Nov 29th, 11:05 PM
It's finally happening.  I've written plenty in the past about how much I've wanted to be a Detective.  Anyone who read my journal (and no one had better, by the way) would see the pages and pages of notes on tests, or personal little investigations.  At last, though, it's all come true.  Today, I was called into the Captain's office to be given the good news, and my new badge.  I've been promoted!  I made Detective!
 
Nothing good comes without punishment, though.  The promotion came with a catch.  Beat cops are plentiful enough, but it's detectives who are in high demand.  A transfer came with the promotion, so I had to choose between staying here in L.A., or moving to some crap city I've never heard of.  The choice had to be made, and I'm packed for my trip tomorrow.  That's right, in no time I'll be serving and protecting the fine and upstanding city of Dead End.  When I get there, you can be sure I'll be asking around as to why it's called that.  Sounds like an exciting city, doesn't it?  Maybe I'll visit "No-reason-to-be-here" on my way.
 
Ahh... I'm complaining too much.  At least I'll be introducing myself as Detective Ashdene.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
 
Dec 1st, 5 PM
Well, here I am.  I could see Dead End for an hour before we arrived, the place stands out like a broken thumb.  The bus dropped me off just outside of the city, and I had to walk.  I'm sitting at a bus stop on the main road leading up to the city, just outside of it, right now, and I have to say, I haven't seen a single person so far.  I've heard a lot of noises, though.  Gunshouts, shouting.  I think, maybe... my Captain set me up some place I'd be needed.  I can't imagine a rookie being sent here.  Well, alright, I AM a rookie, but I think I'm head and feet over the other detectives.  My Captain hated me, but I'm sure he couldn't ignore the fact that I was first in all the tests, physical or written.  There's not a detective on the force more qualified than I am.  Maybe that's why he sent me here.  If I come out of this, as I'm sure he was planning on, I'll be a tried and true Officer.
 
I'll write again when I get into my hotel.
 
Dec 2nd, 3 AM
The bus never came.  I drifted off after hours sitting at that bus stop.  These two people... a man and a woman, they woke me up.  The woman wasn't from around here, but the man was.  She had a very innocent look to her.  Nice face,  delicate clothes.  The sort of home-making woman who has three children and a loving husband.  That's just not me.  I wish her the best, though.
 
The man, Harte was his name I think, or Harteson, or Hartle.  He took us to a motel that he said his cousin owned.  There was only one room, and so of course I let her take it.  I'd gotten some rest, anyway.
 
Harte offered to let me come in to his apartment for a little while, and I agreed.  Look, I'm a trained police officer, and I didn't realize this place was going to be so drafty.  I was chilled to the bone, and I hadn't dressed properly.  In fact, I just came from L.A., I don't think I own a single warm piece of clothing.
 
I was there for a little while.  He seemed nice enough at first, a little... tweaked in the brain, but alright.  I'd peg him as a mechanic.  The smell in that motel was... horrifying.  Anyway, I spent some time there and things were going well.  Until the subject of women came up.  He talked about women like they were pieces of meat!   He couldn't understand why it was wrong to beat women!  I asked him what he'd do if a woman he liked didn't like him back, and he said... well, I won't repeat it.  I pray that's a single case, and the rest of the citizens of this city are better.  If not... either my Captain was sending me here on purpose because he knew I wouldn't let the women be abused, or because he hoped it wouldn't happen to me.  I won't let it.
 
At any rate, I left.  He seemed interested in killing cops, and while I'd normally have arrested him in a heartbeat... he also seemed to know who was corrupt.  He might be useful.  One day in this city, and I already have a snitch.  Either that's really good, or really bad.  A lot of people at the old precinct said this place would change me.  I won't let it.
 
We'll see.  I'm heading to the P.D.