Sorting out a plot element for a short story

Hi, I have a cyberpunk setting... and of course the main character is a detective.

I need to come up with a plausible reason for her to be fired, but still somehow get at least partial benefit of pension.

The original reason I came up with was that the case she was working on would prove too dangerous for the PD to pursue any further without a great deal of evidence to go on. As it is, there is almost none.

The case is essentially dropped because A) they already caught someone who they think is the culprit... and given the evidence that they have, their conclusion is valid. And B) if they continue to pursue, it is likely that a recently formed terrorist group will start to target them. (more than they already do anyway)

Because I felt these reasons seemed a bit too... extreme... I've decided to tone it down a bit. Plus... I'd have a heck of a time explaining how any member of a terrorist organization made it past the security measures I had in place for Vigil.

So... the best new reason I could come up with is...

they simply could not find enough evidence to further in the case... and this is largely because my detective has been withholding her own personal evidence from the case because she recognized the M.O. as the execution method of the cult she grew up in. She is hiding this because this will reveal her bias in this case, which would force the PD to take her off of it. Well... my thinking is that eventually her hiding it gets out or it never does and no one can understand why she is so obsessed with the case. Either way, she gets fired and gets at least partial benefit of pension (to shut her up).

Is this plausible? If not, what would be a more plausible reason for her to get fired, but still somehow get the benefit of pension?

Thank you.

I dunno how usa's laws work.

But usually you don't get a pension when you are fire. She could sue due to unjustified firing and maybe some liquidation money.

Thanks. Hmm... well I guess I'll have to rule out that explanation for how she pays her bills after being fired.

Hmm...

Oh, and its worth mentioning that this is taking place in far Northern Canada in a new city I made up... about 500 years in the future.

Its a city designed to hold around 85 million people.

Also, this city has seceded from the rest of Canada.

Hmm... I don't think I have time in the story to have her sue anyone... well... aside from just mentioning that she did.

But... isn't her being fired for refusing to drop a case... and being combative about it for an extended period of time grounds for firing her?

If it's 500 years in the future you can invent your own laws and customs.

Beyond that... give her some other job after getting kicked out? Maybe a part time one that won't interfere with the plot?

edited 21st Feb '12 9:22:57 PM by BobbyG

The main problem with a pension is that you only get it when you retire, anyway. She could be collecting unemployment benefits (not that I know how those work in Canada, but it's a nation with a lot of social services).