Show Me Going
Days passed, like it always did. Cold. Empty. Forced. I love my children. I do. What I love the most about them is their physical similarity to Hope. I’m sure she loves that too.
I strode into the bustling precinct, my Doc Martens ringing on the floor. The old, worn-out chair I’ve had at my desk for the past nine/eight years oddly felt comfortable as I sank down with a sigh.
“Saltzman!” Greeted Detective Tien which I met with a wave. “You look rough. Coffee?” He offered me a cup.
My hands grabbed the steaming hot black coffee from him. “Shoot me the moment I ever refuse coffee.” We shared a laugh. “I…uh…Kids…” I sighed before taking a sip. “Two eight-year-olds and a teen.”
“And this is why I’m never having kids.” He gave me a fist bump before leaving.
I kept on replaying Hope’s behavior for the past days, all while nursing the hot beverage. Has she always gotten home that late? Has she always rushed to get out of the door in the morning? When was the last time she called me during her break time? When was the last time we went out? When? How? What? Why? Why? Why?!
“Josie!”
Huh? My head snapped up, meeting MG’s gaze. He pointed at my desk as I felt the table vibrate. “Oh shit! Detective Saltzman.”
“Hello Detective. This is Officer Diaz. There’s been a break in and robbery at the Le Boutique Marin here in Claremont Street.”
“I’ll be there in ten.” I hung up the phone and downed the remaining coffee, now cold.
The scene was like your typical break in and robbery. Shattered glass stained the floor, drawers opened harshly, and display cases mostly empty.
“Detective Saltzman?”
“Yes? You must be Officer Diaz.” I extended my hand which he shook. “Have you informed the owner?”
“She was the one who called.” He directed me to a woman sobbing while on the phone.
“They don’t know, Caleb. Everything is a mess.” She sobbed harder.
“Miss Marin? I’m Detective Saltzman with the MFPD.”
She looked up at me. “I’ll call you later.” She hung up her call. “Rivers.” She showed her hand, a wedding ring shined brightly. “Marin was my maiden name. I built this before I got married. And now it’s all gone.”
“Apologies. Mrs. Rivers, do you have any idea of who might want to do this?” I asked in the gentlest tone I could voice.
She shook her head. “No…I have a lot of competition around here, but I tried to be friendly with them. I…Why would someone do this?”
“We’re still trying to figure that out Ma’am. Does the store have any cameras?”
Her face lit up. “Yes. Yes! I can access it on my laptop.”
Nightfall came and I slumped back in my chair with a groan. Culprit was caught and the paperwork was finished. Thank the Lord for stupid criminals. A giggle escaped my lips as I recalled the arrest.
“Need an exorcism, Saltzman?” Greasley asked, his eyebrow raised.
“No.” I shook my head while giggling. “Just…Stupid criminals.”
“Oh.” We both laughed. WIth our years in the force, we’ve had our fair share of the criminally stupid. “What happened?”
“There was a break in at La Boutique Marin.”
“Oh, really? They have really cute sweaters there.”
“Yeah, I know. So, it was a mess. Glass was everywhere. Lots of things were taken. Expensive things.”
“Ok, typical break in.”
“Luckily, the owner had cameras. They were positioned in a way that they weren’t noticeable.”
“They have cameras?” He tilted his head.
I nodded. “Doesn’t look like it right? The robber thought so too and broke in without a mask.”
He erupted in laughter again, having to muffle the sound with his hand. “That’s just stupid!”
“Oh, yeah, it is. It’s stoopid with two o’s.” I paused for dramatic effect.
“Well, don’t keep me waiting, woman.”
“The robber was one of their long standing competitors. How do we know? The competitor owner showed up to the scene…dressed in the very clothes and jewelry she stole. After some questioning she signed a confession and agreed to pay the damages, as long as it isn’t taken to court.”
I drove home, the long way, when my shift ended. It was quiet and breezy and mostly empty as I tried to push all those thoughts away. It’s probably nothing, Josie. You’re just overthinking it. I wanted to bury them, but like a zombie, they came back to life as I pulled up on my driveway.
Whose car is this?
My feet raced to the door and I was greeted by Hope’s giggles…and a man’s voice. “I’m serious! You looked great in it, Dr. Mikaelson.” They both sat at our couch, looking intimate. If I hadn’t physically be there to marry Hope back then I’d think that I stumbled into a cheesy fucking rom-com.
“Please, when we’re off hours, just call me Hope.”
“Well, if I’m calling you…”
“Fine. Ryan.”
What the fuck? I cleared my throat, calling all the attention. “Honey, I’m home.” The words left my lips through gritted teeth.
Hope’s eyes widened for a sec before she composed herself. “Josie? I thought yo-”
“Just took the long way.” Silence swallowed the three of us. “Aren’t you gonna introduce me?” I forced a smile.
“Oh. Um. Ryan, this is my wife, Josie. Josie, this is Dr. Clarke.”
He stood up and extended his hand. “Hello, Jo-”
“Detective Saltzman.” I shook his hand. “Hello to you too, Doctor.”
His eyes darted to the badge in my belt. “Oh. I…didn’t know.” He cleared his throat and turned to Hope. “I better go. It’s getting late.” He quickly threw a goodbye as he scurried to his car.
I looked around. “Where are the kids? It’s a school night.”
“I asked my mom to pick them up.”
I scoffed. “Oh that’s comforting.” Sarcasm dripped from my mouth like poison.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Hope stood up.
“I could ask you the same thing. Ryan?”
“He’s a coworker!”
“Oh! Sure! He’s just Ryan from work! And I’m Josie from home!”
“Here we go.” She muttered.
“Well, sorry you’re married to me, Hope.”
My radio buzzed to life before either of us could speak.
“There has been an active shooter at the Lockwood Hotel.” That’s five minutes from here. I would’ve passed by it had I taken the short route home. “There have been multiple casualties. Requesting additional units.” My eyes snapped to Hope as other officers responded to the back up call.
“Don’t…”
With my chin up high I picked up the radio. “Saltzman, 9214. Show me going.”
“Josie-”
“9214, I have you going.”
I rushed back to my car as Hope yelled obscenities. “Josie! Come back here!” She pounded on my car door as I drove off. My phone rang and buzzed frantically with a thousand messages as I drove to the site.
‘Get back here!’ - Wifey<3
‘Jo. What happened? Hope is freaking out.’ - Liz
‘Saltzman. I heard the radio. What are you doing?!’ - SuperMG
I turned my phone off as the sound of bullets entered my ear.