"It's a truth universally acknowledged that an FBI special agent in possession of great skill and talent is likely to engage in trash talk every now and then." Author Julie James
Sometimes, the world suggests yet another plot for a novel - Cici 2 will include an AI component, for example. But occasionally a news story provokes "WT actual F" and reminds me that, once again, my efforts bringing Amy Painter's story to print in A Matter of Principle was not wasted.
Some cases, especially murders, spark national interest. According to a recent news report, the lead detective of a cruel and infamous killing appeared before an audience of nearly two hundred police chiefs at a conference in Minnesota to talk about her investigation. The details of the appearance were glossed over by the media outlet, but the lead detective apparently used profanity. She made statements critical of her agency, including (but not limited to) their handling of a"hit" the murderer tried to arrange from jail. To wit:
In the world of media-intensive whodunits, James Craig is a front runner. He's also a giant asshole who murdered his wife slowly and painfully using poison. Trapped by investigators like a drowning rat on a sinking ship, he tried to alter evidence, suborn perjury (get people to lie under oath) and, oh yeah, put out a hit on the lead detective of the police department who investigated his wife's death. What a fucking hero.
Craig will spend the rest of his life a guest of the state of Colorado. Good riddance. As for the detective?
Coupla things. I wrote Principle from first-hand experience, or by listening to others about theirs. This lends, in my humble opinion, authenticity to the hardships Amy Painter endures. Her ultimate choices reflect similar ones made in real-life situations by people working in government service.
The other? Having spent the bulk of my adult life around cops, it seems to me this detective believed she was among friends. That is, she was addressing her concerns in the company of other cops who spoke the same language and understood a few cop truths. One of those truths is - over the course of a police officer's career he/she will discover that their agency is flawed. It's always a matter of degree. Most officers can easily point them out, especially among the like-minded. Sometimes, they can't help letting loose.
The detective accepted her amended punishment, apologized and life moves on. About that, I have first-hand knowledge.
So does Amy.
