A Mile in My Shoes

[Mattie Chappel]

Secure Parking

It was a bit early, but Mattie wanted to be sure that everything was in order today...Kev was going to be riding with her and Koda today and she wanted to be sure the SUV that served as the K9 unit was clean and ready to go.

Not that she didn't keep it as pristine as possible, but she'd been off for a few days while they had gone camping so someone else had been using the car, and they were a pig!  There were gum wrappers on the passenger side floor and sunflower seed shells under the driver's seat, and worse, the K9 compartment was fuzzy with German Shepard hair!  Such an insult to a Belgian Malinois ! 

So here she was, out in the car pool, vacuuming out the back of 'her' vehicle while Koda sat quietly watching, his tail thumping against the pavement.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev had tried to be as on time as ever, today was his day to be riding with Mattie and Koda which was exciting and terrifying at the same time. He wasnt too sure what to expect but then again he had an idea of the rules he might, say quiet and do nothing. Not that he didnt know the law but then there was an up side to not knowing what the cops did because anything that might be a little in the grey areas. He didnt know about first hand.

He had managed to get through to the front desk, after signing about every release form there was for accidental death, shot, injured, stubbed his toe. Yeah there was a form for everything in life and Kev felt like he had signed it before getting a visitors badge and being shown down to the secure parking area.

Kev glanced around a few of the cars trying to find Mattie and Koda, one cop car looked much like each of the others before he found the SUV he was aiming to find. “Morning.” He said as he saw Koda and bent down to stroke the dog before tapping on the SUV. “Hey Mattie.” He said grinning as he was honestly excited to be given the chance to go along with her and enjoy the day. It was a lot more exciting than being stuck in a court room or even having to hang around the intelligence offices waiting for their orders for the day.

Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, hi!" Smiling, Mattie stood from the passenger side of the car, her hand full of papers and food wrappers. "Koda! Traitor!" She glanced at Kev and shrugged. "He's supposed to be a guard dog...my guard dog! Or at least warn me someone was coming."

Of course, after saving lives and camping, Kev was among that small circle of 'safe' friends that were allowed to approach unchallenged, unless the dog was 'on'.

"Let me just get rid of this, then I'll give you the tour." It was only a few steps to a trash can -- cops were pretty much pigs when it came to keeping the cars clean -- then she went back to Kev and Koda.

"So, um....we have time for the grand tour before briefing, then we can go over the rules." Laughing, she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"So, this is the Koda Kar 3000." She lowered her voice, leaning toward Kev. "Not really, but he likes me to call it that!"

The SUV was older, but well-equipped, with the back seat removed and the flooring padded, and the area had its own AC vents, as well as a place for food and water to be secured.

"The widows and door locks can be operated remotely, by me, or actually by dispatch, and Koda knows how to operate the latches, so he can get out if something happens to me. We can't take prisoners...excuse me, 'suspects', though, and honestly, I don't mind that at all!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev grinned as he saw Mattie stood away from the passenger side of the car. Her hands full of papers and food wrappers, well maybe it was right what they said about some cops. Then again if he had to spend a day in a car, he was sure his car might look the same way. “Hey don’t be like that he was guarding... besides I might have won him over by now so I can sneak up on you any time.” He teased before realising that he might sound like a stalker. “Not that I wouldnt call first or let you know.” He added just to be sure on the whole none creepy factor of it.

Kev nodded as he kept patting Koda before he glanced up at Mattie and stood up. “Oh the rules... well fire away.” He said as he nodded to the Koda Kar as he laughed. “Hey if Koda likes it then it’s the name we go on. Kev kept listening to how the vehicle worked, remotely operated well that wasnt a scary sense of AI at all.

“Sounds like a good plan, no opening doors for Koda or me then let the boss work the doors.” He stated nodding as he grinned, “Well yay for no suspects to cramp our style either so it looks like it’s just the three of us for the day then.” Kev said as he had a thought about what they did with any prisoners they managed to catch.

“So do we pass off these suspects to other cops or just make them run behind the van?” He joked grinning for a moment. It was a little obvious his office didnt exactly make it out onto the streets of Chicago too often to ride with the cops he tried to help out. It was a first for him and not that he hadn’t wanted to it was just finding a reason to.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, I like the way you think!" Mattie laughed. "It would serve them right, but then, some soft-hearted lawyer would come along and sue for abuse! But, yeah, we just hand them off to a regular patrol unit, then follow them in to do the booking."

Especially in this day and age of sue-happiness, when you could face months of headaches and inquiries just for a wrong word.

"So, stay close to me, run if I run...preferably faster than me, you know the bear theory!" Grinning, she snapped Koda's leash on. "And I hope by the end of the day you don't think that I'm an awful harridan."

Because sometimes it was really hard to stay nice and professional, and not go off to someone's face. No, that happened in the car after she had driven away!

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev laughed at the mention of the soft hearted lawyer. “Well you know we can’t have everything we want. I vote to make them run behind the car or just tie them to the roof but that is just my version of justice.” He joking knowing the first cop that did that he would have to throw any case out. It might be great to do and satisfying too in some cases but Kev wasnt about to lose in court for it.

Everything and sue, sue, sue and sure for a lawyer he hated that. For all the cases he did trying to put the bad guys away. He had a few more trying to defend cops in court for doing their jobs against idiots that thought it was an easy way to make money. It wasnt fun but then it was fun when the case turned against the accuser and the cops won.

“Oh yes bear theory, I will try and do that but do you get many bears in Chicago?” Kev asked laughing though he made a note to himself to remember to run if Mattie did. This was all new to him and there was no desk or paperwork in sight for him to be trying to do. “There isn’t any chance I’d think you were any less than great Mattie, so you just do your thing and I can watch you do it.” He said smiling.

“And run if the bear theory ever happens.” He teased, “Besides I’m not a lawyer breathing down your neck, it’s just me and only here to see what you and Koda do in day apart from be awesome super heroes.” Kev added grinning at the two of them.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, I see what you did there...Chicago...Bears..." She grinned. "Don't want to be tackled by a big bad Bear, right?" "Don't worry, the Chicago Bears aren't as fast as they look, can't match a Cowboy!"

While she wasn't much into sports herself, her dad had been a big Cowboys fan, so she'd watched games with him and learned some about it, although she really didn't pay much attention any more.

"All right, that's all set." With the car cleaned up, she grabbed Koda's leash then started for the building. "I don't need you on a leash, do I?" She glanced at him with a grin. "And you have to promise not to bite anyone, I don't think you've had your rabies, have you? And don't make jokes about donuts...cops are pretty sensitive about that!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev chuckled as he nodded, “Exactly right I mean cowboys don’t sound half as scary as a bear... claws, teeth, ten feet tall.” He teased grinning at Mattie though really as far as teams went anything with Chicago in it he could get behind no problem at all.

The games were fun to watch, maybe it was a guy thing or maybe just he enjoyed yelling at the TV and drinking the odd beer every now and again but still the fun of it was there. Nothing better than the game and good company. He didnt buy too much into the rivalry side of things but then again there was no harm in throwing a little talk around at times.

Kev followed Mattie toward the building as he laughed. “So you want me on a leash now huh?” He said grinning at her as he chuckled. “No I promise not to bite anyone... too hard.” He joked as he shrugged, “No I’ve not and donuts and cops... wow are you guys really that sensitive. I had a whole load of donut jokes lined up for the day you know. Now I have to find some new material.” He said with an over exaggerated sigh.

Kev wasnt stupid, a donut joke and a cop yeah two things he wasnt every about to make considering he wanted to work with the cops and not get thrown in jail for walking the wrong way down a street. Still he did have a few jokes, he couldnt be a lawyer without them.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, I have no doubt that you're full of jokes." Mattie laughed as she placed her index finger on the pad that allowed access to the building. "I'm sure you're going to charm everyone. And if you just piss people off, I have no idea who you are!"

This back entrance was a hallway that had a series of rooms running off of it, some of them hidden behind doors. But the visible rooms were a break-room, a locker area, offices...and at the end was a much larger room set with chairs, and at the head, a podium. Already, officers were gathering, and friendly greetings were exchanged. A few of the others even had treats for Koda.

"Doggy equivalent of donuts!" Mattie whispered to Kev after they had settled into chairs to wait for the debriefing. "This should only be a few minutes, then we can get to the fun!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev laughed and nodded, following Mattie and Koda into the building that he usually went through the front door to get into. “Ouch so that is how it’s being played today then, i’d better make sure I charm everyone so I don’t get accidently left in a cell overnight.” He said with a grin as he glanced around the place they were.

It all looked different now he was there from a different way. Then again unless he was trying to track down a cop he wasnt often in the area if at all. Seeing the larger room set up for a briefing Kev smiled watching the others as he exchanged pleasantries with other cops. Yeah today he wasnt getting the glares of ‘what the hell do you want now lawyer’ looks which was nice enough.

Settling into the chairs to wait to see what was said Kev chuckled. “Oh so it’s not just the cops then, Koda get’s his treats too.” He added grinning as he nodded. “No rush at all, besides this is fun. You’re sitting with a guy that would be buried under paperwork by now so it’s all fun to me.” He joked though the buried part was the truth.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Fun for you," Mattie whispered, rolling her eyes, "but you're not going to be doing any paperwork today." She chuckled as she settled into a chair and Koda laid at her feet. "But then, I could probably teach you and let you do it while we're cruising!"

Of course not, since it was a legal document and blah blah, but she did like the idea! Paperwork was a bane to just about every cop, and some was worse than others...she hated doing accident reports, those took forever, what with all the details involved.

The Sergent came in and the room quieted as he gave the debriefing, mentioning a few BOLO's - cars involved in hit-and-runs and drive-by shootings, a couple of the well-known regulars who had gotten into trouble and were running around...

Finally, it broke up and the officers dispersed.

"Well, let's get this show on the road!" Grinning, Mattie gathered Koda's leash then headed for the cruiser. "Hop on in and buckle up!" She opened the door for Koda then got into the driver's seat. "You signed all the release forms, right? Waiver if liability, leaving all your Earthly possessions to me..?"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Oh I’m not?” Kev questioned chuckling as he settled into a chair next to Mattie waiting to see what would be going on in the day. “Sure I mean paperwork is my thing so sure if I can help out fire it across to me.” He offered, anything to make her a day a little easier given that Kev knew he wasnt exactly making it easier by being there he guess.

Kev was about to make another wise crack when he heard the room go silent for one man that was there. The run down of things seemed like the ever growing list of cases he had coming across his desk. Not that he was complaining as it got the bad guys off the street but then he had his nose in files or books most of his day with a few interviews. He was actually going to get to see how things were done this time.

As the officers dispersed Kev glanced at Mattie. “Sure thing.” He replied as he followed Mattie to the cruiser and got into it. Making sure to buckle up just in case as he laughed and nodded. “Sure I did was that who all my possessions go to huh? Well I guess you get my apartment, the books, the paperwork in it too and then there’s the box of eggs in the fridge and a random tomato too.” He offered laughing, “Sorry to disappoint you there but it’s all I have by way of earthly possessions so far.” He said with a grin, so sure there was a little more than that but it didnt hurt to not say anything about it.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"So far? I guess that means I'll just have to keep you alive then." Mattie laughed. "That way you'll have time to get more things and finish off that paperwork."

With a grin, she put the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. "We're assigned to Grand Crossing for now. At least you'll get a chance for an eyeful." Grand Crossing was one of the more crime-ridden neighborhoods, but Mattie held hope that, at least in some of the areas, residents would pull together and start to trust and work with law enforcement to clean the place up.

"Should be interesting, I'm sure we'll get a chance to go into some...interesting places. Just don't bring any cockroaches back into the car with you!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Oh I know how much you’d hate to do that.” Kev teased even though getting shot wasnt on his to do list for the day. It wasnt something he really wanted to happen to him and sure getting home in one piece would be great. That way he didnt let all his paperwork slide onto the desk of another ASA.

“Hey it’s what I’m here to get right, the authentic Mattie’s big day out at work right.” He said grinning though he didnt have a clue what he would be getting himself into. It wasnt that he didnt know how to take care of himself or the person next to him but he usually fought with paper and words in life now. “Then again I’m here to learn so why not get an eyeful for the day, though if there’s no bears I will be okay.” I tease grinningat you.

“Wait what cockroaches... yeah remember those forms I signed I take them all back.” Kev said grinning, “What if I bring a special one back for you? A super roach or something like that? I can’t help what I pick up, there wasnt anything in the rules about that one.” He added grinning not entirely sure he wanted to go around collecting roaches but then again he couldnt always predict the future. Then again he might have to do the matchbox trick and just collect one anyway to let loose later. Provided Mattie didnt kill him for it then all would be fine.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Super roach?" She raised an eyebrow. "No thanks! Even regular sized cockroaches are icky!" Laughing, she drove through the streets, headed for their assigned district, passing high-end apartments and transitioning to the poorer areas, marked by beat-up cars, un-kept yards and litter.

"Some of it is sad here, there are people who bought when the neighborhood was new but then, as time went on, kind of got stuck, they own their homes and can't afford to move out. In the mean time gangs and crap moved in."

She stopped the car in front of an old, worn house. "Mrs. Helen Sherwood lives here, she's ninety-two and she tries to keep tabs on things for me." She reached into the back seat and grabbed a bag that she handed to Kev. "That's Paul Newman K-cups for her coffee maker." Laughing, she explained, "She doesn't like the coffee that much, but Paul Newman is 'The Bee's Knees'!"

As they started up the steps, she nodded to the wobbly railing. "You said you have some skills with a hammer? Maybe we can do a quick repair?"

Kev Allison,