He enjoyed the kidding, as he enjoyed Connie’s presence, and the afternoon coffee breaks on slow days were relaxing for all three of them. Usually it would start with Fletcher getting the coffee from the cranky old machine in the hallway and bringing three cups into Leopold’s office. If Connie wasn’t busy she joined them. Officially it was a time for discussion of pending cases, but on those rare afternoons when violent crime was at a minimum the conversation generally turned to light-hearted banter. “I’m off to the convention tomorrow,” Leopold was telling them both this day. “You’ll be in charge, Fletcher.” “What convention?” Connie asked. “International Conference of Chiefs of Police,” Fletcher replied. “The Captain’s one of the featured speakers.” Leopold nodded. “At the New York Hilton. I’ll drive down tomorrow morning and come back the next day.” Connie put down her coffee cup and sat there grinning. “Well, we can expect to read about a murder at the Hilton!”
