Ed went to the front door to see if his driver was there yet. The young policeman was standing by the rear door waiting for Ed to come out of the house. Ed kissed Katherine and started out the door.
Katherine grabbed his arm, "Ed, you heard my story last night. If I get too possessive, just tell me and I'll back off. I don't want to push you away and lose you."
Ed pulled her to him, "Katherine, I need you as much as you need me. I have been wallowing in self-pity for so long that I can't remember not being unhappy. I'll be here until you throw me out."
Katherine kissed him with tears streaming down her face.
Ed got into the car and the driver started toward the office.
"What's your name?" he asked the young patrolman.
"Roger Mann," the young man answered too quickly.
"Roger, do you like being a driver?"
"Sir, if I can speak freely, I really don't. I joined the force to be a good policeman. All I am now is a chauffer. Commissioner Schwartz said that this was the place to learn. I would rather be on the streets."
Ed was quiet for the rest of the way downtown.
When Ed walked into his office the press was there in force. Stu's wife was there and Ed hustled her into his office and shut the door.
"Sarah, I am sure that Stu told you that I was looking for a secretary. Are you here for the job?"
Sarah told him she was, "You're hired. Now your first job is to get the press out of my office and then come back here. No one from the press is to be allowed in the office ever. All briefings to the press will be in writing and will be distributed to all equally."
Sarah walked out into the outer office and started pushing the reporters to the door. Within minutes she had the office clear. She returned to Ed's office with a pad and pencil. Ed told her to get the personnel file on Patrolman Roger Mann and then get signed in with personnel. He told her that he was not sure what the pay was, but someone at personnel would tell her. Sarah left and Ed started organizing his thoughts.
Sarah returned with a personnel file. Patrolman Roger Mann had finished near the top of his class at the Academy. He was first in his class on the firing range. Ed looked up and saw Stu hale talking to his wife in the outer office. Ed motioned for Stu to come in his office. Sarah followed and asked if Ed needed her before she went to personnel.
"Sarah, one thing about this job. No fraternization with the policemen either during office hours or after work," Ed said with a big grin.
Sarah smiled and said that she would remember that.
Ed motioned for Stu to sit down, "Stu, my driver has been a chauffer since the day he graduated from the Academy. I want you to put him in your investigative crew and teach him how to become a policeman. The reason I am picking him is that he hasn't been around anyone that would corrupt him. I know that he doesn't know much now, so I still want you to pick 2 people to help you. Would you do it?"
Stu grinned and said that he would be happy to break the new guy in. Stu gave Ed a list of equipment he and Tim needed and the size and location of the offices that they wanted. Ed told Stu to get with "Preacher" Bob Jones when he came in and find out what was on his computer. Ed gave Stu a list of people that he thought should be checked on. Ed and Stu discussed each name in depth and Ed told Stu why he felt that they should be looked into. As Ed and Stu were finishing, Sarah walked into the outer office. Ed motioned for her to come into his office. Ed asked her to find his driver and to tell him to come and see Ed.
Ed looked up as Roger Mann walked into the office, "Roger, you are no longer my driver. I'll drive myself. You are going to work as a special investigator with Stu Hale here. Listen to him and he'll teach you well."
Roger grinned from ear to ear, "Thank you Commissioner. A special investigator?"
Ed held out his hand, "Keys"
Roger handed Ed the keys for the Commissioner's car.
Ed continued meeting with different people in the police department the rest of the day. Several of his old enemies had met with him and asked that they let bygones be bygones. Ed assured them that he was going to hold no grudges, but that everyone must do the job they were being paid for or they would have to leave.
Ed stressed on everyone that there was no room on the force for politics.
At 6 o'clock Ed's phone rang. The voice at the other end asked Ed to hold for the Governor.
"Ed," the Governor's voice boomed, "How do you like your job? I hope you love it because you're going to have it for a while. The State Legislature is going to pass an emergency bill taking away the authority of the Mayor to appoint the Police Commissioner. It's going to be passed and will be signed by me tonight. I am appointing you permanently to the position of Police Commissioner. I had to convince a few of the lunkheads that if they voted against the bill it would look like they were in bed with the corrupt administration. I think the bill will pass unanimously. Thanks for helping me out and taking the job. Let me know if you need anything or if I can be of any help. Got to run, congratulations.
Ed stared at the phone. He hadn't even had a chance to say hello. Now he was the official commissioner. He sat in his chair quietly contemplating the impact this would have on his life. He knew that the money was good. A police commissioner made $100,000 a year plus benefits. The hours were long and there were functions to go to. Ed knew that he would have to keep politicians happy. He started to have doubts that he was qualified for the job. Ed quickly pushed the doubts from his mind. He didn't want to defeat himself.
Ed shook his head to clear the cobwebs and got up to leave the office. As he looked around the office he reflected on the events of the past few days. It could have gone very differently. Luck played a large part in the success of his efforts to help Betty out of her mess.
Ed got in his car and drove to Katherine's house. She was waiting at the door as he pulled into the driveway. She smiled as he got out of the car. When Ed walked in the door she grabbed him and kissed him. When she let him go he took her arm and led her out on the patio. She searched his face to see if anything was wrong.
Ed sat her down and told her about the governor's phone call. She started to grin.
"I only have one suit to my name. I wonder if I could set a new fashion for police commissioners, sport shirts and slacks.
Katherine took his hand and led him to the stairs. She took him into the bedroom and pulled the closet door open. There were 3 suites hanging on the rack. Ed looked at her quizzically.
"I have some friends on the State Legislature. One of them called me this morning and told me what was going on. He didn't know that I even knew you. He was just trying to impress me with his importance. I went to your apartment and had Betty give me your suite. These are just off-the-rack suites. I'm having 5 more made for you. I'm also having a black tux and a blue tux made for you. You have to attend city functions."
Ed looked at her, "I can't let you do this."
She put her finger over his lips, "It's already done and I can't take them back."
Ed and Katherine went back downstairs. Ed went out on the patio while Katherine got the dinner out of the oven. She set the plates in front of him and sat opposite him.
"If you continue to cook like this, I'm going to outgrow those suits in a week," he said.
Katherine didn't answer. Ed looked up and saw her looking at him with a slight smile on her lips.
"OK, what's on your mind?" he asked.
She waited a minute before answering, "Didn't I read that police commissioners had to be married? I'm sure I read that somewhere."
Ed put his fork down, "Are you proposing?"
"Katherine grinned, "I guess that I better. We'll be old and gray before you think of it."
Ed got up and took her hand and pulled her to him, "I accept. I just hope that you know what you are getting into."
Katherine put her face into his shoulder, "I know what you are going
to be getting into later."