Nick: *after spending time in a cell after losing his cool at Widmark* *leaving the precinct for the last time... passes Gardio by*
Gardio: *grabs Nick's shoulder* Nick...!
Nick: *snaps* What do ya want Chapel?! To gawk uselessly like the rest of the force while a murderer walks free?!
Gardio: *softly, apologetically* No-! I just wanted to say I'm sorry that our captain and government let you down so badly... I'm- *hangs his head* I'm ashamed. Deeply-
Nick: *shoves his hand off of his shoulder* You can take that "shame" and your pity and shove it! It's not going to put Winter behind bars or in the ground. And it's not going to bring Jenny back!
Gardio: I know you don't mean that... You're grieving-
Nick: Of course I'm grieving! My fiance is DEAD! And the man who shot her won't see justice! I have half a mind to shoot the bastard myself!
Gardio: You'll be tried for MURDER, Nick! He's acquitted with full diplomatic immunity!
Nick: *darkly* I lost the love of my life. You really think I give a damn what happens to me?
Gardio: *remembers how lost he felt when his wife died... how he'd do anything to bring her back. He knows that desperation... but he also had a daughter to look after* No... but someone else has to to keep you from throwing the rest of your life away.
Nick: What life do I have left?! Jenny was the one good thing left in my life that truly made me happy! This was my last big case before I settled down, started a family, really enjoy life- but now?! That's gone! All of it! And what's the Bureau doing to make it right? Jack shit, that's what! And now you have the gall to say you're "sorry"! When you stood around and did nothing with all the rest of those cowards!
Gardio: *still as a statue, taking the abuse like a gargoyle takes the wear and tear of the elements* *the worst of it is that he's absolutely right... that. And he's said enough*
Nick: *shoves past him* Now if you don't mind, I'm going home...
Gardio: *stands there for a moment, his hands curled into fists* *spins on his heel back into the precinct*
Widmark: Chapel? What are you doing back-?
Gardio: I'm requesting to transfer to a different precinct, sir.
Widmark: Uh- Well, we can certainly attempt to transfer you but that might take some time-
Gardio: Sir, I'm requesting an immediate transfer.
Widmark: *caught off guard* I... I'm afraid I can't do that, Detective-
Gsrdio: *slams his hands down on Widmark's desk* Either I transfer or I walk captain. What will it be? Either way I can't stand remaining in this position any further- not after what happened today.
Widmark: I expected better of you, Chapel. Talking back to your superiors is grounds for suspension, you know that? *wags his finger at Gardio* I'm only going to do this once, and that's because you're a good officer. If you leave now, nothing happens. But if you keep this up, and you're looking at a two weeks suspension with a possible demotion-
Gardio: *tosses his badge and his gun on the table* Then I quit.
Widmark: You're being rash, Chapel... but I can't stop you from throwing your career away.
Gardio: With all due respect, captain, I joined the force to help people. It's become clear that those values no longer apply... if they ever did. Until now, it's been an honor serving you. Now I can't stand to look at you. *turns around and walks out*
Gardio: *goes to pack up his desk but spies Nick's* *looks up at Widmark's office*
Widmark: *not paying attention- doing paperwork*
Gardio: *looks around and quickly rummages through Nick's desk for any files on the Winter case when no one's looking, glances them over and quickly makes any notes he can before finishing packing up his own desk*
Gardio: *hauls his stuff to his own car, the case notes he had written hidden under baubles and pictures of him and Lucille at various stages of their lives- a birthday, a celebration dinner for her passing the BAR, some trip to the coast they had taken, and of course a picture of her as a baby. One of the other photos is of his late wife. Directly under it is the notepad detailing the clues on Winter* *slams the door after climbing in, then stares at the image sadly then at the hidden notes*
Gardio: This is probably the stupidest decision I've ever made in my life, Eileen. I barely know the guy. But I can't just let it be. *starts the car*
Gardio: Maybe I can get to Winter first...
Gardio: *drives off and leaves the precinct behind him* Nick's young. He's still got a chance at life, Eileen. He murders Winter? That's all gone. Maybe I can talk some sense into the mob boss- get him to turn himself in. Maybe step in and stop some equally terrible crime as a "concerned citizen." I don't know.
Gardio: *parks the car in front of his apartment building* What I do know is that none of what happened today was right. I can't stand idly by while a murderer walks free.
Gardio: *traces the image of his laye wife's smiling face* I'm sorry, Eileen. Your guardian angel is at it again- getting in over his head helping a nice stranger he bumped into on the street and shared a conversation with over coffee. Forgive me. *looks at Lucille's pictures* Both of you.
(Inspited by the out of office [ooc] exchange between @sleuthomatic and I about a very pissed off Nick.)
