"Maybe not allies," Richard agreed. "But at least playing on the same field."
"It was the test I thought of when you said you wanted to talk to me about working with the police department." He gestured, then led the way on a different path, one that went around to the back of the house where the patio was set with some groupings of tables and chairs under more conventional, subdued, electric lighting. "Sometimes you have to send people into dangerous situations. Just like in a war, sometimes you might be sending them out to die. If you are, and you truly understand death, at least you won't be spending their lives unnecessarily, wastefully."
He indicated two comfortable chairs at a small table near the edge of patio away from the house. "More coffee? Something stronger? I can have the house send something out."
When they were seated, Rich continued, "As far as not being armed? You shook my hand. Callouses, the muscles of your arm, they way you move, the way you stand. I think the lady is the weapon, not what she might happen to be carrying at the time. But isn't that true for all really dangerous people?"
"So tell me about your problem, and what you'd like me to do for you."