Catch a Tiger by the Toe

Danny sat at his desk on the first workday of the New Year, nervously watching the hallway that leads into the squad room. Every few minutes, he stuffed a paperclip into his shirt pocket. Before long, the pocket was bulging and the paperclip dispenser was left with two lonely little scraps of metal. Andy was working on his files, but finally noticed Danny’s agitated state.

“What’s eating you?” Andy grumbled.

“Huh?” Danny said, his attention abruptly diverted from the entrance.

“You’re in outer space. What’s wrong with you?”

Danny studied his desk, examined his fingernails, checked the clock (again), and verified the sun was shining before he had the courage to speak.

“This is ridiculous!” Andy sat back, frustrated. “C’mon, spill it already!”

“Okay, Andy, it’s like this,” Danny looked up, and took a bracing breath. “Diane and I got, well, involved, over the holiday.”

Andy couldn’t hide the shock in his face. When he could finally speak, he said under his breath, “I thought she was still hung up on that scumbag, Denby.”

“Yeah, well. The thing is, this new circumstance will have an impact on that situation.”

“You’re damn right, it will have an impact,” Andy scowled.

“Andy,” Danny said, studying his hands, “you’re kind of like a father figure to her, and it’s real important that I don’t do anything to harm our partnership, what you and me got.”

“You’re right,” Andy said, nodding to encourage Danny to continue his thought.

“And I really respect Diane. Both personally and as a detective. So seeing her, I would treat her real good.”

“Yes, I imagine you would.”

“Andy, would you have any objections?”

Andy felt like a proud papa whose favorite suitor had just popped the question. He couldn’t keep himself from smiling. Danny exhaled in relief, seeing the smile. Then Andy’s face became very grave. Danny became concerned again.