The Knights Himura

#41: Limelight Tonight

The grey haired man led her out of her cell and into a back room. Her jacket, hat and belongings laid on the table in the center of the room. She put on her jacket and her hat and started shoving all of her things back into her pockets.

"I hope nothing's missing," Tsuki ran her hands up and down her body.

"They'd better not be losing your things," the Chief growled.

"...and?"

"...and it's coming out of their paycheck," he finished.

"That seems harsh," Tsuki adjusted her sleeves.

"We have a reputation to keep, Miss Himura," he opened the door again and motioned for her to follow him.

The two of them went from bend to bend. They passed offices, cubicles, evidence rooms, and at least one firing range. The place was built like a never ending labyrinth.

It seemed quite unusual that she was being led out through such a long route. It felt like it took forever to finally reach the front desk. All the workers and officers kept giving her strange looks on the way out.

"Sorry about that," the police chief sighed as he opened the final door to the outside world.

"It's fine," Tsuki took a deep breath as she stepped outside.

"Did they mistreat you?" there was a hint of frustration in his voice as he closed the door behind him.

Tsuki rubbed the bump on her head, "They bashed my head when I was getting in the car, but that's about it."

"They did?"

"Yeah."

The chief groaned, "Idiots."

Tsukiko thought for a moment. She tried to decide if her next question was appropriate for the moment.

"Something on your mind?" the chief asked.

"Why did you drop the charges on the guy that burned Lily?" Tsuki asked.

"Tsuki, thats--"

"Morgan told his gang that you set him free. That's why he took him out of the hospital and tried to burn him," Tsuki grew angrier.

"...is that right?" the chief put his hands in his pockets.

"Did you set him free?"

"...yes."

"Why?" Tsukiko asked.

"This isn't your decision to make," the chief looked away.

"I know it isn't, I just wanna know why you did it!" Tsuki stomped.

"Sometimes, I've gotta make hard decisions, and--"

"Just tell me," Tsuki sighed. "It's too late now. It put his life in danger, so it better be important."

The chief sighed, "It's none of your concern, alright?"

"Whose side are you on?" Tsuki looked him in the eye.

"I'm on the side of justice--"

"The side that lets a street gang operate unchecked? The side that lets an arsonist free? The side that arrests the people trying to protect innocent lives?" Tsuki grit her teeth.

"I'd shut my mouth if I were you...'

"Tell me," Tsuki insisted.

The chief put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to stop the Shakudos. That means doing some things that're... irrational."