Unexpected offer

Logan was studying the contents of a buff file on the desk in a private interview room over at human resources when Stone walked in and took the seat opposite. He strained his eyes to try and read the contents upside down, but Logan swiftly snapped the file closed. He had seen enough to know that it was his service record, and with a statement sheet headed, Detective Kyle Reagan. He knew all too well that he was in some serious doodah for the interview to take place at HR. Either that; or it was to discuss a commendation for solving his last case. Logan picked up a pencil and chewed on it as he usually did when agitated. It looked as though the former scenario was going to unfold. Logan removed the pencil from his mouth and placed it on the desk, then drummed his fingers on the surface. Logan hadn't even looked him in the eyes, never mind greeted him when he'd entered. Stone wondered why the silent treatment.

"So, why is it you wanted to talk to me here?"

Logan picked up the pencil and tapped the file.

"I could fire you for what's in here."

If the last thing that he'd been reading was Reagan's statement on what happened leading to the arrest of the murderer on his last case, then he had a good idea that he was screwed. He hoped that wasn't the scenario. Not after he'd gone out of his way to put the feud between Reagan and him to rest, in part, by giving Kyle the pleasure of reading the killer their rights and applying the cuffs. A firm believer that attack was the best line of defense, Stone leaned forward.

"Why don't you then?"

"Why!" Logan said, and cocking an eyebrow.

"Yeah, why not?"

"Don't be a smart ass, but I'll tell you why. You know damn well that you went against protocol to follow the suspect and to find his location. You remind me of what I was like at your age, but it was different then. We have strict rules and different laws now. Anyway, best thing is for you to resign. You know that you're not supposed to carry on investigating any of your cases when you're on admin leave until internal affairs give the all-clear."

Stone's backside tightened. His demeanor melted inside, but he didn't want to show weakness.

"Why should I resign? We got a result. Anyway, Reagan made the arrest, not me, and internal affairs gave me the all-clear soon after for the earlier event. You scared of a wrongful dismissal case?"

An ugly silence ensued. Logan's features contorted.

"That's not my problem. I don't have to pay out of my own pocket," he spat. He raised his voice in tone, along with his frame from the chair. "Besides, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on. You know what you did. It's clear as day in Kyle's report when you read between the lines," he said, stabbing Stone's file with the poke of his finger. "Still—there is an alternative for both of us."

Logan took a seat again. Stone wondered just what he meant by alternative and what game he was playing. Maybe a voluntary demotion, chained to a desk in the office?

"Alternative?"

"You started out as a traffic cop. I've been talking to the LA County Sheriff's Office. They'd be pleased to have you back. Keep your nose clean, and I'd have you back—eventually. It'll save face for both of us." He opened the file, fished out some papers and pushed them over to Stone. "There's a resignation letter there and an application form for a highway patrol officer's position."

Stone couldn't believe that Reagan had stabbed him in the back. Not when he'd given him the satisfaction of the arrest on a plate, albeit because he was on admin leave at the time and didn't have any other option. He pushed back on his chair just as the door to the office opened.

"Sorry I'm late—, Greg Rutherford, Department of Justice," he said, and offered his hand to Stone. "So, you're, Detective Jason Stone?" They shook hands vigorously.

"That's me," he said, and looked him over.

Rutherford had a look of a geek. Someone who buried his head in textbooks as a pastime. Not surprising really, considering he'd heard his name mentioned a few times on the local news channel as a federal prosecutor. He sported a baldhead on top, with graying hair at the sides. His half-rimmed spectacles balanced on the end of his nose, reminding Stone of his math professor at college.

"I've heard a lot about you." Rutherford turned to Logan. "Have you made the offer?"

"Sort of."

"And, is he on board?"

"I think you'd better ask him and explain what it entails."

Stone wondered just what in hell's name he meant by an offer. Plea deal sprung to mind. He knew what he'd done to catch the murderer on his last case wasn't condoned and could look bad for the prosecution case, but he didn't think they could prove it if it came up in court. Still, if Logan could work it out from Detective Reagan's report, he was sure a smart-aleck prosecutor could do the same. Rutherford pulled up a chair and took a seat.

"Well, I'll start by saying that Mr. Logan here recommended you for what we have in mind."

"Recommended?"

"Yes, that's right. I know that he won't begrudge me saying, when he told me that you had all the attributes that we need for an assignment that we need to accomplish."

Stone narrowed his eyes and gave Logan a sideways glance. It looked as though he'd been busy trying to offload him, first with the sheriff's office, and now with the Justice Department. Still, whatever Rutherford had up his sleeve, he had his attention.

"What is it you have in mind?"

"Well, I guess that I don't have to tell you about the police officer slayings? I understand you attended the scene for one of the assassinations in the early hours. It's most unfortunate for all their wives and families."

Stone rose from his chair. Rutherford had hit a raw nerve. An image of the officer lying across the handbrake console onto the passenger seat with his brains blown out; crossed his mind. It wasn't just that image which struck a sore spot in the conversation. He was mindful of a TV interview that he'd watched earlier in the morning, with the wife of the black guy slain by the rogue cop. She was on the cusp of eviction and had her two young daughters sitting on either knee. They were crying and snuggling their heads on her chest. Stone couldn't hold his feelings on the subject to his self.

"Most unfortunate! Yeah, it's unfortunate, and I'm heartbroken for the families of the slain officers, but I'll tell you what's most unfortunate, and what many forget, and that's the dick who started all this by killing that black guy at the traffic stop. What about that victim's wife and family?"

"Whoa there, wind you neck back in," Logan said.

"It's okay," Rutherford said. "That's the sort of response that tells me Captain Logan was right about you, and you're just what we need for the task ahead."

"What task?"

Stone dropped his backside onto his chair, his anger spent.

"I'll explain. Thing is, we've been investigating the thorny issue of racial tensions between city law enforcement at a specific station and the local community. Like you, we believe that the officer killing the victim at a traffic stop is what led to the recent assassinations, but we're coming up blank in interviews. Hence, the need for a serious undercover operation. What we need is someone on the inside at one of the stations where our investigation is centered. Although the cam footage is conclusive when the officer shot the victim, we need background on him from the colleagues he's worked with. Unfortunately, the FBI doesn't have anyone with experience as a highway patrol officer available. They do have someone available to give you training for the assignment though."

Stone melted back onto his seat.

"So, you want me to work undercover?"

Logan interjected.

"That's what I was going to tell you once you'd signed the letter of resignation," Logan said. "It'll mean you going back to working on highway patrol, but like I've said, they'd be pleased to have you back."

Stone had no doubt they would be pleased to have him back, but also that Logan would be equally happy to see the back of him.

"And does Reagan know about this?"

Logan rolled his eyes.

"No, and it'll stay that way. No one outside these walls knows that Mr. Rutherford here wants you to go undercover."

Stone thought that Logan was a dork. His clumsy attempt at an 'either or scenario' made Stone want to reject both propositions. There again, the revelation that Logan somehow saw something of himself in him, touched on his self-esteem, which before that was said, it had been at a low ebb.

"So which station is it where you want me to work undercover, and for how long?"

"We can't tell you that until you've signed your resignation, and filled out the application form," Rutherford said.

If Logan had put it to him on his own without a witness; he'd have turned him down, even if it meant him ending up as a parking meter warden. He wouldn't have put it past him to renege on taking him back. He took his pen from his pocket and hovered with the nib under where his name was typed on the resignation letter. Judging by Logan's smirking expression, Stone still imagined that he might find a way of not taking him back.

"Well, are you going to sign it or not?" Logan demanded.