Week 52

The last week of the year had been marked by one crisis after another. The Fifteenth detective squad members, including PAA John Irving, wore their Family Counselor hats on almost every call. The end of the year proved to be a frighteningly hostile time.

“Fifteenth Precinct, Detectives,” answered John for the umpteenth time today. “How can we help you today? Yes, ma’am…yes, ma’am…Well, if you have a TRO, we can arrest him when he violates it…Temporary Restraining Order…No, ma’am, we can’t just go and arrest him without it…mmmm hmmm…”

As the frantic woman screeched in John’s ear, he scanned the room for an available detective. Only Diane Russell was in the room. Her new partner, Claire Kelly, was following up on a restraining order for another ongoing case. John knew Diane’s hatred of domestic abuse cases, so he wanted to hand the call over to another detective if possible. Diane looked up and noticed John’s desperate expression.

“Go ahead and give it to me, John.”

“I’m sorry, Detective Russell,” John said, his hand covering the receiver.

“It’s almost over,” Diane said. “When this weekend is finished, we can all relax a little.”

John smiled weakly. He looked really tired after such a hectic week. The phone rang again, and he was on to the next crisis with a sigh.

“Diane Russell,” she said as she answered line two. “Is he there right now?…Can you come into the station today?…Is it safe for you to leave the house?”

Diane’s face took on a look of anger. Another drunken asshole was keeping his family prisoner in their home.

“Okay, ma’am. Stay put. As soon as my partner returns, we’ll come out and see you. Give me your address.”

Diane contacted Victims’ Services to send a counselor out with her. They were just as busy over there, so no one was available to join her in the field. There was no way in hell Diane would go out there alone. She was well aware that most officer injuries and deaths occurred during domestic violence response calls. Even though the ex-husband didn’t seem to be actively stalking this woman, there was significant risk in going out alone.