Quaire chuckled. Matt glared at McGuire, who didn’t seem to notice.
“Mr. Colt,” McGuire went on, “will arrive by private jet at North Philadelphia Airport at three-fifteen. He will be met by the commissioner-or possibly the mayor, if he can get free; or both-Monsignor Schneider, myself, four Highway Patrol bikes, t
wo of my people, representatives of the media, and of course you. Following what that good-looking press agent- What’s her name?”
“Terry Davis,” Matt furnished, automatically.
Jesus, Terry! She certainly dropped off my radar screen in a hurry after Olivia, didn’t she?
“-what Miss Terry Davis,” McGuire went on, “refers to as a ‘photo op,’ Mr. Colt and party will proceed-escorted by the Highway bikes-to the office of the cardinal, where there will be another photo op as the cardinal welcomes Mr. Colt back to Philadelphia…”
“He’s just a movie actor,” Matt said, shaking his head. “A lousy movie actor!”
“Who is about to raise several million dollars for West Catholic High School,” Captain Quaire said. “Which pleases the cardinal, and whatever pleases the cardinal pleases the commissioner.”
“… following which,” McGuire went on, “we will proceed to the Ritz-Carlton. Highway’s responsibility-the bikes- will end there. They’ll provide bikes to escort his limo to the events, but aside from that, it’s up to me to protect Mr. Colt from his hordes of fans, and you to keep him happy.”
“What makes him happy is young girls,” Matt said.
“Excuse me, Sergeant?” Quaire asked, coldly.
“Mr. Colt apparently likes young girls,” Matt said. “Very young girls.”
“Did you get that from one of the magazines in a supermarket checkout lane, or do you have another source of information? ” Quaire asked, sarcastically.
“Terry Davis told me,” Matt said. “I think she wants us to be prepared for that.”
“Oh, God!” Quaire said. “She wasn’t pulling your leg, Matt?”
“No, sir. I’m sure she was serious.”
“That should make this interesting for you, Gerry,” Quaire said.
“I don’t know how to handle something like that,” Matt said.
“We’ll just have to sit on him around the clock,” McGuire said. “If something like that gets in the papers, we’ll be held responsible.”
“He wants to see how real cops work,” Quaire said. “Show him. Everything from school crossing guards up. Keep him busy.”
“He’s going to want to see what he thinks is interesting,” Matt said. “Narcotics, Major Crimes, Homicide…”
“Vice,” McGuire said, chuckling.
“I wouldn’t be laughing if I were you, Gerry,” Quaire said. “And I don’t want him around here.”
“With all respect, sir, how do I tell him no?” Matt said.
Quaire thought that over before replying.
“If it happens, Matt, it happens. You know how I feel about it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re going to get some help from Special Operations?” Matt asked.
McGuire nodded.
“Sure.”