“It is ridiculous, but the structure was in place long before I arrived,” Decker said. “We do what we can.”

Genoa rolled her eyes. “Would it help if I promised Hollywood some financial incentive if they cooperate with you?”

Decker smiled. “As well intentioned as that might seem, Ms. Greeves, it might build a little resentment. Would you mind if I tried it my way a little longer?”

Genoa shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She stood up and faced Strapp. “I’ll check back in a few weeks. I offered your division more money for a quicker solution, but your lieutenant claims to be working as hard as he can.”

Strapp’s eyes twitched. “I’m sure that’s true.”

“Also, I’ve had a chance to look at your computer system. It’s a dinosaur.”

“We get castoffs,” Decker said.

“I’d like to redo your entire computer system. It would be good publicity for me, and it might even help you solve cases better.”

“I’m sure it would,” Decker said. “Any help you could give us would be terrific.”

“Really appreciated,” Strapp answered.

Genoa took out her sunglasses and put them on. “Your lieutenant seems to be a man of principle, Captain Strapp. In my dealings, that’s very rare. The last man of principle I knew was Dr. Little. Look what happened to him.”

CHAPTER 26

STRAPP SCRATCHED HIS head. “Whatever you did to calm her down, could you work your magic on the upstairs brass? They’re riding my ass something fierce.”

“Tell them that you got on her good side,” Decker said. “And to underscore the point, you can point to the promise of a new computer system.”

“They’re not going to like the favoritism. You know how the politicos work.”

“She makes an offer, we can’t turn it down. It would hurt her feelings, and she might rescind her whole reward thing.”

A hint of a smile. “Yeah, tough shit for them. Who the hell is Rudy Banks?” After Decker brought him up to date, Strapp said, “You need a couple of extra guys to hunt him down, I can do that.”

“First, let me see if I can get a bead on Banks before you start allocating men.”

“Keep me posted.” Strapp waited a beat. “You handled Greeves well, Pete. If I need to interface with her in the future, I’ll want you around.” As the captain left, he almost collided with Marge and Oliver as they were walking into Decker’s office. He looked them over. Oliver was in a blue suit and Marge wore dark slacks and a sweater. Appropriate, clean, functional…Strapp approved, although Oliver was always too much the dandy for his taste.

“Sir,” Oliver said.

“Hello, Detective.” A nod to Marge. “Sergeant.”

They waited a few moments until Strapp had left the squad room. Then Marge said to Decker. “How’d it go with Genoa? Good, bad, neutral?”