29. The Speech
29 THE SPEECH
Cal
My first major speech as mayor came after the “voluntary” resignation of the Chicago Superintendent of Police. How willingly Reggie stepped aside is still debated, but he eventually left. It took two weeks of protests for me and activists to smoke him out and get what we wanted. But once it happened, I was ready to go. My only limitation was the assumption I should be subdued versus the way I felt—ready to jump for joy over the breaking of chains.
I was the mayor of a machine city— the machine city in the eyes of many—about to end a decades-long way approach to policing. I knew my moment awaited me at the city hall podium. I fought a smile while looking over a room of reporters. We did it.
“Thank you all for coming,” I said. “I can confirm my acceptance of Superintendent Ramsey’s retirement after over thirty years with CPD. In the past twenty-four hours, I’ve spoken with leadership within the force and community organizations about next steps. After much discussion, I have asked Sherry Wilkes-White to step in as interim superintendent. Chief Wilkes-White previously served as Executive Director of Community Policing and the First Deputy Superintendent in the same bureau. She is a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years of experience on the force.”
I looked at the small group of police willing to share a stage this morning. I was the most hated man in the room to them right now. I appreciated that Sherry bravely broke rank to join me. Her detective husband’s steely gaze indicated he wished she told me no. There were no guarantees this would be a permanent gig and there was a considerable risk of personal harassment.
“This is an interim appointment. I have faith in Chief Wilkes-White’s abilities to shepherd CPD in this turbulent time and will let her tell you about her plans for the next week of critical changes. Before that, however, I want to state how we will fill this role permanently.”
I composed myself, taking a deep breath. Here was what I waited for.
“As I promised when I was elected to office only weeks ago, I will deliver on a new appointment scheme for future Police Superintendents.”
There was chatter.
“As is outlined in the plan you received in your briefing, this reform ensures all stakeholders have a say in the appointment of Chicago’s top policing official—from our students to our neighborhoods and clergy on up to our city political institutions. I want to thank all the community organizers, religious leaders, school officials, and policing experts who have engaged in a dialogue about the way forward. And for the many citizens who expressed their concerns for policing and safety here in Chicago, your voices will be heard. I know my administration will always strive to listen—even if we don’t always get it right the first time.”
“Sir, will you release the video?”
I didn’t answer. “With that, Chief Wilkes-White, would you like to take over?”
Sherry took the helm. “Thank you, Mayor Markham.”
I disappeared into the hallway, letting Sherry earn her keep.
“She’s going to be eaten alive,” Craig, Jo’s assistant, sighed.
“She’s tough. She’ll be fine,” Jo said. “Better her than the mayor.”
“That’s not why I took off,” I said. “I didn’t want to undermine her. How bad would it look to appoint our first female superintendent only to mansplain over her?”
“It’s a bad look,” Jo agreed. “And she can be the one to own the fact that we are releasing the tape. She’s taken enough heat from both sides. Now, we begin the next campaign. And focus on the vote.”
I champed at the bit—salivating over a chance to hit the initial part of my agenda within my first hundred days. It was historic and boded well for my chance at a second term. I was about to do a rare bit of gloating before my phone distracted me. I spied a text from Daphne.
Daphne
You did great. She did, too.
Me
It’s a new beginning I hope.
Daphne
So, tonight’s the night?
Tonight’s the night ? What did that mean?
Me
?
Daphne
The big meeting with the council. What did you think I meant?
I chuckled.
Me
I was hoping it meant I got to see you.
All of you.
Daphne typed. Had I flustered her? We’d not sexted. We never discussed it, but it seemed she avoided it. I wasn’t sure if that was on purpose.
Daphne
You really expect me to drop everything?
Me
If you want to.
Daphne
And if I was to drop by, what do you expect?
Me
Absolutely nothing.
We returned to the office. I sat, waiting for her response. Had I expected to see Daphne tonight? No. Did I want to see her every night? Yes. It wasn’t possible, but I wished it was. Nights with her far surpassed nights in a quiet penthouse alone. It didn’t matter what we did. She made me smile.
Daphne
What do you want, Cal?
Me
Oh, I get to choose now?
Daphne
You’ve been a good boy.
What do you want?
Me
If I get to choose… you on your knees, princess.
I waited. This could backfire. She’d never blown me. Daphne was trepidatious about certain things, so I never pushed. Instead, I suggested things and saw where it landed. Sometimes, it worked. Sometimes, it didn’t, but if we were honest, neither left unsatisfied.
Daphne
Tell me when
The next twelve hours would torture me, but I hoped the payoff was worth it.