ACT III

"As you can see, Mister Keller, by now all our lecture rooms are outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and seating for up to two-hundred and fifty students. As you might recall, many of our undergrad courses tend to start out rather large. But we always weed out the best after a few semesters. I am really proud of how far this department has come in offering the best education in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement anywhere in the state."

Steve had listened to Dean Wilson's speech for the past few hours as they toured the vast campus at Berkeley, occasionally stopping to talk to staff and students about their experience at the well-known university.

Feeling a strange déjà-vu at the sight of his old alma mater, and being thoroughly impressed at how far the campus had come in the few short years since he graduated, Steve had stopped to stare at the detailed artwork and bronze sculptures adorning the two-story square building situated between the large faculty staff parking lot and the mess hall.

"Are you a fancier of arts, Mister Keller?", Max asked intrigued, when he slowed his pace and turned around to face him.

"Not as much as I'd like to anymore. Work has been keeping me quite busy."

"I bet it has. I see your face and that of your partner on TV at least once a week…"

The lighthearted remark made the stinging in his heart return with a vengeance. Forcing a genial smile, Steve tried to get his mind off the topic, and continued to stroll down the concrete walkway adorned with immaculately kept lawns and rose bushes on either side.

"You see, Mister Keller, I hope I haven't been bugging you too much over these past few years. But I just want you to understand that I have spent a lot of time researching and selecting the best staff possible to make this campus the place to go for CI and LE education in the entire country. You have already met many of the other professors you would be working with and after three years of leading this university, I feel that I have managed to comprise some of the brightest minds in the country. It was just by chance that I heard about you and your contributions to the San Francisco Police Department. Your accolades speak bands about your dedication to your job and the citizens of this wonderful city. And I want that realistic experience for my students, you know? Between your degrees and your vast experience out on the streets, you would be a godsend and a voice of reason to any young student choosing this honorable career path. Part of what sets the CI Department at Berkeley apart now is that all of my professors have an unbelievable amount of on-the-job knowledge that they bring to this University. In your case, not just do you have several years of in-depth experience working in the Homicide Department and investigating real life crimes together with a man everybody tells me is the best cop San Francisco ever had…but your broad educational background and your youthful approach would be a significant asset to my program here."

Shamelessly enjoying Max Wilson's attempts to sway him, Steve nodded smilingly as they slowly approached the waiting Porsche.

"When I first heard about you I was…worried…you know…because of the age. But my…my insiders at your headquarter downtown assured me that your youth has been nothing but a blessing to the department and your…Lieutenant. They consider you and Mike Stone to be iconic Cops, celebrities almost. Everyone out on the streets knows and respects the two of you. So I guess I…I had to jump out on a limb and see if I can get the Inspector Stephen Keller people know from TV to switch careers…and put your name on my staff board…convince you to lay that badge and the excitement that comes with it to rest and join my family here at Berkeley. Most of your degrees come from here. As an alumni you are already very familiar with the culture on this campus and maybe even some of your professors that would now turn into colleagues. I take your willingness to come here as a sign that you are at least considering my offer."

Running a hand across his red tie, he glanced over at the stout balding man in his late forties whose genuine smile and forthrightness, for all intents and purposes, already made him appear like a trustworthy soul.

"I am taking it into consideration, yes…", he answered neutrally, although his heart ordered him not to, "I probably won't have a final answer for a few weeks yet."

"That's quite alright, young man. Take your time and think it through. If there are any questions or concerns from your side, the binder I gave you has my home phone number written on it. Please do not hesitate to call if you need any clarification. And of course, if you need help moving your belongings, let me know, I have plenty young and strong men on my campus who would like to help a police officer out."

By the time they reached the waiting Porsche, Max had sensed his inner turmoil and put a calming hand on his shoulder

"I can imagine it must be a tough decision to make. It's such a different life and working so closely with somebody on a daily basis…please know that you would be treated like family here too. It might not be your blue family, but it's still the Berkeley family."

"Thank you, Dean Wilson…", Steve said and let out a forced breath that wasn't lost on the other man, before pointing his chin back at his silver sportscar, "I eh…I better get going. We have a very startling murder case to work and my partner needs me. Thank you so very much for the tour and all the time you've spent showing me this beautiful campus. I will be in touch as soon as possible."

"No trouble at all, Mister Keller, no trouble at all. Just be safe out there. I only want to see your face on the news when it's time for a press conference."