章 180: meeting

"We'll save you the trouble, Attorney. If you just work with us one last time."

"No," Sapiro says, folding his arms together and shaking his head.

"Not this time, Santina."

Without opening his eyes, Santina asks quietly,

"Officer Aragon?"

"He won't agree, either,"

Sapiro says, but he casts a furtive glance at Officer Aragon, unsure of where he really stands.

"Professor, be reasonable. You've no training in the apprehension of criminals. No field experience. If you—"

"It is not your decision to make, Daniel,"

Santina says, also looking at Officer Aragon now. An awkward silence follows, and for a minute or two, nobody feels compelled to break it.

 As they sit nursing coffee mugs in Officer Aragon's office, James turns up the volume on the television set.