"The one thing you have to learn is that when explaining the status of an investigation, omitting isn't lying, and to always exaggerate every ‘good news,’ no matter how insignificant it is," Shining Armor said to Flash as they walked the halls of the Bureau. It was busy that day, people going to and fro in the hallways on their own cases or going to lunch.

"What about yesterday?" Flash asked, alluding to the incident where Shining received a full face of pepper spray by the potential thieves.

"We don't talk about that. Ever." Shining seethed.

They went from the hallway to the empty elevator and rode it up. They were silent. Flash knew about progress reports, but since he was just a trainee he had nothing to worry about. Shining Armor, on the other hand, was sweating. His many years of elite police work was hanging in the balance... Then again, if he lost his job, that meant being a stay-at-home prince. Either way, it was a win for him. Still, it wasn't about the money--it was the love of the job.

"So what are we gonna tell him?" Flash asked, unsure of Shining's game plan.

"Same old. Nothing conclusive, but following leads," Shining answered.

They entered the office of the Chief and Shining froze. Sitting in a chair in front of the Chief was a woman that Shining knew and loathed.

Flash first noticed her age. Older, more of a bitchy pout that somehow set as her default emotion. Then there was the brown and blue eyes... Then Flash smelled the hint of sex and a small bit of white crust around the woman's red lips. Putting two and two together, this woman probably just got done giving the chief a blowie.

Flash looked to his superior, and his white skin turned a slight red. The sight of her infuriated Shining Armor.

"Hello Shining, how nice of you to join us!" The woman said with a glee.

"Yes! Sit the both of you!" The chief barked.

"Who is she?" Flashed asked.

"Someone from my old academy." An angry Shining whispered as they took their seats. Flash on the other side of the desk, leaving Shining in the middle of the two.

The chief did not make any preamble and went right into the action. "You two have been removed as the leads of the case, and this lovely lady here will be taking over."

"Thank you, sir. And, as an added bonus, I know who the thieves are. Just give me the word and I will have them paraded for the entire bureau to see!" She announced.

"You do that," The chief commanded.

She walked out, leaving the three men alone in the room.

Shining immediately objected when he heard the door close. "Sir! We had this case in the bag! You can't just change investigators-"

He was cut off by the Chief, who proceeded to read the two investigators the Riot Act. The Chief knew about the pepper spray incident, the lack of leads, everything.

Shining knew better than to talk back to his superior, so he took the punishment. Flash was observant to all of this, noting that Shining kept his cool during the verbal lashing. According to the Chief, Shining was still one of the best in the force, but even that distinction couldn't save him from a botched investigation, even if Shining trusted too much in the 'knuckle-dragging local police.'

As the Chief continued, Flash looked over to the window behind him, showing an inconspicuous hallway. The woman approached the window, gave Shining a smug stare, and continued on with her day.

Author's Note

I have a skype group (was discord, but moving it back to skype) for fans, writers, and editors. If you want to join the madness here is the link https://join.skype.com/MkJbzfI1D8o2