“Well, mostly; a lot of them are still shits. Women are more empathetic.”
“Am I a shit?”
“Never,” Mitzi said, “at least, not on purpose.”
“Well, I guess that’s a compliment.”
“A higher one than you might think.”
“You said you took the lieutenant’s exam?”
“Right.”
“I thought you were a detective first grade.”
“I made sergeant two years ago. I don’t talk about it much; three members of my squad flunked the sergeant’s exam.”
“All the more reason for the brass to transfer you if you get the promotion.”
“I have other things going for me,” she said. “Some of them might offset male cop jealousy.”
“Has the department come that far since I retired?”
“Ask me after a few dozen more cops retire or die.”
“You think Brian will get bumped upstairs?” Stone asked.
“I don’t think he’ll be where he is much longer,” she replied.
“Not even if this bust is a big success?”
“If it is, it won’t be Brian’s fault. I think enough people in the department know that.”
“I hope you’re right,” Stone said.
Helene came into the garden from the kitchen, carrying Stone’s breakfast and the cordless phone. She handed it to Stone. “For you.” She went back to the kitchen.
“Hello?”
“It’s Tiffany.”
“Good morning.”
“Are you alone?”
Stone thought about this before he answered. “Yes,” he said finally.
“Let’s have dinner tonight.”
Stone didn’t hesitate. “I don’t think that’s a good idea until this bust is over. Let’s not get talked about right now.”
Mitzi’s eyebrows went up. She mouthed, “Tiffany?”
Stone nodded. “There’s something else I want to talk to you about, though.”
“What’s that?” Tiffany asked.
“I think we need a chopper to cover this bust.”