“I am very fortunate to have a supportive wife,” Trevor MacIntosh was saying to his partner early the next morning as they showed their tickets to the agent and boarded their flight for Santa Fe having checked their bags for the flight. “Any other wife would have killed me for having to change our long-planned holiday on three days’ notice when it’s not being undercover that killed our plans.”
“You have a saint for a wife,” Sandra agreed with laughter as they took their seat.
After a phone call from the captain, it didn’t take long for Trevor to sign on for the trip to Roswell. Especially once he knew that he had extra vacation tacked on to his time off. Now instead of ten days; he’ll have two weeks. He and his wife now planned for her and their son to join him in Roswell on Sunday and hopefully they could be on the way to California by the middle of the week or if not, to vacation in New Mexico where they never had been as a family.
“How did Dave respond to your sudden trip?” Trevor asked as they settled in their seats and waited for the flight to take off.
“He was actually fine with it, given this this one is minimal risk, but he does want me to hurry home. He and the kids won’t get back from my in-laws until Monday, so I am free for a few days at least.” Sandra said. “So, have you ever been to New Mexico and Roswell before?”
“Nope,” Trevor said. “Meredith says she did briefly as a kid but personally I have never, but I have heard of the stories of aliens and the 1947 crash but never had the opportunity.”
“Who hasn’t,” Sandra said. “Who knows, we might meet one...”
“Funny Casper funny,” Trevor laughed as he got serious. “I do have to wonder if these two cases are related. They are very eerie, the similarities. And it is all due to Jo Jo’s thinking he could get out of a drug charge, which only backfired on him because now it could set him up for kidnapping charge and conspiracy to attempted murder and he still went away for the drug charge since had they got a witness to swear in a written statement that Jo Jo sold the drugs that ultimately led to the death of the Anderson kid.” he said. “He has only compounded his legal trouble.”
“The Captain has taken a personal interest in the case,” Casper observed as she perused a magazine.
“Yeah,” Trevor acknowledged. “In all my time with the department, I have never known the Captain to be so into getting to the bottom of a case before, especially one that is not in our jurisdiction and is of all things, still a cold case.”
“I guess having lived through the original case, he needs to know if it’s solved or not.” Casper asked. “He did comment that the community took it hard, and for it to go unsolved really impacted him and the town.”
“Maybe,” Trevor nodded. “It’s definitely a sad case, and if there is any chance in solving it and letting the truth out into the world then I am good following any unorthodox method.”
******
“Congratulations honey,” Max was saying to his daughter as they walked out of bureau where Grace had taken her driver’s test. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you, Dad,” Grace said. “Now I can drive my new car officially.”
“Yes, you can,” Max said. “You’re a license driver. Official in the state of New Mexico.” he smiled. “Unfortunately, I have to get to the office. So, you’re on your own. Do you think you can drive home on your own?”
“I am fine,” Grace smiled. “I think I can handle it. How will you get to work?”
“I have a stop-over on the next street; then I’ll take a taxi. Call me when you get home okay.” Max said as he saw his daughter with her newly minted driver’s license get behind the wheel of her new car. “Grace, be careful.”
“I will Dad,” Grace smiled as she started up the car. “I love you and I will see you later. In the meantime, I might actually stop by Aunt Isabel’s store.”
“Go ahead,” Max said as he watched Grace cautiously start to drive away. Sighing at how grown up his daughter was suddenly looking now that she was sixteen years old and behind the wheel. Max sighed, turned and walked to his client meeting on the next street.
******
“Aunt Isabel I love your new display,” Grace said as walked into her aunt’s boutique. “It’s very cool and glamorous.”
“Well it is prom season coming up,” Isabel said as she saw her niece approach the counter. “I don’t see my brother; so, I gather you passed your driver’s test?”
“I passed with flying colors,” Grace smiled as she observed her aunt’s store. “I am officially able to drive on my own.” she said. “Because I off school until Monday; it’s boring at home. So, I thought I would stop in.”
“I am glad you came,” Isabel said. “Did you have a good night last night?” she asked. “I am sorry we had to leave so early but with Kyle having an early practice this morning it was necessary for him to get some sleep.”
“That is okay,” Grace reassured her aunt. “You were able to make it, so it was awesome to have you there at all.”
“So, you’re enjoying your new wheels huh?” Isabel asked as she saw the car outside the window of the boutique.
“I love it. The freedom is wonderful,” Grace said.
“I bet it is,” Isabel said as she hugged her niece. “Your father loved his car when he was in high school. Just be careful.”
“I will,” Grace smiled as was thrilled at how popular her aunt’s boutique was, and the success it was becoming, and she took time to brose the merchandise in the boutique while her aunt continued to ring in sales.
******
“How many times Deputy do I have to ask you to please print clearly when you take my messages. So, Peterson what is this jabbering message on my desk?” Sheriff Jim Valenti asked as he sat down on his desk and saw the message sitting, waiting for him. “It’s hard to make out.”
“Sorry sir,” Deputy Doug Peterson said as he walked into office and saw the message the Sheriff was referring to. “After you left last night, someone called. A Detective Trevor MacIntosh, a detective with the New Haven Police Department in Connecticut. He had some questions in relation to a cold case near our way. He wanted to talk to you. “You had just left for the evening; so, I told him that you would be in this morning.”
“Any idea what case he was referring to?” Jim asked as one of the true blessings of working in a small town. Crime happened, but it was relatively low. They didn’t have many major cases, but they had a few.
“No clue, he didn’t want to get into over the phone.” Deputy Peterson. “As I you can see, he left his phone number and extension.”
“So, I see,” Jim said. “Thank you, Deputy. Next time you take message; make sure I can actually read it okay.”
“Yes sir,” Deputy Peterson said as he left the office.
Jim picked up the phone and made the phone call. “Yes, this is James Valenti Jr., Sheriff here in Roswell, New Mexico. I was left a message by one of your Detectives. A Detective Trevor MacIntosh, of the criminal unit. I was told it concerns an old case of mine. Maybe even a cold case. I was wondering if I could talk to him. I was out when he called, but I am back in my office now.” he said. “Oh, he’s on assignment. Do you know when he’s expected back at his desk? Not for two weeks. Okay, thank you. I’m sure we’ll talk when he’s back.”
“Hmm, I wonder what that was all about.” Jim asked himself as he sat the phone down. “It’s likely not important.” He told himself as he put the message in the file drawer of messages to get back to in the future.
******
“Has Jake asked you to the prom yet?” Isabel asked her niece as she had conned Grace to model some new inventory so that Isabel could inspect them to see whether they would do well in terms of sales. “Has he?”
Grace immediately blushed. “No Aunt Isabel and I don’t expect him to. I doubt he’s even going. We’re just friends.”
“Really?” Isabel asked as she was amused by the change in Grace’s face. “Friends have been known to go to prom together. It’s his senior prom right. I would expect him to want to go.”
“Jake Guerin going to the prom, I doubt it.” Grace said.
“I wouldn’t bet against it Grace,” Isabel said as she gave Grace a smile. “That looks fantastic on you. I would bet it would be a good dress to prom if you should go.” she smiled as she saw her niece model the strapless purple dress. Prom is a night of dreams.”
“Did you go to yours?” Grace asked.
“Yes, I did. What turned out to be my senior prom,” Isabel said as immediately her thoughts harkened back to high school. “I went with Alex.”
“I am sorry Aunt Isabel I know you miss Alex,” Grace said of the dearly departed of her father and aunt. Alex Whitman. He was a friend to everyone. Someone who was hopelessly in love with Isabel all through high school, yet they could never make it work. Although there had been a moment on prom night, but unfortunately a few weeks later; Alex was killed in a revenge plot by an evil alien named Tess Harding; someone who was obsessing over Grace’s father and took no prisoners in her quest which ultimately led to Alex’s demise. Everyone had been grief stricken. None more so than Grace’s mother Liz who became over the edge obsessed in terms of solving his death and her Aunt Isabel who almost ran away to college? But ultimately, she stayed and fell in love with Kyle. Solving the truth of his death had led to Tess and the group had almost been destroyed in the process.
“It’s alright,” Isabel smiled a reflective grin. “You would have liked Alex. He was very smart but goofy too.”
“It sounds like it,” Grace said as she tried on another dress for her aunt.
******
“Ask Grace to prom,” Elizabeth was saying to her brother as they walked to the car at lunch time. Neither had classes that afternoon and Elizabeth it was because she had free period and a History class that had a teacher out sick and no substitute. With Jake; he had no classes on Friday afternoons.
“Give it a rest,” Jake said.
“I won’t,” Elizabeth said. “It’s coming up in six weeks. If you want to go, why don’t you ask Grace? She’s the perfect escort.”
“We’re only friends Elizabeth,” Jake said as they got into the car and tore out of the parking lot a few minutes later.
“A friend who took his friend who is a girl to another state for the weekend,” Elizabeth reminded her brother with a smirk. “Well even if you guys are only friends. You can still ask her. It will be a fun night.”
“You’re just upset you weren’t invited,” Jake smirked.
“How you don’t know me,” Elizabeth smiled. “I was invited. But I declined. The guy was a creep.”
“Please tell me it wasn’t Tommy Ellis,” Jake said as she groaned.
“No. I would be the last person he would want to take to prom,” Elizabeth said confidently as they pulled into the parking lot connected to the Crashdown. “He knows I would deck him or worse if he tried to approach me,”
again she said silently to herself.
“Well if not Ellis than who was it that didn’t meet your qualifications for a date to prom?” Jake asked as he opened the door for Elizabeth and she got out.
“Ralph Goodman,” Elizabeth said as they walked into the restaurant “I rather not go than with him or Tommy Ellis.”
“At least you have standards,” Jake said as he looked around to see if by some chance, Grace was around.
“Ask Grace,” Elizabeth repeated. “You know you want to.”
“Elizabeth,” Jake said as they took a seat.
“Fine I’ll stop it for now,” Elizabeth said. “But I say again, ask her Jake or you might regret it. She might be dealing with the aftermath of Ellis, but she’s not going to stay out of the dating game forever. Someone might ask her. You’re not the only single senior,” Elizabeth warned before deciding the drop it at the glare coming from her brother. “Okay I’ll drop it, but all I will say is…Grace said she might stop by. She wasn’t sure. She was headed towards her aunt’s after her test this morning.”
*******
“This town is indeed small,” Sandra said as she took off her sunglasses as their car drove down the main street of Roswell. “I guess I never pictured it so small.”
“Me either,” Trevor said as he looked at the map to figure out how to find the Sherriff’s department. “Let’s find this place.”
******
Grace was loading some bags into her new car when she spotted what looked some visitors to town stopping. “Hello.”
“We’re looking for the Sherriff’s Department?” Trevor asked the teenager.
“Down the street two block, on the left side. You can’t miss it,” Grace said as she searched for her car keys.
“Thank you,” Trevor said.
“You’re welcome,” Grace smiled. “Welcome to Roswell.”
“Thanks,” Trevor nodded as he drove down the street.
******
“What did you buy?” Jake asked as he saw Grace come into the restaurant carrying two bags. “I assume you passed your test and you were out celebrating?”
“Yup,” Grace said. “I visited Aunt Isabel at the boutique which is always a dangerous idea and she persuaded me to treat myself. I haven’t bought anything for myself in a while. Everything I earn goes towards college. But I couldn’t help it.”
“So, what did you buy?” Elizabeth asked.
“A dress and shoes,” Grace smiled.
“Is it for tomorrow night?” Elizabeth asked as she alluded to Grace’s Sweet 16 party with all her friends. She couldn’t wait to show off her dress. She knew her dad would have a stroke if he saw it. But she had convinced her mother to allow her to be a grown up for one night and Maria had agreed, with some changes to the dress. So, it wasn’t exactly how Elizabeth had envisioned it.
“Nope, that is all settled.” Grace said. “This was just an impulse buy. I’ll show you later.” she told Elizabeth.
“Congratulations,” Jake said. “It must feel nice to be able to drive without supervision. I bet Uncle Max was nervous for you to go out on your own?”
“So far so good,” Grace said as she ordered her lunch. “How was school?”
“Boring,” Jake said.
“This must be a record,” Grace laughed as she enjoyed being with Jake and Elizabeth again at the Crashdown. “You actually attended school every day this week. I am impressed.”
“It’s been done before, it is no biggie.” Jake joked. “But it will be nice to have you back on Monday,” he said. “It hasn’t been the same without you.”
“I’m ready to go back,” Grace said as they all started to eat their lunches. “You don’t know how much you miss something, until it is gone.” she said in a reflective way as she sighed as she looked out the window of the café.
“I can’t believe you think that of school,” Jake laughed.
“Not only school,” Grace sighed.
******
Trevor and Sandra found the department after a little searching. Parking their rental; they went inside. “Is there any chance Sheriff James Valenti Jr. is in?” Trevor asked.
“Can I have your names?” Deputy Peterson asked.
“We are Trevor MacIntosh and Sandra Casper. It’s important we talk to the Sheriff,” he said.
“Hey, didn’t you call just yesterday? My name is Deputy Peterson; I took your message.” he asked as she surveyed the detectives. “You are from Connecticut, right? Hmm, it must have been important to make a trip all the way out there. The Sheriff did try to call this morning.”
“It became urgent overnight,” Sandra said as she looked around the station. “This is a small station,” she remarked.
“Yes, it is,” Deputy Peterson said. “Small town and we’re lucky we really don’t need something bigger. Let me check if the Sheriff can see you. Why don’t you take a seat across the room? Sorry we don’t have much of a waiting room.”
“No problem,” Trevor said as he went to take a seat.
******
Jim was writing up a report; closing a DUI investigation that they had just put to bed earlier that day. The case was referred to the prosecutors and now he was writing it up for the office and his own files when the door opened. “What” he asked.
“Sorry Sheriff,” Deputy Peterson said. “But there are two people here to see you. They say it’s very important they talk to you.”
“Who is it?” Jim asked as he slaved over the report he was writing. “Can’t it wait? I am closing a case, writing up the final report. Tell them to come back in an hour or so.”
“It is MacIntosh & Casper from the police department in New Haven, Connecticut. They want to speak to you. They are out in the waiting area.” Deputy Peterson said. “They are detectives who wish to talk to you about a specific case whose circumstances apparently have changed. I don’t they would be willing to come back.”
“They came all the way out here?” Jim asked putting down his pen and picking up the message earlier to verify it was the same name. “Why would they do that?”
“It beats me. Do you want to see them?” Deputy Peterson asked.
“Give me five minutes to finish with this report than let them in,” Jim said as he picked up his pen as his deputy left the room.
******
This is very cool,” Elizabeth remarked as she rode with Grace in her new car. Jake had gone off to find his friend Duncan, glad to be off Elizabeth chauffeur duty for at least one afternoon. “You are very lucky.”
“I am, aren’t I?” Grace asked.
“Chances I won’t be this lucky,” Elizabeth remarked. “Since Jake got Mom’s old car for his birthday. So, unless Jake goes to another state for college; I am probably out of luck when I turn sixteen.”
“Do you really think Jake will go out of state?” Grace asked. She did wonder herself if Jake was leaving. She knew he wanted to leave. But then he didn’t have a dream school, so maybe he would stay if he got into Las Cruces.
“You never know,” Elizabeth said as they zoomed along. “I know Mom isn’t looking forward to it. Dad is nonchalant about it all and because Jake was the baby for so long; I am sure they will miss him. But then with Jake, one never knows what is going on in his head.”
“That is what I am afraid of with Dad when it comes my time because I do want to leave New Mexico. But it’s just been Dad and me since I was two years old. He’s such a workaholic. I can’t help but wonder what happens when he takes over Grandpa’s law firm and then I leave.”
“He’s an adult Grace,” Elizabeth said. “It’s his life to lead, and that life will be fine if he knows you’re off happily enjoying your Ivy League education.”
“I know, I know” Grace said as she sighed as she thought of her father’s future, as they pulled into the Evans’ home. Parking in the drive way; Elizabeth helped Grace carry her new purchases into the house and up to Grace’s bedroom. “It’s making that decision that will be hard for me when it comes time to pull the trigger on.”
“So, show me the dress.”
“Here,” Grace said as the put the bag down on her bed. And before long she pulled out the dress. “Aunt Isabel liked a purple dress on me. But I liked this one. What do you think?
“It’s beautiful,” Elizabeth remarked at the red dress that came out of the bag. “You will look great in it. Red is your best color.”
“That is what I am thinking,” Grace said as she put the dress back in the bag.
“So, do you think Jake is going to ask you to prom?” Elizabeth asked.
“Why is prom such a fascination with people these days?” Grace asked as she opened the shoe box and showed Elizabeth her new shoes to go with the dress. “Jake has not asked me, and I don’t expect he will.”
“Don’t be too sure,” Elizabeth smiled.
“Give it up Guerin. Why don’t you leave Jake and me alone?” Grace said. “I am not sure I want to go to prom.”
“Why not?” Elizabeth said.
“I am still trying to come to terms with a lot in my life. And I am not sure I am ready for prom and all that entails. I am only a sophomore; I have plenty of other proms to go to. Maybe I’ll skip this one.”
“You are a sophomore taking a large quantity of junior and even a senior level advance placement class. You may not have plenty of proms left. But I get what you’re worried about, and must be dealing with. Are you still dealing with what happened in New Haven?” Elizabeth asked as the door burst open and Sue came in. “Hey,” she said.
“Hey,” Sue said. “God, I hate French class. I wish I wasn’t forced to take it by my parents,” she said in a huff. “So, what is happening here?”
“Just talking,” Grace said.
“Is this your dress for tomorrow night?” Sue asked as she saw the dress bag. “Love the color.”
“Nope,” Grace said. “The dress for tomorrow night is hanging by the closet.” she said as she referred her friends to look at the closet.
“Wow,” Elizabeth said as she got up to look at it closer. “It’ll look amazing on you. I love what you were going with it,” she said as she looked at her watch. “Aunt Isabel did a fantastic job…Ooh speaking of Aunt Isabel, I have to go.”
“Where are, you are going?” Grace asked.
“I am going to
Splurge to interview with Aunt Isabel. Mom and Dad have agreed to let me work part-time to earn money for college this summer. So, I am going to hopefully work at the boutique and help out at the Crashdown when your grandfather needs a helping hand.” Elizabeth said. “And maybe then I can keep the job or one of them in the fall when school is back in session.”
“Cool,” Grace said. “I am sure that Aunt Isabel could use the help. The boutique is becoming more of a success with each passing year.”
“I hope it works out,” Elizabeth said. “See you tomorrow. I’ll come at 3 and we can get ready together; okay?”
“Sure,” Grace said. “Dad says he’s getting lost. I believe he has plans with your parents for dinner. I think it will turn into an adult party.”
“See you tomorrow,” Elizabeth said as she vanished from the room.
“So, what are we going to do?” Sue as Grace as the phone rang. “Answer it, and we can then plan the rest of our afternoon.”
“Hey Dom,” Grace smiled. “I didn’t expect to hear from you.”
“Oooooh,” Sue whispered at the name Dom. Dominic was technically a junior but taking early graduation this year and heading to West Point in the fall. His family was very into the military and he planned to continue the tradition. “I meant to give you my congratulations about West Point,” Grace said. “It’s been a unique week for me,” she smiled. “What is it you wanted to ask me?” she asked.
Sue grinned at her friend whose face frowned.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that?” Grace acknowledged.
“Prom?” Sue whispered.
“No,” Grace shook her head. “I am kind of busy this weekend. My party and such and I am kind of grounded, so my father is being protective about my social calendar. I am working next weekend. I need to make up some of the money I’ve lost.”
“Go Grace. Show Jake what he’s missing,” Sue whispered in encouragement. Ask about a movie. You father can’t complain about a movie on a week night.”
“I am free on Thursday of next week. But I’ll have to ask my father. Yeah maybe a movie would work?” Grace asked. “Sure, call me on Sunday” she smiled. “Thank you for calling Dominic,” she said softly as she hung up. “Wow.”
“Wow for sure,” Sue said. “I didn’t know Dominic liked you.”
“Me either,” Grace said as she took in the fact she was asked out. “Dad is going to kill me.”
“Dominic Rhodes is a great guy. I am sure your father will approve of him. He’s no Tommy Ellis,” Sue advised. “It’s only a movie. And it might make Jake sit up and take notice.”
“I don’t need Jake to sit up and take notice Sue, we’re only friends.”
“Keep telling yourself that my friend. Anyways are we going for a drive or not?” Sue asked. “I saw your new car. Cool gift,” she says. “I got a savings bond from my grandparents for college and a computer from my parents.”
“A computer isn’t that bad. And money is always needed,” Grace smiled. “I guess we could go for a ride, I want to get out of this place. I’ve spent too much time this week in here.”
“Sure, let us go,” Sue said.
******
“What is it that you wanted from me?” Jim asked as the two detectives came into his office. “Why don’t you have a seat. My name is James Valenti Jr. Although most people just call me Jim.”
“Thank you for seeing us,” Trevor said. “My name is Trevor MacIntosh and this is my partner Sandra Casper. We are detectives out of the police department in New Haven, Connecticut. We have a case that has come to our attention that might lead out here to your neck of the woods.”
“I hope no one from town has caused you any trouble. We had two runaways in your area last week. But they are both back home and safe and sound,” Jim said.
“I don’t think that is what brings us this way. How long have you been Sheriff of this town?” Trevor asked.
“Although there was a brief time where I was off the job, but I guess it’s been close to 30 years, why?” Jim said as he though back over his tenure on the job. “I guess I don’t think of it in those terms as the job has always been a calling in one form or another.”
“We wonder if you remember a fatal car crash some fourteen years, ago. I believe it was around the June 25th in 2008.”
“Yes, that date is indelible marked into my mind. A great friend of my family was killed in the crash. She was my son’s high school girlfriend before she met and later married her husband. It changed a lot of lives in our town. So many lives were utterly devastated by that accident.”
“Was the name Elizabeth Evans?” Sandra asked.
“Yes. Elizabeth Parker Evans. Although everyone called her Liz,” Jim said. She was the only child of Jeff and Nancy Parker; they own and operate the local eatery here in town called the Crashdown Café. It’s also a local meeting ground for the young folk.”
“And she was married at the time of the crash?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, to a local boy, Maxwell Evans. They married the day after their high school graduation and later became parents to a little girl; Grace. The daughter was 2 years old when her mother died.”
“Sure, is a tragedy. To lose her mother like that,” Sandra said.
“Yes, it is. It was hard on the husband Max to be a single father, but he made it work. He is now an attorney working for a local law firm here in town. He absolutely loved his wife and worshipped the ground she walked on. It was one of those rare marriages where you think they could be married for decades; until the day they both died in each other’s arms.”
“Wow,” Sandra said.
“Yes. They were very happy. Liz was a medical student and intern who worked in the local hospital. She was dealing with work and medical school when the crash happened. She had been working late one night and was driving home in a horrible rain storm and slid out of control. It was a horrific crash. We had to identify the body through dental records. I did the notification of the family; it wasn’t a pleasant sight.”
“I am sure it wasn’t,” Trevor said.
“So, what is this about? Being from New Haven; you can’t be interested in a local fatal car crash. “So why is it that you’re asking these questions?”
“Because we have reason to believe there may have been foul play involved in the car crash Sheriff Valenti,” Trevor said.
“You mean foul play like murder?” Jim asked horrified.
“No. We have reason to believe that maybe the young woman was not killed at all. But she was kidnapped,” Sandra piped in.
“Well, that is impossible,” Jim said. “We had a body and there were dental records to confirm identity and they all matched Liz as much as we wish it hadn’t.”
“Our current theory is that another body was replaced with Mrs. Evans and the dental match were likely faked to make it seem like Mrs. Evans was dead. Would there be any reason why someone would want your victim dead. Did she or family and friends have any enemies?” Sandra asked.
“No….” Jim started to stay but then he stopped short and remembered just how special the whole clan was and how there had been always a level of danger for all members. And that it’s very likely someone would have wanted to hurt Liz and Max. Especially back in the olden days Jim thought. It had been quiet for years now. But back when the kids were in high school and even college; the danger level was quite high.
“Sheriff Valenti?” Trevor asked as something was off with the demeanor as he answered that question. “Did she have any enemies?”
“Yes,” Jim said quietly and honestly.
******
“We’ve been down this road before,” Serena was assuring Beth, Alexandra and Carrie as Beth and her daughters walked in from the waiting room to Serena’s office. “I know you three are very confused. Alexandra and Carrie, your mother told me what is going on. And maybe I can help.”
“Can you?” Alexandra asked.
“You never know,” Serena said in an assuring tone. “As I told your mother; we will take some blood tests and have them tested. You never know what we can learn. Maybe they will help you.”
“I don’t know how you can help,” Carrie remarked as she and her sister took their seat on the couch as their mother took a seat across the desk. “We may have someone out there who matched us pretty much perfectly. We might have a sister!”
“You never know,” Serena said. “Sit down and let’s begin.”