“We have things to discuss,” Hammer announced, coming inside the office. “We’ll leave Lelia for later. She takes up far too much of our time as is.”

“Why can’t you say something to Governor Feuer,” Brazil said as he took a deep breath and wiped his eyes.

“I will if he asks me,” Hammer replied. “We need a very simple user’s manual for COMSTAT. We’ve got to get this computer business straight. We’re what? Three months into this? A fourth of our year is up. And they still can’t use the computer? Both of you see how bad that is?”

“Yes.” Brazil got serious. “I do. If we don’t leave that much with them, I guess we’ve failed.”

“I’m sorry to heap more on you.” Hammer began pacing. “But we need the manual ASAP.”

“How soon is as soon as possible?” West suspiciously asked.

“Two weeks from today, at the outside.”

“Jeez.” West sat down on the small couch. “I’m already working days and riding with patrol, detectives, inspectors, you name it.”

“Me, too,” Brazil said. “Plus I’ve got this website stuff.”

“I know, I know.” Hammer stopped to look out the window at the downtown skyline. “I have my computer at home. I’ll add my thoughts, too. We’re all in this together. I think the thing to do is give each of us our own responsibility. Andy, you’re more into programming, commands and all that. You can handle the how-to technical part of it, and Virginia, you can help put it in very basic, black-and-white terms, nuts and bolts, that the cops will be able to follow.”

West wasn’t sure if she’d been insulted or not.

“I’ll try to add the concepts, philosophies, put it all in context,” Hammer said. “Then—Andy, you’re the writer—you can compile the whole thing.”

“I agree this has to be done,” West said, “but if you ask me, the only thing that’s going to really turn the guys on to COMSTAT is if they see it works.”

“They aren’t going to see if it works if they can’t work it,” Hammer logically replied.

Hammer walked out of the office. Brazil and West looked at each other.

“Shit,” West said. “Look what you’ve gotten us into.”

“Me!” Brazil exclaimed.

“Yes, you.”

“She suggested the user’s manual, not me.”

“She wouldn’t have suggested one if you weren’t a writer.” West saw the holes in her logic but would not back down.

“Oh, I see. So now everything’s my fault just because I know how to do something in general that I’ve been told to do specifically and that you’ve been asked to help with, sort of.”

West had to unravel this for a moment.

“What do you mean, sort of?” she asked. “It sounds to me like my involvement is more than a sort of.”

Brazil’s phone rang.

“Brazil. Oh, hi.” His voice softened and he paused as the other person talked. “You’re so thoughtful,” Brazil said, listening again. “The usual place is fine,” he said as the voice chattered on. “I’ll look forward to it,” Brazil said. “I’ve got to go.