“I agreed to meet with you here because you’re a damn good cop.”

The two detectives had left the Homicide Unit office and met up at the Red Door Bar. Too many people at work were interested in Morgan’s business.  

“Was, Hutch. Was a damn good cop."

“Are a damn good cop. You’re still in there somewhere, Morgan.” Hutch wore a suit and tie and always dressed impeccably. “We just have to find you.” 

Morgan slammed back another shot. “Oh yeah, how do I go about finding me? ‘Cause if I’m still in there, it’s buried deep.”

The black man pointed at Morgan’s shot glass. “You could start by cutting back on the whiskey. That shit’ll kill you.”  

Maybe I should quit drinking? Morgan waved off the bartender who was about to refill his glass. “Don’t tell me you aren’t going to ask me the million dollar question. If I took the money from the evidence locker or not?”

“Shit, Morgan, everyone knows you took that money.” The senior detective frowned. “The real million dollar question is why?”

“I wish I could tell you. I really don’t know why. I didn’t need the money or even want it.” Distraught, he put his head in his hands, resting his elbows on the bar. “My psychiatrist says I’m trying to kill myself slowly.  I think she may be right.”

“So do I.”  Hutch stared at him. “She sounds like a smart lady.”

“Doctor Millison Parker? Damn smart. So much so that she irks me.” Morgan shook his head.  

Hutch rubbed his bald head and sighed. “Did she point out what a mess you are? Cause it’s true.”

“Yeah, I’m a real shit show, Hutch. And I don’t know how to fix myself.”

“I know, buddy. You never got past Debra’s death.” Hutch grabbed him by the shoulders. “You will destroy yourself if you can’t get over her.“

A tear ran down Morgan’s cheek. “I can’t. I don’t know how.”

“You do it how all great things are accomplished. By putting one foot in front of the other. One step at a time.”

“Okay. I can do that. I’ll start by confessing and returning the money.”

“That’s a start. But this is bigger than the job.  You need to fix yourself for you. And remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and reverse course. Stop the dumbfuckory. Get your life back on track. Start by fixing the money thing.”

“Yeah, Brian offered me a deal. No jail time if I return the cash.” 

“Really? You just watch your ass around him, Morgan. He’s been gunning for you for a long time.” The older man sighed. “He told some officers around the station, including me, that he’d been waiting for you to screw up and finally get what you deserve. Seems happy about it. Believe me, you can’t trust him.” 

Morgan shrugged. “I don’t think I really have any choice here. Staying out of jail may be my best bet.  Besides, I bet Anderson will be more than happy if I’m terminated. That’d be a big win for him.”

“I hope so, Morgan, but I wouldn’t take that bet. I can’t picture that turd will settle for anything less than destroying you.” Hutch shook his bald head and let out a low whistle. “That man hates you.”

“Hate's a strong word. I would say it’s more of a jealousy thing.” Morgan laughed.  

Hutch changed the subject.” So let’s talk about Tamra.”

“Tamra?”

“Yeh. There’s something going on between the two of you. I could feel the sexual tension at the Henderson crime scene.”

“I kissed her.”

Morgan let out a sharp whistle. “Okay. That’s a start.” 

“A start? She’s my sister-in-law, Hutch.” Morgan rubbed his temples.  

“Was your sister-in-law.“ Hutch chuckled. 

“So, I kissed Tam, then I ran away and had sex with an old friend. I just couldn’t sleep with Tamra.”

“I really don’t understand what the issue is here.” Hutch looked genuinely perplexed. “She’s a hot available woman and you’re . . . well . . . you’re available. “

“Thanks. I think.” Morgan chuckled. “I just can’t disrespect Debra that way. By sleeping with her sister. Can’t do it.” 

Hutch laughed again while shaking his head. “Seriously? Disrespect her? Are you forgetting that I knew Debra, Morgan? And the one thing I know is that she would have wanted you to be happy. Maybe you could find that again with Tamra. That’s my two cents.”

“Just doesn’t seem right.” Morgan raised his eyebrows. “Regardless, I have much bigger issues to deal with right now than who I share my bed with. Anyways, thank you for meeting with me. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re my friend.” Hutch gave him a sideways glance. “Besides, I never forgot what you did for me with the Williams kid.”

“You don’t owe me nothing, Hutch.”  

“Who said anything about owing you? I told you I was here because we’re friends.” Hutch shifted his chair closer. “I’m just sayin’ that I never forgot.”

“That was a bad deal. Sometimes things really go to shit in this line of work.” Morgan shook his head disdainfully. “Total shit.”

“Dealing drugs at fifteen. Damn. I’ll swear to the day I die that I thought Nevy Williams had pulled a gun on me.” Hutch’s voice had dropped to a whisper. 

“That flashlight looked like a gun. Anybody could have made that mistake.” Morgan was the one to pat his friend’s shoulder now. 

“I still haven’t forgiven myself. Even with all the drugs Nevy had on him, he didn’t deserve to be shot and killed. I was a mess for a long time.” Hutch let out a long breath of air. “If you hadn’t planted that throwaway piece, I may have gone to prison. Still, maybe that would have been the right path.”

Morgan cocked his head at the man. “You’re the one who taught me many years ago that sometimes there’s no right or wrong decisions in this job.  Sometimes, they’re just decisions.”

“Shitty decisions, Morgan.”

“It just went shitty that day, Hutch. That’s all. Just shitty. But I thought we agreed never to talk about this again?” Morgan raised his eyebrows at his friend. 

“I know. I just wanted you to understand that I never forgot what you did that night. That’s all.” Hutch gave him a weak smile. “Just know that I got your back. Whatever you decide to do. I got your back.”

“I know, Hutch.” Morgan nodded at him. “I’m gonna have to come clean about the money. Maybe I lose my job, maybe I don’t. Either way, that should be the end of it. Sometimes things just go badly.”

Morgan frowned and signaled for another drink. Today just isn’t going to be a good day for me to quit.  
 

Character/Suspect List: 

Homicide Detective Morgan Harper - The heavily faulted main character who never recovered from the suicide of his wife.  

Kelly Pierson - a young, new to the game, prostitute who is frequented by Detective Morgan. 

Debra Harper - Morgan’s deceased wife who committed suicide.  

Tamra Burns- a crime scene technician who is Debra's identical twin.

Internal Affairs Officer Brian Anderson - Investigating Morgan Harper  

Homicide Detective Hutch Kelly - Morgan’s partner. 

Doctor Millison Parker - Morgan’s psychiatrist.

Paco Sanchez - A local pimp and street thug.

Mac Yung- Aggressive reporter. 

Vicki Vance - An old friend of Morgan and Debra’s.

Jennifer Collins - The first victim prostitute. 

Amy Henderson - The second victim prostitute.