Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Hey! Meeting in ten minutes with the new boss. Guess you’ve already met him,” an older detective informed her after rapping on her desk to get her attention.
Proud she hadn’t jumped in reaction to his attempt to scare her, Avery squarely met his gaze and commented, “Thanks. I have that on my schedule but it’s good to have a reminder.”
She paused and tilted her head slightly as if she found his words curious. “Didn’t he meet with everyone before today on his own time?”
Wyatt walked in to catch her question. “I think he made time for everyone who worked full shifts last week. Weren’t you out for personal time a couple afternoons, Ed?”
“Got to take care of the family, too,” Ed answered with an angry look.
“Of course. No argument here. Just stating why you probably didn’t get a chance to talk to the captain,” Wyatt clarified as he settled into the chair behind his desk.
Avery looked at him meaningfully and checked out the schedule on her computer. When the unpleasant man left, she asked, “Wyatt, I had a stack of papers stuffed in my drawer. They were back on my desk on Saturday. Now they’re gone. Some were important case notes and other simple paperwork to complete a file.”
“I was going to congratulate you on finishing it,” he said.
“That’s so weird,” she mumbled, checking all the drawers again. Nothing.
Having to abandon the search for the captain’s initial address, Avery grabbed her coffee, laptop, and phone. She walked with Wyatt, taking the opportunity to get updates on their open cases. Someone was in their regular seats. When Wyatt started to confront them, Avery just tugged him back to the open seats. Other detectives avoided her gaze or pointed easily detectible glances their way.
“What was that about? We always sit there,” Wyatt asked.
“I think we’re about ready to find out,” Avery commented and nodded as the door opened and Captain Trace Barnes strode in to take control of the room without any observable effort. He commanded their attention.
“Good morning, everyone. Welcome to my first Monday morning meeting. Plan that you will meet with me at this time every week. I will use this time to keep everyone updated with any changes to procedures, deal with difficulties, and create an open line of communication. For the first three months at least, also reserve the end of the shift on Friday to debrief before you leave for the weekend.”
“Captain, I don’t like to interrupt. I’m Detective Ed Barlowe. I’m afraid I’ll miss the Friday afternoon meetings. My grandson plays competition baseball. He’s quite a pitcher. I use my vacation time to take a couple hours off on Fridays. It makes him happy to see me in the stands.”
“Thanks, Ed. I’ve got you on my list of people I missed talking to last week. I’ll make a note that we need to explore a different schedule for you if you’re unable to make the mandatory meetings.”
“What? No! You can’t do that. I have seniority here. I have my first choice of shifts,” Ed pointed out.
“I’ll be sure to mark that down, too, and to double check the department’s standard union contract. Anything else you need me to look into before we meet?” Trace looked him directly in the eyes and waited as if he had all the time in the world.
Silence filled the space, interrupted only by people shifting in their chairs and what appeared to be the nervous clicking of pens. When Ed didn’t offer any suggestions, Trace drew a circle around that section of his notes and continued. When she glanced back at Ed, he pulled out a sheet of three-ring paper and wrote a sentence over the top.
I’d take notes, too. He just had his ass handed to him.
Trace’s briefing was concise and targeted. He asked for input from the detectives working on each case. Everyone was encouraged to make suggestions for those in charge. It was a collaborative meeting with controlled conversation. No bitch sessions were allowed as they were nonproductive.
Toward the end, Avery’s phone buzzed. It was a blurred image of a piece of lined school paper. Name after name was written below. She could just make out the word fraternization at the top. The female detective who’d sent it had added, I thought you should know this is crap before I stand up. Avery looked up at her in panic and immediately tried to gather her composure.
“Captain Barnes, I would like to address an issue that has created an undercurrent in what has to be the best briefing I have ever attended. I’m Nicoya Stevens and I enjoyed having one on one time with you. I believe it was the first time I’ve ever been in the captain’s office, allowed to sit down, and not yelled at.”
The audience laughed. Nicoya was definitely known for expressing her opinion and supporting her decisions with detailed proof and logical reasoning. She and her partner had one of the highest conviction rates in the department. Avery and Wyatt ranked only one or two steps above them most weeks.