by Neal Davies
“That’s wonderful Doug. So I guess they won’t be shutting you down now?”
“No, everything in the kitchen has been given the go ahead, another one of God’s miracles. The other news is Ben our accountant has had to devote more time to his business and Patrick is taking on the additional responsibility. Ben is continuing on where Frank left off; helping Patrick with his studies of an evening. It’s boosted his confidence considerably and brought a whole new change to his character.” Sebastian nods his head in agreement.
“Yes, I noticed that when I arrived.
Well it sounds like everything is going well here and I can see you’re busy so I’ll be on my way, but I’d like to give you this before I go. It should help with some new pots and pans to match the new stove.” Sebastian hands Doug an envelope and when he opens it he finds a cheque for $250. Doug looks up to thank Sebastian but he’s already left the kitchen. As he drives home he reflects back on the events of the day and realises that no matter how much training or education he possesses, life has its own rules. Something spiritual has engulfed his sense of being and created a new emotion within him. For the first time in his life he feels vulnerable.
He also considers everything that Gino has told him and pulls over so he can call Jim. But before he has a chance his phone starts ringing and coincidently it’s Jim ringing him. “Hi Jim, I was just about to ring you to see if I can make an appointment with you tomorrow?”
Jims reply comes quickly, “Well there you go. I was ringing you for the same reason. How does 9.00am sound?” Sebastian is a little curious as Jim’s voice lacks its usual confident tone.
He asks, “Is everything alright Jim?”
“Yes everything’s fine. We’ll discuss it all in the morning. I’ll see you then.” Jim hangs up the phone, leaving Sebastian to ponder over what this meeting could be about.
Sebastian has a quiet night and Cynthia is up before him the next morning. She has another meeting for her fundraiser but wakes him before she leaves, “I have to go now Seb but I’ve left you a coffee and toast on the kitchen table. Don’t let it go cold.” She kisses him goodbye and waves. Sebastian is running slightly late so he throws on his robe and scurries to the kitchen. After breakfast he showers, dresses and heads for the station.
Chapter 21
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Sebastian is five minutes late when he arrives at Jim’s office. He looks at Emily and inquires, “How is he today?”
“Not sure, he seems a bit nervous about something. Good luck in there Sebastian.” As Emily knocks on Jim’s door, Sebastian is feeling a little uneasy, not knowing what to expect.
A voice calls out; “Send him in!” before she even has a chance to open the door.
On entry Sebastian can see that Jim is wearing a solemn face. “Good morning Seb, take a seat.” He sits down without uttering a word but has some serious concerns about Jim’s body language. Rather than leaning back in his chair as he normally would, he sits bolt upright with his hands in a clasp on the desk. Sebastian continues to remain silent as he knows this will prompt Jim to communicate what’s on his mind soon enough.
“First of all, I know I’ve already congratulated you on the Frank Portola case, but I need you to know that there’s not a detective in this place that could have done it better.” Sebastian remains impassive but his eyes continue to scan Jim’s persona for any irregularities. Jim looks to Sebastian for comment on his complimentary remarks but Sebastian remains unmoved, forcing him into further communication.
“I have another reason for calling you in here this morning Seb, but perhaps you’d like to tell me what you wanted to see me about first?”
Sebastian continues to put the pressure on Jim to tell him what this is all about, “No that’s fine. You go ahead.” At this point Jim seems frustrated but is left with little option but to continue.
“I’m just concerned about how you’re going to react to what I have to say.”
Still stony- faced, Sebastian’s reply comes swiftly and to the point, “There’s only one way to find out.” Jim looks down at his own hands, pulls his mouth to one side then looks back up at Sebastian.
“Look Seb, I know you like to work alone but I have a new rookie. His name is Paul Lion and we don’t have anyone I feel is suitable to partner him with. So I’ve got him running around the office going over files of past cases and fetching coffee. In fact he did most of the painting in the dust pit. This kid has heaps of potential and is as eager as a greyhound in a field of rabbits. Honestly Seb, I’d hate to see him lose that enthusiasm.”
Sebastian leans forward and finally comments, “So you want to partner him with me.”
“You’ve got it in one. It’s not like he’ll be your shadow but I believe you can be a great mentor for him. Plus he knows his way around the place and can access information from the database whenever you need it. Sebastian’s eyes, still scanning notice Jim’s fingers are now rubbing nervously up and down the smooth desk. He surmises, “My guess is Paul will be reporting directly back to you on any progress I’m making on cases.” Jim is a little uncomfortable with Sebastian’s statement.
He leans back into his chair, glances quickly upward and then makes direct eye contact, “Ah yes, it’s necessary for all detectives to report to me on their progress. That applies to consultants as well you know!” Jim leans forward again and continues, “Anyway, it’s time to get to the point. There’s no use in me being anything but honest with you Seb, as most people are as transparent as glass to you. So I’m going to lay my cards on the table.”
Sebastian has a half smirk, half frown on his face and replies authoritatively, “Go ahead Jim.”
“The commissioner asked me what crew I’d manned you up with and I explained you like to work alone. He said that’s not going to happen and if he found out that I didn’t put you with someone at least some of the time there’d be trouble. So that’s why I suggested Paul. The other long serving detectives are set in their ways. So I figure putting a rookie with you gives you more control. Seriously Seb, I don’t want to lose you, especially after the way you’ve handled this case, and if I had other options I’d offer them to you. But I haven’t and I can’t.”
Sebastian can see Jim’s in a bind and has done everything he can to help his cause.
“It’s ok Jim, I understand. But I do like to do my own thing and I hope you understand that I won’t always give information over until I’m convinced it’s fully proven. Also, if I’m feeling too hemmed in I will walk away from the job.
Jim takes a deep breath and exhales in relief, “I understand Seb and I’ll try and cut you as much slack as possible. Now, would you like to meet Paul?”
“I may as well if he’s going to be working with me. When he arrives there’s something we all need to discuss about an unsolved case that is in some way connected to Frank’s. I don’t think it’ll take long to wrap up and this may be a good icebreaker for Paul and me.”
Jim pulls his chin into his neck and agrees, “Sounds interesting, just wait here a second.” He gets up, half opens his door and pokes his head around the corner. Sebastian hears him say to Emily. “Can you tell Paul I’d like to see him in my office pronto, please?” He walks back around his desk, sits down again and puts his hands flat on the side of his chair, “Now tell me what you’ve got Seb. We’ll fill Paul in when he arrives.”
Sebastian looks at Jim with piercing eyes, “First you have to promise me that my informant remains anonymous. Otherwise I’ll give you the details and nothing else.”
“Well let me hear the details and then we can work out if we’ll need the informant to testify or not, and if we do I’d have to say this conversation never happened.” Sebastian gently nods his head and tightens his lips in gratitude.
“Thanks Jim I appreciate your candour. The fact is, a few years ago my informant was approached by a person looking for work. Not the kind of work your average Joe participates in but more along the lines of cr
iminal activity, if you know what I mean. Anyway my informant wanted to be sure of this fellow’s credentials so he asked him about past experiences and was told that he’d been hired by a woman to kill her husband and to make it look like a hit and run. It turns out that the victim was Frank and Tony’s uncle, and of course it would have been Gina who hired the guy.” Jim sits back in his chair with an astonished look on his face.
“Is there no depth to the evil in this woman? Look Seb, if you and Paul can dig up enough dirt on Gina there’ll be no mention of your informant. You have my word.”
Sebastian smiles at Jim, “That’s good enough for me.”
There’s a knock on the door and Emily pokes her head in, “Paul’s here to see you Jim.”
“Thanks Emily, send him in.” A young man mountain walks through the door. He looks as though he’s been working out in the gym for most of his life and yet his complexion is quite pale and seems to have seen very little sun. Jim remains seated but Sebastian is quick to rise and shake Paul’s hand. Jim by way of introduction, says, “Paul this is Sebastian Cork. He’s a consultant for us and I would like you to work side by side with him on a few cases until you get your footing.” Paul gives one nod of his head and a half grin. He is a polite young man and eager to please, but Sebastian notices his body language is showing something more,
“Tell me Paul why are you apprehensive about working with me?” Jim has a grin from ear to ear. He has immediately recognised that Sebastian has picked up something in Paul’s body language. He folds his arms, stretches his legs out under his desk and awaits the synopsis of Sebastian’s thoughts.
Paul looks to Sebastian, “Sorry Mr Cork? I don’t know what you mean.”
“Seb, just call me Seb. Let me explain, when you first walked in the room your movements were a little rigid which is a normal reaction for anyone being called into their superior’s office. What I did like though was how you kept it under control. That will play out well when you’re put in a pressure situation on the job. Once you were informed of who I was what I do and that you’d be working with me your eyebrows closed in; only fractionally but enough to show slight apprehension and disappointment.” Paul stands there gazing at Sebastian inquisitively while Sebastian continues to open up his personal profile like a can of tuna. Jim can’t help but sit there with a smug look on his face. “You’re ambitious and a perfectionist and it wouldn’t surprise me if you have done a stint in the army; perhaps the Special Forces.”
Paul frowns, his eyebrows pull together even closer and he can’t help but speak up, “I gather you’ve been going through my file! Look Jim, I don’t mean to be rude but I thought our files were confidential.”
Jim sits up and retorts, “No one has seen your file except your superiors, and no one has spoken to Seb about your personal information apart from an outline of why I want Seb to work with you.”
Paul turns to Sebastian and asks firmly, “How did you know I’d served in the Special Forces?”
“Simple deduction, you carry yourself like a soldier, shoulders well back and you’ve been standing there for the last ten minutes in the same position without so much as a flinch of any part of your body. If you look at the other detectives you’ll find creased pants and shirts and scuffed shoes. On the other hand; you my friend don’t have a blemish or a scuff on any of these. Your body doesn’t fit the profile of a regular soldier but someone who has been through more vigorous training. Look Paul, this is what I do and I know you’re more than likely thinking that you deserve to be put on a team with seasoned detectives so you can get the opportunity to prove yourself. But if you work with me and observe what I do, you can add a new dimension to your already well developed skills.”
Jim addresses Paul, “The choice is yours, Paul. You can either remain doing what you’re doing or work with Seb until we get a suitable partner for you.”
Paul looks from Sebastian to Jim, “In all honesty Jim, after seeing Seb’s skills I’d like to stay with him for as long as I possibly can. He made a very good point when he said this could add a new dimension to my work as a detective and anything that gives me the edge over the bad guys has got to be a bonus.”
“Good, it’s settled then. Now Seb, would you like to fill Paul in on this cold case you were telling me about?” Jim gets Emily to bring in another chair and they sit and discuss how they will approach the case. Sebastian and Paul head to the dust pit. While Paul is getting another chair for Sebastian’s office he makes a quick call to Cynthia. “Guess what my love I’ve been presented with a rookie detective to mentor.” “It doesn’t surprise me Seb, now that you’re on the payroll, rules and regulations won’t allow you to go out on jobs alone. I’m kind of relieved in a way.” Sebastian immediately gets down to business. “Sorry to change the subject, but tell me do you still have access to Gina’s accounts?
“Yes I do. Why, what are you after?”
“I’ve received a tip- off that Gina was involved in her husband’s demise and I’m wondering if a large amount of cash left her accounts not long before or after his death.” There is a brief silence on the other end of the phone as Cynthia takes account of Sebastian’s statement.
“And would this information happen to come from a well known underworld figure?”
“I think that’s irrelevant Cynthia! All that matters is that we may be able to solve a cold case, or would you rather I get my rookie to follow it up?”
Cynthia snaps back, “No, I wouldn’t! But perhaps you can get him to wash and iron your clothes for a few weeks or at least until you stop being so testy with me!” Sebastian can see he’s overstepped his relationship boundaries and starts reeling his mood in.
“My sincerest apologies my love,” he grovels. “I’m sorry if I offended you. So is there any chance of getting that information for me?”
Cynthia is still brewing and her reply is as sharp as a razor, “I’ll see what I can do!” Sebastian apologises again. After hanging up he gets to work on the geno gram on his whiteboard.
It’s not long before Paul arrives back with a chair and looks at the white board. “I’ve read all the other names on the case you just solved but that’s a new one! Who’s Colin Maxwell?” Sebastian turns to face Paul.
“I’m pleased to hear you’ve been following the case. Mr Maxwell is the man who was hired to kill Frank’s uncle.” Paul, eager to get moving on his first case suggests, “While you’re working on your white board I should borrow a computer and check if he has any priors?” Sebastian turns his back to Paul and quickly wraps up what he’s doing.
He turns to face him again, “I’m done here Paul and I’m heading downtown to Barry’s Body Shop. Would you like to join me? You can always look up Mr Maxwell’s file when we get back.”
“Ok. What’s the interest there?”
“I received a tip off that the car that was used in Carlo Portola’s hit and run had been worked on at that body shop.” Paul squints. “Yeah but we’re looking at quite a few years ago. What makes you think you’ll find something there?”
“I asked my informant the same thing and he said he couldn’t say too much, but he was adamant I would. Now, what do you say? Are you up for it?” Paul grins like a supporter about to head off to the big game.
“I’ll let Jim know and I’ll get the keys to one of the spare cars then meet you in the car park.” Sebastian tells Paul he’ll be taking his car and that he is welcome to join him. Then he heads out to the carpark.
While Sebastian is waiting for Paul he takes a seat in the car and dials Cynthia again. “Sorry to bother you again my love but I forgot to ask you if you would also look into the finances of a Mr Colin Maxwell around the same time or a bit after Carlo Portola was killed. I imagine there would be a police file on this fellow.” Cynthia, as usual, has let go of Sebastian’s earlier rudeness and is back into research mode.
“I’m still working on Gina’s finances but as soon as I’m done with that I’ll talk to Jim about getting access to his file a
nd accounts.” Thank you my love, I’ll be heading downtown to the body shop that worked on the killer’s car and I’ll have Paul, my new offsider, with me. Just one more thing; can you see if you can find a recent address for Mr Maxwell please?”
“Not a problem, Seb. I’ll get onto it shortly.”
Sebastian has been on the phone for some time and Paul has been wandering aimlessly around the carpark. Sebastian shouts and waves to get his attention and the two of them are soon on their way downtown. Sebastian attempts to break the ice on the way over as he can see Paul is a very reserved fellow. “Tell me a bit about yourself Paul. When did you join the army?” Paul keeps staring out of his side window at the blur of traffic. Reluctantly he imparts. “I joined the army at nineteen after graduating high school and then the Special Forces at twenty. After a year’s training I had a three year stint in Afghanistan, where I was wounded and sent home. Once I was fully recovered I joined the police force, but due to my background I was soon promoted to detective.”
Sebastian frowns, “What makes a nineteen year old want to go off to war?”
“If you really want to know Seb, my father was killed in a drive- by shooting the same year I graduated high school. I’m the eldest of 4 boys. We aren’t a wealthy family and dad had no life insurance. Mum started working two jobs to make ends meet. She needed a hand and it shouldn’t be too hard for a smart man like you to work out there aren’t many well payed jobs for a high school graduate these days.” Sebastian can hear the pain in his voice and decides to change the subject.
“Do you have a special lady in your life?”
Paul takes his attention away from the window and gazes lovingly at Sebastian, “No I’m gay. Why do you ask?” he says seducingly. Sebastian’s face goes pale and he rigidly stares straight ahead.
