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It is possible, Wohl thought, that Matt is coming over here simply as a friend. The reason he sounds so insecure is that he's not sure of the tribal rites. Can a lowly detective and an exalted staff inspector be friends? The answer is sure, but he doesn't know that. And the truth of the matter is, I was glad to hear his voice and I miss him around the office.
But clever detective that I am, I don't think that a social visit is all he has in mind. His tone of voice and the "thank you" is not consistent with that.
Is he in trouble? Nothing serious, or I would have heard about it. And if he was in a jam, wouldn't he go first to Denny Coughlin?
There is a distinct possibility, now that I think about it, that Detective Payne has, now that he's been leading the exciting, romantic life of a real-life detective in the famous East Detective Division for two months, decided that law enforcement is not how he really wants to spend the rest of his life. Unless things have changed a hell of a lot, he has spent his time on recovered stolen vehicles, with maybe a few good burglary of autos thrown in for good measure.
If he did decide to quit, he would feel some sort of an obligation to tell me. That would be consistent with his polite asking if he could come over, and then saying "thank you."
So what will I do? Tell him to hang in there, things will get better? Or
jump on the wise elders bandwagon with his father and Denny Coughlin, and tell him to go to law school?
The telephone rang again.
"A Highway car ran the light at Broad and Olney, broadsided a station wagon full of nuns, and knocked it into a bus carrying the Philadelphia Rabbinical Council," his caller announced without any opening salutation.
Wohl chuckled. "Good morning, Captain Pekach," he said. "You better be kidding."
"Am I interrupting anything, boss?"
"No. What's up, Dave?"
"It's a beautiful day. Martha's got some shrimp and steaks and we' re going to barbecue lunch. Mike and his wife are coming, and I thought maybe you'd be free?"
Is he inviting me because he likes me, or because I am the boss? Why the hell are you so cynical? Dave is a good guy, and you like Martha. And they are friends. He is not sucking up to the boss.
Your cynicism just might have something to do with last night. When are you going to learn, Peter Wohl, that blond hair and splendid boobs do not a nice lady make?
"I've got somebody coming over, Dave."
"Bring her, the more the merrier."
"It's a him. Specifically, Matt Payne."
"I thought maybe he'd be in touch…"
What the hell does that mean?
"…so bring him too. Martha likes him, and we've got plenty."
"I don't know what his plans are, but I'll be there. Thank you, Dave. When?"
"Noon. Anytime around there."
"Can I bring anything?"
"Nothing but an appetite."
Wohl walked back to his living room, where Martinez was reading the BNDD Investigator's Manual.
"That was Matt Payne," Wohl said. "The first call."
"How's he doing?"
"I understand he's become the East Detectives' specialist on recovered stolen cars," Wohl said, and then added: "He's coming over here."
Martinez closed the BNDD notebook and stood up.
