was to prove the validity of the claim made by the boy’s teacher. It was one of his more easygoing cases not that it wasn’t just as important. Abuse was a very serious crime but it was just a claim at this point so he would work his hardest for the next week to compile the evidence for or against the case. Flipping through the pages he noted the address and phone number on a sticky note. He would head to see his mother after lunch. Beforehand Chief Bradley had reserved him for a meeting at nine which was in about ten minutes. While waiting he skimmed the remaining information and noted how the teacher had explained his bruises and his recently strange behavior. He felt a pang of sadness before closing the file and standing to head to the Chiefs office. He had never been abused in his life he had actually been loved by his mother, or more so treasured so he couldn’t say he knew what it was like. However he had seen in his dreams many counts of domestic violence and abuse scarring him for life.

Knocking on the Chief’s door twice he entered without a response, “Good morning Clay. How’s it going?”

“Better than a bunch of pickles Stouge,” He replied looking up from the stacks of paperwork on his desk then gestured him to sit down. Clayton Bradley never called his officers by their first names and only a few were permitted to call him Clay. It was a kind of reward for his favorites and those with seniority.

“I will never get where you get your phrases old man,” Ryan grumbled taking his seat, “What did you need I’m looking to get started on that Wildlow case.”

“I think you know why you’re here Stouge,” The Chief’s eyes grew serious and held Ryan’s gaze, “I want you to join the forces football team this year.”

Ryan laughed, actually burst out laughing, holding his gut. He was nervous it would be another recruitment speech.  “Football?” He gasped for air.

“Yes,” the Chief’s gaze didn’t falter he just kept that serious expression pasted to his face.

“Clay…”

“Just do it. Now get out of my office I want a report on the Wildlow case before you go home tonight. Got it?”

“Hey now football is not part of my job I didn’t agree to that,” Ryan tried to back out.

“It is your job now or I will refer you to a different precinct,” Clay challenged, “Now get.”

“This isn’t even legal,” he mumbled closing the door. Oh well football was fun and a great stress reliever. Plus it might get the Chief off his back for a while about that fulltime position.