“So quick?” Sabara asked.
Before Wohl could reply, one of the phones rang and Sabara picked it up.
“Yes?” he said, and listened briefly, and then covered the receiver with his hand. “Detective Washington for you, sir.”
Wohl took the telephone.
“Hello, Jason,” he said.
“Sir, I’m ordered to report to you,” Washington said, his tone of voice making it quite clear what he thought of his orders.
“Where are you, Jason?” Wohl asked.
“At the Roundhouse, sir.”
“You need a ride?”
“Sir, I called to ask if you wanted me to drive my car out there.”
“Wait around the rear entrance, Jason,” Wohl said. “I’ll have someone pick you up in the next few minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” Washington said.
“Is Tony Harris there, too?”
“No, sir,” Washington said, and then blurted, “Him, too?”
“I’m trying to get the best people I can, Jason,” Wohl said.
“Yes, sir,” Washington said, dryly, making it quite clear that he was not in a mood to be charmed.
“I’ll have someone pick you up in a couple of minutes, Jason,” Wohl said, and hung up.
He looked at Mike Sabara. “Detectives Washington and Harris will be joining us, Captain,” he said. “That was Washington. I’m going to have someone pick him up and bring him here.”
“You want me to take care of that, Inspector?” Sabara asked.
“I can do it,” Wohl said, and smiled at the cop. “Nice to have met you,” he said. I hope he doesn’t take that guy.
Matt Payne was leaning on the concrete-block wall of the outside room when Wohl returned to it. When Payne saw him, he pushed himself off the wall.
“Payne, take my car again—” Wohl began and then stopped.
“Yes, sir?”
“How long did it take you to get a car out of the motor pool?”
“Just a couple of minutes,” Payne said. “They have a form; you have to inspect the car for damage and then sign for it.”
“Okay, let’s go get another one,” Wohl said, making up his mind.
As they walked to the car, Payne asked, “Would you like me to drive, sir?”
Wohl considered the question.
I liked my first ride downtown; it gave me a chance to look around. All I usually see is the stoplight of the car ahead of me.
“Please,” he said, and handed Payne the keys.