Brooklyn Nine Nine

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Shifts in Focus



Chapter 15: Shifts in Focus

Jake sat at his desk, staring at the open case file in front of him but not really reading. His mind kept drifting back to Tyler and Emily. It had been four days since Child Services placed them in temporary foster care.

He exhaled slowly and refocused, flipping the page of the case file.

From across the bullpen, Amy watched him. After about a minute, she stood, grabbed her coffee, and wandered over.

"Hey," she said casually. "You're… weirdly quiet today."

Jake glanced up. "Oh, thanks for noticing. I'm just embracing my new mature, brooding detective phase. I'm also thinking of adding some jazz music and a fedora to complete the vibe."

Amy smirked. "I'm serious. This… focus thing? The staying-on-task thing? It's throwing off my internal Peralta calibration system."

Jake chuckled. "Don't worry, Santiago. I'm still me. Just… maybe a slightly upgraded version."

Before Amy could respond, Holt appeared from his office.

"Detective Peralta. My office," he called, tone flat as always.

Jake shot Amy a playful finger-gun before heading in.

Jake stood at attention as Holt handed him a thin folder.

"We've had a report of a domestic situation that's escalated into potential stalking. The victim hasn't filed an official complaint but did call the tip line. They're scared but hesitant to come forward."

Jake flipped open the file. Minimal details. Just a name and address.

"Why me, Captain?" Jake asked, curious.

Holt gave him a long, measured look. "Your handling of the Carter case showed… restraint and sensitivity. Consider this a test of consistency."

Jake smiled, not expecting the almost-compliment. "Understood. I'll handle it."

"Good," Holt said, already turning back to his paperwork.

Jake left the office with a little more spring in his step.

Jake stood outside a small walk-up apartment in Brooklyn Heights. The victim's name was Rebecca Lawson, a graphic designer in her late twenties.

He knocked gently.

After a long pause, the door cracked open.

"Ms. Lawson? Detective Peralta, NYPD," Jake said calmly, holding up his badge. "I'm not here to pressure you. Just here to listen."

Rebecca hesitated, then opened the door a little wider.

Inside, Jake sat on her couch while she nervously paced.

"My ex… he just won't stop," she said quietly. "Calls, showing up at my work, my gym… I didn't want to file a report, but… it's getting worse."

Jake nodded, keeping his tone soft. "You don't have to decide anything today. I just want to understand what's going on so we can help keep you safe. This isn't just about paperwork. It's about making sure you're okay."

As she explained the pattern of harassment, Jake took careful notes but also paused often to reassure her.

By the end of the conversation, Rebecca agreed to file an official report and let the NYPD open a case.

Before leaving, Jake handed her his card.

"Call me if anything happens, day or night. Seriously."

Rebecca gave a small, relieved smile. "Thank you, Detective."

Back at the precinct, chaos had erupted.

Boyle stood on top of his chair, waving a chocolate-flavored protein bar in one hand.

"I'm telling you all… chocolate is the superior emotional support snack!" Boyle declared.

Gina, seated at her desk with sunglasses on indoors as usual, dramatically unwrapped a bright pink berry-flavored bar.

"Wrong," she said flatly. "Strawberry burst aligns with my vibe. Also, antioxidants. Get on my level, Boyle."

Amy walked past them, shaking her head. "It's a protein bar, not a therapy session."

Boyle gasped. "Don't disrespect the sanctity of lunch energy boosts!"

Scully tried to chime in with, "Do they make protein bars with ranch flavor?" but was mostly ignored.

Jake smiled at the madness, then slipped away to the corner by the vending machine with his phone.

He pulled up the number for the caseworker handling Tyler and Emily Carter.

The call was brief but also informative.

"They're settling in okay," the caseworker said. "Emily's adjusting faster. Tyler's… still guarded, but he's going to school now."

Jake thanked them, ending the call with a small nod to himself.

Jake sat back at his desk, diving into the paperwork for Rebecca's stalking case.

Amy walked by again, pausing at his desk.

"Hey… just saying… your interview notes on the Lawson case?" she said, holding up the file. "Really solid. Empathetic but thorough. Look at you… going full social worker Peralta."

Jake laughed. "Gotta balance the jokes with the feelings now, I guess."

Amy smiled. "Honestly? I'm impressed."

Boyle popped up suddenly. "If you're giving out life advice today, should I buy stocks in organic quinoa companies? Asking for a friend. That friend is me."

Jake snorted. "Stick to your protein bars, buddy."

Holt called Jake back in at the end of the day.

"I reviewed your report on the Lawson case," Holt said.

Jake waited for the verdict.

"It was… competent. Precise. Effective."

Jake smiled. "Thanks, Captain. I'll take that as glowing praise."

Holt looked up. "Don't let it go to your head."

Jake gave a mock salute. "Never."

As Jake packed up to leave for the day, he sat for a minute at his desk, watching the usual bullpen chaos unfold around him—Gina filming an Instagram story, Boyle still arguing about protein, Amy color-coding her case folders.

Jake smiled to himself. Cases like Tyler's and now Rebecca's… they were slowly reshaping how he saw his job.

He grabbed his jacket and headed out for the night.

Another day done. Another small step forward.


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