Free Sin City Uniform 02 - Copping an Attitude by Morticia Knight

squeeze then Parker loosened his grip. He rose to his feet and noted the curious stares from his partner and the EMTs. When he turned around, it was his sergeant’s gaze on him as he stood there with his arms crossed in front of him.
    “Can I see you a moment, McLean?”
    “Of course, Sergeant.”
    He couldn’t help but take a glance over his shoulder to check on Slade as he followed Sergeant Lopez to his car. Slade seemed to be in good hands, but Parker was still terrified for him. He’d taken an awful beating.
    “I’d prefer to have your undivided attention, McLean.”
    Parker whipped his head around to face the sergeant. “Sorry, sir. I just…”
    He had no good response, so he decided to shut up instead.
    “You know him other than in an official capacity?” He arched his eyebrows.
    “No! I mean, no, sir.”
    That’s sort of the truth.
    “I don’t think I need to reiterate that availing yourself of the sex worker’s services in your off time is grounds for suspension?”
    Parker inhaled sharply. “Sir, with all due respect, I take my job very seriously and I would never break the law or take advantage of any of the worker’s…services.”
    His sergeant eyed him carefully before he spoke again. “You do a good job and I’ve never had cause to doubt you. But you might want to be careful. A few days ago he got away from you—saving him from an arrest—and tonight you’re holding his hand and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. People talk.”
    Parker bristled at the ‘sweet nothings’ remark, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it without raising his sergeant’s ire. It wouldn’t do him or Slade any good to get his superior all worked up.
    “Yes, sir. I understand.”
    “Good. Now go finish up.”
    Parker went through the motions of following up, questioning a couple of people who second unit support had located in the immediate area. No one had seen where the men had gone, and only one person was able to give a vague description. Parker already knew damn well that it was the work of Julio’s rival, Alexei. He surreptitiously glanced Slade’s way as he was loaded up then transported—sirens screaming as the ambulance tore out of the lot then down the street.
    Once they’d wrapped everything up, he checked his watch before getting back in the cruiser. It was past three a.m. He still had almost three more hours on his shift. Then he’d have about an hour of reports to do back at the station, especially because of what had occurred.
    At least four hours before I can check on Slade.
    “You in a big hurry?”
    Parker groaned. “Darren, just ask me.”
    “Okay. What’s the story with that kid?”
    He pressed his lips together, trying to decide how to explain what was going on to his best friend, even when he wasn’t entirely sure what was going on either.
    “There’s not so much of a story as there is a…concern.”
    “That’s too cryptic for me. Try again?”
    “Um.” Parker found that he wanted to talk about it after all, but couldn’t figure out the best way to put it. “There was something about how scared he was the other night. I had the sense that he needed help, that he was someone who deserved a second chance to get it right. That maybe he’d been forced into a life that he’d never asked for.”
    “Parker,” Darren’s voice was gentle. “Almost everyone we run across in our line of work could fit into that category. What made him stand out?”
    Fighting the urge to snap at Darren, he pondered his friend’s words. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t already mulled over the exact same thing, but talking about it out loud might give him more clarity.
    “I guess I’m drawn to him.”
    There. It’s out in the open.
    “As in attracted?”
    “I’m…not sure. Maybe. But it’s more than that. I think.”
    “Holy Christ, this is a mess. I won’t question what you find attractive, that’s a very personal thing, but your lives couldn’t be more different