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Her father said nothing

“I could get a job on a police force somewhere,” she said

“Funny you should mention that,” her father replied

They sat in a steak house near the base, the ruins of their dinner before them The talk had been of ar

She liked Ham’s friend and old comrade-in-arms, Chet Marley; he was shness as her father, the sa into the distance And he seemed very smart

“Okay, enough of this old-soldier stuff,” Marley said suddenly “I’ve got a probleht be the person to help me solve it”

“Tell me, Chet,” Holly said

“I’m chief of a twenty-four- hole where the nuht to be”

“Don’t you believe in pro from within?” Holly asked

“I believe in the best man for the job,” Marley said “Or woman,” he added

“You short of good men?”

“I’m short of experienced ot one man who’s forty and has experience, but I don’t trust him”

“Don’t trust him, how?” Holly asked

“He’s a politician, and I don’t like politicians He thinks he should have uess, except he’d screw it up if he had it”

“Why don’t you fire him?”

“He’s never given me any real cause, and he’s connected with some of the city council”

“That’s bad, I guess,” Holly replied “I’m no politician, but I can see how that could be difficult to deal with”

“I’ to retire next year, and I don’t want hi in an experienced…person, soo”

Holly nodded, but said nothing

“I know about your record from your old man,” Marley said, “and I’ve asked around sorinned and cast a sideways glance at Haot cops I’ve heard about your unit citations and the level of training and performance you demand from your people, and I like what I hear”