True Blue

CHAPTER 53

MACE PUNCHED the code in the gate box and drove her Ducati through. Altman was waiting for her in the front courtyard. He was dressed as casually as before, but now his hair was tied back in a ponytail. In a backpack Mace carried some clothes and a few other essentials. He escorted her over to the guesthouse and waited while she put her things away before showing her how to operate the TV and stereo system and pointing out the computerized HVAC and alarm system controls. There was even a TV that rose up out of a beautifully carved cabinet at the foot of the California king-size bed in the master suite.

“Pretty snazzy place, Abe.”

“My late wife, Marty, designed all this. She had such vision, such style. I can barely match my socks.”

“I’m right there with you. So what now?”

“Let’s go back to the main house and talk strategy.”

Over cups of tea Altman outlined his plan in greater detail.

“I’ve been working with some wonderful folks at Social Services. They’ll be expecting you and will lend you their full cooperation. They have background files on all the people of interest that I’ve already reviewed. As I told you before, I’ve selected ten people for the initial phase out of all the possibilities submitted thus far. It will be up to you to make the initial contact with them.”

“Okay, what sorts of questions do you want me to ask?”

“Nothing too probing. I want you to set them at ease but at the same time let them know that you understand their situation and that we’re not in any way prejudging choices they have made or not made. I’m not trying to take them out of their current world.”

“But you are, aren’t you?”

“I’m attempting to give them an opportunity to change their circumstances in their world for the better.”

“That’s sort of splitting words, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. And if you question it, they certainly will. They will be very suspicious of my motives. The last thing I want is for them to think this is some sort of freak show. You have to convince them that this is a legitimate endeavor with the goal of making their lives better with the hope that they in turn will make the lives of others in similar circumstances better. There are many success stories out there, but the media almost never want to highlight them.”

“Bad news gets better ratings.”

“Yes, well, we need positive examples to be heard too.”

“Most people I know down there are just looking to survive, Abe. I’m not sure how altruistic they’ll be about helping others.”

“You may be surprised. But you’re right in certain respects, and that’s fine, that’s to be expected. It’s only the initial contact. But it is still critical.”

Mace’s features clouded. “I’m just a little concerned, you know?”

Altman smiled. “That you have no real experience in this field and the hopes of a nation are riding on your ill-prepared shoulders?”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“The answer to that of course is that I know no one who’s better prepared to do this than you, Mace. No one. If I did, I would’ve asked that person. I owe you much to be sure, but this project represents in many ways my life’s work. I would not risk it all by choosing someone ill fitted for it. It’s simply too important.”

“Then I’ll do my best for you. That’s all I can promise.”

“Now, I can have Herbert whip up some lunch. He does an amazing tuna salad.”

“Thanks, but I’ll take a pass. I’m going to grab a shower at the guesthouse. Then I’ll hit some of these contacts.”

“Excellent. I really appreciate this.”

“Not any more than I do. My options were a little thin.”

He put a hand on her shoulder. “Darkest before the dawn. A terrible cliché, I know. Yet so often true. And you may find you like the social sciences even more than police work.”

“Actually, police work is basically social science only with a Glock and body armor.”

“I think I see your point.”

“It’s all about respect, Abe. At MPD I was a member of the biggest gang out there. But because we were the biggest, we could never, ever afford to lose a battle.”

Altman looked very interested. “How did you manage that?”

“By never going into a situation that I knew I couldn’t win.”

“I can see that.”

“With a toot on my radio I could get help when I needed it faster than any other gang out there. I had to hold my own in a fight for three minutes, that was all. And if I had to thump somebody because they spit on me, I did, because once one blue lets disrespect slide by it endangers all the other blues on the street. Spit now, bullets in the back later. You either love me or hate me, but you will respect the uniform. But the same notion works for the bandits. Most of them are just trying to make a living and the blues are trying to catch them. Rolling Cheerios for a couple thousand a day versus tossing meat at Mickey D’s for minimum.”

“Cheerios?”

“OxyContin. They’re just like you and me but they made different choices.”

“And had limited opportunities.”

“Right. Each side knows the rules. The bandits don’t give a crap about getting their ass kicked or being arrested, or getting shot or being put in prison. Happens to them every day. But don’t disrespect them. That is the one unforgivable.”

“I think I just learned more in two minutes than I have in the last ten years.”

“I’ll see you, Professor. Keep the lights on for me.” She turned back. “Oh, one more thing. My Ducati sticks out a little bit. Do you have a ride I can borrow?”

“Certainly. Do you want the Bentley or the Honda?”

“It’s a close call, but I’ll go with the Japanese.”