The Board President

Short Story Day 131 of 365

Two detectives from the Chicago Police Department were investigating eight burglaries in the span of a week at the 33-floor apartment complex in Sandburg Village. Most of the evidence was pointing to an inside job, most likely staff, but possibly residents.

The Building Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, and the detectives were discussing the cases one by one and had been doing so for 40 minutes when the door opened and in walked Len Walker, President of the Home Owners Association for the building.

The Building Manager smiled and acknowledged Len, but continued reviewing plans the detectives had laid out. The table was cluttered with charts, maps, and other documentation.

Walker said, “Sorry I’m late. Subway delays.” He stuck out his hand to the detectives and said, “Len Walker, Board President.”

Detective Branson shook it and said, “Pleased. Hear dat, Donny? Mr. Walker’s a board president. Wow, I’ve never met a board president before.”

“So I heard. Impressive,” Detective Johnny Mauser said. “Maybe we can get an autograph when we’re finished here, but Mr. Board President, you’ve got to know that this place has serious internal security issues that should’ve been patched months ago. I was just briefing your people on four things that should be implemented to…day to make sure these robberies cease.”

“How much?” Len asked.

“Couple grand max and a couple hundred a month service fees to maintain,” Detective Mauser said.

Len looked intently at the staff.

“Mr. Walker Board President, please listen to me. This is not an option if you want to protect you and your building from thieves like this.”

“Is it full proof?”

Mauser raised his hands and said, “Nothing in life is full proof, sir, but for what you’d be paying, it’d be very difficult to get around it. Possible but it would take some time and talent to hack it.”

“And if we don’t implement?”

“Well, any lawyers in your building? Any sue-at-the-drop-of-a-hat people? If so, you’re looking at lawsuits over this, plus your condo could be next.”

“Kate, do we have it in our budget?”

“It is now,” the Building Manager said. “Plenty for this. I moved some things around a bit.”

“All right then. Let’s do it.”

Detective Mauser said, “Fine. I’ll get with your Maintenance Supe here and work out all the details and the best vendors to use. Thanks for doing this. It just makes our job that much easier.”

“Glad I could help,” Len said.

“Just one thing, though, do you get paid to be a Board President?”

“Not a cent.”

“Then why do it?”

“So I can meet detectives like you, Mr. Mauser,” Len said. “You see, I’ve never met a Chicago Police Detective before.”

“Touche.”