Jack pulled the car into his spot in the parking lot outside the building that housed the FBI in downtown Minneapolis and turned off the engine. Looking in the rear-view mirror, he ran his hands through his short, dark hair and checked his tie. Jules had taught him how to dress; 100 % cotton shirts, starched and pressed, silk ties with a Windsor and a dimple, dark wool suits, polished black shoes, simple socks, and a belt that matched the color of his shoes. It served him well as an accountant out of school and carried over in his career at the FBI.
“Happy Birthday to me,” he said, and got out of the car.
Jack left the stairwell, and turned to head to his office, but stopped when Ross yelled, “Jack, I’ve got the videos from the three bank robberies set up in the conference room. Are you ready to look at them?”
Jack turned to face Ross. This kid was anxious. “Junior, we’re going to Wayzata. I’m going to get my coffee and we’re out of here.”
“I’ve got coffee in here and I might have something. Come take a look.”
Jack shook his head. Just like his kids, no focus. As he turned into the conference room, the singing began.
“Happy birthday to you…” Somebody pulled him into the center of the room, where he stood smiling, enduring being the center of attention. He jabbed a finger at Ross, raised imaginary batons in the air, conducted the group, and joined in at the end, bellowing, “Happy Birthday to me.” Jack looked into the faces of his friends and colleagues. “This is what I was waiting for. Not the singing, but the official breakfast of crime fighters, fresh doughnuts and real coffee. Thanks, everybody.”
As people left, they wished him happy birthday, gave him a hard time about turning forty, shook his hand, or gave him a hug. Everybody here was family. Barb, his assistant, was last. She gave him a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks for pulling this together, Barb. Did you let everyone know it was my birthday today?”
“Not everyone, a couple of people are on vacation. Happy birthday, Jack.”
Ross stood at the table. “They made me do it. Happy birthday.”
Jack held a chocolate covered donut in his left hand and a cup of coffee in his right. “Thanks. I think I needed that today. Did you really have the videos ready?”
“They’re ready to go,” Ross said.
Jack and Ross watched the videos from the other bank robberies. “Well, that was a bust, nothing new. What’s next, Junior?”
Ross looked at his watch. “There’s a temp from the Wayzata bank I need to interview. She lives over by Lake Calhoun. I’ll call her to make sure she’s there. We’ll drive my race course on the way over, conduct the interview and I’ll buy you a birthday lunch.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll get to see your interviewing skills.” Jack said.