The Night Shift (35 page)

"Things have been pretty cool around here. The only reason these guys are still here is because they're full-time employees. Tourist season's pretty much over and we're just packing it all in until next spring."

"Ah…always a depressing feeling, closing something up after a while," Teneire philosophically replied. "I almost felt that way closing up the case here."

"Yeah, I guess."

"That's actually why I'm here. I just wanted to make sure all you guys were sure the case was over and everything is settled."

There was a chorus of "Yeah's" and "Definitely's". Teneire allowed a small chuckle. "Okay, sounds good enough for me."

"Wait, Mr. Teneire," Ian called out, "What's gonna happen to Nick?"

"Nick? He's done. I'm guessing he'll get life in prison, and he probably won't be up for parole. That's
my
guess. I've been wrong before, but I think that's what's gonna happen."

Ian smiled. "Awesome. Now I can tell all my drinkin' buds that I've worked with a guy who's sentenced to life in prison!"

"Uh…sure, if that's your definition of 'awesome'," Teneire said, clearly not understanding what Ian thought was so incredible. "Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. I gotta get going."

"Wait, Mr. Teneire," Lisa said just as he began walking out the door.

Teneire froze in his tracks and turned around. "What's wrong?"

Lisa sighed. She turned to her workers and calmly asked them, "Would you all mind leaving the room for a minute or two?"

There was some confusion on everyone's faces, but Ian broke the silence with, "Ooooooh, I see where
this
is going!"

Lisa scoffed. "Oh, it's nothing like that."

"Heh, heh. Whatever, Lees."

The room quickly emptied until it was just Teneire and Lisa. Lisa took a deep breath before walking around to her desk and opening the top drawer in it.

"Collin came by a couple days ago. He wanted me to give you this," she said neutrally as he handed her the object in her hand; it was an envelope that wasn't all that different from the one that contained the incriminating picture of Nick.

Teneire looked slightly confused as he opened it up. Out came
a
sheet of paper filled with writing done by a typical ballpoint pen.

"It's a letter," Teneire said with a hint of curiosity.

"Collin wrote it. He wanted me to give it to you."

"Why wouldn'the just give it to me himself?"

Lisa passed a quick glance at the letter. "Maybe he'll say."

Still slightly confused, Teneire started reading the letter:

Dear Sergeant Teneire,

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping me work on that case. I don't mean to imitate Lou Gehrig when I say this, but you helped make me the luckiest kid in the world. I don't think you have any idea how awesome it is to finally be able to sleep without thinking about Scott's death. (
actually
, you probably do, but that's not the point)

You were a great boss to me when I worked at your station. (And if you see her, tell Lisa she was a pretty good boss, too) I'll never forget everything you taught me about keeping my cool and always doing my best. You're right: it DOES feel good to help keep killers off the streets, even if it's just one.

In case you were wondering, I just wanted to let you know I don't plan on going back to Arbur Winslow to work. In fact, I'm not planning on going back to work with you either, Sergeant, even though you invited me back. I've gotten a lot of enjoyment from working with you both, but I think everything is done now. If fate thinks different, we'll meet again. Otherwise, I think it's best that we all get on. But just to make sure you don't forget these days, I wanted you to have something.

Sergeant, this is the reason why I wanted to have Lisa give you this letter instead of me just coming to you. I thought that if I tried doing this in person, you'd reject it, so I'm hoping this will make it a bit harder for you to do that. Maybe you'll think of it as nothing special and just as a cheap little trinket that I found some use for. I personally hope you find some deeper meaning in it than that.

Again, I want you and Lisa to both know how grateful I am. Working with both of you guys has been awesome. I wouldn't trade this summer in for anything.

Yours truly,

Collin

Thank you.

Teneire gently took the envelope and tipped it upside down. The police badge that Collin had utilized to his full advantage while working on the case came tumbling out, right into Teneire's hand.

He let out a small grunt as the cold badge fell into his hand. He stared at in awe, like he was looking for that "deeper meaning" that Collin mentioned in the letter. After staring at the badge and carefully observing it from all sides, Teneire muttered something.

"Thank
you
, Collin."

*  *  *

THE END