The Late Show - Michael Connelly

One of my favourite authors, and a bargain @ 99p in a Kindle format. Another great read from Michael, he of the Bosch books. A few more quotes that spurred several significant thoughts. I'll leave you to make the connections.

I like the way you can email the quotes to yourself on Kindle.

Hi - I'm reading "The Late Show" by Michael Connelly and wanted to share this quote with you.

"He just wanted a place to be left alone to do his job. The police headquarters downtown was called the PAB, for Police Administration Building. Guys like Jenkins believed that PAB stood for Politics and Bureaucracy, or Politics and Bullshit, take your pick."

"For nearly five years they had been partners in the Homicide Special Section, until Chastain had chosen not to back Ballard in the complaint she had filed against Olivas. Without his confirmation of the lieutenant’s behavior—which he had directly witnessed—there was no case. Internal Affairs concluded that the complaint was unfounded. Olivas kept his job and Ballard was transferred to Hollywood Division. The captain at Hollywood, an academy classmate of Olivas’s, put her on the night shift with Jenkins. The late show. End of story. Ballard turned away from her old partner and looked at the ceiling"

"He was a closer, no doubt, and was deservedly the lieutenant’s go-to guy on the squad. The only problem was that outside of his cases his moral compass didn’t always point true north. He made choices based on political and bureaucratic expediency, not right and wrong. Ballard had learned that the hard way. Dr. J. patted Chastain on the shoulder so that he would move out of the way"

"“What are you talking about?” “I’m talking about when you told me to back off the complaint. About how you said Olivas was going through a bad divorce and losing half his pension and not acting right and all of that bullshit—as if it made what he did to me okay.” “I don’t understand what that has to do with—” “You didn’t even keep my number in your phone, Kenny. You washed your hands of the whole thing. You’re not sorry about anything. You saw an opportunity back then and you took it. You had to throw me under the bus but you didn’t hesitate.” “No, you’re wrong.” “No, I’m right. If anything, you feel guilty, not sorry.” She stood up at her desk to get on equal footing with him. “Why the hell did I ever think you would"

"It wasn’t Ballard’s case but Haddel was her victim and the bond was there. Ballard bent her knees sharply and took several deep digging strokes as she tried to move on from the Chastain loop she kept playing in her head. She tried to think about Ramona Ramone instead and about Officer Taylor saying that she had been at the upside-down house. Ballard wondered what that meant, and it worked on her, becoming the new loop that played in her head. After an hour on the water, Ballard had a layer of sweat building between her skin and the wet suit. It kept her warm but she could feel her muscles tightening."

"“Don’t bother,” Jenkins said. “Sleep late if you can. You need it.” “Just pisses me off that he comes in here to you because he thinks I’m out.” “Look, I’ve been reading about Japan to Marcie, and they have this saying over there: The—” “I’m talking about these men and you’re telling me about Japan?” “Would you listen to me? I’m not one of ‘these men,’ okay? I read her books about places we never got to. She’s interested in Japanese history right now, so that’s what I’m reading to her. And there’s this saying they have about conformist society: The nail that sticks out gets pounded down.” “Okay, so what are you saying?” “I’m saying there’s a lot of guys in this department with hammers. Watch yourself.” “You don’t have to tell me that.”"

"In the courtyard in front of the PAB, Ballard thanked Towson for saving her career. He said she had done that herself. “You following the reporter last night—that was genius,” he said. “That’s all we needed, and the beauty of it is, it will keep Feltzer in line. As long as you have that, you’re in good shape.” Ballard turned back to look up at the PAB. The tower of City Hall was reflected in the glass facade. “My partner on the late show, he says PAB stands for Politics and Bullshit,” she said. “This is one of the days I think he’s right.” “You take care, Renée,” Towson said. “Call if you need anything.” “You’re going to invoice me, right?” “I’ll think about that. This is a situation where the accomplishment is its own reward. The look on Feltzer’s face after he saw the loop? That was worth a million dollars.” “I’m not a pro bono case, Counselor. Send me a bill—just not for a million dollars.” “All right. I will.” The mention of money reminded Ballard of something. “By the way, do you have a business card?” she asked. “I’m going to recommend you to someone.” “Sure do,” Towson replied. He dug into his suit coat pocket and gave her a short stack of cards. “Take a few,” he said. “They’re free.” She smiled and thanked him."

"“Have you ever killed anyone before?” Hinojos asked. “No,” Ballard said. “First time.” “How are you feeling about it today?” “To be honest, I feel fine about it. If I hadn’t killed him, he would have killed me. I have no doubt.” She immediately regretted starting her answer with “to be honest.” Usually when people said that, they were being anything but honest. The session continued down avenues of questioning Ballard had fully expected. As with almost every situation an officer faced regarding internal investigations and procedures, she was well versed in what would be asked and how it should best be answered. The union newsletters carried case examples all the time that were analyzed in depth. Ballard knew that the important thing to say and project with Hinojos was that there was no second-guessing of her actions up to and including the killing of Trent. Showing regret or remorse would be wrong moves. The department needed"

"Hinojos nodded. “I’ve done this a long time,” she said. “I’ve seen long careers and careers cut short. The difference is in how you handle the darkness.” “The darkness?” Ballard said. “I work the late show. There is nothing but—” “I’m talking about the darkness within. You have a job, Detective, that takes you into the bleakest side of the human soul. Into the darkness of people like Trent. To me it’s like the laws of physics—for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. If you go into darkness, the darkness goes into you. You then have to decide what to do with it. How to keep yourself safe from it. How to keep it from hollowing you out.” She paused there and Ballard knew not to speak. “Find something that protects you, Detective Ballard.” Hinojos got up from her chair then and the session was over. She walked Ballard to the room’s door. Ballard nodded a good-bye. “Thank you, Doctor.” “Stay safe, Detective Ballard.”"