The squad room was silent as Sin stepped off the elevator. She stopped at the first desk, flashed her credentials, and asked to see Captain Rand.
The officer behind the desk pointed to a chair. “Have a seat. The Captain will be with you when he has a moment.”
Sin stifled a sharp retort and took a seat in front of his desk. She spent the next fifteen minutes checking and answering her email. During that time, she watched three officers walk in and out of Rand’s office on separate occasions.
She had all she was going to take.
Sin stood and moved toward Rand’s office, but a large-sized squad member stood in front of her, blocking her way. He held out his hand in a classic maneuver.
“I don’t remember the Captain calling your name,” he said. “Why don’t you be a good little girl and go sit down before I find it necessary to help you.”
Sin’s eyes roamed the room taking in the position of squad. Her eyes then focused on the cop’s large, paw-like hand before zeroing in on his face. Her eyes squinted in a cold stare as she took a step forward. “I suggest you put your hand down and let me pass before I make you apologize for your behavior, Officer.”
The big man leaned forward in an effort to push Sin back, but she was ready for his move. She twisted her torso, reached under his arm, and grabbed his thumb in her fist, pulling down and back causing his knees to hit the floor hard.
She was so fast that by the time the other officers in the room had time to stand and reach for their weapons, Sin was standing over the big guy, torqueing his thumb and holding her Balisong—blade open—above his head.
“Somebody, do something,” he cried, “she’s going to break my finger.”
Rand suddenly appeared, and yelled, “Are you out of your fucking mind, O’Malley?” He stood in front of her with a scowl. “I suggest you let Sergeant Monroe up before I have you arrested.”
Sin twisted her wrist just enough to cause Monroe to scream again. “No can do, Captain. You see, the big guy here was the aggressor, and he owes me an apology.”
“You are crazy!” Rand yelled. “I have five other officers who will testify that you stormed my office and attacked Sgt. Monroe. Now let him go before I order one of my men to shoot you in self-defense.”
“You want to play chicken? Okay, let’s play. I say I can break his thumb and dislocate his shoulder before even one of your men gets a shot off.”
“That won’t be necessary, Agent O’Malley.”
Sin turned her attention to the bank of elevators where Mayor Sanchez now stood.
“I saw the whole thing.”
“Good,” Rand said, turning around, “so you can vouch for us.”
“On the contrary, Captain. From my perspective, I would tend to agree with Agent O’Malley’s assessment of the situation.”
Rand was pissed. “What vantage point,” he spat, “you just stepped off the damn elevator.”
“I had the luxury of watching the last twenty minutes on the closed circuit monitor downstairs at the security desk. I have little doubt how a jury will view what just happened if you care to pursue this any further.”
Rand glared at the politician.
“I suggest you call off your dogs, Rand,” Sin said, “because my arm is getting tired, and if I get a spasm, I’m afraid—”
“All right, all right,” Rand said. “Everyone sit down and go about your business.”
His men grumbled, but did as instructed.
Sin opened her fist, letting go of Monroe’s thumb causing the big man to drop on all fours.
Rand eyed two of his men. “Take Monroe out of here and buy him a drink on me.”
Mayor Sanchez walked up to Sin and stuck out his hand. “Please except my apology on behalf of the city of Miami Beach, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”
Sin flicked her wrist, snapped her Balisong closed, placed it in her back pocket, and shook his hand. “No blood, no foul,” she said.
Sanchez laughed at her words. “I will let you finish what you came here to do. I will wait for you downstairs.”
He looked at Rand. “I am sure this was all a mistake, Captain, and I suggest”—he locked eyes with each person in the room—“we all forget it ever happened. Good night.”
Rand looked like he could spit nails as he nodded at the boss and waved Sin into his office.
She didn’t give him time to sit down. “This won’t take but a minute,” she said, removing a folded piece of paper from her front pocket, “I just came to deliver this.” She slapped the paper into his open palm.
“Your resignation, I hope?” he quipped.
“Not quite.”
Rand opened the paper, scanned it, balled it up, and threw it in the wastebasket. “This is bullshit. You can’t do this.”
“I just did,” Sin said. “If you don’t like it, take it up with your old friend, Director Frank Graham. I’m sure he’d love a phone call from you.”
She walked out of his office with Rand trailing behind.
“This isn’t the end of this, Bitch.”
Sin stepped into the elevator and pushed the button. “Yes it is.”
Back in the lobby, Sin collected her guns and belt, but the mayor was nowhere to be found.
She stepped outside and spotted him standing next to her bike talking to Troy. Their conversation stopped as soon as they noticed her coming straight at them.
“Ah, Agent O’Malley,” Mayor Sanchez said, “I was admiring your bike when your friend Troy walked up. I was just telling him that he will always have a job with the department if he decides he isn’t suited for life in the Keys.”
Sin looked at Troy, before studying the face of the mayor. “Thank you for your help upstairs, but I’m a little confused as to why you were there.”
The mayor waved her off. “You didn’t need my help,” he laughed, “and it was an honor watching you in action. I’ve
