Newcomers and Cases (Seeking Collections, Seeking Recommendations!!)

Kingpin was terrifying—his strength was monstrous, his power vast—but the greatest terror came from his network, those criminal organizations clinging to him like parasites.

Plucking the hairs!

The so-called plucking meant, as the name suggested, eliminating these criminal organizations one by one. Slowly, once the hairs were gone, Kingpin would just be Kingpin.

"By the way."

Esposito's eyes suddenly lit up, and he punched Lake's shoulder. "Congrats, buddy. Those mad dogs from Internal Affairs finally realized they couldn't chew through you and backed off."

Lake shrugged. "I am irreconcilable with evil—everyone knows that. Mad dogs bite me? They'd better have the teeth for it."

Don't let me find out who filed that anonymous complaint.

When I do, I'll make sure your whole family reunites.

Before long.

Lake and Esposito were chatting in the Major Crimes Division's second squad area, keeping an eye on Inspector Montgomery's office door—since his badge and gun were still in there.

Soon.

The door to Inspector Montgomery's office swung open.

Montgomery, a man of African descent, stepped out, scanned the room, and called over to Lake in the second squad area. "Lake!"

Lake stood up.

Montgomery turned to head back inside but paused, sniffing the air. His gaze landed on Esposito, who had taken off his jacket and was applying deodorant to his armpits. "God, Espo, how many days has it been since you cleaned yourself? Jeez, this air—it stings the eyes."

Esposito: "..."

Lake glanced at Esposito, shrugged with an "I told you so" look, and burst out laughing.

Inside the office.

Lake first eyed the woman he'd met in the elevator earlier, then addressed Montgomery. "Inspector."

Montgomery gestured to the woman and introduced her. "Lake, this is Detective Joe Martinez from the Thirteenth Precinct."

Lake nodded politely at Detective Martinez.

But...

He was curious. Why introduce her to me? Lake's Third Squad was the most independent—it was just him. When he'd been promoted to Inspector last year, he'd had two squad members, but they'd both died. Claiming grief, Lake had chosen to work solo. After two cases, the Inspector and the Captain had tacitly allowed it.

So why introduce a detective now?

Was this a daycare?

Lake looked at Montgomery, puzzled.

Montgomery said, "Lake, Detective Joe Martinez just transferred from the Thirteenth Precinct. She'll be partnering with you."

There it was.

Lake raised an eyebrow. "Sir—"

Before he could finish, Detective Martinez chimed in too. "Sir—"

They spoke at once.

Eyes met.

Lake gestured politely for her to go first.

Detective Martinez addressed Montgomery. "Sir, with all due respect, as I understand it, Detective Inspector Lake Edwin is currently under suspension."

The implication was clear.

She didn't want to partner with someone suspected of being a dirty cop.

Lake didn't bother explaining. His conscience was clear—he always played dirty against the dirty, never took bribes. And his slogan, "I am irreconcilable with evil," had traction. At least when Lake was under investigation, George from First Squad and Beckett from Second Squad had both backed him up.

The Major Crimes Division believed in him.

What others thought? Lake couldn't care less.

Lake cut in. "Sir, George said he's short-handed. And—" He glanced at Detective Martinez, smiled to show it wasn't personal, then continued to Montgomery. "I prefer working alone. I don't like babysitting."

Martinez raised an eyebrow at that.

Baby?

Was she the baby?

Inspector Montgomery looked at both of them, chuckled, and said to Lake, "I never said Detective Martinez would be in your Third Squad."

Lake breathed a sigh of relief.

Montgomery continued. "George's squad has a special operation—not the right time to insert a newcomer. After George finishes his mission, Detective Martinez will join First Squad. But until then, she'll familiarize herself with our Major Crimes workflow and environment in your Third Squad."

He paused.

Then Montgomery addressed Detective Martinez. "Also, Detective Martinez, the investigation into Inspector Edwin is closed. He's clean. Understood?"

Detective Martinez nodded. "Yes, sir. Understood."

Inspector Montgomery looked at Lake. "And you. Do you really not know why this investigation was launched against you?"

Why do law enforcement agencies always operate in pairs or groups?

On one hand, two people share the workload. On the other, they keep each other in check.

But Lake?

He worked alone. Naturally, when the anonymous tip came in, no one could be found to testify that Lake hadn't taken dirty money. That's exactly why Lake was temporarily under investigation.

If it were George from Unit One or Beckett from Unit Two?

Unless the tip wasn't anonymous and came with solid evidence, Internal Affairs Division wouldn't easily kick off an investigation.

Lake curled his lip.

Working alone meant a chance to play dirty against the dirty.

With a deadweight around, how could you pull that off? Split it with someone else? Then what's the point of playing dirty against the dirty?

Playing dirty against the dirty meant keeping it all for yourself. If you had to share, what real difference was there between that and the cops who took bribes as a team?

Thinking was one thing.

Lake said to Inspector Montgomery, "I get what you're saying, but I still prefer working alone. You know why. I can't take another partner dying beside me or being a deadweight."

One sentence.

I hear your opinion, but I refuse to change.

Inspector Montgomery shook his head, pulled a file from the side, and tossed it in front of Lake. "This just came in from the prison. George has an operation, and Beckett's team just wrapped up a case. Perfect timing—you're reinstated. This case is yours. You'll work it with Detective Martinez. Take the lead on this one, show him the ropes. Any problem?"

Lake sighed inwardly.

Do I have a choice?

Thinking that, Lake reached out and took the file, shrugging at Inspector Montgomery. "Understood, sir. You know me. I am irreconcilable with evil."

Inspector Montgomery burst out laughing.

Detective Joe Martinez: "..."

PS: Unit One, George Stacy—from "Marvel."

PS: Unit Two, Kate Beckett, Esposito, and Inspector Montgomery—from "Castle."

PS: Joe Martinez—from "Forever."