unforgiving violence
from men who had now found Jesus.
“John, when I explain the process to the
convicts and tell them about their options, I think I’ll use this video. It’ll
better than any verbal explanation and will demonstrate what they are facing;
I’m sure they already know, but a full description is a legal requirement.
John, you OK? Comments on the plan?’
“You’re right they should know exactly what
they’re up against. It’s needless punishment for them or relatives to go
through this unless they’re innocent. I’ll bring the Warden up to speed. It
appears you’re going to need at least a few more days to get everything ready.
I’ll leave now and meet with the Warden. See you in a couple of hours.”
Pat watched him leave. She had not shared
any of her concerns with him. Her staff had finally arrived, but no official
authorization to proceed from Judge Miller’s office. And where the hell was the
Forensic crew? Where was Emma?
She was getting stonewalled. At the spring
dance, Dr. Kate had tried to be reassuring and talked about some vague
procedural issue which sounded like double-talk, not something to be expected
from Kate. Jacob didn’t even try to explain, his only comment: press on and get
ready. It was only Emma, after a few drinks, who hinted that it was
significantly more than a procedure issue which was slowing down authorization.
What the hell was going on? And why was no
one talking?
CHAPTER 15: Charlie’s Log: Chinese
Supper
The Chinese Supper is a tradition, an
annual event in the late spring.
Almost everyone in the Investigative and
Forensic Divisions attends, with people arriving at different times during the
evening. As shifts end, they wander in wearing uniforms or office garb. It’s
very informal. The recent disturbing Spring Dance continues to be a hot item on
the minds of many people; I avoid such discussion groups but am aware of my
notoriety.
The reason for the short time between
events is the Prison Decommissioning project. Once it is fully operational,
there’ll be little time for staff to attend full-scale Sector events. The
Executive decided to establish an earlier date rather than cancel the supper.
I’m still thinking about the damn hotel
room and wondering how or why the prostitute gave the wrong room number to her
agent. But she didn’t, her controller sent her to room 272, and her audio
stated room 272. Wes is upset because he never recognized the room switch at
the first scene.
The noise is escalating as the booze starts
to loosen everyone up, and the mode kicks in. I’m sipping, and I do mean
sipping, a cold glass of cheap house wine, my one and only for the night. The
two Divisions have the place reserved, and it’s like a large family gathering,
good news, and bad news. The place is your typical Chinese restaurant with lots
of red and gold, a few dragons hanging from the ceiling, and staff bustling
around with steaming bowls of food for deposit on the large round tables.
Wes and some of the gang begin to settle on
one spot. But table membership is rather dynamic as people wander from one
group to the next; gossip is a great mixer. The table is loaded with food, and
the carousel has a variety of dishes, some of which I can recognize, but many
are just a mass of something or other; someone asks the question. “What kind of
meat is that?”
It’s dark meat, cut into thin strips. I
can’t resist; it’s not original and really not funny. “It’s Lassie but don’t
worry the collar was removed before the preparation started.”
Groans and moans. I look over to the right
and there is Red; she doesn’t say anything just shakes her head, not impressed.
Next, she surprises me and comes over and sits next to me.
“I thought since we’re going to be working
together it’s better if we’re able to talk.”
“Sure, I’m all for that.” I know it isn’t a
brilliant answer, but I’m rather nervous. The food starts
from men who had now found Jesus.
“John, when I explain the process to the
convicts and tell them about their options, I think I’ll use this video. It’ll
better than any verbal explanation and will demonstrate what they are facing;
I’m sure they already know, but a full description is a legal requirement.
John, you OK? Comments on the plan?’
“You’re right they should know exactly what
they’re up against. It’s needless punishment for them or relatives to go
through this unless they’re innocent. I’ll bring the Warden up to speed. It
appears you’re going to need at least a few more days to get everything ready.
I’ll leave now and meet with the Warden. See you in a couple of hours.”
Pat watched him leave. She had not shared
any of her concerns with him. Her staff had finally arrived, but no official
authorization to proceed from Judge Miller’s office. And where the hell was the
Forensic crew? Where was Emma?
She was getting stonewalled. At the spring
dance, Dr. Kate had tried to be reassuring and talked about some vague
procedural issue which sounded like double-talk, not something to be expected
from Kate. Jacob didn’t even try to explain, his only comment: press on and get
ready. It was only Emma, after a few drinks, who hinted that it was
significantly more than a procedure issue which was slowing down authorization.
What the hell was going on? And why was no
one talking?
CHAPTER 15: Charlie’s Log: Chinese
Supper
The Chinese Supper is a tradition, an
annual event in the late spring.
Almost everyone in the Investigative and
Forensic Divisions attends, with people arriving at different times during the
evening. As shifts end, they wander in wearing uniforms or office garb. It’s
very informal. The recent disturbing Spring Dance continues to be a hot item on
the minds of many people; I avoid such discussion groups but am aware of my
notoriety.
The reason for the short time between
events is the Prison Decommissioning project. Once it is fully operational,
there’ll be little time for staff to attend full-scale Sector events. The
Executive decided to establish an earlier date rather than cancel the supper.
I’m still thinking about the damn hotel
room and wondering how or why the prostitute gave the wrong room number to her
agent. But she didn’t, her controller sent her to room 272, and her audio
stated room 272. Wes is upset because he never recognized the room switch at
the first scene.
The noise is escalating as the booze starts
to loosen everyone up, and the mode kicks in. I’m sipping, and I do mean
sipping, a cold glass of cheap house wine, my one and only for the night. The
two Divisions have the place reserved, and it’s like a large family gathering,
good news, and bad news. The place is your typical Chinese restaurant with lots
of red and gold, a few dragons hanging from the ceiling, and staff bustling
around with steaming bowls of food for deposit on the large round tables.
Wes and some of the gang begin to settle on
one spot. But table membership is rather dynamic as people wander from one
group to the next; gossip is a great mixer. The table is loaded with food, and
the carousel has a variety of dishes, some of which I can recognize, but many
are just a mass of something or other; someone asks the question. “What kind of
meat is that?”
It’s dark meat, cut into thin strips. I
can’t resist; it’s not original and really not funny. “It’s Lassie but don’t
worry the collar was removed before the preparation started.”
Groans and moans. I look over to the right
and there is Red; she doesn’t say anything just shakes her head, not impressed.
Next, she surprises me and comes over and sits next to me.
“I thought since we’re going to be working
together it’s better if we’re able to talk.”
“Sure, I’m all for that.” I know it isn’t a
brilliant answer, but I’m rather nervous. The food starts
Similar Books
