Interviewed by Angela Barnes of the Richmond Times Dispatch
Sam Singing Wolf as Lt. Steve Sloan, LAPD
14 April, 2000
*******
I used to hate talking to reporters. I still do, in their
official capacity. But somehow, Shelby managed to change my
feelings on them, at least a little. I don't think of them as
"scum of the earth" anymore, anyway. Lynn, after all,
helped form that opinion.
But when this reporter from the Richmond Times Dispatch called,
there was something about her voice. I had automatically decided
to refuse the interview, but when I opened my mouth to tell her
so, I heard myself agreeing. I can't believe it.
So now I find myself sitting here in BBQ Bobs, looking across the
table at Angela Barnes. She's as beautiful as I'd imagined her.
She smiled over her coffee. "I really appreciate you taking
the time to talk with me, Lieutenant Sloan."
I returned her smile, resisting the urge to brush back a strand
of hair that had fallen over her forehead. "My
pleasure," I said.
She blushed and lowered her eyes. Blushed! I can't remember the
last time I saw a woman blush.
She cleared her throat and looked down at her notebook.
"Lieutenant, I know you love your job most of the time, But
if there was one thing you could change about it, what would it
be and why?"
I grinned at the top of her head. Down to business already. Well,
it was only lunchtime. Maybe I could talk her into a more
personal dinner date.
She looked up at me, a quizzical expression on her face at my
silence. The question. Right.
"What would I change about my job? That's easy. I'd love to
be out of a job. The only reason I'm needed is because people
kill each other. If no one ever committed another murder, a new
career would be a small price to pay."
She didn't seem to expect that answer. I think I just might have
gotten her attention. She looked back down at her notes.
"You have had-" she broke off and blushed again.
"You have had your share of ups and downs in your love life.
If you could finally find and marry the woman of your dreams,
what would she be like?" She didn't quite meet my eyes.
I grinned. I couldn't have arranged a better question. I studied
her, figuring to describe her to a "T". But then our
eyes met. I could read her expression so clearly. She wanted
honesty. A real answer.
It was my turn to drop my gaze. "I want a woman who I can
trust implicitly. Someone I can really talk to. Someone who will
be my best friend as well as my lover."
I glanced back up to see her staring at me. She didn't look away.
She recited her next question from memory. "After you marry
your dream lady, what would your favorite place to honeymoon be?
Would you go for romantic? Fun? Or both?"
"A honeymoon should be the most romantic time of a couple's
life. We'd have a lifetime to go on fun vacations or go camping.
For our honeymoon, I would want to go to someplace beautiful,
romantic and secluded. A private cabana in the Virgin Islands,
maybe."
She seemed to like this answer. Her expression had softened, and
her eyes had a faraway look. I wish I knew what she was thinking.
She shook her head slightly and looked back at her notes.
"What is the best thing about living and working with your
father and why? The worst?"
Damn. Things were going so well, and she has to bring up my
father. A guy can't think of romance and his father in the same
moment. I sighed. "First of all, I don't really think of it
as living 'with' my dad. I have the downstairs apartment. It's
great being at the beach, and the rent is good." I shrugged.
How am I supposed to answer a question like this? "I love my
dad. We get along great. I like working with him. He comes up
with answers I wouldn't always see."
She nodded thoughtfully. "You are co-owner of BBQ Bobs with
Jesse and your father. How do the three of you get along as
business partners? Have you ever had any major disagreements over
the restaurant? If yes, what was the worst?"
"Major disagreements? Nah. Not unless you count Jesse
wanting to put salads on the menu." That got a smile.
"Seriously, we usually manage pretty well. Our regular jobs
are so high stress, we generally don't let the stuff at the
restaurant get to us. At least not for long."
"You have had a very long, very bad day at work. What would
be your favorite way to relax and unwind and recover from this
day?"
"Today was really rough. Three homicides, one was-" I
stopped. She really didn't need to hear about my cases.
"Anyway, I guess I just like to sit out on the beach, maybe
go for a swim. Try to put the day behind me."
She smiled shyly. "I'd like to hear about your day."
"Really?"
She nodded.
"Then I can't think of a better way to unwind. Can I buy you
dinner?"
End
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