The next evening started normally enough to be suspicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas came home from Red Dirt at 5:42 p.m., dusty from the shoulders down, carrying a work bag, an empty lunch container, and the expression of a man who had spent the day explaining to a human coworker that \u201calmost level\u201d was not a real construction standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stood at the kitchen counter packing shift food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark sat at the island reviewing the active call board on his tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane stood near the back windows with coffee, watching evening light filter through the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas pushed through the back door and stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI smell chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel did not look up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou smell boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas dropped his bag beside the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI smell chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is for shift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am part of the broader shift ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cThat is not a recognized category.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt could be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel pointed a container lid at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane smiled into his coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas came farther in, claws clicking softly against the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow was the day?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuiet,\u201d Thane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas looked suspicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuiet before shift is bait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has learned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark checked the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to leave in seven minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas opened the refrigerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel\u2019s ears snapped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas froze with one paw on the handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was looking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou were hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is leftover pasta.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is not chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo we agree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas removed the pasta container, held it up for inspection, and backed away like a suspect complying with a search warrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane set his mug in the sink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas opened the pasta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am also hungry and unsupervised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel pointed again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTouch the shift chicken and I will file a civil suit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn what cause of action?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmotional poultry interference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat sounds expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane grabbed his keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel picked up the food bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark collected his tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas lifted the pasta container in farewell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo protect the city. I will protect the leftovers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stopped at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silas looked at the container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDefine all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They left before the treaty collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day-shift handoff was ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That should have reassured everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voss and Rusk were in the detective room when Night Shift arrived, both of them looking too relaxed for people who knew Cross Timber after dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voss handed Mark two folders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFollow-up on the Cedar Pines fraud calls. Financial crimes has the lead. One resident got another voicemail, but staff caught it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rusk handed Gabriel a sealed evidence envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConvenience store parking lot assault. Minor injuries. Patrol pulled footage. Suspect known. Warrant request already drafted. You only get it if he appears tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked at the envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI love being given problems with the phrase \u2018only if.\u2019 It means the universe heard it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voss looked at Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPatrol assist board is light. Downtown has a street fair winding down, but nothing major.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe entered with a mug in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo not say good like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike you believe the city signed an agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe remain optimistic despite evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou remain something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer appeared in the doorway behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre we doing Wyoming stories again, or are we pretending to be police?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rusk leaned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI vote Wyoming stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voss said, \u201cPolice first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAuthoritarian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer pointed toward the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNormal shift. Keep it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cWe will attempt to respond proportionally to calls for service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer looked at Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWas that yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Thane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first hour, Cross Timber cooperated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mostly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first patrol assist came at 7:08 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A dispute outside a taco place where two delivery drivers had both claimed the same order, one customer had tried to referee, and the manager had called police after someone suggested solving it by \u201cparking lot combat,\u201d which turned out to be less serious than it sounded but still loud enough to scare families eating on the patio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officer Boyd had the situation mostly contained when Night Shift arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked at the two delivery drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhich one of you proposed combat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both pointed at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark reviewed the order receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane spoke with the manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd spoke with the customer, who mostly wanted tacos and had begun to regret existing in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute resolved when the restaurant remade one order, the delivery app customer-service line admitted a duplicate dispatch error, and Gabriel told both drivers that if they fought over tacos, history would not treat them kindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No arrests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One refunded order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One free churro for the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel considered that justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark considered it an incident resolved without further documentation beyond a brief assist note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane considered it dinner-hour normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That lasted twenty-three minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The radio changed at 7:41 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnits downtown, caller reports male subject at central transit stop discussing firearm in backpack. Caller states subject is showing backpack to other people and saying he has a gun. No weapon seen yet. Subject described as black male, thirties, black hoodie, tan backpack, sitting near east shelter. Multiple civilians present.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Humvee was three blocks away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark looked up from the tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel\u2019s posture changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane keyed the radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNight Shift copies. We are nearby. Show us en route.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dispatch acknowledged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officer Serrano answered first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPatrol Twelve en route from Main.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd answered next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPatrol Seven en route.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downtown at dinner hour meant people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kids with backpacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Workers heading home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Street fair cleanup three blocks away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too many directions for a bad decision to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark pulled the transit stop camera map from the city system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCentral stop has two glass shelters, east and west. Open plaza behind. Traffic north-south. Businesses on both sides. If the firearm appears, backdrop becomes poor immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked toward Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrowd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMove them first,\u201d Thane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The radio updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSerrano on scene. Visual on subject. Starting contact. Crowd nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Serrano again, voice calm but tighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSubject acknowledges backpack. Refusing to keep hands visible. Starting evacuation of nearby civilians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd arrived thirty seconds later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPatrol Seven on scene. Covering east side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane turned onto the downtown approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The transit stop came into view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two patrol units angled near the curb, lights flashing but sirens off. Serrano stood behind her driver door, one hand out, voice steady. Boyd had moved along the far side, keeping civilians back. Two more units were arriving, boxing traffic without turning the scene into a panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The subject sat on the bench near the east shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black hoodie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tan backpack at his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loose posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chin lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cocky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not scared enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That worried Thane more than fear would have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano\u2019s voice carried across the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep your hands where I can see them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI told y\u2019all, it\u2019s mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo one is arguing ownership. Keep your hands visible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou scared?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep your hands visible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several officers tensed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSubject reaching,\u201d Boyd said over radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man unzipped the backpack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano\u2019s voice sharpened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo not reach into that bag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reached anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane parked the Humvee behind the patrol line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man pulled out a pistol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scene turned into one long held breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patrol weapons came up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commands hit from multiple angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDrop the gun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPut it down!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo not point it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGun on the ground!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man stood now, pistol down near his thigh, finger position unclear from the distance. He was smiling like this was theater and he had decided he liked the lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverybody calm down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano\u2019s jaw set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPut the gun down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPut it on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane stepped out of the Humvee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel and Mark came with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark\u2019s eyes moved over the scene with machine precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCivilians mostly clear. Two behind bus sign west side, Boyd has them moving. Northbound traffic stopped. East storefront occupied but below window line. Patrol backstop poor if he turns south.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel\u2019s voice was low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe is enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was visible too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not mental illness alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not panic alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defiance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A man holding a pistol at a transit stop because, for the moment, everyone had to care what he did next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane walked to Serrano\u2019s position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She glanced once and recognized the shift in available options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDetective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat have we got?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaller reported him telling people he had a gun in the backpack. We contacted. He refused hands. Pulled it out. Has not pointed directly at anyone yet, but he is refusing commands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo minutes with gun out. Maybe six since initial contact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man shouted, \u201cI can hear you talking about me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel muttered, \u201cThat is generally how proximity works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano ignored him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at the pistol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forty-caliber Glock by shape and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Held loose, but not loose enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s shoulders were up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes jumped between officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too much adrenaline now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too much audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too many guns pointed at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But thinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane said to Serrano, \u201cI\u2019ll take it from here. When I have the gun settled, your team moves in and cuffs him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano\u2019s eyes flicked to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe raises it, we have to shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThane\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd had moved closer behind cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He heard enough to say, \u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at the officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold your fire unless he moves the muzzle off me toward you or civilians. I will put myself between him and your lines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano held his gaze for one second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She keyed her shoulder mic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll units, Night Shift is taking contact. Hold unless muzzle swings off Detective Thane toward officers or civilians. Maintain cover. Prepare to move on his signal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stepped close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can talk him sideways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Thane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane kept his eyes on the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have this one. You and Mark chill and keep the officers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel\u2019s ears tipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRelative chill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will maintain scene geometry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked offended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou got a better assignment phrase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane walked out from behind the patrol vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pistol holder saw him immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The evening light was still bright, slanting across the transit stop and flashing off patrol lights. The bus shelter glass reflected blue and red. Somewhere far behind the line, a bystander said something into a phone before Boyd moved them farther back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane walked calmly across the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No vest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No raised weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just claws clicking once against concrete with each step and a ruined amount of patience in his shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man raised the gun toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patrol tightened behind Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel went very still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark\u2019s voice came over radio, calm and exact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMuzzle on Thane. No civilian backdrop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane stopped about ten feet away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Close enough to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Far enough to talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stood between the suspect and the officers, broad body blocking most of the line, his own chest square to the pistol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s hand shook slightly now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at the gun, then at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay. How about you put down the gun and we all relax.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It came out sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think you\u2019re scary?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou some kind of hero?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen back up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane\u2019s voice stayed level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don’t watch the news, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane nodded toward the gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou’re not going to hurt me with that. If you set the gun down, one of the officers over there will come over, calmly place you under arrest, and you will be processed into jail. Who knows, you might even bond out yet tonight if you have not stacked too much stupidity on top of the gun charge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s face flushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel, behind cover, whispered, \u201cHe does customer service beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cDo not distract.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man lifted his chin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think you can talk to me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou do. You also have a pistol in your hand at a bus stop after refusing lawful commands. Put it down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s smile twisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if I don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen this gets worse for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou ain\u2019t bulletproof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked down at his own chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClose enough for tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s anger jumped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not the whole second before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the one before the one before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His arm stiffened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patrol saw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane saw finger tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark saw muzzle line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel saw the man\u2019s eyes commit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pistol fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first shot hit Thane center mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hard punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hot metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shirt tearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood blooming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second shot followed almost instantly, another center-mass impact just below and left of the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound slapped the buildings and came back ugly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several people screamed from somewhere beyond the perimeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patrol held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the muzzle stayed on Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because Thane did not fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pistol stayed up, but his mind had stopped moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked down at the two holes in his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood spread through fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bullets pushed out of the wounds and dropped to the pavement with two small metallic ticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The skin closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Normal for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s mouth opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His expression had not changed much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only colder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTold you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man tried to move the gun again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane advanced faster than the man\u2019s panic could become action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he was inside the pistol line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One paw closed around the gun and the man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not crushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Controlling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other took the wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pistol came free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane tossed the weapon behind him across the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It skidded safely toward the patrol line, where Serrano moved in and secured it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at the suspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike I said, you could have taken the easy way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man stumbled back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane did not hit him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He did not need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stepped aside, keeping one paw on the man\u2019s shoulder just long enough to turn him away from the crowd and toward the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow it is attempted murder of a peace officer, and you are definitely going to jail. You will not see the outside world for a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He leaned slightly closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice job, idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he released him and stepped back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCuffs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd and Serrano moved in with two other officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspect shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then cursed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then tried to twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane glanced once at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stopped twisting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd took him down to his knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano cuffed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another officer cleared the backpack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark moved to help lock down the recovered weapon and shell casings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel stayed with the patrol line, making sure no officer had broken discipline or footing during the shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one else was hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No civilian hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No officer fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspect lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terrified now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked down at his shirt again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expensive fabric ruined beyond dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel approached from behind the patrol vehicle line with the slow walk of someone preparing commentary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, good,\u201d Thane said. \u201cHere it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel looked at the shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then at Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane glanced down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat one was new.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWyoming trip shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood. I liked that one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark came over, eyes moving across Thane\u2019s chest despite already knowing he was healed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFully closed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo retained fragments?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey came out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark looked at the pavement where two deformed rounds had been marked by Serrano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSmall price to pay, I suppose, so everyone stays breathing. Even dumbass over there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked toward the suspect, now seated against a patrol bumper and yelling about lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he looked at the holes again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd here I thought everyone had seen the news footage of the past attempts to toss a few bullets into me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe he doesn\u2019t watch broadcast TV.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe he\u2019s a Netflix guy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane laughed once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano approached, pistol secured, face controlled but pale around the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked at his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is going in my report.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe part where you got shot twice and called him an idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel lifted one claw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRelevant sequence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd came over next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at Thane for a long second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then said quietly, \u201cWithout you, that was a shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane\u2019s humor faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at Boyd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd swallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. It was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane nodded once, accepting the truth without letting it become accusation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou did your job. Serrano did hers. You moved civilians. You held cover. You bought the seconds we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd looked toward the suspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe almost fired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano\u2019s voice was rough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe shot you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we held.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou held because you knew the line. That takes discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano looked away for half a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cScene still needs processing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That saved everyone from feeling too much in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel clapped his paws softly once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPaperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPaperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They spent forty-two minutes on scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weapon secured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Backpack searched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One extra magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loose ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No other firearms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No injured civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two shell casings recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two bullets recovered from the pavement after exiting Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multiple witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multiple statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downtown traffic snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transit supervisor furious, then grateful, then furious again because buses hated drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspect\u2019s name was Nolan Grissom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirty-six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior disorderly conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior unlawful carry issue reduced two years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No active warrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now facing a list that had grown dramatically because he had decided to test folklore with a Glock at a bus stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attempted murder of a peace officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aggravated assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pointing firearm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carrying into prohibited transit property, pending legal review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reckless conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever else the district attorney decided after watching patrol video and reading four statements that all said roughly the same thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was told to put the gun down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The werewolf detective did not die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 8:46 p.m., Night Shift returned to the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane\u2019s shirt looked like a horror-movie prop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood had dried dark down the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two ragged holes sat center mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was no wound beneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That made it worse in some ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lobby clerk saw him first and froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stared at his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo I need to call medical?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel said, \u201cTailor, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cEvidence bag first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They walked through the bullpen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversations stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heads turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Someone at a desk muttered, \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officer Patel leaned back from his computer, took one look, and called across the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone make another bad decision, did they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane kept walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few officers laughed cautiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane looked down at the shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMust not have seen the past attempts at this. I am getting sick of wasting so many damn shirts, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bullpen broke properly then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not disrespectful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patel laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serrano, coming in behind them with evidence paperwork, shook her head like she was still processing the fact that laughter was allowed after what had just happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe stepped out of her office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saw the shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her face became command-flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is not an answer to any question I asked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou did not ask one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel whispered, \u201cDangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe\u2019s eyes did not leave Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMedical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHealed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMedical confirmation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark said, \u201cI will document and photograph the shirt before evidence collection. Medical can visually confirm no active injury.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer appeared behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He saw the shirt and said a word that did not belong in official minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane lifted one paw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are covered in blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShirt is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo not split hairs with me while looking like a murder scene walked itself in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel raised one claw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTechnically attempted murder scene.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabriel lowered the claw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot helping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe pointed toward the detective room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDocument. Medical. Report. Then someone explain why dispatch told me shots fired and no officer down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane walked past her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause no officer stayed down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowe closed her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer muttered, \u201cI hate when that sentence is good news.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report took time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It always did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event lasted seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paperwork ate hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark photographed the shirt before Thane changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Close-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No body armor, because detectives did not wear it and werewolves could not practically use standard vests anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical confirmed healed entry sites and no retained fragments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shirt went into evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thane changed into a spare department T-shirt someone found in emergency supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was too small across the shoulders and said Cross Timber Police Department Community Night Out<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel took one look and nearly collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt works as a crime against fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark said, \u201cIt is temporary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel pointed at the stretched logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCommunity Night Out is fighting for its life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane sat at his desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel still smiled while sitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serrano wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boyd wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patrol supervisors wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence logged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weapon processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shell casings marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Witness list forwarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Transit video requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Downtown businesses asked to preserve exterior footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The normal machinery wrapped around the impossible thing and made it into a case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was what police work did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took chaos and made it legible enough for court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel dictated part of his supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDetective Thane moved forward and positioned himself between suspect and officers\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUse subject, not suspect, until arrest point in sequence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe man shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter that point, suspect is appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel looked at Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you see what I live with?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane kept typing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark did not look sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 11:12 p.m., Mercer came into the detective room with coffee he did not offer anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He looked at Thane\u2019s terrible T-shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho gave you that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSupply cabinet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt owes you an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercer sat on the edge of a desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSerrano and Boyd are solid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey are both replaying the hold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey held correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI told them that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercer studied him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou doing all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane leaned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He thought about the two impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man\u2019s face when the bullets came out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old danger of becoming casual about pain because he could survive it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The newer danger of others trusting him too much because he could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then he thought of Serrano holding fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boyd moving civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel and Mark keeping the line safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nolan Grissom alive and furious in booking instead of dead under a bus shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am all right,\u201d Thane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercer accepted that, but only halfway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood. Finish the reports. Then normal patrol assist only.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou say that like we ordered the shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercer pointed at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am too tired for your accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel leaned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToo tired for your accuracy is going on my wall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark said, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rest of the evening did its best to apologize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At midnight, they helped locate a confused older woman who had walked out of a restaurant after dinner and gone two blocks the wrong direction looking for her daughter\u2019s car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel found her sitting on a bench outside a closed florist, angry at the bench for not being the right bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane introduced himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She looked at his stretched Community Night Out shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat shirt is too small.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark looked at the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They returned her to her daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 1:03 a.m., they backed Serrano on a report of a man sleeping in an ATM vestibule. He was not dangerous, just exhausted and newly unhoused after a fight with his brother. Gabriel got him coffee. Mark found the overnight shelter contact. Thane stood nearby and listened more than he spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 2:11 a.m., they responded to a complaint that someone had placed a traffic cone on top of a statue outside a law office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel called it \u201curban hatting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark removed the cone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane did not ask questions he did not want answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 3:26 a.m., they checked a closed school after an alarm tripped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A balloon from a retirement party had drifted into a motion sensor near the cafeteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel stared at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark said, \u201cDifferent balloon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSame criminal type.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane secured the balloon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one said Happy Retirement, Janice!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel saluted it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark refused to document the salute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shift ended tired, paper-heavy, and strangely intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They returned to the cabin just after dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trees were gray in morning light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive crunched under the Humvee tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel yawned so wide his jaw popped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark carried the case folder inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane carried the ruined feeling of another shirt sacrificed to public safety and one spare T-shirt that had lost the battle of proportions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas was in the kitchen when they came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fresh work pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Red Dirt shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lunch bag open on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coffee in one paw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saw Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saw the too-small Community Night Out shirt stretched across his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saw the dried trace of blood that had escaped cleanup near one wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat happened to your shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel dropped into a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas looked from Gabriel to Thane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is more than one answer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark set the folder down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe primary shirt was entered into evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane walked to the coffee pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomeone made a bad decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas\u2019s ears lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow bad?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel said, \u201cForty-caliber bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane poured coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then at Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe is fine. He was medically confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas relaxed by half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then looked at the T-shirt again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat shirt is not fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel pointed at him with both paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane took a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas leaned against the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDid someone not watch the news?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane smiled despite himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was my thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas picked up his lunch bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe he is a Netflix guy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel sat up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI said that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen you were right once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel put a paw to his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrowth has made you cruel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas walked toward the back door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not bleed on the couch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am not bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not evidence on the couch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark said, \u201cThat is not a verb.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stepped out into morning, then looked back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His eyes met Thane\u2019s for one quieter second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlad everyone stayed breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMe too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silas went to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The door closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel stood slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark gathered the report folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am securing this first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane looked down at the stretched Community Night Out shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then toward the hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am changing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel glanced back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBurn it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt belongs to the department.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen apologize to the department.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thane smiled and headed for his room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside, Cross Timber woke without knowing how close one man at a bus stop had come to never waking again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside, the cabin settled into morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another shift done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another bad second caught before it became worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another shirt lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Night Shift, that counted as a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The next evening started normally enough to be suspicious. Silas came home from Red Dirt at 5:42 p.m., dusty from the shoulders down, carrying a work bag, an empty lunch container, and the expression of a man who had spent the day explaining to a human coworker that \u201calmost level\u201d was not a real construction […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wolf-detectives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1016"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1017,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016\/revisions\/1017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/threewerewolves.com\/nightshift\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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