"I said nasty things about you in your absence that shouldn't have been said. I allowed my emotions and anger to control me. Now I am regretting every one of my actions," Tony confessed, yet failed to hit the nail on the head. He got Lucas and everyone confused.
"I don't understand what you are talking about. You still haven't told me what I need to hear. Can you please go straight to the point? You are not even making sense right now," Lucas fumed. He pretends not to know what Tony says about him. He wanted Tony to admit it himself.
"I kind of pulled out of the plan to prosecute Dexter in your absence. Not just pulling out, I also tried forcing everyone to make the same decision," Tony finally took the courage to speak up. It was the most difficult task of his life. He would have sworn that he was never going to say that.
To everyone's surprise, Lucas didn't react to Tony's confession, nor did he confront Tony.
Instead, Lucas laughed and shook his head in pity.
Tony got more scared than ever before. He wanted Lucas to react to what he said. He wasn't so pleased with Lucas's laughter because he knew it didn't come from a place of happiness.
As much as Tony was eager to find out why Lucas refused to react, Tony was still scared to ask. He hasn't gotten away with the mess he found himself in. He would rather not start another drama.
"Sir, this sounds rather strange to me. I tried to process what just happened, and I ended up losing a few brain cells that I am not getting back. Are you not going to stay anything on this?" Romeo asked. He is quiet during the time Tony is interrogated.
It wasn't his intention to involve himself in the drama. However, the attitude of Lucas was too cunning to be ignored.
"Does that mean you have forgiven my sins?" Tony asked. He capitalized on Romeo's question.
Deep down, Tony wanted to speak to Lucas. He was just waiting for someone to make the first move. And the moment Romeo did that, Tony seized the opportunity.
"Yes, I have forgiven you," Lucas spoke hurriedly without having to think about it.
His recent decision appears to be fair. Yet, the officers weren't convinced. They have a negative feeling that Lucas might be faking it.
They are so acquainted with Lucas's bad sides that his good sides don't even interest them anymore. It's as though Lucas has been cloned.
"Oh my goodness!
Thank you so much, sir. I promise not to speak against you anymore," Tony thanked Lucas. He fell on both knees and grabbed Lucas by the leg. He held it so effortlessly and didn't want to let go.
"Not so fast, Tony,"
Lucas mumbled and shattered Tony's hopes.
Immediately, Tony stood up in fear. His Joy was short-lived just when he thought his worries were over.
"Sir, I don't understand what's going on. I thought you already forgave me? What went wrong this time?" Tony asked. He was desperate for a response and Lucas isn't providing one.
Without uttering a word, Lucas walked around his office and stared at everyone in the face for a couple of minutes. He wanted everyone to feel the heat.
The last person he met was Romeo. It was starting to appear like a staring competition between Lucas and Romeo.
Unlike Tony, who freaked out when Lucas glared at him, Romeo stayed confident and true to himself, knowing that he did nothing wrong to be scared of. He didn't bother to ask why Lucas couldn't stop staring either.
"Do you know why I'm glaring at you this way?" Lucas asked. He thought that Romeo would ask but that never happened.
"No, sir.
I honestly have no idea. Perhaps, you should do me the honor by telling me," Romeo answered with full confidence. He didn't blink an eye or show any sign of weakness.
"You betrayed me,"
Lucas started by throwing shades at Romeo. He wanted Romeo to react badly and make some shocking confessions.
To his surprise, Romeo never did. Neither was he moved by Lucas's threat. He stood there glaring at Lucas, waiting for him to present a better explanation.
"Sir, how did I betray you? The last time I checked, I didn't do anything worthy to be hateful against you. How did you arrive at this conclusion?" Romeo questioned Lucas. He was boiling in rage and was struggling to endure that anger. He adored Lucas so much, hence his decision not to retaliate or wage a war.
"Wanna find out?
I will tell you," Lucas said. He left where Romeo was and stood in the middle of everyone.
Narrowing his gaze at Tony, Lucas made the shocking revelation that sent tiny shivers down everyone's spines. "I heard everything you all discussed in my absence. When I say everything, this includes those that uttered derogatory remarks against me,"
The shocking revelation established tension among everyone, particularly Tony, who was the main culprit. His fear increased.
He regretted not running away when he had the opportunity. He thought it was only natural to wait for Lucas to return before bowing out of the force. That single decision he took has cost him dearly.
While Tony was drowning in his pool of anxiety, Romeo was calm. It was as though he already knew this was going to happen. He suspected the move Lucas, hence his decision not to utter what might implicate him further.
"Tony, you are hereby dismissed from the New York police department. I will advise you to take off the uniform and drop everything that belongs to the team," Lucas made the shocking announcement. It was so quick. No one saw this coming. They knew that Lucas was going to make a drastic decision against Tony, but not to the point of dismissing him.
After the announcement, Lucas walked away like a soldier. He didn't wait to listen to Tony's explanation.
Everyone went away, leaving Tony behind to nurse his pain alone. They had no sympathy for him whatsoever.
