Jake Carmedy from Deadly Legacy

Let's give a warm welcome back to Jacob Carmedy of Deadly Legacy.

It's just Jake. I can produce three pieces of ID to prove that if you like.

Sorry, Mr Carmedy. Chief Thorsen referred to you as Jacob and... what now?

What?

You're scowling at me. I said sorry.

Only the chief gets away with calling me Jacob -- partly because I can't stop him and partly because he's earned the right to call me whatever he damned pleases. I also feel weird when someone calls me Mr. Carmedy -- but that's my bad not yours. I've been out of the regular forces for ten years now and it still feels weird being called mister. Call me Jake or Carmedy, okay.

Once a soldier always a soldier?

I still have reserve status, but yeah, I guess so. Maybe not for everyone...

Do you think it's a bit cliche having a former military man as a detective? Former Army Ranger becomes FBI agent in Bones. Former Army Ranger becomes bounty hunter in the Stephanie Plum novels. All those former SEALs and Marines in NCIS.

Do I care if you think it's cliche? I don't think so. I was a MP and security specialist. What was I going to do? Become a baker? If it makes you happier, I'm not a Ranger, Marine or SEAL. I am Canadian. Anyway, part of the reason I find it strange to be called Mr. Carmedy is because Joe only used "mister" and "ms" with civilians. You might as well say, "once a cop, always a cop."

Fair enough. You still keep your uniform in good order.

Like I said, I still have reserve status. I also keep my hair short, my face clean-shaven and my nails trimmed and filed. But so does every male professional worth his salt. What is this obsession with my military background.

Sure, I like khaki and olive. The colours work for me and I don't have to worry about putting the wrong shirt with the wrong trousers. Everything I own matches. Almost everything I own is equally practical in the office or in the field. You can't say that about the Zoot suits and Berber-style clothes that are in fashion right now.

You seem a little sensitive about this topic.

Certain people seem to have made it their holy mission to get me wearing more colour.

Kate Garrett?

<laugh> No. That maybe the one thing she doesn't want to change. Hell, she even likes me in uniform. And I have to say, she looks fine in her dress blues. Nothing like a woman in uniform, I always say.

Deadly Legacy is free March 4-7, 2013. Pick it up and learn more about Carmedy and Garrett.

Jake Carmedy from Deadly Legacy

Hmm...This place is really old school....

Wonder what that button does...

Don’t touch – Mr Carmedy, that’s my seat. Could you go over there? Thanks.

Welcome to Nighthawk Talks. Tonight we have Jacob Carmedy from Deadly Legacy.

You’ve been talking to the Chief, haven’t you?

Chief Igor Thorsen has been a guest here. Why do you ask?

It’s Jake, not Jacob. I can show you my birth certificate if you want proof. I let it go with the Chief. With you, not so much. And I’m with Garrett Investigations. Is Deadly Legacy another detective agency? They must specialize in estates. We – that is Garrett Investigations – specializes in bodily injury, security and related criminal investigation support.

What does related criminal investigation mean, exactly?

It means we’re licensed to act as consulting detectives to the police. My partner, Joe Garrett, was a violent crimes detective with the City Police Services before he was wounded on the job. My specialty is security but I’ve done my share of following up on complaints of violence when I was an MP.

Most of the time Joe and I get hired by the police when one of our civil investigations turns out to be criminal. Sometimes Joe get’s called in just cause he’s Joe.

Now that Joe Garrett is dead, will you still be hired by the police?

I have my consulting license – took me long enough. It’s a lot harder to get than the private investigators license unless you were a cop first. Military police doesn’t carry as much weight, I found out. But I am qualified and experienced, so the business is still eligible for police contracts.

And your new partner, Kate Garrett?

If she’s crazy enough to leave a secure job with police services, she’d probably get licensed fast enough. She’s been a cop for a while and she made detective last spring. I remember Joe was really jacked up about that. Really proud.

How would you describe your relationship with Detective Garrett?

If you mean Miss Kate, professional is how I’d describe it. Joe, on the other hand, was my best friend and mentor.

Did you hit it off from the start... with Joe that is?
Yes and no. We hit it off, as you put it, well enough for him to hire me, but we both had a steep learning curve.

Both of you?

I had a lot to learn about civilian investigation. Joe had a lot to unlearn about military culture.

Tell us about your military career.

No.

Okay. Tell us about you and Kate Garrett.

[Mutters] Damned woman!

You call her "Damned woman!" But you really think a lot of her, don't you?

No comment.

Then let’s go back to your service in Iraq.

I think Ms Garrett is being foolish. She has a secure job, doing what she wants to do, and benefits to boot. Why the hell does she want to be a private investigator? Because she thinks her father wanted it. Well, maybe he did, but Joe wasn’t infallible, no matter what some people think. And she’s bossy... well maybe not bossy but the take charge type. Independent.

You don’t like independent women?

That’s not what I said, Ms Nighthawk. Independent is good - but not in all circumstances. If she wants to be my partner, she’s got to stop acting like my boss.

And you’re attracted to her. That must be awkward.

Nice meeting you Ms Nighthawk. I’m outta here.

Maybe we'll learn more about Jake Carmedy from Kate Garrett. Meanwhile, find out more on your own in Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce.

Jake Carmedy has lost a partner, mentor and friend, but grief will come later. First, he has a case to solve, one that has detoured from a simple insurance case to a murder investigation. If that isn’t enough, Joe’s daughter seems to want to take her father’s place as his boss.


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