The Art of Being Right

Hiring The New Guy

Spence put the phone down after talking to Seth Hart, feeling slightly better than before. If this Wilson kid was as good as he'd been told, then the case would be closed soon enough. He sighed heavily and glanced at the phone again, content.

There was a knock at his office door, and through the window he could see a figure behind the glass.

"Come in." The door opened and a young woman stepped inside, dressed in uniform like the other officers in the station.

She was tall; her dark brown hair had a reddish tint, and was tied up in a high ponytail, and her brown eyes were fixed on the superintendent sat behind the desk. She was carrying a box of papers; it was balanced on her hip as she stood in the middle of the room.

"Morning sir," she chirped, carrying the box to the desk and putting it down carefully, a smile on her face.

"Someone's cheery today Miss Knight," he observed with a grin, "something good happen?"

"No, it's just been a good day so far. All my paperwork's done, and my shift finishes in a minute," Jennifer answered, making sure the files were safely on the desk before stepping back, "and the weather's not bad. I reckon I'll go for a run once I get home."

"I wish I could be so optimistic JJ," Spence retorted, glancing down at the huge stack of files he'd been presented with, "although I think we have a bit more of an incentive to be a little cheerier."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I just got off the phone with Seth Hart."

"The superintendent in the city, right?"

"That's the one," Spence nodded.

"So what's been going on?"

"You've heard that we've been getting someone in to help us with these disappearances right?"

JJ nodded solemnly; the case had been opened a long time before she'd joined the police force, but the always-smiling young officer had been happy to help whatever way she could. She was only twenty three, but was mature beyond her years.

"Yeah I heard something going round about it. So you've managed to sort something out?"

"Yep," he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "have you ever heard of Wilson Crowley?"

JJ pondered for a second, then nodded vaguely.

"He's a Detective Inspector right? He's been on the news a few times - solving the insolvable cases." She recited, recalling the report she'd seen on the TV a few times, "He's become some kind of minor celebrity."

"The kid's some kind of a genius. Hart sent me a few of the cases he's worked on in the past, the way he picks up on the tiniest detail, it's insane." JJ hummed in agreement; she'd heard a few mentions of it in the past of how smart he was.

"So he's coming here?"

"Friday, yeah."

"You reckon he'll be the one to sort all this out?" JJ asked, clasping her hands together behind her back.

"I hope so. Speaking of which, I need to ask you a favour."

"Oh God, what?" She giggled sarcastically. Spence shook his head at her and continued.

"I have to sort out somewhere for Wilson to stay. Somewhere close to the station, and with someone I can trust not to kill him or be a bad influence on him."

"Sorry what?"

"Apparently sometimes when he's working he can be quite difficult to get along with. I know you've got a lot of patience."

"Aww, so you do like me." She beamed, laughing at her boss's reaction.

"Why not send him to Felton or Rex?"

"Felton's hardly the smartest button in the box and Rex has no patience with anyone. Haven't you ever noticed he's left to the cases that don't require too much human interaction?"

JJ laughed, nodding knowingly.

"So you don't mind him staying with you?" She deliberated for a second before nodding slowly.

"Sure. But if he trashes my house, I will not be responsible for my actions." JJ warned, pointing at Spence with one index finger.

"Oh shame, won't daddy pay for any damages anymore?" He joked, fully aware that although when JJ had first moved to Little Wharton her father had paid for everything, however she was now supporting herself and even insisting that she paid back the money her father spent on her house.

"Shut up."

He laughed at her stormy expression.

"Aw don't be like that, bad moods don't suit you."

Right, I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow, if there's anything else that comes in then ring me."

"Will do. I'll let Hart know his detective's staying with you."

"Oh joy," she said sarcastically, leaving the office swiftly, sticking her tongue out as she left.