"Joe, you wanted to see me, Sir? Robbie asked Chief Superintendent Moody.
"Yes, Robbie – please sit down."
"Robbie, you've done very well helping out with our needs for staffing. I have appreciated that, greatly. James and Lizzie have been very happy to work with you. Lizzie credits you with the reason she is still here, working with James. " Moody was trying to assess Robbie's feelings about still working as a Detective Inspector. Joe was rather certain that Robbie was still enjoying it.
Robbie responded to Joe, in a tentative manner, "It's been a pleasure working with Lizzie and James. Watching them both developing professionally and having the opportunity to be involved with some interesting cases has been very gratifying." Robbie was not quite certain where this conversation was going. He had switched to "corporatese" mode in his speaking and thinking. But he was not quite ready for Moody's next sentence.
"Robbie - have you ever thought about my job? Any interest in it?" Joe asked a mystified Robbie.