But I would like to hear more about your work, Detective Quinn, and your other cold cases. Were there others who were like Julien? Who were his friends? Did he have any? Will your wife consider writing to me?

After a while, my mother decided that it was best that I not go along with her to sing before or after her speeches. It was just as well for that is when I was provided with a singing instructor, a repertoire, a pianist, and a travel and clothing allowance. This was initiated by my father.

But to share a meal with these simple folks, true Christians they were. I knew that the day before, these people were up and down their houses cleaning out the corner cobwebs and cooking and ironing the sheets and tablecloths for me, an empty vessel who wanted to refuse the food, but to reject their kindness was cruel, so I devoured it, all the varieties and heavy bacon and sausages and biscuits. Oh, to see their eyes light up!

He even declined the manly role to lead us in prayer. Sometimes, though, he yelled it out over his newspaper, including his folksy prayer that she would please stop holding her breath. Other times he could only nod to her or say that maybe he might do that sometime, when the hygiene of spirit moved him.

Your kindness and loyalty to your work gave me an interest climbing up the stairs, out of my basement apartment, so that I could mail this.

I tried to take your report, but we had two false starts. Your softness did not match your style. You were put together real nice, but I had to ask you twice to speak up. Asked you to help me help you. Told you a few lines I sometimes say to the women: I was on your side. A line was crossed. You had to turn on him. His shame belonged to him, not you. Don’t let your kids see you this way. Give it to me plain. Focus on details.

…James M. Parker, but we suspect he was using the same proper and surname but changing middle initial so that it would be in alphabetic order, the L-M-M-O-P, etc.