Free In the Shadow of Love by Annie Bruce

through the crowd to stand next to him.  “Not a good idea to keep the Captain waiting.”
    Morris held his breath, and tongue, ignoring his nemesis.  A public scene would only invite unwanted attention.
    Undeterred, Geridano continued.  “He was asking where you were, didn’t know what to tell him.”
    “I’m sure you didn’t.”  Morris stood firm watching him from the corner of his eye while appearing to stare straight ahead, a trick he learned in the army serving as a Military Policeman on the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
    “No, but the Captain just might be interested in knowing you’re dating a witness.”
    Morris’ spine became rigid as the other man postured for a confrontation.
    “Watch your back, Morris.  Watch your back.”
    A desire to warn him to do the same caused him to grit his teeth as Geridano slinked away like the snake he was.  Discretion being the better part of valor he held back, having enough explaining to do with the Captain already.
    As the mayor’s speech came to an end, Morris looked around the crowd to see who else was in attendance.  It looked like more than one detective was missing.
    “Before I end today, I’d like to take a moment and remember my dear friend, Owen Cassidy who passed away suddenly yesterday.  He was a great friend and will be truly missed.”
    The mayor’s booming voice broke into the unexpected silence a moment later.  “Thank you all for coming today.”
    Applause erupted as the mayor stepped away from the podium.  Holding up his hands in pretend modesty he mingled with the crowd closest to him, a well-practiced smile plastered on his face.
    The mention of Owen Cassidy - today of all days - provoked the detective in him to investigate why.  It was suppose to be a ceremonial recognition of fallen police officers and a statue built in front of city hall to keep their memory alive.  Watching the mayor maneuver skillfully through the small elite crowd at the front that included the Captain, he saw an opportunity to make his exit unnoticed.
    As he moved easily through the crowd, the hairs on the back of his neck bristled at the feeling he was being watched.   Surveying the throngs of people and police officers in and out of uniform, nobody stood out.  His surveillance halted when a dark car matching the description of the one near Maggie’s house pulled away from the crowd and onto a side street. Moving slowly, the vehicle’s tinted windows kept him from easily identifying the driver or its occupants.
    Weaving his way further through the crowd, now oblivious to the person who was watching him, he neared the edge of the crowd just as the car pulled away.  A hand abruptly grabbed his arm pulling him back and he tensed, preparing for battle while still focused on the license plate of the car pulling further and further away.
    “Detective Morris!”
    He recognized the voice – the Captain’s second-in-command.
    “Yes, Lieutenant.”
    “The Captain wants a word with you.”
    This didn’t sound good.
     He turned and followed Lieutenant Baxter back through the crowd he had pushed through just moments ago.
    “Captain, I found Detective Morris.”
    The senior officer turned and fixed a look on Morris that made him stand up straight.
    “Detective Morris!” he didn’t like the sound of how the Captain said his name.
    “Yes, Captain?”  Morris held his head high, his voice firm and in control, resisting the urge to snap to attention.
    “Looks like you have some explaining to do.”
    At a loss for word, Morris stood still feeling the heat from everyone’s staring eyes as the Captain chastised him.
    “Report to my office in fifteen minutes!”
     
     
    Morris struggled to keep is mind on his driving as he headed back to the station for what he sensed would be a reprimand.  When he arrived, the Lieutenant stood waiting outside the Captain’s office.  They made eye contact, and a chill ran through his body.  Each man took