This set the stage for Hawley’s apprenticeship—where he stuck to his father’s advice that he should go about his job with ears and eyes open and mouth closed. Looking back, Hawley recalled that ninety percent of his contributions to conversations with Grant early on were two- or three-word sentences, with plenty of “Yes, sirs” and more than his fair share of “I’m sorry, sirs.”

But Grant had stuck with him and soon Hawley was the commander’s trusted aide-de-camp. The happiest moment of Hawley’s life had been the day he was promoted to sergeant and Grant had tapped him on the shoulder to say, “I’m proud of you, lad.” Grant had also been instrumental in helping him through his saddest days—after Hawley’s father succumbed to a heart attack a few years back. He had offered sage words of advice and comfort, keeping the sergeant focused on work while allowing him the breadth to grieve at his own pace.

Now Hawley was dreading the arrival of the new year. He already felt rudderless, unsure how things would be without Austin Grant. It would be like losing his father all over again, and he even considered leaving the Yard; it wouldn’t be the same without Grant. But Hawley knew he would carry on, if only to avoid disappointing his mentor.

Hawley understood Grant’s reasons for calling it quits. Three decades at the same job was plenty long in any vocation; the pressures of police work made it doubly so. When Mrs. Grant had taken ill, Hawley could see the light dim in the man’s eyes and a lag appear in his step. Her subsequent passing and Grant’s inexplicable estrangement from Rachel had taken their inexorable toll, so Hawley wasn’t surprised when he announced his retirement.

And now with this case completely consuming the commander’s last days, Hawley wouldn’t blame Grant for taking it as a personal affront from on high. How much pain and suffering was one man meant to endure? Especially when he should have been celebrating a career that rivaled that of anyone who had stepped through the doors of Scotland Yard.

At least fate had taken the case to New York City, resulting in a reunion of sorts with Rachel. It had given Hawley solace to know that father and daughter were talking again, and he’d taken great joy working with Rachel the past few days.