**Just read on-line that the latest novel by Robert Thorogood (which is listed as 'Death in Paradise novel #5') may NOT, in fact, be a Death in Paradise novel. It seems to be a brand new series about 3 ladies in England who form a Murder Mystery Club? How does this tie in with DiP? I don't know… and I won't know until the book comes to my library because I'm not buying something until it is Richard Poole approved. If anyone out there finds more information, please let the rest of us know, thanks, S/P.**

Part 5 of 15 - The Commissioner

Prelude

Time to polish my braid and drive to the airport. I sincerely hope they don't send someone unfamiliar with our customs and how we run things down here. Ah me, but if they do, it comes with the job, I suppose. Perhaps the new man will be a bit more 'by the book'? With any luck, he might only need slight tweaking here and there in order to fit in, and who knows, if he works out he may even decide to stay and aid my future plans, perhaps even be my replacement. Legba and Erzuli willing.

I see Sergeant Thomson is upset. Once more, she feels passed over but this station needs a DI and she's never shown any interest in furthering her career. I wonder why she stays here when there are other islands that could benefit from her expertise. She's an excellent DS and quite professional. I must speak to her on this but later, after the airport.

In the meantime, I'm sure I can count on her to help settle the new man into his duties.

Airport

Where in the world is HE dressed for? Certainly not Sainte-Marie! Didn't he realize his destination? He probably expected air-conditioning 24/7. Well, my friend, bad luck for you, time to open your eyes, feel the heat, and don't you DARE speak ill of my island!

I was wrong about Lily helping to settle the new man. It's time to calm the waters, if I can. This case won't go anywhere with them fighting right off the bat. Ah me again, the life of a minor government official is not an easy one. It's high time I climbed the ladder a bit and joined the ranks of the upper echelons... but only if this man can be my replacement. Can he, I wonder? Does he have it in him?

Jeep to station

No, he doesn't and no, he can't. He doesn't like the French and he doesn't like the tropics. He's sure to ruffle feathers and create bad PR. I'd best have a word with his team to keep him away from the locals and especially the tourists! Something tells me this is all going to end in tears.

Station introductions

Well, he's self-motivated if nothing else. Bit terse with the team, though. I don't have to ask them to keep him away from people as none of them seem inclined to be near him either. Well, it will be a learning curve for them all. I'd best get out of the way and let them establish a pecking order. Good luck, DI Poole. Just, please, don't force anyone to throttle you on your first day.

Government House, networking

Oh dear, he was sent unwillingly. His station wanted rid of him and now he's OUR problem! Young Officer Best is giving the man a chance but Officer Myers hates him as does Sergeant Thomson. How can one person create such opposite opinions of himself? I'd best put my ear to the ground and listen very carefully. Is this man worth keeping or not?

A bit later

The Salcombe's are complaining! Naturally. Lily is complaining. Ditto. Dwayne WAS complaining but now seems uncertain. Fidel is now sure the man shows great promise. Things are changing. I need to keep on top of this. The other Commissioners are calling me, rejoicing in my bad luck. I can't be having that! There must be some way to turn the tables on my rivals and salvage something from this fiasco!

Her one phone call

Well, that's just wonderful. Poole has arrested the undercover agent working the James Lavender case. Perhaps it was an oversight leaving Poole out of the equation. Now I must hie to the Police Station and try to save some face in all this. And now I have DS Bordey to placate as well! Oh, her Maman is going to kill me! Poole! A pox upon your house! Of all the towns on all the islands in all the Caribbean, why did you have to come to MINE?

Station, second introduction

Well, that went well. NOT! They are like oil and water, fire and ice, English and French. The sooner he is off the island, the better! But… he seems to have cracked the case wide open. That lovely Lord Salcombe, a villain? And I would never have suspected Charlie Hulme as a henchman. How could I have been so wrong about him? How could someone right under my very nose have gotten away with such despicable crimes? It's unbelievable. I thought I was a better cop than that. Have I lost my edge?

Fidel's phone call to attend at Salcombe estate

Now that's interesting, I've never heard the young man so excited. I'd best hurry over to see what's going on. It rather sounds like my new DI is about to put us all in the deep end. I hope I can steer through these murky waters without too much bloodshed and lawsuit.

The Big Reveal

What the… how did he make THAT deductive leap… and the next and the next and the next? It makes sense NOW but shame on me, I didn't see any of it coming. Charlie's death now makes perfect sense, as does Lord Salcombe's. And Lily's arrest was so smooth, so matter-of-fact, so air-tight and irrefutable. I can see the new DI has had a meritorious effect upon Officer Myers, of all people. Hmmm, I think this DI bears closer scrutiny. He's not quite normal, is he?

The book is not the book? But THIS book IS the book? Ah, yes, I see the blood. Astounding. Hidden in plain sight all this time. And he figured it out. Amazing. Yes, this DI definitely bears a closer look. Perhaps I'll make some phone calls when I get back to my office.

That was absolutely thrilling to witness! Such clear logic. Such a clean kill. This one's a KEEPER! I'd best get back to the office and start making those phone calls! I need to ensure he stays here with us and not get sent back to England, or even worse, weaseled away by some undeserving underhanded rival Commissioner! If this man is as good as I think he is then he MUST stay here with us, with me. He's perfect! A zero crime rate can only boost my reputation and credentials for higher office.

The Stitch-Up

Ahhh, what satisfaction. All I had to do was pull a few strings, call in a few favours, pay out a case of my best rum, and now he's mine to keep for as long as I can manage. My brethren. It will be amusing to see how he does, how he copes. I can see his junior officers are already coming to his side whether he knows it or not. He has the makings of a good solid team here if only he will accept it.

Agent Bordey is just the icing on the cake. She's a real feather in my cap and her Maman will thank me. If I play my cards right, I may never have to pay for another drink for the rest of my tenure here on Sainte-Marie. As for whether or not she will ever come to his side as well is the question.

All that aside, the pair of them are so much fun to watch. This promises to be most entertaining, better than anything on the telly, a real-life comedy-mystery. I can't wait for developments. In the meantime, I'll brush up on my personnel-management technique. Something tells me I'm going to need it.

But it shouldn't be too onerous a duty. All I need do is convince him to stay, settle down, start a family, and replace me when I begin my climb up the political ladder.

I'm sure he will cooperate, with the proper incentives. After all, who can resist paradise?

END – part 5