25Perriman Girardi was accustomed to spending part of his Saturday mornings at a local public library, a gathering place for retired and senior citizens, many of whom he respected and had grown close to. Girardi cut back his weekly visits after a former Navy Seal had died suddenly of diabetic stroke and a retired Chief of Police was taken by an aneurism. As he entered the library a familiar voice called his name in a hushed shout.
Thomas Tanner had been an FBI agent for nearly four decades. Although he was approaching his eightieth birthday, the strength in his handshake and voice belied his years.
“It’s been a while,” the retired agent said, “and you didn’t bring coffee.”
Girardi laughed for the first time in a while. The responsibility for bringing beverages from a nearby Starbucks ha
