Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. When you're off duty, of course.

Chief Encharge slammed his office door behind him, causing Detective Hinkle to jump in his seat. Miller, on the other hand, did nothing but stare at the floor solemly. The Chief rounded his desk, sat, and clapped his hands together before resting his face against them. He stared at the two detectives a long time before finally saying, "You boys have an explanantion for me?"

Miller didn't say a word. Hinkle rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced.

"Seems like if there's a break-in in the building I've got the two of you watching, I should hear about it from, say, you guys, and not from boys down at the Robbery desk, don't you think?"

Miller scratched the bridge of his nose. Hinkle right knee bounced up and down nervously.

"And just WHERE were my two detectives when this all occured, huh? Just what were they doing when they should've alerted someone to what was going on?"

"Uh, sir," said Hinkle, "I'd just like to point out that the break-in had nothing to do with the suspect we..."

The Chief very calmly pointed at Hinkle with his right hand. "Shut. Up." he said, and Hinkle did just that. Then the Chief sighed and stood. "Look, boys, I've been making excuses for you two for over six months. I tell The Brass to patient. I tell them you're good cops, vigilant and true. I tell 'em that if they want this guy, you two are going to be the one's who catch him in the act."

"Thank you, sir," Hinkle said. "We both really..."

"BUT WHEN I FIND OUT MY TWO BEST DETECTIVES WERE ASSEMBLING ADJUSTABLE BAR STOOLS AT THE TIME OF AN ATTEMPED ROBBERY," the Chief roared, "MY OWN PATIENCE WEARS A BIT THIN, YOU GET ME? I don't think the tax payers of this fair city deserve cops who would rather swivel their hips on a 16-inch diameter, khaki-colored microfiber seat cushion from 24-inches up than protect them from danger, do you?"

"Actually, Chief," Hinkle said, "they adjust all the way up to 29 inches when fully extende..."

"SHUT. UP." The Chief shook his head and huffed. "You two are done. We're closing this thing up."

Finally, Miller reacted, standing suddenly. "Sir, you can't be serious!"

"SIX MONTHS, Miller, and all I've got to show for it are three black-finished metal barstools that will add attractive seating for my home. I'm sure that will ease the District Attorney's frustrations. Now, both of you, get out of my office."

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