“I just wanted to see how Christine was holding up. Tomorrow’s the big day.”
“I’m good, Danny,” she says. “Thanks.”
“By the way, sir-I like your new wheelchair out front.”
Dr. Rosen shakes his head. “I told Monae to put that thing in the garage. Frivolous waste of money. But that, I’m afraid, is my youngest son, Michael. Never very frugal or practical. You’ll see.”
I just nod.
Hey, I have my own family crap to deal with. I don’t need any extra from the Rosens. So, I change the subject.
“Is that your grandson?” I ask, gesturing at the closest jumbo sized portrait of the shaggy-haired boy.
“Indeed. That’s Little Arnie.”
“They named him after you?”
“Yes, Officer Boyle. He is my living legacy. Quite a smile, don’t you think? All natural. Didn’t even need braces or a retainer like his father did when he was a boy.”
“Good-looking kid.”
“Quite the athlete-scholar, as well. I suspect he has the smarts to get into my old alma mater, U Penn Dental School.” Dr. Rosen shakes his head, remembering something unpleasant. “His father, on the other hand, did not.”
“Well, like I said, I, uh, just wanted to drop by and wish Christine good luck. Can’t really do it tomorrow when I’m in uniform, in court …”
“Officer Boyle,” says Dr. Rosen, “I wonder if you might convey a message to your friend, Detective Ceepak?”
“Sure.”
“Kindly inform him that what his mother has done, rushing in to assist Christine, a woman she barely knows, has inspired me.”
“She’ll be happy to hear it, sir.”
“In fact, I hope to, one day, replicate her generosity with some spontaneous act of kindness of my own.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now then, are you prepared for tomorrow, Officer Boyle?”
“I think so. My job in court is pretty easy. I just have to recite the facts as I recall them.”
“Take care, Officer Boyle. I have received top-secret intelligence from the enemy camp: according to Judith, her sister has engaged a young gun by the name of Stan Trybulski to plead her case to the court.”