Goetz nodded, not taking his eyes off the firing line.
“Sounds like we’re in agreement there, Captain. If you don’t teach ‘em right to start with, they’ll always rely on firepower and gimmicks instead of learning how to shoot.”
The commander cranked his head around and stared at the police chief for several moments.
“Maybe I shouldn’t ask this, Chief,” he said at last, “but I can’t help but notice that your attitude toward me and my Legionnaires has mellowed considerably since our first meeting.”
“Well, I’ll tell you, Mr. Phule. I may be hardheaded from time to time, but mostly I try to keep an open mind. Most of my beat patrolmen have been pretty open with their praise for your troops. It seems that somebody in your outfit has taken to monitoring the police band, and a few of your boys have shown up at some of the stickier calls we’ve had over the last few weeks. The way I hear it, they don’t interfere or get in the way, but we both know there are times when having a couple extra uniforms around, no matter what color they are, goes a long way toward keeping a crowd from getting too rambunctious.”
“That fits,” the commander said. “I’ve always felt that most people have a basically good self-image. Once my troops are convinced that they can make a difference, it’s not surprising that they try to make a difference for the better.”
The chief held up a restraining hand.
“Now, don’t get me wrong. Nobody’s kidding anybody that your crew was in the choir over the stable at the first Christmas, but they’ve earned enough goodwill in the department to have me cut them-and you-a little bit of slack.”