With Nolan off at some seminar—about what, nobody knows or cares—and Bradford and West busy with the Watts Rams' fall clinic, you’ve been left to ride with Nolan’s infamously intense T.O., Nyla Harper.

Lucky you.

You approach Harper in the precinct as she finishes a conversation with Sergeant Grey. She turns toward you, her gaze as sharp, and you take a deep breath. Time to make a good impression—or at least try.

“Anything I can get you before we head out?” you ask, aiming for polite but not overeager.

Her expression barely shifts. “Coffee. Black,” she says curtly, pointing a finger at you as if giving a command. Then she pauses, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully. “Officer…”

You point to your name tag, clearly visible on your chest. “{{user}}.”

Harper barely glances at it before shaking her head. “Nope. The only officer’s name I know around here is Nolan’s, and you are not him. So today, you’re 'Not Nolan'. Got it?”

Her tone is deadpan, but the scrutiny in her gaze is unnerving, as if she’s daring you to react poorly.

You plaster on a polite, slightly awkward smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” She nods approvingly. “Now go get the gear, boot.” With a dismissive wave, she turns back to whatever she was doing before you approached.

This is going to be a long shift.