It took about two days for Samantha to question her discussion to work with detective Hiegel.  She didn't typically allow herself regrets; staying with the same man for fifteen years wasn't done without learning a good deal of forgiveness and a general go-with-the-flow attitude. But the flow began pulling her in too many different directions at once, and Samantha felt herself wearing thin. It of course didn't help when her new boss seemed to be going out of his way to make her life miserable.

[colour=34EBEB]"You know I'm not in today."[/colour]

"Look, we're stretched thin. Not many people I can trust with a para-hunt. But if you don't want in I can call another precinct..."

[colour=34EBEB]"No, damn it-"[/colour]  She raised her voice to be heard over the baby that had suddenly gone from sleeping to hysterical in her arms. [colour=34EBEB]"I'll be at precinct in twenty minutes"[/colour]

"Briars is already on her way to you." She could hear the self-satisfaction in his voice above the wailing and through the phone, it was borderline impressive.  Samantha closed her eyes and threw the phone on the bed for a better hold on Brady whom she began to bounce gently.

"Everything okay in here?" Joseph was standing in the doorway, all surprise and concern.  

[colour=34EBEB]"I'm fine."[/colour] She tired to give a reassuring smile as Brady's shrieks subsided to quiet whimpers. [colour=34EBEB]"We're both fine."[/colour]

Her husband came closer and peered down at their son. "But he never cries with you."

[colour=34EBEB]"I think he appreciates what a P.O.S. mommy's boss is, don't you darling?"[/colour] She kissed the top of Brady's head before handing him to Joseph almost absently.

"You're leaving then."  It wasn't a question, and there was more than a slight edge of bitterness in his tone that made Samantha feel about a foot tall.

[colour=34EBEB]"Emergency meeting, they need a debrief with the city about some para activities."[/colour] Samantha moved for the bathroom trying to put some distance between herself and her husband.

"I thought the whole point of this new job was that you wouldn't need to rush off like this."

He'd followed her to the bathroom, she kept her eyes focused on the mirror, tying her hair in a regulation plait. 

[colour=34EBEB]"Well, its more specialized now. You know how it is, hundreds of suits in the streets but there are only a couple liaisons."[/colour]  The silence that followed her half-truth weighed too heavy to leave well alone.  [colour=34EBEB]"My ride will be here any minute."[/colour]  

She moved passed him to the hallway without daring to look at his face.  Staying with the same man for fifteen years made it harder to keep secrets from him.

"Okay. Love you Sam.  I'll have dinner ready when you get back." 

[colour=34EBEB]"I love you too"[/colour] She turned to smile back at him, relieved at being able to give at least one whole truth, and took two steps back to kiss him before rushing to the front door.  [colour=34EBEB]"I want Lang's!"[/colour] Were her final words, just as the unmarked police car pulled to their front door.

--

[colour=34EBEB]"What the damage?"[/colour] 

Briars looked at Samantha, who was still strapping on her gear, and tossed a datapad onto the dashboard and hitting the holograph button.  

Samantha squinted, trying to differentiate the text in front of the moving scenery behind the windshield.

[colour=34EBEB]"I get dragged out for a couple of measly [i]phones[/i]?"[/colour]

"No, that was a few hours ago.  Same girl was seen meeting - fighting?" She shook her head "who cares, she was with a para before they both disappeared."

[colour=34EBEB]"And our little thief forgot to de-chip the phones."[/colour] Samantha finished as she clasped her helmet in place. A map displayed itself on the inside screen, showing their location and destination.  [colour=34EBEB]"Whats our info on the para?"[/colour]

"No a lot, no one got a very good look.  Gamma they think, speed related. A couple odd rumors about a guy in a mask, apparently a sort of boogie-man in some parts of the city."

Samantha nodded silently. The little blinking red light marking the phone's location wasn't in the best part of town, and it had stopped moving for longer than she would have liked. She began reading the more detailed report as her partner sped through the worst of the center-city traffic to the quieter south streets.

"Wiles, Briars" The helmet earpiece crackled to life with Dan's voice. "Your guys have been leaving a bit of a blood trail."

Sam toggled the map display on her helmet off and tucked the data-pad away between their seats. [colour=34EBEB]"Stop here Briars, I don't want the car tipping them off.  Whats the report Dan?"[/colour]

"We're having a hell of a time getting numbers; was in the sewers. A few reports about some gang violence a bit further back on your route we're still looking into.  But you should know that the para is armed with a blade of some sort. I'll send along details as we find them."

[colour=34EBEB]"Ready?"[/colour] Despite herself, Samantha was almost giddy with excitement she hadn't felt since her first few weeks on the force. This was what she'd signed on for. 

Her partner nodded without a word, and the two officers left their car locked on the side street and began clearing the surrounding alleyways. It wasn't long until they spotted the couple walking almost leisurely back towards the more populated streets.  The seemed rather calm for a pair of thieves and murders, but the strange silhouette of the taller one and a nod from Briars cinched it.  Samantha drew her regulation firearm and called out to them.

[colour=34EBEB]"MPD, Hands up and turn around!"[/colour]