Edgar sat behind the wheel of the police cruiser while his partner went into a store to grab some coffee. He glanced up at the sky to see the storm clouds gathering and sighed. Watching the rain come down was a thing of beauty but working in it was not.

I wish people would take a break from crime and save us the trouble but alas one can only dream.

The passenger door to the cruiser swung open and his partner handed him a hot cup of coffee before taking his seat.

"Don't tell me you are sulking about the weather again," said Ricardo Martinez, drawing a sharp glance from Edgar.

"No... I was thinking about the hot coffee you were getting me," he lied before taking a sip.

"You know better than trying to bullshit me on stuff like this. I suppose it's better than the other thing. When are you supposed to receive the results?"

"I was told that they should be in this week but you know how slow the bureaucracy operates. Something else has been bothering me though. Why you didn't take the detective's exam, Ricky?"

"Some of us actually like the work we do on the street and have no interest in mixing it up with the brass. Unless this is your roundabout way of telling me that you want me to continue babysitting you as detectives?" replied Ricardo with a snarky smile.

"You know what? Never mind," said Edgar, turning away. Adjusting to change was one thing that he constantly struggled with during his childhood and he carried it well into adulthood. Before he could completely gather his thoughts, a voice came over the radio.

"Attention all units, we have received a report of 10-31 in progress at number ten Winchester drive."

"That's not too far from here," commented Ricardo before picking up the microphone. "Dispatch, show 7-Ida-13 responding."

Edgar turned on the sirens and hit the gas hard. The rain started to fall but that didn't slow him down which made Ricardo break into a sweat. He drifted the squad car around several corners until they were parked outside the house in question. They slowly approached the front door of the white two-story house with their hands just above their holsters. The yelling and crying inside indicated that they were in the right place.

"This is the police. Is everything alright in there?" asked Edgar, forcefully knocking on the door. When they got no response, Edgar tried to open the door but it was locked.

Of course it is.

"What's the plan, detective?" whispered Ricardo.

"I'll circle round the back and see if there's a way in. Stay low and keep trying the front door."

Edgar crouched down and crab walked into the backyard, briefly stopping to admire the well kept lawn. He crept up the stairs onto the rear porch and gently turned the handle. A sigh of relief left his body when it actually opened. He proceeded through the kitchen and hid behind the counter. Edgar peered through the slightly ajar door to see a large man with his left hand over the mouth of a petite woman and the gun in his right hand aimed at the front door. He began to weigh up his options: tackle or shoot.

Looks like there's only correct answer here.

Edgar burst through the door and tackled the man, knocking both him and the woman over. The gun was flung to the far side of the living room.

"Listen buddy, give up now before you do something stupid," barked Edgar, trying to pin him down. The man broke free and landed a strong right hand, knocking Edgar over. Before Edgar could correct himself, the man was right on top of him with his hands firmly clasped around Edgar's neck. Edgar tried to break free but to no avail. He briefly caught a glimpse of the terrified woman cowering in the corner and resumed his struggle. Edgar started to feel faint from the lack of oxygen entering his body.

What the hell is taking Ricky so long? Before Edgar could pass out, he heard a loud crack followed by a thud. The large man's python like grip suddenly disappeared and his breathing had become easier. He sat up and saw Ricky standing over the large man, holding his service pistol by the barrel.

"You okay man?" asked Ricardo, the concern in his voice evident.

"Yeah but I'm definitely going to feel this one for a while."