Rack & Ruin (THIRDS 3)

“Dex, Ash likes to push buttons. And he succeeds spectacularly when it comes to you. I keep telling you not to let him get to you.” Sloane knew it was easier said than done, but sometimes he wondered if Dex even tried to ignore Ash’s taunts. It was a good thing his partner was usually cheerful and lighthearted, because sometimes Sloane could swear he saw a little darkness under Dex’s shiny surface. He knew his partner had a bit of a temper, but it rarely showed itself unless he was exceptionally pissed off about something.

“I can’t help it. It’s like he has some super powers of annoyance.”

Sloane removed his smartphone from his pocket and swiped the entry pattern before tapping his contacts and searching for Dr. Shultzon’s number. There was no point in putting this off any longer.

“Are you calling Shultzon?”

“Yeah.” His finger hovered over the call button. He glanced up, and Dex gave him a cheesy grin before thrusting his thumbs up. Sloane couldn’t help but chuckle. Feeling slightly better, he took a deep breath and tapped the screen. Two rings later, and the doctor answered.

“Yes?”

“Hello, Dr. Shultzon?”

“Sloane, how lovely to hear from you.”

Sloane played with the strap of his thigh rig while he talked in the hopes of relieving some of his anxiety. “I hope you don’t mind me taking you up on your offer to call.”

“Not at all.”

“I thought maybe we could meet. Have a chat over coffee.”

“Of course!” Shultzon sounded excited at the prospect. “Whenever you’re free.”

“How about this afternoon?”

“That would be wonderful. Would you mind stopping by the house? I’m waiting for a courier.”

Almost done. “Not at all. I’ll give you a call when I’m on my way.”

“Wonderful. See you soon.”

Sloane hung up. He’d done it. He’d actually called and set up a meeting with Shultzon. God, if he was this nervous from just speaking with the man over the phone, how would he feel when he was faced with him? He was about to tell Dex about his meeting with Shultzon when he heard it.

Snip

It couldn’t be. Sloane stared at Dex who was gaping, mouth hanging open, his gaze just over Sloane’s shoulder. Heart pounding, Sloane slowly turned his chair, his worst fear confirmed. Sloane let out an inhuman sound before letting out a wail.

“Oh my God, Sarge!”

Maddock stood with a wide grin on his face, a pair of scissors in one hand, and a chunk of Sloane’s hair in the other. Sloane frantically felt the back of his head, coming up short on the left side. He opened his mouth, but only a strangled cry escaped.

“I told you two weeks ago to get it cut. Now you have no choice.”

“You butchered my hair!”

“Shoulda gone to your barber, or stylist, or whatever the hell you young people call ’em these days. Get your hair cut, or I’m coming back for the other side.” Maddock placed Sloane’s hair on his desk and walked off humming and singing a song about getting a haircut.

With a whimper, Sloane picked up his fallen locks.

“I swear I didn’t see him until it was too late,” Dex said, coming around to inspect Sloane’s head. “Damn.”

“I can’t believe he did that.” Sloane was dumbstruck. “After all these years of threatening to do it, he actually did it.” It was true. He had no one to blame but himself. Maddock had warned him repeatedly. Sloane wore his hair far longer than THIRDS policy allowed and always waited until the last possible moment to get it cut.

Dex sat on the edge of Sloane’s desk. “I’m sorry, man. That was harsh. What can I do?”

“Can you put the room in privacy mode?”

“Sure.” Dex walked over to the panel and typed in his badge number and security clearance. The walls went white, and the room was secure. Then Sloane let it rip, cursing up a storm. He let loose with everything he had, using swear words he hadn’t even been aware he knew. When he was done, his face was hot, and he felt out of breath.