Progression Series 17 Lying in Wait

by Beth Manz

  Disclaimer: The characters depicted within this story do not belong to us, but are the property of Pet Fly, UPN, Paramount and The SciFi Channel. No money has been made from the writing of this story.

  Note from the Authors: In our Sentinel universe, the events depicted in "The Sentinel by Blair Sandburg" did not occur. Therefore, any "canonical" references that may be found in this story are related to episodes up to and including "Most Wanted."

  Dedication: This series is dedicated to friendship, for only through caring for others can we truly find a sense of peace and belonging.

  Lying in Wait

  Part Seventeen of "The Progressions" Series

  by Beth Manz and Shiloh

  Part One

  Blair Sandburg stretched his arms above his head and twisted his torso until his spine popped audibly. A deep sigh escaped him as he lowered his arms and fixed his attention back on the computer screen.

  "You doin' okay over there, Sandburg?"

  He looked over to find his partner watching him, an amused expression on the detective's face. "Yeah, just ducky," Blair replied with a grimace. "You'd think by now I'd be used to all the paperwork you cops generate."

  "And here I thought you lived for that kind of stuff," Jim drawled, leaning back in his desk chair and tapping the end of his pencil against his desk blotter.

  Blair snorted. "My own paperwork, maybe. But these forms you're required to submit grow a bit old after a while."

  "Tell me about it." Jim sat forward and, placing his arms on his desk, pinned Blair with his most serious expression. "That's why I keep you around, you know. To do my paperwork."

  "And I appreciate it so much," Blair intoned dryly.

  Jim grinned at Sandburg's remark then inclined his head toward the captain's office. "So, what do you think's going on in there?"

  Blair glanced briefly in the direction of Simon's closed office door, then looked over at Jim again. "I don't know, man. You're the sentinel; check it out."

  "Well, now, that would be unethical, Chief."

  "Oh, please!" Blair rolled his eyes. "Since when has that stopped you?"

  "Ouch." Jim brought a hand to his heart and feigned an offended expression. "That hurt." Dropping his hand, he shrugged. "Besides, I've never known Commissioner Collier to have anything to say that I found all that interesting."

  Any response Blair may have made was cut short by the sound of Simon's door opening behind him.

  "Sandburg!" the captain's voice boomed across the bullpen. "My office. Now!"

  Blair and Jim exchanged bewildered glances as Blair stood and made his way around his desk. He noted that the captain had disappeared back within the confines of his office, so he held out his arms in an imploring gesture as he walked past Jim. "Why only me?" he whispered.

  "Dunno, Chief," Jim replied with a sympathetic expression. "Your lucky day, I guess."

  "C'mon, Jim, the commissioner's in there! This could only be bad, right?"

  Jim laughed and made a shooing motion with one hand. "You'd better not keep them waiting while you try to figure it out." When Blair still hesitated, Jim gave him a wide smile. "You'll be fine. Go get 'em, Tiger."

  -------

  Blair pushed the door closed quietly behind him and stood nervously, his glance shifting between Simon and the stern-looking commissioner of Cascade's police force. Gordon Collier had a reputation among the police as a no-nonsense businessman who expected his police department to be run like an efficient corporation. The technique had cut down on the number of internal investigations necessary within the department-Collier didn't tolerate police corruption in any form-but it had drawn criticism from within the ranks. The police force, from captains to rookies, viewed Collier's operating style as being too far removed from the actual day-to-day duties of the officer on the streets.

  Blair swallowed as Simon approached him and motioned for him to step forward. "Sandburg, I don't believe you've met our commissioner, have you?"

  Blair rubbed his hands self-consciously on his jean-clad legs. "Um, no, sir, I haven't." He moved forward and extended his hand.

  "Commissioner Collier, Dr. Blair Sandburg," Simon said in way of introduction as the two men shook hands.

  "It's nice to meet you, sir," Blair greeted the commissioner, apprising the tall, distinguished looking man as he did so.

  "Thank you," was Collier's cool, unadorned reply. He ended the handshake and gestured toward a chair flanking Simon's desk. "Please sit down, Dr. Sandburg," he instructed then took a seat beside Blair as Simon positioned himself behind his desk. Turning a calculating gaze on the anthropologist, he continued... "Captain Banks tells me that you are an excellent professor. He also tells me that you have the summer off from your duties at Rainier University." The commissioner shifted slightly in his chair, relaxed his posture a bit. "I have two basic sociology classes at the academy that are in need of a teacher this summer. With the experience you've gained within the department over the past few years and with your background in human and cultural behavior, I believe you'd be the perfect candidate."

  Blair's eyes widened in surprise-and delight. Months ago, when he'd first received his Ph.D. and been brought on board as a permanent consultant to the department, Simon had mentioned the possibility of him teaching courses at the academy. The idea had intrigued him but the subject had never come up again. And-as busy as he always seemed to be between teaching and serving as Jim's partner-Blair had not pursued it.

  "In case you're wondering how heavily the classes would encroach on your duties here," the commissioner was explaining, "I can assure you they would require only a minimal commitment-fifteen hours per week, tops, for six weeks."

  "That's perfect," Blair enthused, warming even more to the possibility of teaching societal and cultural issues to cadets.

  "You'd be interested, then?" the commissioner questioned.

  "Yes, absolutely!" Blair glanced over at Simon and smiled widely. "That would give me an opportunity to do some teaching over the summer, but still work full-time with Jim."

  Beside him, Blair could sense Commissioner Collier stiffening in his chair. He looked over, surprised, and found the man studying him intently, a frown darkening his features. "Work with Jim?" Collier queried, obviously confused by Blair's statement. "I don't understand...."

  "Um, Detective Ellison," Blair elaborated, growing somewhat uncomfortable under the man's unwavering gaze. "My partner."

  Collier raised his eyebrows in surprise. He glanced over at Simon before returning his attention to Blair. "Perhaps I'm mistaken-I thought you were a consultant to the entire Major Crime department."

  "Dr. Sandburg is a consultant to the department," Simon clarified. "However, he's been working exclusively with Detective Ellison for the last four years."

  Collier scowled, then shook his head. "I didn't realize that." He glanced at Blair for the briefest of moments, then spoke to the captain again. "And I have to say, Captain, that that arrangement makes me extremely uncomfortable. I don't like the idea of a civilian consultant-paid or otherwise-referring to one of our detectives as his partner. It gives the impression that he's an officer, and he's not."

  "That wasn't my intent...." Blair began to explain, but Collier cut him off with an upraised hand.

  "It doesn't matter. I don't like it. It opens the department up to all sorts of legal and ethical questions." The commissioner leaned forward in his chair and pinned Simon with an angry glare. "I think we need to change this little arrangement, Captain. And I can tell you right now," he said with finality, "had I known about this before, it would have been changed long ago!" />
  Blair gaped at the man for several long seconds, then turned beseeching eyes to Simon. The captain stood silently at his desk, clearly uncomfortable. Blair slouched back in his chair, anger slowly growing to take the place of his discomfiture. He ran a shaky hand through his hair.

  Change this little arrangement? What exactly does that mean?

  /

  /

  /

  Jim signed his name to the bottom of the form he'd just completed and slipped the paperwork into the appropriate case folder. Tossing the folder into his "out" basket, he stood and stretched. Deciding a snack was in order, he dug into his jeans pocket, extracted a handful of change, and began poking through the coins in search of quarters.

  He had just counted out the amount he'd need at the machine when his attention was captured by the sound of Blair's heart...Blair's racing heart. Looking toward the captain's office, he frowned when he realized that the captain had drawn the blinds, making it impossible to see what was going on inside. Extending his hearing, however, he easily picked up on Blair's voice....

  "I was under the impression when I took this job that I was to be assigned to Detective Ellison," Sandburg was saying loudly, heatedly. "I also assumed that I was to be considered his partner."

  "Then your assumption was incorrect," Collier's equally heated voice reached him.

  Shoving the change back into his pocket, Jim strode across the bullpen. He knocked once and opened the captain's door without waiting for Simon to call out permission. Commissioner Collier stood as he entered, stared at him evenly as he closed the door. Jim glared back as he moved over to position himself next to his partner, who was standing near the conference table, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, his blue eyes blazing with anger.

  Jim looked over at Simon. "What's going on here?"

  "Excuse me, Detective," Collier began, "but this is a private meeting-"

  "If this meeting concerns my partner," Jim interrupted, earning himself a surprised look from Collier, "then it concerns me. Now I'll ask you again-what's going on?"

  The commissioner stared at Jim for a long moment, then turned to Simon. "I see now where Dr. Sandburg gets his ridiculous notion about being Ellison's partner." Collier narrowed his eyes as he turned his attention back to Jim. He stepped forward, bringing himself within inches of the detective. "I was just explaining to these two gentlemen that I don't believe it's wise for a civilian to be referred to as a detective's partner-to be a detective's partner."

  "Too bad."

  "Jim...." Simon's voice, laced with warning, cut into the charged silence that followed the detective's recalcitrant comment.

  "I'm sorry, Captain, but the commissioner obviously doesn't understand how we work down here in the trenches."

  Collier straightened and a red flush made its way from his shirt collar to the roots of his hair. When he spoke his words were clipped, controlled, but the anger beneath them was evident to the three men in the room: "You are quickly heading toward a suspension, mister," he told Jim.

  "So suspend me," Ellison countered with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "Sandburg's proven himself to be a better partner to me than any cop I've ever worked with. If you won't acknowledge and allow that partnership, then I see no reason to keep working here."

  A nervous chuckle escaped Captain Banks as he stepped from around his desk and positioned himself between the commissioner and Jim. "Now, now," he soothed, "before this gets out of hand, why don't we all sit down and see if we can't resolve this problem in a calm, professional manner."

  "There's nothing to be resolved, Captain," Collier replied. "Dr. Sandburg has agreed to teach the two sociology classes at the academy this summer. In addition to those duties, he may remain assigned to Major Crime as a consultant. However, effective immediately I expect all auspices of a partnership between this detective and Dr. Sandburg to be terminated." The commissioner glanced at Jim and Blair. "Dr. Sandburg will be assigned to general work within the department. A 'sharing of the wealth,' if you will."

  Jim was aware of Blair's almost inaudible gasp of surprise. He reached over and clasped the smaller man on the shoulder, but his attention was riveted on Collier. "With all due respect, sir, that's unacceptable."

  Again, Collier's faced colored in anger and he drew in a deep breath. "Was I unclear, Detective?"

  "No, no," Simon intercepted, reaching out to grip Jim's arm. "You were perfectly clear, sir. It's just that...well, Detective Ellison and Dr. Sandburg make an excellent team. In fact, they have the best arrest record in the department. No other team even comes close. The media and the chief have been aware of their fine work for months now," he finished in a diplomatic tone.

  "But Dr. Sandburg never works with other detectives?" Collier questioned.

  "Of course he does," Simon explained. "Blair has worked with our other detectives and a number of uniformed officers on many occasions. He's well respected and trusted within my entire organization."

  "But it's always clear that he's considered Ellison's partner?"

  Simon swallowed uncomfortably but met the commissioner's gaze. "Yes, it is."

  "I don't like this, Captain. I don't like it at all!" Collier turned his back on the men, moved over to the windows and stared at the street seven stories below for several long seconds. Finally, turning slowly, he took a deep breath and said, "My original decision stands. Dr. Sandburg will be shared equally by the members of Major Crime."

  "Commissioner...." Simon began, but Collier held up a hand for silence.

  "No arguments, Captain," he warned. "That's my final decision. I expect to be copied on all reports from this department as of this time forward. And they had better reflect the fact that Dr. Sandburg is being utilized as a true consultant to the department. The entire department." The man narrowed his eyes and stared at Jim. "If they do not reflect that arrangement and if I get the impression that Dr. Sandburg is still working exclusively as Detective Ellison's partner, then I'll have no choice but to see that his contract as a consultant is terminated. Permanently."

  /

  /

  /

  "That arrogant...." Jim fumed.

  "Enough!" Simon snapped, glaring angrily at his two men. He stalked to the windows of his office that overlooked the bullpen, opened the blinds, and waited until he saw Commissioner Collier enter the elevator before turning back to Jim and Blair. "I don't like this any better than you do."

  "Simon," Jim began, holding out his hands in an imploring manner, "you know I can't do my job without Sandburg. You go along with Collier's demands and I'll have no choice but to resign."

  Simon bristled. He was still feeling utterly chastised by Collier's attitude and demands and now he had his best detective making noises of resigning. "Is that a threat, Detective?" he ground out, venting some of the anger that was churning within him.

  "Not at all."

  Jim offered his assurance in a soft tone of voice and even as angry as he was, the captain had to admit that he could tell the man was sincere. He felt some of his anger slipping away and he nodded at his detective. "I know. I'm sorry."

  "No need to apologize, sir. But I need Blair, you know that."

  "He's right, Simon," Blair spoke for the first time in several minutes. "What if he zones--"

  "I know the risks, Sandburg!" Simon bit out, growing angry again. But he wasn't really angry with the two men standing in his office. Rather, he was angry over the circumstances in which they found themselves and with the pompous commissioner who had forgotten what it was like to be a cop on the street, how important it was to have a partner you could trust and respect....

  "All three of us know the risks," he continued, glancing back and forth between his two men. "Unfortunately, I can't exactly share this whole sentinel thing with the commissioner, now can I?" He pinned Blair with a questioning look.

  Sandburg's gaze shifted to the floor. "No, sir, you can't," he admitted.

  "So what are we going to do?" Jim ask
ed pointedly.

  Simon placed his hands on his hips, drew in a deep breath, exhaled it slowly. "For now," he said at last, looking at Blair, "Sandburg is going to teach the classes at the academy, just like the commissioner requested. And I'm going to get with the chief and see if I can't convince him to put some pressure on Collier. The two of them seem to have a grudging respect for one another, and let's face it-the chief carries a lot more clout than I do."

  "Plus, he likes us," Blair chimed in, glancing at Simon then at Jim, attempting a tiny smile as he did so.

  "He likes your work record, Sandburg," Simon corrected. "I want the two of you to try not to worry about this. I'll get it straightened out."

  "But what do we do in the meantime?" Jim pressed. "While the details are being worked out, I still need a partner." He looked down at Sandburg. "I still need Blair."

  Simon shook his head. "I'm sorry, Jim, but for now I have no choice but to abide by Collier's decision, as idiotic as I may personally find it to be." He stepped up to Blair, reached out, and placed a hand on the smaller man's shoulders. "Sandburg, I'm going to let you decide how much time and effort you want to put into working with the other members of Major Crimes. If you want to work within the entire organization, I'd love to have you and I'm sure your assistance will be appreciated and welcomed by every person on my team." He paused. "However.... I'll also understand if you decide to pull back on your consultant duties completely until after this all blows over." He squeezed Blair's shoulder. "It's up to you, son."

  Blair looked up at the captain, then up at Jim. Simon noticed how the young man's expression softened then grew more confident as he gazed up at the detective. The two men seemed to come to some sort of unspoken understanding, then Blair turned back to Simon. "I only want to work with Jim, sir."

  Simon dropped his hand and opened his mouth to tell Blair that that wasn't currently an option, but Sandburg continued before the captain had the chance to speak. "If Jim is sent out on a case, I'm going with him," he stated with stubborn finality. He glanced up at Jim again. "But I'll be going with him as a friend, not as his official partner."