The chief wrapped up assignments for the day and paired me with Robert Ignacio. Most of us just called him El Gruñón, Spanish for grouch. And if he heard you use his nickname, he’d purse his lips and furrow his brows – more so than usual – and respond in Spanish. Some of the other officers who speak Spanish confirmed that his responses were always of the upmost respect and full of delightful kindness. Just like El Gruñón.
As we all filed out of the meeting room, Robert matched my pace and offered to drive. And I think I remember almost seeing him smile as he looked down at my newly gifted supply box. We split ways as I made my way to the locker room and he left to pull the Ford Interceptor around front. After stowing my gifts away, I walked outside and climbed into the suburban. We drove to the beach accompanied by the sounds of Herb Alpert and Andrés Segovia.