First posted: 16 February 1996
"Ah, pretty well," i say as i set my own coffee mug down before sitting across from him. "Got th' contract for th' planning an' development of Highway 101."
"Way to go!" Dan exclaims holding out his hand. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why do you think your company got the bid? You're pretty small, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we are. But they're good people, all. Personally like, i think it has to do wi' th' Niska land deal that Harcourt's just gotten through. I figure with the Indian land settlement their lookin' for a environmentally minded group to do th' planning. 'Course, don't know what'll happen next election, but we'll be cashin' the cheques while we can. Actually, I got th' same feelin' 'bout the Niska deal playin' a role when i was talkin' to Roger Sherington." Take a sip of coffee. "He's over in Roads and Transport. You two met?"
"Nah. Not much call for a cop to be mixing with government bureaucrats."
"Well, 'tis not like you be a beat cop," i say good humoured like and sip at the Kenya AA. "You've been a lieutenant for a while, yah?"
"Five years next month," says Dan, looking beyond me and out the window. "Not the easiest five years, either."
"Hey...responsibility sits well wi' you."
"Ah, how would you know? You only met me, what, ten months back? Are engineers psychic, too?"
"Nah, not at all, at all. But i've me sources," i say with a wink.
"Ah huh. I've always suspected you read tea leaves or something, for all the time you spend over in the Japanese section."
"That would be European or Chinese. Japanese just drink their tea. No, i have me a far better source. A 'snitch on the inside' i believe you police would call it."
With mock severity Dan fires back, "Yeah! Tell me his name. If one of my cops has been welching on me i'll have his badge!"
"Heh. I think ye might find it a little hard to get that from Susan."
"My wife!" Dan shouts at me, shaking his head. "You sneaky British bastard. You've gotten me own wife to fink on me!"
"Oh, nay, not at all...i didn't have to do anythin'," i explain with a chuckle, "She was more an willin' ta tell me tha sordid details all on her own!"
Shaking his head again Dan mutters good naturedly, "Oh, i bet... Next my dog will be telling you stories. Sigh. Just can't win, can i John."
"Guess it all depends how ye class winnin', now, don't it?"
"Well, that's the truth," he agrees and tosses down the rest of his coffee. "Sorry, but i've got to get going. If i was a captain i'd mix with the government bureaucrats. As a lieutenant i have to go talk to the Metropolitan Citizen's Action Committee on the Prevention of Gang Related Activities. Can't even make a decent acronym out of it."
"Have fun. I'd best be gettin' on me way as well. Good ta see ye. Get together for a drink next week?"
"Sure, could do. Give me a call. I think Susan and i have to go to some school play that Jenny's in. She's playing a lemon, or an orange, or something. Some citrus fruit."
"Ah...30 kids in fruit costumes forgetting their lines. Not ta be missed..." i comment wickedly.
Dan groans. "Don't remind me."
As we leave Starbucks i slap Dan on the back. "Say 'hi' to Susan for me, now."
"Will do. Talk to you soon."
Hmm... Back home i guess.