Freemantle didn’t sit back down, but rather made sure to offer his seat to Ava. She took it with a smile, waiting to see why he was here.
“Detectives,” Minard said, “Chief Freemantle is here because of an issue that has come to my attention in the last few days. I reached out to him and he was concerned as well. He wanted to be a part of the conversation we’re about to have.”
“Okay…” Frank said. “Is everything okay?”
Minard eyed them both apologetically and then leaned back in his seat with a forlorn look on his face. “Detective Wimbly, how long have you and Detective Gold been romantically involved?”
And there it was. Ava felt her heart skip a beat as a flush of warmth spread through her. She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or fear (or maybe a bit of both) but she found herself unable to properly respond. It was a good thing Minard had asked Frank for a response instead of her.
“Not long,” Frank said. She was impressed with how Frank didn’t skip a beat or even waste a single moment trying to decide if he should lie or not. She was glad he had opted for the truth. The presence of Chief Freemantle made this a much more serious situation.
“Can you please be more specific?” Minard asked with a hint of irritation.
“Officially, maybe three or four weeks,” Frank said. He looked to Ava and shrugged. “Is that what you’d say?”
She honestly had no idea, but she was fine going along with that answer. “Yes, I’d say that’s fairly accurate.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Frank said. “But is there a rule against it?”
“Well, that’s why I’m here,” Chief Freemantle said. “Because women in the precincts are such a rarity, thereisno rule. However, we need to tread carefully here, as Detective Gold is something of a celebrity.”
“A celebrity?” Ava asked, baffled by the word.
“More or less, yes. And don’t get me wrong…I’m a huge admirer. Your track record and the way you have carried yourself has been great for the public view of the force. I do understand that some lines have been crossed here and there but that only adds to it. And as long as no one gets hurt, I’m willing to brush all of that under the rug. But a romantic relationship with your partner is a different matter completely.”
“So…are we in some sort of trouble?” Ava asked.
“Oh, no, not at all,” Freemantle said. “I believe Captain Minard and I have come up with a solution that works for everyone: both of you, the other officers here at your precinct, maybe even the force as a whole.”
Ava watched as Minard and Freemantle shared a look, perhaps trying to figure out which one of them would be the one to present the solution. In the end, it was Minard—probably the right call as far as Ava was concerned, since he knew both of them relatively well.
“Because only a handful of officers have noticed and come to me with it, I believe we can keep it mostly quiet. But this also presents us with an opportunity. Chief Freemantle and I have decided that we are temporarily going to split you up. Detective Wimbly will stay here and resume his daily duties. Detective Gold, we’d like you to transfer to the Seventeenth Precinct. They are in the midst of something of a morale boost with a few new, promising rookies and we believe your presence there would really kick it into overdrive. In that area, such a boost is going to be very rewarding, given the current state of financial ruin. It’s really hit the city hard over there.”
Ava digested this all, not quite sure how to react and respond. It was flattering, sure, but the same move was also separating her from Frank. Romantic feelings aside, he’d been the only thing she’d known as a partner since the beginning. She’d come a very long way, mostly because of his support. She had no idea how she might get on without him by her side. Of course, she didn’t want to say this and, more than that, the fighter in her welcomed the challenge.
“When would this begin?” Frank asked. She noted some concern in his voice and was surprised how much it touched her.
“Tomorrow,” Chief Freemantle said. “Captain Minard and I have already gotten the paperwork ready. All we need are your signatures and we can get it started.”
“You said this is temporary,” Ava said. “How temporary? I only ask because I do live in the area, sir. And I have a son, as you know.”
“Not too long at all,” Freemantle said. “Four weeks…maybe six. And after that, we can step back and re-evaluate. How does that sound?”
She knew that she and Frank needed to take this. Both Minard and Freemantle were not only excited about this, but they both seemed to be very much on their side. She knew that Minard could have had a much different reaction to rumors of their relationship when they’d come to him. As far as she was concerned, this was an absolute best-case scenario.
“I think that’s very fair,” Frank said. Ava noted, though, that he seemed to find it hard to look in her direction.
“Me, too,” Ava said. “Will I be partnered with someone at the Seventeenth?”
“Yes,” Freemantle said. “And I think I already know a good fit for you.” He looked to Minard and then to Frank and Ava, as if to make sure no one had anything else to add. When everyone was quiet for several seconds, he gave a single clap of his handsand headed for the door. “I think this is going to work out for the best. Detective Gold, I’ll make sure you’re all set up and good to go when you arrive at the new precinct tomorrow. If you have any questions, just direction them to Captain Minard.”
“Thank you, Chief,” Minard said, as Freemantle left.
Minard then regarded them. He didn’t seem as delighted as Freemantle, but he was smiling, at least. “You two okay with this?”
“Yes, sir,” Ava said. And while the idea of been taken away from Frank sat oddly with her, she was also surprised to find that the prospect of starting somewhere new was actually rather exciting. The longer she had to process it all, the more she welcomed the challenge.
“I think it will work fine,” Frank said. “Is there anything else?”