Police
Commissioner Mac Scorpio looked up as a white envelope came flying onto his
desk.“What is this?” he asked.
Alejandro
Garcia shrugged.“I need to take a leave of absence.”His handsome face was set and determined, as if he steeled himself
against the resistance he knew the Commissioner would surely direct at him.
“A
leave of absence,” Mac repeated slowly.“For just how long?”
“Until
I find Dara and know that she is okay.”
Garcia’s
words confirmed what Mac already suspected.From the moment he had looked up from his precinct reports into the
unsmiling visage of his detective, Mac knew the conversation would deal with the
missing former Assistant District Attorney.“Sit down, Alex.”
The
young detective complied reluctantly.He had a great deal of respect and affection for the Commissioner.But Alex would not allow his high regard of the man to change the
decision he had already made.
“I
know that you are worried about Dara.”
“Somebody
needs to be!” Alex cut in angrily.“Dara is one of our own!And there are guys out in that squad room just waiting to give up their
free time to help find her.But you won’t let them!”
Mac
ignored his detective’s angry outburst.“I have made other arrangements,” he informed Garcia quietly.“I have called in several favors at the WSB.They are looking for Dara as we speak.”
Mac’s
information left Alex feeling a bit embarrassed at his lack of faith in his
employer and friend.He knew all too well how reluctant the Commissioner was to indebt himself
to the WSB.That Mac had called in more than one favor in order to arrange a search
for Dara was an indication of the man’s deep concern for the missing attorney.“When did you…” Garcia’s voice trailed off.
“As
soon as you and Marcus told me that you hadn’t turned up anything at all,”
Mac replied.“There is no way that two of my best detectives come up completely
empty.”
“I’m
sorry.”
Mac
shrugged off Garcia’s apology.“I know the WSB guys on the case.They’re the best.”Mac held Alex’s gaze.“We are going to hear something soon.”
Alex
stood up.“Thanks, Commissioner.I really mean that.”
“I
care about Dara, too.”Mac retrieved the white envelope from his desktop and handed it to his
detective.
“No,
Commissioner.”Garcia made no move to accept the letter.“I am grateful that you have the WSB helping out.But… I love Dara.And I need to do this for her.And me.”The detective squared his shoulders.“So… will you grant me leave?”
