Chapter 38

Steve gave his answer to Captain Lyle on the Thursday morning as promised, and it was arranged that final details for the scheme would be decided and set out in detail over the next week, to be rolled out after the following weekend which was the first week of December. There would still be a couple of weeks left of the fall semester, so Steve would be able to break himself in gently with the basic and intermediate cadets. Those advanced cadets reaching the last two weeks of their training would not be party to the tutorials with Steve, but would still be able to speak to him privately if they wished. Meetings were arranged for the following week.

The Thursday of that following week was Thanksgiving Day, but Jeannie had asked her father if he minded if she stayed at college that weekend. She wasn't due back in college until Tuesday and, whilst she would have loved to have seen both of them, end of term exams were looming immediately after the short break and her time would be better spent in preparation and revision. Anyway, she would be coming home for the Christmas recess for almost four weeks and would be able to spend quality time with both Mike and Steve then. If truth be told, Steve was rather relieved Jeannie wasn't coming home. On the one hand, having her home would have helped distract him from thinking about what was ahead, but on the other, he felt he needed a little quiet time to prepare himself. Mike was naturally disappointed, but he only wanted what was best for Jeannie. He and Steve had elected to work over Christmas to free up the men who had young children to spend time with their families, so they both had the Thanksgiving weekend off. They thought they'd take some time out over the weekend and maybe drive over to Marin County to Muir Beach or Stinson Beach, or maybe even enjoy the drive along Bolinas Lagoon. The weather was still reasonably mild, and it would do them both good to relax a little. They decided they'd definitely go fishing one day too. It might prove a challenge for Steve but, between them, they felt sure they'd manage.

During the early part of the next week, Steve attended a couple of meetings at the academy with Captain Lyle and some of the senior trainers and, in particular, with Lieutenant Jack Sage who was to be Steve's direct liaison officer. Lieutenant Sage had been one of Steve's own trainers eight years ago when he'd been a cadet himself. He'd always liked the older man and got on well with him, so it was good to meet up with him again. Although it had been several years since Steve had been a cadet here, walking through the hallways and grounds brought back many memories. The lieutenant asked Steve to do away with formality and call him Jack, and he showed him the room that had been allocated to him to use as an office. It was nothing sophisticated, just a small room with a desk in front of the window with a telephone on it, and two chairs set one on either side of the desk. Steve asked Jack if both the chairs could be changed for something a little more comfortable. He explained that if he had to sit in there for several hours twice a week he needed something softer than the hard plastic chairs currently provided and, if he wanted the cadets to relax and open up to him, he needed them to be comfortable too. There was also a small side table with tea and coffee making facilities set out and several mugs had been provided. Fresh milk or cream would apparently be supplied daily. He also asked if he could have a stool to use as a leg rest. There was a small bookcase against the far wall with several text books of the type issued to cadets at various stages of their training, and Steve made a mental note to bring in a few of his own well-thumbed books. There was also a typewriter which sat on a separate, larger side table with a chair in front of it, and he was shown the room he could use for photocopying and printing if needed. As he opened the drawers of the desk, he saw that there was an ample supply of stationery and pens of all colours provided. Jack pointed out to him that a light system had been set up on the wall outside his door which he could operate from his desk without getting up. This would enable him to show a red light when his room was busy and a green light when he was free for a cadet to ask for a chat. All in all, he was more than happy with the facilities provided for him.

It was arranged that, at the end of classes on Wednesday, all the cadets would gather in the lecture hall of the academy and Steve would be introduced to them, and the ideas of the pilot scheme would be explained to them. Many of them had noticed and recognised Steve on his crutches being accompanied around the rooms and hallways during the previous couple of days, and there was much speculation as to what he was doing at the academy.

Steve decided to dress formally, apart from his sweat pants, in a smart jacket and tie for his initial introduction to the cadets, but he planned to dress casually for the sessions he was to hold. As the cadets filed into the lecture hall, it was to see Captain Lyle, Lieutenant Sage and Steve already seated behind a long table at the front of the hall. The cadets remained standing until invited to sit by Captain Lyle, who had stood to address the hall.

"Good afternoon to you all, and thank you for staying over after classes this afternoon. You may all be wondering why you have been asked to come here, so I'm going to be as concise and thorough as possible in my explanation. You will see here beside me an officer that many of you will know or, indeed, may have heard of. This is Inspector Steven Keller of the homicide squad. As you can see Inspector Keller is temporarily incapacitated at the moment, but he has kindly accepted an invitation from us to help us out with a new pilot scheme that we are planning for the academy. He will address you all shortly, but first I'll tell you about what we have planned."

For the next few minutes Captain Lyle addressed the cadets and laid out the details of the scheme. There were some whispers from the students which Steve listened attentively to and tried to catch. From the general drift, he felt the whispers and facial expressions seemed to be in approval but, at this stage, it was difficult to tell. Eventually, the Captain closed his speech. "Well, that's the plan we've come up with and we sincerely hope it will be successful. Lieutenant Sage here will be in direct liaison with Inspector Keller as and when necessary. All that remains now is for me to ask Inspector Keller to introduce himself and say a few words to you all." He sat down and looked across at Steve and handed him the floor.

Steve looked around the lecture hall at the sea of faces, and took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "Good afternoon to you all. Please excuse me for remaining seated, but it's just easier for me at the moment. As Captain Lyle has already told you, my name is Steve Keller and I work in homicide alongside Lieutenant Mike Stone. It wasn't so long ago that I sat in this lecture theatre and walked these very hallways as a cadet myself. My time here was a little mixed but, on the whole, it was a very challenging, rewarding and happy time. The training that you're all given here is some of the best police training in the country, and it's to be hoped that it sets you up for a life of service to the residents of this beautiful city of ours, whether that be patrolling the streets or attached to one of the squads. However, I'll freely admit to you, there were times when things got a little tough in training and I was at a low ebb, and I would have appreciated someone I could have approached for some friendly advice. Of course, there were trainers available in those days that I could have approached as there are now, but the beauty of this new scheme is that it will allow for any discussions we may have and any advice given, to be completely off the record, unless something very serious is brought up and you are agreeable for it to be shared with your senior officers. It is my intention that the tutorials I will be holding with you will be very much cadet oriented. They will not in any way follow a set curriculum. I'm very much hoping that you will choose what we talk about. I can discuss exactly how this will work when I meet you all in class next week. I understand this scheme will be the first of its kind in the country and, if it's successful, it's likely to be adopted into the curriculum here, and may even be adopted by other police departments elsewhere. I'm very excited and honoured to have been asked to take part, however the scheme will only be successful if we all pull together to make it work. Please note, it's being introduced for your benefit, not the benefit of your trainers, so it's up to you to take advantage of it and help to make it a success. I want our tutorials to be not only interesting and educational, but also fun. I also want to be available to try my best to help you all as much as I can on a personal level, but my role here is also dependent upon those of you who would like help coming forward with any problems you may have. I hope I can be that person you feel you can open up to. So, I look forward very much to meeting you all in your class groups next week. Thank you."

As Steve finished his speech there was a low murmur among the cadets, then a few began to clap, and soon the whole auditorium was filled with clamorous applause. Steve felt a distinct lump in his throat as he cast his eyes over the body of cadets in front of him, and he couldn't help but feel that the cadets had shown their respect for him and made it known that he was welcome here.

As the applause died down Captain Lyle addressed the hall again. "Thank you everyone, and thank you Inspector Keller. I'm sure we're all looking forward to your input here at the academy. That's all for today ladies and gentlemen, and happy Thanksgiving Day from us to you all. You are dismissed."

The three men remained seated as the cadets stood to leave. They could hear a lot of quiet muttering amongst the cadets, and once they had all exited the hall, Steve finally felt he could relax. As they got up to leave the hall, Steve heaved a sigh of relief.

"Phew! I'm glad that's over," he chuckled. "I never thought I'd ever be standing here addressing close on a hundred young cadets. I don't mind admitting it was quite daunting. I just hope I can do this."

"Well, I think it went very well, and I have every confidence in you. Your introductory speech was excellent, and I feel you were very well received." He rubbed his hands together. "You know, Steve, I have a really good feeling about this scheme and your involvement in it."

"Time will tell, Captain. We'll just have to wait and see."

It had been decided that Steve would work at the academy on Monday and Friday afternoons allowing him to continue to work in homicide on Tuesday to Thursday during the week. It also gave him time in the week to prepare his sessions for Fridays and then time at home at the weekend to prepare for Mondays.

Thanksgiving Day and through to the weekend passed pleasantly for both Steve and Mike. They took a drive over to Marin County and then drove up to Stinson Beach, where they ate hot dogs and drank piping hot coffee from a burger van at the back of the beach, then they took a leisurely drive along Bolinas Lagoon before they headed home again. In the evening, Bill and his wife, Tara, had invited them both to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with them and their children. Their home was modest but full of love, and Steve couldn't help but feel envious of his friends, and he hoped that he could find true love with a special lady one day just as Bill had done.

Unfortunately, Mike was unexpectedly called back into the office the next day, so Steve contacted a couple of old college buddies and met up for a meal and a few drinks down at the wharf. It was a happy day full of jokes and laughter and much ribbing about his impending post as a temporary tutor. He took it all in good part and joined in the laughter, and it did him good to be with friends of his own age. They were surprisingly very supportive of Steve's impending position at the academy, and both felt he would be well suited to the post and had no doubt he would make a good job of it.

Saturday dawned dry and bright. Mike picked Steve up early and they went fishing together to Lake Merced. There was a lot of good natured tomfoolery as they were trying to set up the rods. With Steve dependent on his crutches for support, he had no choice but to do everything sitting down, even casting, and he got his line hopelessly caught up in the bushes behind him not once but twice. Trying to extricate the hook and line a second time, Mike got himself caught up on thorns and managed to tear his pants in two places across the backside revealing his underpants beneath. Steve wasn't sure what was funnier... the holes in his pants or the look on Mike's face as his fingers roamed over his butt trying to find the holes to find out how bad they were. Mike pushed his finger into the largest hole.

"Mike, be careful poking around in there you don't know what you'll... find!"

Just as he said it, Mike's finger suddenly poked out of the other hole and he waggled it. Steve was absolutely taken up by a paroxysm of laughter, and laughed so much he almost fell off his chair, and the more Mike kept a straight face and didn't laugh, the more Steve doubled up. Mike just glared at him and Steve honestly thought he might die of laughter as he was struggling to take a breath and his sides ached.

"Oh, so you think it's funny do you, hot shot? I'm sure those thorns have drawn blood," Mike moaned as he twisted around trying to look behind him.

"Yeah... oh... it's so funny!" squeaked Steve. "Oh, Mike, I can see your underpants... and... they're bright pink! And your face... oh God... I think I'm going to die!"

"Well at least I have some underpants on!" barked Mike and his words carried them both back to when Steve was in the hospital. Suddenly, Mike's face creased too, and he joined Steve in a fit of convulsive giggles. Eventually, Steve drew a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm himself. He felt himself shudder as he fought to gain control of his breathing, but the giggles were still there just under the surface. It was a while before either of them could settle themselves down.

"It's alright for you to laugh, but what am I supposed to do? I have two big holes and my underpants are showing. How can I show my face in public like this?" He was looking round and about and over his shoulder to see if there were any other visitors near them, as Lake Merced was a really popular place to visit especially at the weekends.

"It's not your face you need to worry about... it's your butt!" And off Steve went again with another fit of giggling. "And why are your underpants shocking pink?"

"Well, I washed them with that new maroon cardigan Jeannie bought me for my birthday and the colour ran."

"Well, you should've just chucked them away."

"Why? I'm not made of money! They're a perfectly good pair of underpants... just not white any more. Now, will you stop acting like a four year old and help me out of this fix. What can I do? I'll have to sew them up? They're my lucky pants you know."

"Not today they're not! Anyway, how can you expect to sew them up here? Do you keep a sewing box in that fishing creel over there? Or you could always try using a hook and some fishing line! Oh jeez! My sides are killing me."

"Well, stop laughing at me then. It's your fault it happened. If you hadn't got your line caught up, I wouldn't have got impaled on those thorns trying to free it."

"Wait till I tell the guys in the bullpen about this! Oh, I can milk this for weeks."

"Don't you dare! Steve... please! Promise me you'll keep quiet about this. I mean it. I'm the head of homicide and you'll just make me a laughing stock." Mike grabbed him by the arm and glared at him as only Mike could.

"Alright, alright, take it easy. I'll keep quiet, though you don't deserve it after the way you teased me when I was in the hospital. You made fun of a sick man, Mike."

"I only did that to keep your spirits up. Now, help me. What can I do to fix this till I get home?"

"Take your jacket off and drape it round the back of you and tie the sleeves round your waist at the front."

"But I'll freeze to death without a jacket on."

"Oh, don't exaggerate. It's not that cold. You'll be fine," Steve said as he picked up his rod and carefully cast it out again and settled to watch the float.

"If you were a true friend you'd give me your jacket," Mike whined.

"What... and catch cold myself? Mike, you know I love you... but not that much! Now, let's get fishing before those fish all get scared away. I bet they've never seen shocking pink underpants before on a police lieutenant! Tut... tut... tut. What an embarrassment!"

For the rest of the day there was much mildly ribald humour and rivalry between them and Mike's hurt was compounded by the fact that he didn't catch anything all day whilst Steve, who'd managed to get himself caught up in the bushes for a third time, actually caught a trout and two small carp. They packed up to go home earlier than usual as the temperature was dropping and Mike was feeling the cold.

They stopped off for a meal at a roadside diner on the way home, which caused more fun for Steve as Mike refused to risk untying his jacket from around his waist and had to sit on it throughout the meal. As they parted outside Steve's apartment, they both realised they hadn't mentioned the injury, the PTSD or the academy all day. It had done them both good to just switch off and relax and have fun in each other's company. Mike smiled broadly at him and reached across and patted Steve's arm before he got out of the car. "Get yourself a good night's sleep and don't worry about Monday. You'll be amazing, Buddy Boy. Those cadets won't know what's hit them. Go in there and knock 'em dead, you hear me?"

"Hey, hold on a minute, Mike. I don't intend to hit them nor knock them dead! Those are pretty dangerous suggestions to come from the head of homicide don't you think? I can just see the headlines in Tuesday's papers...'Homicide Detective takes up post at Police Academy and kills off cadets on first day'," Steve joked. "Doesn't this city generate enough murders to keep you busy without me carrying out more? That would scupper the scheme before it had even had a chance to get off the ground. You know, I'll just be happy if they accept me and interact as I'm hoping they'll do in these... sessions. I can't bring myself to call them tutorials or lessons. It makes me sound too much like a teacher and that's not what I'm aiming for. I'm a police officer and that's where I belong. I doubt I would ever make a teacher... never in a million years... but I'll give it a go. No experience is ever wasted, isn't that right?"

"Hey, that's another one of my dear old mother's sayings you're pinching. It's good to see you've learnt something from me, hot shot!" Mike laughed loudly.

"Mike, I learn something from you every day... even if it's only a trite saying of your mother's. Well. I can't sit here all night. I'd better go in. Goodnight and thanks for a great day. It's been fun. I think we both needed it. We'll do it again sometime soon... yes?"

"We sure will, but not until you're back on your own two feet and able to untangle your own line from those lousy bushes. I've got to go home now and find a needle and cotton and do some repairs on the tears in my pants. Where's my daughter when I need her, eh?" he chuckled. "I'll phone you Monday night and you can let me know how you got on."

"Don't worry, I'm bound to be whacked on Monday night. I'll tell you Tuesday when I come into work. And take my advice... leave those repairs for Jeannie. She's a much better seamstress than you'll ever be."

"You're probably right, Buddy Boy," Mike grinned broadly. "See you Tuesday. Good luck and take care. Night, Steve. Sleep well."

"You, too." Steve climbed out of the car and slowly made the climb to his apartment. When he reached the top, he turned and gave a brief wave to Mike who returned it and then drove off.

They hadn't made any plans for Sunday as Steve wanted to use the day to get caught up with some household chores and washing, which was just as well when the morning dawned wet and dark and it continued to pour with rain all day. When his chores were finished, he ate a light lunch and just generally relaxed and prepared his thoughts for the next day. His classes weren't due to start until 2.00 pm, so he promised himself a lie-in and then he would get to the academy well before time and settle himself into his temporary office, along with a few of his books. He watched some TV and was just about to head off to the bathroom to begin his night-time routine of exercises and pin site cleaning, which he still undertook painstakingly every night and morning, when the phone rang.

"Hey, babe! How are you?" Jeannie asked, and Steve could hear her beautiful smile in her voice.

"Hey, Jeannie. It's good to hear from you. I'm fine thanks. You okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Studying hard ready for the exams on Tuesday. I wish I could've come home this weekend, but I'll be home at Christmas so we'll make up for lost time then. I just wanted to catch up with you and wish you good luck for tomorrow. Are you getting nervous about your new venture?"

"Well, I am a bit apprehensive I suppose. Strike that! To be honest, I'm scared stiff! I've never done anything like this before so I'm a little worried about how it's all going to work out. I can't help but feel it's a strange thing for the academy to ask of me, but it's what they want so I feel quite a responsibility to get it right... if I can."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll do well, Steve. When I think of all the chats you and I have had over the last few years, and all the sensible advice you've given me regarding school and Mike, I have no doubt you'll make a great success of the scheme."

"Only too glad to help, Jeannie. That's high praise indeed... especially coming from you. You're not usually so generous with your praise," he teased her.

"What do you mean, Steve Keller? I'm always singing your praises. Haven't you heard me?"

"Not that I can remember, but maybe I'm tone deaf where you're concerned."

"Beast! I'll ignore that. How's Mike? I rang yesterday several times but he wasn't in, so I'm going to try again tonight after I've rung you. Don't tell me he was called into work again? He's a glutton for punishment."

"No he wasn't called into work. We were actually out all day and had a wonderful time. We went fishing to Lake Merced and had a great day out. It was lots of fun... a really good laugh."

"Did Mike catch anything? I know how he's always eager to compete with you."

"Yes, he did catch something... but... er... it wasn't fish," Steve sniggered.

"What do you mean, it wasn't fish? What else could you catch if you went fishing? Was it eels or something? Aren't eels fish?"

"Yes they are, and no... it wasn't eels."

"Oh, I know. Was it an old bike then that someone had thrown away?"

Steve laughed at her ridiculous suggestion. "No, it wasn't! It doesn't matter, Jeannie. Ask Mike, he'll tell you and... er... while you're talking to him, why don't you give him some advice on how best to wash that new maroon cardigan you bought him for his birthday. I don't think he's quite got the hang of it." Steve could feel the laughter bubbling up again and forced it firmly down.

"That new cardigan? Oh... don't tell me he's ruined it already. I can't trust that man with anything can I?"

"Oh, he hasn't ruined it. The cardigan's fine. It's... well... it's just a bit... pants... in more ways than one, that's all."

"A bit pants? What are you on about? Have you been hitting the beer and mixing it with your meds, Steve? You know you're not supposed to drink alcohol while you're on painkillers. Don't you need them any more?"

"No, I've not touched any beer and, yes, I am still taking the painkillers but not so many or so often. Just ask Mike. He'll fill you in."

"Don't worry... I will. I'll ring him in a minute. Perhaps I can get a sensible conversation out of him because I'm sure not getting one out of you. Are you sure you're not on the beer?"

"No, Jeannie. I'm not on the beer. Credit me with more sense than that. Anyway, I leave the excess drinking to you these days," he chuckled.

"Oh... please... don't remind me. You just had to bring that up didn't you? I don't suppose I'll ever live that down. It took me three days to get rid of that hangover and stiff neck," she laughed. "Look, I really hope all goes well for you tomorrow, Steve. I'll ring you again later in the week to see how you're getting on. I'd better go. It's getting late and I want to catch Mike before he settles for the night."

"Okay, Jeannie, thanks for ringing. Good luck for your exams. I'd say 'break a leg!' but I wouldn't wish this on anyone," he joked. "I'll be thinking about you. Goodnight, Jeannie."

"Night, babe, take care."

Steve replaced the receiver and wondered if he should've stirred her imagination like that. Mike would probably be mad with him. She was like a dog with a bone when she wanted to get to the bottom of something. Still smiling to himself, he made his way to the bathroom. He had a big day ahead of him tomorrow. Perhaps an early night wouldn't come amiss.

An hour later and Steve was lying back in bed, his hands behind his head, trying to settle his mind and his nerves ready for sleep, when the phone at the side of his bed rang.

"Hello, Keller."

"Thanks a bunch, Buddy Boy. I owe you one!" and the caller hung up before Steve could even mount a reply.