Kisser (2010)

wristwatch.
    Finally, the door opened, and the commissioner entered, preceded by Mitzi, who looked smashing in a red dress.
    Stone stood up, shook her hand, then the commissioner’s. “Good evening, sir,” he said. “I didn’t know you frequented Elaine’s.”
    “I have been coming here since Giuliani was mayor,” the commissioner replied, looking around. He turned to the waiter. “You got any single malts?”
    The waiter recited the list, and the commissioner chose one. “The lady will have a Beefeater’s martini with a twist, not too dry,” he said.
    Stone shot a glance at Mitzi, but she was not looking at him. However, she delivered a sharp kick to his ankle under the table.
    The drinks came, and the commissioner raised his glass. “To successful operations,” he said, “and to those who carry them out, even when unexpected circumstances occur.”
    They all drank, and then they ordered dinner.
    “Aren’t we missing the, ah, leader of the operation?” Stone asked.
    “Oh, Lieutenant Doyle is home studying, I expect,” the commissioner said.
    “Studying?” Stone asked, puzzled.
    “He has been promoted to inspector, and tomorrow he starts his new job as lecturer on tactics at the police academy, his reward for a job well done.”
    Stone nearly choked on his Knob Creek.
    “That said, I think we should raise our glasses to Mitzi,” the commissioner said. “This afternoon she was promoted to lieutenant, and tomorrow she will command the detective squad at the First Precinct.”
    Stone’s mouth dropped open, and Mitzi reached over, placed a finger under his chin, and closed it. “Congratulations,” he managed to say.
    Dino spoke up. “I heard there were some transfers from that squad,” he said, “to new assignments in Brooklyn.”
    “Yes,” the commissioner replied, “all promotions. Mitzi will pick her own people.”
    “All of them women,” Mitzi said.
    The commissioner looked at her. “ All of them women?”
    She regarded him evenly. “Yes, sir .”
    Dinner was served. When they were done, the commissioner stood up, followed by Mitzi. “We have to be going,” he said. “Barrington, give me your badge,” he said.
    Stone fished out his Doyle-provided badge and handed it over.
    The commissioner placed a small velvet box on the table. “Open it,” he said.
    Stone picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a retirement badge for a Detective First Grade. From its weight, he judged it to be not plated but solid gold.
    The commissioner handed him an envelope. “Here are your retirement papers,” he said, “at your new grade.” He shook everyone’s hand and left, taking Mitzi with him.
    Stone sat down.
    “You look stunned,” Dino said.
    “I am.”
    “You should be. By the way, I’m your date for the theater tomorrow night.”
    Stone looked at him. “You?”
    “You were hoping Mitzi? Not going to happen. Carrie sent me a single ticket, too, for the seat next to yours. In fact, I don’t think you’re going to be seeing as much of Mitzi in the future.”
    “What’s going on, Dino?”
    “Word is, the commissioner is retiring.”
    “What’s that got to do with Mitzi?”
    “Word is, he’s getting married, too.”
    Stone stared at him. “You wouldn’t kid me?”
    “I kid you not.”
    “I need another drink,” Stone said.

61
    DINO PICKED UP STONE in his department car and drove him to the theater.
    “Is this a kosher use of the car?” Stone asked as they got out.
    “I’m on duty,” Dino said.
    “What are you talking about?”
    Dino saw someone he knew and turned to shake hands. The lights were flashing, and they hurried inside to take their seats, which were fourth row on the center aisle.
    “Not bad seats, huh?” Dino said.
    “What was that about being on duty?” Stone asked, but his question was drowned out by a flood of music from the orchestra pit.
    Stone and Dino watched as the curtain went up on a nearly bare stage—only a park bench and a lamppost. The backdrop was an autumnal view of Central Park.
    Carrie moved onstage, holding the hand of a young man, and they began to dance. After a moment Carrie began to sing.
    Stone relaxed and enjoyed it.

    WHEN THE FIRST-ACT curtain came down, the audience roared and wouldn’t stop until Carrie and other members of the cast came back for a curtain call. Stone had never seen a first-act curtain call, and the critics sitting near him were on their feet, too.
    “Have you ever seen anything like this?”