per policy, I meet with the department psychologists,” replied Jack, defensively. “They continue to give me a clean bill of health.”
“So I’ve been told. You’ve never even been recommended for a brief sabbatical from undercover duties. Very unusual, considering how long you’ve been doing it.”
Jack shrugged and said, “Apparently they think I’m suited for it.”
“I know the training and selection criteria for undercover operators is good,” continued Rose. “I volunteered for it myself once, but failed to make the cut. I’ve done some minor stuff. Portraying a girlfriend the odd time, but never any real undercover operations.”
“The training for UC is pretty good,” said Jack.
“Still, it’s not that good,” replied Rose. She eyed Jack curiously and said, “Taking that into account, coupled with the continuous lack of any concern by the Force psychologists, I understand your training, or should I say, your self-preservation skills, started as a child.”
“It was my understanding,” replied Jack irritably, “that my conversations with the psychologists were to be kept strictly confidential.”
“No, you’re correct. I didn’t talk to them,” said Rose, as she sighed and her eyes softened. “I was simply speculating. As your boss, I am concerned about your emotional health as well as your safety. If you need a break, let me know. It doesn’t have to be official. It will stay between the two of us.”
“I feel fine, thank you.” Jack then added, “You’re exceptionally intuitive. I’m surprised you didn’t make it as an operator.”
“I lack the ability for fast imaginative responses in unexpected situations,” replied Rose. “I have a tendency to overanalyze. As far as being intuitive goes, thank you.” She watched Jack carefully and added, “It may help that I have my masters in psychology.”
She expected to see the usual signs of discomfort that people initially felt when they learned of her psychological training. Fear of being analyzed or having someone guess their deepest secrets. It didn’t appear to faze Jack.
“Good for you,” he replied. “Explains why you clued in about my self-preservation skills developing as a child. Your terminology was the same as the Force psychologists. It is true. When I was a child, report-card time in our house or anything to do with school for that matter, was a nightmare. As a preschooler, I would watch my father flip through a school textbook and ask my older brother questions. If he didn’t know the answer, my father would backhand him out of his chair, make him set the chair up again, sit in it, and then ask him the same question again. Not exactly the best teaching method. Explains why my brother left home when he was fourteen.”
“And then it was your turn to sit in the chair?”
“What I did, from about the time I was ten or eleven, was pretend to be mildly mentally challenged. My father believed it and I avoided the punishment that was handed down to my brother.” Jack sighed and said, “So, I guess you’re right. My self-preservation skills did start as a child. Not just learning to lie, but to watch someone, to know when they are about to strike with little warning, as my father would do. Childhood lessons serve me well in what I do now.”
Rose gave a grim smile and nodded.
“So why did you become a police officer instead of a psychologist?” asked Jack.
“Thought it would be a more hands-on approach to helping people. Why did you become a police officer?”
“I hate bullies.”
“Bullies like your dad?”
Jack nodded. “He was physically and emotionally abusive. Also a pedophile. As he grew older, he also took delight in making people angry. Guess it was another way to make himself feel powerful.”
“Wow … you seem pretty open about it.”
“It is my belief that if people would stop keeping stuff like that secret, it would save a lot of children from a lifetime of horrible problems. I didn’t find out about his pedophilia until he was practically on his deathbed. Not enough time to put him through a trial.”
Rose nodded.
Jack then made pretence of looking around the walls of her office.
“What are you looking for?” asked Rose.
“A picture of Sigmund.”
Rose smiled and said, “Personally I think Freud is overrated.”
“Carl Jung?”
“Don’t care for him, either. My doctrine is more in line with a man called Adler.”
“Good old Alfred,” replied Jack. “I agree. Jung is too spiritual for my liking.”
“You also have an education in psychology,” said Rose, meaning it more as a question than a statement.
“No. Just light reading. Clinical works of Alfred Adler.”
“You call that light reading?”
Jack shrugged and said, “It’s been awhile. I only skimmed through it.”
“The Force shrinks never had a chance with you, did they?” she said, accusingly.
Jack grimaced and said, “Their intentions are good. I believe in the program, but I warned them that many of the good operators are still fooling them.”
“You included?” she asked.
“No. Like I said, I believe in the program. I am as honest as you would be.”
“As I would be?”
Jack smiled and said, “Some things they don’t need to know about.”
“Really? Care to expand?”
“Uh, let’s see, situations comparable to a watch being faulty and an office door left unlocked.”
Rose paused. Okay, time to change the subject. “I see, well … I do want you to know that although I’m not sure why Isaac transferred me here, I am happy with it. I’m not the Commercial Crime kind of girl.” Rose paused and added, “Guess ‘girl’ is politically incorrect these days. I should say woman, but the older I get, the more I prefer girl.”
Jack smiled. “Perhaps with your background, Isaac decided you are better suited for these duties. To keep an eye on me in case I start looking for a clock tower to climb.”
“I guess time will tell, won’t it?” she said, giving a slight grin. “I anticipate that I will earn my pay. Speaking of which — better bring Laura in. I have something to talk to both of you about.”
Rose watched as Jack stepped out of her office. The Force shrinks weren’t the only ones who never had a chance with you. No wonder Isaac rolled his eyes when I asked him about the results from the Internal Affairs investigations.
Jack went across the hall to retrieve Laura. “Everything is okay,” he whispered.
