Final justice - W.E.B. Griffin [41]
"To light a fire under Washington."
"Yes, sir. Sir, Inspector Wohl was once a homicide detective. . . .""
"So much the better."
"A rookie homicide detective. Jason Washington, as a very experienced, very good, homicide detective, was charged with bringing Detective Wohl up to homicide speed--"
"Commissioner," the mayor interrupted somewhat sharply, "I'm getting the feeling you're dragging your feet, for reasons I can't imagine. So I repeat, call this Inspector Wohl and tell him he is now in charge of this investigation task force, and I expect results."
"Yes, sir, I'll do so immediately."
"There's one more thing," the mayor said. "The cardinal called me at home last night."
"Yes, sir?"
"About the visit of Stan Colt. The cardinal said that Colt being here may raise a half million dollars or more for West Catholic High School."
"It probably will, sir."
"The cardinal wants to make sure Mr. Colt's visit goes smoothly. And in this case, I want what the cardinal wants."
"So do I, Mr. Mayor. After the cardinal called me about Mr. Colt coming here, I gave Mr. Colt 'Visiting Dignitary' status for his trip. He will be under the care of the Dignitary Protection Unit."
"So he told me," the mayor replied. "What he called me about was the assignment to Colt's visit of a particular detective. Apparently this detective made a very good impression on Monsignor Schneider--who's doing the nuts and bolts of Colt's visit for the cardinal--when they met at some sort of preliminary meeting. I'd like this done."
"Certainly, sir. You have the detective's name?"
"Payne," the mayor said. And then he read the commissioner's face. "You know him? Is there going to be some problem with this?"
"We published the sergeant's examination ratings yesterday, " the commissioner said. "Detective Payne ranked number one."
"In other words, he's a very bright detective?"
"And a very good one."
"And now he's a sergeant?"
"He will be whenever the promotion ceremony is held."
"And when will that be?"
"Whenever you decide, Mr. Mayor."
"How about . . ." He checked his calendar. "I'm free from nine-fifteen until ten tomorrow morning."
"Sir, we have the funds to promote the top twenty-one men on the list immediately. It would be difficult to get all twenty-one in on such short notice."
The mayor gave him a look that was mingled curiosity and exasperation.
"We could promote the top five," Commissioner Mariani said. "You will recall, sir, we offered the top five examinees their choice of assignment."
"And you can get all five in here tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, sir. I'm sure I can."
"Good. We'll get him in here and promote him, and the others, and then assign Sergeant Payne to Dignitary Protection. "
"But there's a small problem there, too, I'm sorry to say. Payne is entitled to his choice of assignment."
"Commissioner, why don't you suggest to Detective Payne that the Dignitary Protection Unit would be a fine choice of assignment?"
"He wants to go to Homicide, sir."
"How do you know that?"
"Deputy Commissioner Coughlin told me, sir. He's Detective Payne's godfather."
"Figuratively speaking, or literally?" the mayor asked, sarcastically.
"Both, sir."
The mayor exhaled in exasperation.
"Then I suggest you suggest to Deputy Commissioner Coughlin that he suggest to Detective Payne that Dignitary Protection would be a fine choice--indeed the only choice-- for Detective Payne to make."
"Mr. Mayor, the prize--the choice of assignment--has been widely publicized. If we don't make good on the promise . . ."
"What?"
"I'm afraid the Fraternal Order of Police would--"
"Jesus Christ!" the mayor exploded. "How about this, then, Commissioner? We promote Payne. Sergeant Payne is assigned to Homicide, and then temporarily assigned to Dignitary Protection for Stan Colt's visit?"
"That would work fine, sir."
"Then please see that it's done," the mayor said. "I'll look for you here about quarter to three. Thank you, Commissioner. "
FIVE
[ONE]
Inspector Wohl and Detective Payne were alone in Wohl's office at the Arsenal. Payne's laptop