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“When’s your interview?”
“This afternoon.”
“Good luck, Jimmy.” Holly hung up and put her dishes in the dishwasher, then she went into her secure office, fired up her computer and wrote the letter:
To the Orchid Beach City Council:
I wish to recommend James Weathers for the position of chief of police. Jimmy has been on the force for twelve years now, and I participated in his training as a detective. I always found him eager to learn, organized, efficient and meticulous in his work, and I am sure he would bring these traits to the position of chief. He has the respect of the entire force and mine, as well.
Holly signed it, faxed it and left the envelope in her mailbox for pickup. When she got back to the house, the phone was ringing.
“Hello?”
“Holly, it’s Hurd.”
“Good morning, Hurd, and congratulations on wrapping up the Bruno case.”
“Thanks, but you know very well that we got lucky.”
“Sometimes you need luck.”
“I know. Has Jimmy Weathers spoken to you this morning?”
“Yes, and I wrote him a recommendation, faxed it and mailed it. He told me you had agreed to do so, too.”
“I did, after he told me you had agreed.”
Holly thought it best not to mention that Jimmy had told her Hurd had already agreed. “I think he’ll do a good job.”
“I guess he will. He never gave me any cause to doubt his ability.”
“Well, I hope he gets it.”
“Yes. Lauren told me you asked some time-line questions about Jimmy.”
“I did.”
“I just want you to know that I had the same questions, but they were answered to my satisfaction. Also, I had the benefit of seeing Jimmy work the scene, and I thought he did a good job there, too.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement, Hurd, and I know you’re glad to get this one off your desk. I’m sure the governor will be pleased, too.”
“I expect so. Well, I’ll get my letter for Jimmy off now. I hope to see you again before you go back to Virginia.”
“You’ll have to come by for a drink, Hurd.”
“Thanks.” He said goodbye and hung up.
Well, Holly thought, I underestimated Jimmy’s capacity for low cunning; he was smart enough to tell both Hurd and me that the other had agreed to write a letter.
Clad in a freshly pressed suit, Jimmy Weathers presented himself in the offices of the city council. He stood and waited in the reception room, not wishing to spoil the crease in his trousers.
The phone on the reception desk buzzed, and the secretary answered it. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, and hung up. “You can go in now, Jimmy,” she said.
Jimmy walked into the council chamber and found all the chairs at the long table filled. He knew these people; some of them had known him since childhood.
“Please sit down, Detective Weathers,” said Irma Taggert, the council chairperson.
Jimmy took the lone chair facing the curved table. “Good morning,” he said to all of them.
