Daryl arrived at Station One just as the sun was creeping over the horizon, the air still cool and crisp.
The station was already alive with activity — phones ringing, officers talking, the occasional burst of laughter from the break room. But Daryl wasn’t focused on any of that. His mind was on his first official case.
Kyle Ramirez was waiting for him near the squad car, sipping on a coffee and looking entirely too relaxed for someone about to head out on an investigation.
“Ready for your first real assignment, rookie?” Kyle asked, his usual smirk firmly in place.
Daryl nodded, keeping his expression neutral. He wasn’t about to give Kyle the satisfaction of seeing him nervous. “What’s the case?”
“Petty theft and vandalism,” Kyle replied, taking a lazy sip of his coffee. “Real high-
