Chapter 76: Two months later

"Derrick, you need to catch up on reports. You're stuck at a desk until they're finished. Do I make myself clear?" I do everything I can not to toss the paperwork in my hand at his head.

He gives me a guilty look and it doesn't help my mood. "Yes, LT. Thank you, sir," he says quickly.

"Get out of here and get started," I order. After he leaves, I check the calendar on my phone. I have a meeting this afternoon followed by catching up with my own never-ending paperwork.

It feels good to be back in the police department. Deciding to accept the desk job seemed like my only option after returning from Houston. I dragged my feet for two weeks before scheduling an appointment to speak with my old captain. The job isn't the same and even with improvement to my knee, its weak condition keeps me out of the field. Babysitting rookies isn't my idea of fun, but I remember the supervisors who took their time to steer me in the right direction. Now I'm one of the supervisors and I have a lot to li