Loudon relaxes visibly. "The past is gone," he says, "and we’ve got the future to be concerned with. As to your career path, Larson—you were right, a citation is in order for your work in breaking the Cutters gang." He pauses significantly. So that’s the way it’s going to read in my jacket, and he wants confirmation that I’m going to play along. "And of course a promotion," he goes on magnanimously, "with concomitant rise in pay. Plus your pick of your next assignment. I think that’s only reasonable in return for the stellar police work you’ve performed." He glances at Baker, and the flak nods in confirmation—a strange show of good-cop-good-cop. "What do you say to that, Larson?" he asks.