At least it was minor this time, last time they had placed a battery operated dildo inside her locker, hanging from the hooks just as she and the mayor were interviewed for an article in the local paper, The Caleb News. The article making front page with appropriate blurred photo; the headline read, "First Female Detective Initiated in Ceremony from Peers."

Maybe it was time to move on, New York or Los Angeles, the big time. She was sure it wouldn’t matter that she was a woman out there. Yep, the big city. She lost herself in fantasy for another moment, then left the locker room and opened the door to the Officer’s room. The men avoided her gaze as they snickered about their latest prank.

"Caleb to 427." squawked her radio. Vic glanced at her watch, not time for school yet."Go ahead Caleb."

"Signal 8 with 400." Damn, just what she needed first thing in the morning was a meeting with the chief.

"10-4." She glanced around at day-shift officers. "Time to go to work, gentleman."

Ron, a short, stocky man sporting sergeant stripes turned to her from the table and smiled as he lifted a Coke to his lips. "Yep, maybe the schools are letting out early." Drinking his Coke, he sputtered with fits of laughter.

She rolled her eyes and left the room, laughter echoing behind her as she walked to the chief’s office.

She knocked on his door twice, and he motioned for her to come in and sit down. He continued to talk on the phone, speaking in soothing, understanding tones.

She sat down and looked over the sparse old furnishings of his office. Although he sat behind a large dark wood desk, she was sure it was nothing more than press board and old at that, supported on one side by a piece of wood under the leg. The commission had not seen fit to approve new furniture in their budget. If they had, maybe she would have more than a counter top to work on.

Chief Harrison slammed down the phone and glared at her.

"Listen Vic, got Old Man Garvey complaining of an odor from Mama’s Milk again. Go out there and check it out."

"Wouldn’t it be better to send an officer?" She argued. "It’s probably just another dead animal. You know..."

He glared at her, stopping her argument mid-sentence. Vic knew she should be more careful around the head guy. He, most of all, wasn’t in favor of her getting the job in the first place. She was not one of his "yes men". But, there was no argument due to her achieving the highest score on the detective exam and her master’s in criminology. However, education wasn’t the thing that counted in Caleb or she’d outrank the Chief. Vic knew that reality was, is that he could make or break her here and she reluctantly nodded.