| Dawn
"Like a spoon to boiled egg sarge."
Constable Lester said as he stood beside Titus, who turned his scowl on him.
"Have some respect constable, that's someone's son."
Suitably chastised Lester stomped his feet trying to get some warmth into them. Titus didn't mean to be harsh, but it was cold, he was tired and cold. His squad should have been back at the station house and off duty an hour since. Titus relented and pulled two shill from his coat and handed them to Lester.
"Here take this and head over to the bakery on the corner. Get us a couple fresh loaves and some tea if you can."
"Thanks sarge."
A grin twitched the edge of Titus' heavy moustache in a half-smile as he nodded.
"Oh and take Damson with you, Damson off you go lad."
Constable Lester and Ensign Damson hurried off through the lamp-lit street.
It was just past dawn on a cold Achtus day and Titus Greycastle could think of several places he would much rather be.
He pulled his pocket watch from the pouch on his belt and scowled at it, it was a morning for scowls it seemed.
"Where the clocks and bloody chimes is Recruit Copesec?"
He had sent Copesec to get someone from Investigative about half an hour ago.
"If he's got himself bloody lost again I'll have up on a charge."
It was at that point that the young Recruit in question came hurrying into sight an equally young stranger in tow.
Sergeant Titus Jerome Greycastle's scowl had just found a new target.
"Copesec, you have returned to us at last. Please tell the gentleman with you is from the Investigative Division?"