The first actual police work Samantha had done in a year, and everyone was trying to sweep it under the rug as possible. Both the Captain and Hiegle had their arms crossed on the opposite side of the large desk where she sat. It was the vision of a scolding headmaster.

"Detective Hiegle did make it clear to return at once did he not?"

[colour=34EBEB]"And I did, we already had the girl captive when Briars checked in."[/colour]

"I believe my exact words were 'drop everything and get your asses back to the precinct" Samantha glared at Dan.

[colour=34EBEB]"Well I wasn't the one you were speaking to was I?"[/colour]

The captain cut them both off before anything could escalate. "I don't have the time or patience to deal with this.  Cut the girl lose officer Wiles and report to town hall 800 hours tomorrow morning."

Samantha stood to try and stop him as he made his way to open the door of his office.

[colour=34EBEB]"With all due respect sir, I think that would be a mistake. She was with the para, she claims to have worked with him before."[/colour]

"She's a teenage sewer rat who would sell her own mother to keep out of trouble." Dan cut in again.  Samantha moved aside to let him pass her, but of course he stood still. 

[colour=34EBEB]"Sir, may we speak in private"[/colour]  She moved in front of the Captain, forcing him to make eye contact with her.  After a moment, and a labored sigh, he nodded Dan out of his office.

[colour=34EBEB]"Thank you."[/colour]

"Make this worth my time Wiles"

Samantha swallowed, she'd hoped to not reveal what she knew so soon; at least not until she was sure.  [colour=34EBEB]"I believe Holly Farstel to be a parahuman."[/colour]

Whatever influence she'd had to dismiss Hiegle had evaporated.  "Do you have any evidence? Did you see anything?"

[colour=34EBEB]"No. I just- I feel like if we let this one go we're going to regret it later."[/colour]

The captain sighed again, "What I will regret, is giving Lorne more reason to pull their lobbying with government officials. In case you haven't noticed officer, the city has been on the brink ever since the tower fell, and it is all too quickly coming to a head, and it is us who will be taking the blame if things go anymore sideways.  No, I don't think I will regret saving resources that could be spent searching for the literal abomination that was set loose this afternoon."

Samantha, bit back her objection and gave a stiff nod.  She knew well enough that her fight was lost.

"Good.  We want you at the City Hall clinic tomorrow, 8am, dress blues.  Smile, look friendly, there will be pictures."

He stepped outside and closed the door behind him, leaving Samantha alone in his office; a child put in time-out the think about their actions.  The desk was a mess, strewn with paper.  The captain was old fashioned, one of the few that prefered to keep physical files on hand.  None of the ones Samantha could see seemed of any interest, and she wasn't about to snoop around.  She peered through the blinds just as the door leading to the interrogation rooms opened. Briars stepped out leading Holly.

Samantha quietly stepped outside the door surveying for either Hiegle or the Captain.  With neither in sight she approached her partner.

[colour=34EBEB]"I'm going home for today"[/colour]

"I heard, they're sending me out with Jefferson, everything okay?" The genuine worry in her voice almost made Samantha smile, if she wasnt so focused on slipping a folded piece of paper into the teenager's hand unnoticed.

[colour=34EBEB]"Yeah fine, they're just giving my some busy PR work at town hall, just wanted to say good bye."[/colour]

"Okay, well goodbye."  Briars replied, slightly confused.  Samantha nodded and turned away, barely let her eyes fall on Holley, before leaving the precinct.