Detective Patch

LISTEN HERE. 

No longer in a sling, but still in a cast, Patch was getting frustrated at her lack of ability to do most of the things she’d normally do. Too stubborn to give in entirely, Patch was determined to still get in a full workout - just minus the weights. 

However, one misstep on the treadmill had her smacking her cast against it to try catch herself. While she didn’t fall, she did swear, pain ringing through her arm. 

The doctor had finally signed off on her returning to desk duty, so Patch had spent the day buried in paperwork. Not the best way to start working again, despite how bored she’d been, she’d decided to get a drink to settle herself after the day. 

Noticing a man playing pool, she watched as he easily beat his competition. “You hustled him.” She accused jokingly, not actually thinking it was a bad thing. 

Verity couldn’t argue with that since she would have requested desk duty if in Patch’s position. They had pulled her from the desk to take over as a detective and that should have left an opening.

She wasn’t budging. That was truly a shame since Verity was hoping she wouldn’t have to turn to desperate measures. “I still don’t trust you,” Verity mumbled. “So I am truly sorry it’s come to this point.”

There was a moment of hesitation then Verity stuck a handcuff around Patch’s wrist, the other half already around her wrist. “I guess we’re going to find the other detective.”

Patch didn’t see it coming, which was kind of embarrassing. She was supposed to be quicker than that, but there she was, handcuffed to her colleague. “Shit.” Staring down at the handcuff, she knew she’d lost the argument. “Is this really necessary?” 

“I’m usually the one cuffing people.” She muttered, twisting her wrist a little to find a more comfortable position. With one arm broken, and the other cuffed, she was not at all in control of anything anymore, and she didn’t like it much. But she supposed it was her own fault. “Guess I have no choice, I’m coming with you.” 

“Oh, perfect,” Claude said, obviously relieved. “I’m not picky either, honestly I’m usually just eating at Taco Bell,” He admitted with a laugh. “Uh, if I’m being totally honest with you, Eu, I’m a little nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a proper date,” He confessed to her, reaching to open the door of the restaurant. He was honestly glad that she had even said yes to going. He’d been glad to have a normal interaction with someone for a change, even if he was a bit nervous.

“Im glad you answered,” He replied. “Hopefully I’ll cure your boredom, at least a bit,”

His honest admission made her smile. Eudora had always believed that honesty was the best policy, although she did often use sarcasm in place of it. “Really? Mind if I ask why it’s been a long time? Are you a workaholic too?” 

Once inside, they were shown to a table. “Trust me, tonight’s already better than eating efo riro for the third night in a row.” Coming from a traditional Nigerian family, on one side, Eudora was proud of her culture but sometimes, her family was too stifling for her liking. “Plus, the company’s not bad.” 

The eye roll was expected. Truthfully, Patch’s appearance should have been something she expected. She had hoped she would take the time off though since the past couple of days had been bordering on getting traumatic. “Wasn’t it the doctor’s orders that you rest?”

She pressed her tongue against her cheek and shook her head. It took her pinching the bridge of her nose and several deep breaths for her to come up with an action plan. “I’m going to ask you to move back one last time,” She stated then turned back to the crime scene.

“They missed a something,” Her nose wrinkled and she narrowed her eyes at Patch. “I don’t think I can trust my going to fetch the investigator and leaving you here.”

For a second, the smaller woman scowled at the mention of her doctor. “I’m not convinced my mother didn’t bribe him. I should at least be on desk duty.” But since she wasn’t even allowed that right now, she’d just try help out the only way she could. Even if it was against the rules, but it wasn’t like she was hurting anyone. 

Patch made no effort to step back. No matter how much she respected and liked Verity, she was too used to getting her own way. Nothing ever stood in Eudora’s path, she just climbed over any obstacles. 

Studying the crime scene as well, she’d also seen what had been missed. “You beat me by two seconds.” She smiled at Verity, sensing she was about to get what she wanted. “I’m not going to contaminate the scene, I’m not that stupid.” It went unsaid that she definitely wasn’t going to leave though. She knew Verity would get that message loud and clear. 

“Well I’m glad officer.” Frances teased the woman quietly as he moved to rest her hand on her son’s head, playing with his blond hair as they waited for the next stop.  He couldn’t help but laugh as the small boy glared back at the officer. “Sorry, he’s just as moody as I am, it’s a real problem.” she joked quietly.

As the other explained her job, Frankie nodded and smiled softly. “It’s good though, that you think it’s worth it and all that. When I was younger I thought about becoming a cop, but yeah, I think you see why that’d be a problem.” she joked quietly. “Guess I’d be a better vigilante.”

“Detective, actually.” Patch corrected the woman almost absentmindedly. She’d gotten used to making the distinction clear, after dealing with a few passive aggressive assholes who refused to acknowledge her achievements. “No, it’s fine. I think I can handle a glare. It’s better than one of my cousin’s kids, who screams every time she sees me.” 

The mention of vigilantes made her groan, thinking of the creep who knew too much about her. “Please don’t. There’s enough trouble running around, I don’t want to deal with any more vigilantes.” She did understand though, sometimes it felt like rules were more of a hindrance, but she did try to stick to them. Without any guilt, she admitted, “I probably use my taser a little more than I need to, but... it’s effective.” 

Frankie rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t have been a murder. Just enough to get him away.” she sighed dramatically as she flipped the knife shut and shoved it back into her pocket, squeezing at her son’s hand some.

Watching her threaten the man however, Frances let out a laugh. “People are so fucked.” she sighed, gripping onto the pole again as the train began to come to a stop. “So what’s it like being a cop here? I bet it’s awful, especially with everything that’s been happening, hm?”

“I’m relieved to hear you’d only lightly stab someone.” Her voice was dry but faintly amused, watching as the man backed away as much as possible. Awkwardly, her arm still in a sling, she turned back to the woman again, flashing a quick smile at the boy by her side. She didn’t know much about kids, but she liked them. 

“It’s an awful time for anyone living in New York.” Eudora loved her job, she always had, but it did have some drawbacks. Like breaking her arm in three places after an explosion. “It’s hard,” She admitted, “but it’s worth it.” For her, knowing she could make a difference to someone’s life through her work was the very reason she’d become a cop. She’d seen what it meant to her father, she’d seen the influence he’d had on the community, and she wanted to do that too. But he’d never had to deal with the craziness she did.