[Danny]

I decided that was a bit short to be all of Chapter 3, so I've added this next bit to it...

Chapter 3 (Continued)

“Kryellos is almost unique, in that its council have decided to experiment with a publicly funded Police Force. In most Cities, most crimes go totally unsolved, because nobody who can afford to pay for the investigation don’t care. Do you understand this, Constable?”

Visk nodded, without looking up; he didn’t want to see Flakit’s face…

“So, you must understand that Free Crime Investigation is a luxury that the citizens of Kryellos alone enjoy.” Visk heard his boss move, leaning across the desk. His voice was quieter, but clearer, since his head was closer. “But we are on a limited budget here. Kryellos Council invested money into this Police Force because I convinced them that the money would be recouped with higher production, as the workers would be happier and would work harder and revolt less. Now, however, with this new Dam, protests have begun again, and they are beginning to question our effectiveness in keeping the workers happy. As their confidence in us becomes less, they give us less funding, and we are even less able to contain the crowds and prevent riots, so they become even more convinced of our uselessness. Because of this, our funding becomes continually less each month, so we simply cannot afford to investigate every single crime that takes place.” Flakit paused briefly, thinking. “In fact, we’ve never had the money or the manpower to do that… But now more than ever. Clear?”

Visk nodded once more, and risked a glance up at his boss. Flakit’s face didn’t seem angry as much as irritated, maybe even worried.

“That in mind, if I order you not to waste valuable police money and time investigating the death of an insignificant worker, you don’t investigate that death. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir…”

Flakit’s face softened. “Look, you’re new here, so I’ll let you off this time. I expect Sergeant Frack’s probably told you that your job’ll be on the line if you disobey orders. He’s right, but it’s not because of me. With the current poor state of worker discipline, we are having to devote most of our funding to Crowd Control. If we can’t convince the Council that we can control the crowds, and therefore that keeping us on would be profitable, then we are all out of a job. Myself included. So please, for all of our sakes, don’t waste our time with pointless investigations. That is both an order and a plea. Is that all clear?”

Visk looked up and nodded. “Crystal, sir.”

Flakit smiled. “Play your cards right, and you could go far. Dismissed.” Visk turned to go. “Oh, and one more thing. Nothing I’ve said goes beyond these walls. We have a reputation to maintain among the workers. As far as anyone else is concerned, you just had a verbal warning for disobeying orders. Clear?”

Visk realised that his throat was dry with the effort of not breaking out in tears. Without turning around, he nodded, and exited the Office.

* * *

As Visk left the Office, Frack ran up to him. “What happened?”

Visk looked up at his Sergeant numbly. “I… I got a Verbal Warning.” He swallowed. “I need a glass of water…”

Frack followed him to the tap. “A Verbal Warning? Is that all?”

Swallowing deeply, Visk nodded.

“But what about the photos? I’m surprised he didn’t fire us the moment he saw them…”

Putting the cup down, Visk looked down at his left hand, which was still clutching his kitbag, and realised that Flakit hadn’t even mentioned the Photos once. “He didn’t ask to see them…”

Frack was speechless in his disbelief, then he grinned widely. “Get home, you lucky bastard, before he remembers them! Throw them away the moment you get in, okay?”

Visk nodded earnestly. “See you tomorrow!” He made his way for the exit, grabbing his coat as he went.

The rain had lessened to a pleasant drizzle. As he walked through the dark, dimly lit streets, Visk felt a sudden euphoria come over him. It was as if he were waking up from a terrible nightmare to realise that it was just a dream. I’m okay… I’m alive… I’ve still got my job! Laughing, he did a little leap, punching the air.

He sobered up when he saw the odd looks he received from passers-by…

* * *

By the time Visk reached his apartment block, he was very tired. The euphoria had worn off, and the weariness of having been on his feet all day began to kick in. Even the drizzle, which had been light and refreshing at first, had begun to feel like he was being pelted with pebbles. Once through the door, he went straight to the bedroom and collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. I’ll throw away those photos in the morning…