I raised my hand in a facsimile of taking the Boy Scout Oath. “I am glad to see you, Patricia,” I said in a solemn voice, “but also, I do need a copy of a police report.”

She paused a moment before replying in a lowered voice, “Good to see you, too, Kennesaw. Now—what’s this about a report? Because you really are in the wrong place for that; records section is in the Chatham annex, over on the west side of town.”

“You know, if I had a friend in the department they could probably get the report I need and save me a trip,” I said in a deadpan manner. “In fact, I’m not above offering a bribe—say, perhaps—lunch.”

Patricia snorted a short laugh. “And I’m not above accepting. Now, tell me the report you want.”

“I need a copy of a nine-one-one call-in, and the follow-up police reports. I’d also like a copy of the autopsy if that can be managed. It’s a case you’re familiar with.”

The smile left Patricia’s face and a serious tone entered her voice. “The Causey girl?”

I nodded my head. “Yes. That’s the one.”

Patricia looked at me a moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she turned to the computer on her desk and made a few keystrokes. She scanned the monitor and made several more entries. Reading the screen again she nodded her head and then made two more taps on the keyboard. Then she stood abruptly and grabbed her jacket. “Come on,” she said as she left the cubicle. “We’ll pick up the report on the way out.”

I followed her to a small office not much bigger than a good-size closet where we found a printer busily spitting out pages. Patricia plucked a sheaf of papers from the tray, glanced at them quickly, slid a paper clip over the top, and handed them to me. A few seconds later the machine went dormant again, and I had the complete report.

“You owe the City of Savannah twenty-five cents a page for that report,” Patricia pronounced. “And as a duly appointed officer of the law, I can accept payment in cash or kind.”

I started to make a remark, but she cut me off just as I opened my mouth. “But we can take care of that over lunch. Come on—you can take me to my favorite place.”

“Lead on, Detective. I place myself entirely in your capable hands,” I replied.

She gave me a quick smile. “Then I must warn you, Tanner—be careful what you say. I may just hold it against you.”

I let the double entendre hang in the air before saying, “Okay. Let’s go to lunch.”

As we exited the building Patricia asked where I was parked. When I told her, she said, “We’ll take my car. Just don’t play with the radio or the siren.”