“I’ve scattered my sergeants to the four winds, and Stephanie had recommendations for three female sergeants, who’ll be at their desks on Monday.”

“Is everybody happy?”

“I promoted all the old sergeants to detective. Believe me, they’re happy.”

“Sounds like you had a good day.”

“I did, I did. How was yours?”

“I saw off Ed and Susannah this morning. Can you believe they didn’t know the rules for carrying guns on the airline? They haven’t flown commercial in years.”

“If you hadn’t told them, I’d be getting them out of jail about now,” Dino said. “How’s Ann’s job going since Kate got the nomination?”

“She’s pretty busy,” Stone said.

“Hey, I had a funny thought this afternoon, apropos of nothing. What would happen if Kate got pregnant?”

Stone choked on his drink.

“Not a good idea to inhale bourbon,” Dino said. “Did I strike a nerve?”

Stone gradually got control of himself. “Don’t ever say that,” he said.

“Say what? If Kate got pregnant?”

“Shut up, Dino,” Stone whispered “There are half a dozen media types within spitting distance of us, and waiters are nosy, too. If you were overheard saying that, the press would have her with child by morning. That’ s how rumors start.”

“You mean she’s not pregnant?”

“Well, she hasn’t intimated any such thing to me,” Stone said.

“Can you imagine the uproar if she was?”

“Just barely. Now stop talking about that. Tell me who you’re going to fire, now that you have the power.”

“Oh, there are a few guys who’ve been on the job longer than is good for the department,” Dino said. “I’ll find ways to ease them out.”

“You crafty bastard! I’m glad you weren’t commissioner when I was a cop!”

Chapter 56

Stone got home to find Ann sitting naked in bed, watching the Republican convention. Stone got naked and joined her. “I’d forgotten it was on,” he said.

“They’re balloting, and Henry Carson is well ahead. No excitement here.”

They watched listlessly while the balloting continued, and the TV guys gave the nomination to Carson. So did the convention, a short time later.

“Tell me about Carson,” Stone said.

“Somebody said he makes Mitt Romney look like a hippie. Is that enough?”

“Is he smart?”

“About as smart as the average Republican senator.”

“Is he a veteran?”

“Yes, of what, in his day, was called the draft-dodger program of the Air National Guard. He flew tankers. Around the Southwest.”

“Well, at least he’s a pilot.”

“Yeah, he is—flies his own airplane, like you, except it’s not a jet, it’s a little one.”

“What kind?”

“I don’t know.”

“How long has he been in the Senate?”

“Four terms. He’ll be up for reelection in two years if he doesn’t win the election.”

“Who’s his VP nominee going to be?”