I've been loaned out. Since there's nothing to do in my new department, they're loaning me out to my old one. Funny, huh? I would have thought they were rethinking my promotion but they let me take Haddad with me. That was the condition I gave. As security. I figure they wouldn't let Moudie go if they were just trying to get rid of me. Anyway, the upside is that now I have a murder case. Three, in fact. You gotta love a good turf war.
It's good to be back in my old squad, like coming home. I didn't even realize how homesick I was until I saw my old colleagues again—or I should say, my brothers. My family. I say "family" because for me, family is anyone who's earned my devotion. Other than a short stint with my ill-fated mother, I never had any blood relatives to speak of, so I've always had to borrow family from others. Like Jean Paul and Henri. Like the boys I lived with on the street. And of course, Bruno. I wouldn't trade in any of them for blood kin. Ever.
When you're an old street kid like me, you're used to things being on loan, and you don't complain. I learned young how to get by with things borrowed—or stolen, if necessary. I take what I need anyway it comes and suck it dry. I'm not greedy; I've gone without and I don't fear going without again. I'm just grateful for whatever I have in my life. For as long as I'm allowed to have it.
