CHAPTER 4 LADIES IN BLUE
Sausalito Cafe 1:00 pm
The Chief was called to a meeting with Commissioner Randall to discuss the security breach; Ed and Mark had gone out on an investigation. Eve and Fran walked the short distance from Police Headquarters to a nearby café to talk. Settling into a booth at the far end of the shop, they waited until their drinks arrived, and the waiter had left with their orders before they started talking.
"So, how do you like the new job?"
"It's different being in charge. I still find myself thinking about what the Chief would ask or do. How Ed would have handled witnesses.
"The Chief's really proud of you," Eve said, taking a sip of iced tea. "He didn't want you to leave."
"He couldn't have two sergeants; besides, you wanted to come back to work. Could you see yourself as a patrolwoman again, checking parking meters in SoMa*? Besides, the three of you were a team."
"The three of you were a team for over four years too."
"No, it wasn't that…"
"You were falling for a certain Sergeant Brown?"
"No, I know a lot of people think that, but it wasn't; we're just good friends. I've decided it has to be the Belding genes. Dad was always driven to be the best cop he could be, and I've discovered I'm the same way. I got a chance to see how good I could be and decided to take it. I don't regret it."
"The Chief didn't like it when you left."
"I know, but you didn't have him as a third parent growing up like I did. He's had a need ever since dad died to protect me. I don't mind that, especially now that I'm working for HS. He can worry about me like every other parent in the world worries about their adult kids."
"He always will, you know," Eve said.
Fran blushed. "Let me tell you about Rezko Lenard and how he'll start paying attention to you."
Eve listened as her friend explained the man and the setup. "So I get a new dress out of this, right? This could be kind of fun."
"I knew the minute I mentioned fashion I had you."
Eve laughed. "So we'll start with the old jealous girlfriend routine? I can do that. What about Ed and Mark? What's their role in all this?"
"The less you know, the safer you'll be. Mark will be the closest to you."
"Ed?"
"Ed's going to help me find the mole at HS."
"And the Chief will play his usual role of Gamemaster."
"Exactly. We'll supply the puzzle pieces, and he'll put it together."
Eve signaled for the check. "It's been a stressful day. I think I need some retail therapy."
*SoMa South of Market, San Francisco