Detective Dante Alvarez leaned against the wall, hands deep in his coat pockets. Pale sunlight streamed through the windows of the Commissioner’s office, highlighting the framed photos on the wall. Family photos, holidays, and even pictures of a pet dog. They seemed out of place in the otherwise bleak police station.

“I’m glad you could make it, Dante. Take a seat.” Commissioner Lawson said, gesturing towards the chair. Dante obliged. He knew the man before him to be no older than fifty, yet the web of wrinkles across his face, as well as the tired white of his hair gave him an ancient, sage-like look.

“Any plans to retire soon?” Dante asked, though he knew the answer.

Lawson chuckled, flexing the metal fingers of his right arm. The steel grey gleamed, throwing off a nasty glare. “I think I can manage a few more years.”

Dante nodded, “Just make sure this work doesn’t kill you.”

“You’re right. I should take a backseat. Which is why I’m handing over this case-” he pressed a button on his desk, “to you.”

A small sphere embedded in the desk began to glow. It projected an image, some 30cm tall, of a young woman in a balaclava. Dante swiped, and the image broke down, only to reappear as a boy, similarly clothed.

“I think even you could handle a couple of teens with nothing better to do, Commissioner.”

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“These teenagers broke into the house of one Dr Ebert, last night, at 2:30AM. Are you familiar with Dr Ebert’s work?”

Dante shook his head.

“I wasn’t either. But it seems the Doctor was working on something revolutionary. A light-weight, clean energy source that would go to the armies-”

“Good thing it was stolen then.” Dante said, gripping the arms of his chair tightly. He was very aware of what their beloved military was doing in other countries.

Lawson nodded slowly, “Yes, well, regardless of what you and I think of the military, can you imagine what would happen if such a power-source ended up in the wrong hands? Into his hands even?”

“Chaos.” he admitted.

“Yes. Chaos.” Lawson clapped his hands, and showed off his toothy smile once again, as if nothing had happened. If the man wasn’t working with the force, he’d have a career in sales, no doubt about that. “So, just make sure you have a look at the case file. I’ve sent you the details. If you find anything, let me know. Ta-ta now.”

Dante stood up to leave, pausing at the door. He turned, “You sure you don’t want someone else to handle this? Someone more experienced?”

The Commissioner leaned back in his chair, “Not at all. You’re just as capable as anyone else. And besides,” he lowered his voice, “I trust you, Dante. You of all people should know how rare a thing trust is nowadays.”

Dante nodded, pulling on the door handle.

“Oh, and Detective,” Lawson started, his face grave, “I’m sorry about your divorce. You have my condolences, and my support, if you need it.”

“Thank you, Commissioner,” Dante said, and then he left the room.