Cole had recently completed several days away from duty and had not attended the new commander's introductory meeting.
He knew a chief had been appointed.
But he hadn't paid much attention to the announcement.
He assumed the change would have little effect on his daily work.
He was wrong.
The new chief had already begun reviewing departmental policies.
She wanted a clearer process for reporting force.
Stronger supervisory review of body-camera compliance.
And better separation between approved off-duty employment and official police assignments.
She had noticed the private security contract almost immediately.
Several of its arrangements troubled her.
The department had not clearly documented how private reports were routed to dispatch.
Some officers performed off-duty work for businesses that also requested frequent police assistance.
And the rules concerning potential conflicts of interest were scattered across several policies.
She intended to examine those issues.
But she had not yet reached Cole's individual assignments.
And she had no reason to suspect that a children's birthday party would become the first major crisis of her leadership.
The morning of the celebration, she dressed casually.
Bright-pink blouse.
Blue jeans.
Comfortable shoes.
Her hair fell naturally around her shoulders.
She wanted to attend as a family friend.
Not as the police chief.
She purchased a gift from a toy store.
A beautiful collection of illustrated storybooks, a pink bookmark, and a small charm bracelet.
Then she drove toward Marcus's house.
The backyard was already filled with decorations when she arrived.
Pink and lavender balloons swayed along the fence.
A large birthday banner hung beneath the patio roof.
The picnic table was covered with a white cloth and colorful paper plates.
A treasure-hunt map lay beside several wrapped presents.
Marcus was standing near the grill wearing his fitted gray athletic shirt.
He looked up when she entered through the side gate.
“Well, look who finally made it.”
She smiled.
“Traffic.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“Police chief couldn't get through traffic?”
She laughed.
“Off duty, remember?”
He grinned.
“Fair enough.”
She looked around.
“You did all this?”
“Most of it.”
She studied the decorations.
Then smiled.
“Your wife would've loved it.”
Marcus's expression softened.
He glanced toward the pink balloons.
“I hope so.”
For a moment, neither spoke.