'But in spite of all this, Edward, you are still confident the Ellerbee case can be cleared?'
'If I didn't believe that, I'd have told you and Thorsen and cleared out. I have a sense the pace is quickening. We've already eliminated two possible suspects. I think we're going to eliminate more.'
Suarez sighed.
'And what if you eliminate all six suspects?
Where do you go from there?'
Delaney smiled grimly.
'There you go with a what-if again. If all six are cleared, I can't tell you what I'll do next.
Someone killed Ellerbee; we know that. If all six patients are eliminated, then we'll look around for other directions to take.'
The other man looked at him curiously.
'You do not give up easily, do you?'
'No, I do not. From all accounts, Doctor Ellerbee was a decent man living a good, worthwhile life. I don't like the idea of someone chilling him and walking away scot-free.'
'Time,' the Chief said, groaning.
'How much time can we give this thing?'
'As long as it takes,' Delaney said stonily.
'I worked a murder-rape for almost two years and finally got the perp. I know your career depends on this being cleared up as soon as possible.
But I've got to tell you now that if it isn't, and the detectives you've given me are withdrawn, I'll keep working it myself.'
'Forever?'
'No, not forever. I may be an obstinate son of a bitch, but I'm not a romantic. At least I don't think I am. The time may come when I'll have to admit defeat. I've done that before; it won't kill me. Shall we see what the ladies are up to?'
The ladies were back in the living room, sitting close together on the couch and obviously enjoying each other's company.
'We must do this again,' Monica said.
'Our children will be home for Christmas, but perhaps after the holiday…'
'Then you must visit our home,' Chief Suarez said.
'For dinner. Rosa makes a paella that is a hint of what heaven must be like.'
'I have a feeling,' Delaney said, 'that this friendship is going to prove fattening. Tell me, how did you two meet?'
'Rosa's parents owned a bodega in East Harlem,' Suarez said.
'It was ripped off, and I was a detective third at the time and sent to investigate. The first thing I said to her was, 'I shall marry you.' Is that not so, Rosa?' She nodded happily.
'And you?' she asked Monica.
'My first husband was murdered. Edward had charge of the case, and that's how we met.'
Rosa was shocked.
'And did-she faltered-'was the killer caught?'
'Oh, yes,' Monica said.
'Edward never gives up. He is a very stubborn man.'
'That is what I believe also,' Suarez said.
'It is very encouraging.'
'Chief,' Delaney said, 'if the Ellerbee killing isn't cleared, and you don't get permanent appointment, I suppose you'll be returned to precinct duty. Can you take that?'
Suarez shrugged, spreading his hands helplessly.
'It would be a disappointment. I would not be honest if I said I did not care – I could endure it, but still it would be a defeat. I think I would be more sorry for Thorsen than for myself. He has worked very hard to bring minorities into appointive ranks.
My failure would be his failure as well.'
'Don't worry too much about Ivar,' Delaney advised.
'He'll land on his feet. He's learned how to survive in the political jungle. Something I never did. But you're a young man with your career ahead of you. Do you have any contacts with the Hispanic political structure in the city?'
'I know some of the people, of course,' Suarez said cautiously.
'But I am not close to them, no.'
'Get close to them,' Delaney urged.
'They have a lot of clout now, and are going to have more as voting patterns change. Let them know you're around.
Invite them to your home for dinner. All politicians like the personal touch. That's their business. If Rosa's paella is as good as you say, you may have a secret weapon there.'
Her hands flew to her face to hide her blush, and she giggled.
'I'm serious about this,' Delaney continued.
'You're getting up in ranks where you'll have to pay as much attention to politics as you do to police work. Think of it as another part of your job. I wasn't able to hack it, but don't make my mistakes. This is a big, brawling, confused city, and politics is the glue that holds it together. I admit that sometimes the glue smells Re something the cat dragged in-but can you think of a better, more human system? I can't.
I'm willing to see us go blundering along, making horrendous mistakes.
It can be discouraging, but it's a hell of a lot better than a storm trooper shouting, 'You vill obey orders!' So get into politics, Chief.
Or at least touch bases with the heavies. It could do you a lot of good.'
'Yes,' Suarez said thoughtfully, 'I think you are correct. I have been so busy with the nuts and bolts of my job that I have neglected the personal relations that might have made my job easier. Thank you for your advice, Edward.'
'Don't just thank me-do it!'
Later that night, preparing for bed, Delaney said, 'Nice, nice people.'
'Aren't they,' Monica agreed.
'That Rosa is a doll. Were you really serious about him cultivating the politicos?'
'Absolutely. If he wants to protect his ass. Thorsen can do just so much.
But Suarez would be wise to build up some political muscle with the power brokers.'
'Well, if he's going to do that, I better take Rosa in hand.
She dresses like a frump. She's really a very attractive woman and could do a lot more with herself than she does.'
'You mean,' he said solemnly, 'you want to convert her into a sex object?'
'And you can go to hell,' his wife said, but Delaney was still pursuing Suarez's career.
'I don't know the man too well,' Delaney said.
'A couple of meetings, a couple of phone calls… But I have the feeling his strong suit is administration. I really don't think he's got the basic drive to be a good detective. He's a little too cool, too detached – There's no obsession there.'
'Is that what a good detective needs-an obsession?'
'You better believe it. Abner Boone has it and I'm betting Jason has it, too.'
'Do you have it?'
'I suppose,' he said shortly. He turned to stare at her.
'You're a beautiful woman. Did I ever tell you that?'
'Not recently.'
'Well, I'm telling you now.'
'And what, pray, is the reason for this sudden romantic frenzy?'
'I thought you might be properly appreciative,' he said, winking at her.
