"She can't be officially classified as a missing person if it hasn't even been twenty-four hours since her last confirmed sighting! You know the protocol better than anyone, Lucian!" Chief Quinn bellowed, his deep voice echoing violently across the central squad room as he slammed his heavy record book onto the desk.
The Chief's face was flushed dark red with mounting frustration, but Detective Lucian Seville didn't give his superior's outburst a single shred of attention. He stood tall before the mahogany desk, his jaw set in a hard, uncompromising line, his dark eyes burning with absolute defiance.
"If so much as a single hair on her head is harmed because of your bureaucratic red tape, I will hold you personally and legally accountable!" Lucian declared softly, his voice dangerously low as he leaned over the desk. "And don't bother assigning me to any upcoming division operations. I am taking immediate, off-the-books leave until I find my sister."
