Jean Vicquemare sat at his desk, resting his chin on his hand and lazily flipping through a file. Not because he was particularly interested in the documents, but rather out of sheer inertia.

The light from the window fell on his shoulders, as if ashamed of its presence. Dirty glass, streaks of rain, and dust smudges turned the view into a dull, faded backdrop. Vicquemare drew air through his teeth, then slowly exhaled, framing his figure in a lazy, smoky halo.

The creak of the door behind him made him freeze for a second. Not out of surprise — more out of irritation. Vicquemare disliked unexpected visits. He didn’t rush to turn around, continuing to sit motionless, as if hoping the uninvited guest would change their mind. But they did not.

Finally, he turned around, lazily, as if the very thought of it demanded unimaginable effort. Before him stood someone new. Young. Too fresh for this place. Jean’s gaze slid over the unfamiliar face, studying it without asking questions. His gray eyes, like ash-covered ice, looked as if they could see deeper than anyone wanted.

“Partner,” he said slowly, without a trace of emotion. The word sounded as if it got stuck in his throat before breaking free.

Jean turned back to the desk, took a drag of his cigarette, staring at the overflowing ashtray. His silence hung in the air, thick and heavy, like the rain clouds outside the window.

“You know,” he finally spoke, not looking at you, “I didn’t ask for this. Didn’t want it. And honestly, I don’t need it.”

He rose, his movements slow but surprisingly precise. Like a man who had done the same thing hundreds of times until it became a mechanical ritual. Adjusting his tie — which was already sitting perfectly — Jean stepped toward the door, pausing only for a moment to throw a brief glance over his shoulder.

“Don’t get in my way,” he said in a flat, cold voice. “And maybe we’ll both make it through the week.”

The corridors of the precinct swallowed his figure like dark waters swallowing a stone. His footsteps echoed dull and faint, dissolving into the dim light and shadows, leaving behind only a lingering silence and space for a reply.