Abacus

position in the detectives’ office. A posting that Randall had initiated and endorsed.
    At the other end of the tab le was Detective Gary James or Jesse, as in Jesse James. He could talk the leg off a chair, had the gift of the gab and loved life. He was one of the older guys in the office, being about forty-six years old. He had a dark mullet-styled haircut, stood about six feet two tall with a medium build. Jesse was the self-appointed social co-ordinator for the office and also a paranoid germ-a-phobic. Jesse was on a never-ending crusade to rid the world of germs with his endless supply of hand wipes, gels and antiseptic foams. Watching Jesse use a public toilet was a sight. He turned on taps with his elbows, and when it was time to leave he would use a hand towel to grasp the door handle or would patiently wait for someone to enter so he could squeeze past them without touching the door handle. Phobias aside, Jesse brought a lot of experience to the office in the area of narcotics. When Randall was on leave or away, he called upon Jesse to fill his shoes as the acting Chief of Detectives.
    “Afternoon , Meg,” Jesse called to the waitress as she approached with her pad, pen and the newspaper.
    “Is it Tuesday already? Jeez, where did the week go,” she said with a big smile.
    “Usually when you are really looking forward to something the days go slowly,” Randall said cheekily.
    “And who says that I look forward to seeing you, Mr . Big Shot Detective,” she joked, carefully spreading the newspaper out in front of him.
    “Thanks , Meg,” Randall mumbled, immediately drawn to his reading ritual. Immersing himself in the paper, Randall had the capability to also listen in on the conversations around him and could even contribute when required.
    “Meg, he always seems to get the preferential treatment from you, and I suppose I understand. The sarge is quite a handsome man… for his age,” Hobbs said.
    Randall peeked over the top of the paper. “Why, big fella, I’m chuffed. I didn’t know you felt that way,” he said, flicking through the pages.
    “Why , Bob and I are just good mates, aren’t we?” Meg beamed.
    Randall looked over the paper. “Meg, they are only young. They wouldn’t understand that you and I are deeply connected on a truly spiritual level.” Randall licked his fingers to turn the next page.
    “Well , I’d better keep moving, there are coffees to make,” she said, taking the last of the orders before heading to the kitchen.
    Once she had left, Leanne reached across and brushed Randall’s sleeve with her hand, as if she was sprucing him up for a date. “Boss, why don’t you two stop mucking around and go out on a date? You’re single and I think you would be sweet together.”
    Randall remained silent as Jesse came to his rescue. “Leanne, since when were you appointed the office matchmaker?”
    “Well , you’ve got to admit this little game the boss plays with Meg is a bit sickening, don’t you think?” Leanne asked, neatly folding her serviette. Randall felt all their eyes looking at him for a response as he quietly read his paper. Succumbing to the pressure, he looked over the top. “To be honest, Leanne,” he said seriously, “I do fancy another woman but she is in a relationship at the moment.” There was silence at the table as the team tried to piece together who she was. Randall continued to tease further. “I am just waiting to see how things go between them. I think there maybe problems in the relationship, so I’ll bide my time and make my move when the time is right.” There was another long silence. Randall could see them looking at each other for the answer. “Anyway, Leanne, how are things going at home between you and Keith?”
    There was all- round laughter at the table as Leanne reached across and hit Randall playfully in the arm. “You bastard. Very funny, boss. Yeah, we could get together, wouldn’t that be a hoot. You and my dad could hang out at the family Christmas party together and go lawn bowling and fishing.”
    “All right, all right, point taken,” Randall said , chuckling to himself. Pointing his index finger at Leanne, Randall’s tone turned serious. “But if I was a few years younger, my dear, I reckon I’d have a fair chance with you.”
    Leanne rolled her eyes. “Oh please, I’ve heard it all.”
    Meg interrupted the friendly banter with a tray of coffees, which she handed around the table, leaving Randall’s