Beyond Blue Interview - Paul Gorman

For the next few weeks I plan to use this space to interview the lead characters in my upcoming novel, Beyond Blue.

I had the rare opportunity to interview Paul Gorman, Director of Beyond BlueInvestigations.  We sat down in his comfortable but unpretentious office on one of the upper floors of a skyscraper with a perfect view of Ground Zero where the World Trade Center used to stand.
Gorman is physically impressive for a man nearing 60.  He’s a big man, six feet tall with hulking shoulders, a deep resonant voice, and a lion’s mane of thick, dark hair.
AC: Hardly anybody knows about Beyond Blue.  What makes your agency unique?
PG: Well, we’re not like any other private detective agency. We have only one mission.  That is to help policemen in trouble.  Any kind of trouble.
AC: I understand that you offer that help free of charge.
PG: That’s not quite true.  Every client has to make three commitments in return for our help. First, they have to keep our service confidential.  If they ever see a fellow officer in trouble, they have to bring it to our attention.  And they accept that they owe us a favor.
AC: A favor?
PG: Nothing illicit or illegal.  But sometimes cops have access to information we need, or skills that can be of help to another officer.  If we need their help, they have to come through.
AC: But it takes money to run an operation like this.  Where does that come from?
PG: We have a source of funds that prefers to remain anonymous.
AC: And how did you find this benefactor?
PG: Oh, I didn’t.  He found me.  And that’s all you’re going to get on that subject.
AC: Very well. But he must have seen you as someone special.  What qualifies you to run this agency?
PG: I could say just the fact that I love the people in law enforcement qualifies me.  But I do have the background. I did my twenty in the army’s Military Police Corps.  When I retired I started a second career in civilian law enforcement. I ran three different major metropolitan police forces, and I’ve served as a consultant for just about every police chief or commissioner in the country at one time or another.  Actually, I was getting bored when this job came along.
AC: And now you’ve assembled quite a team of agents to help you in your crusade.  How did you find them?
PG: You’re slick, but I won’t let you belittle my people or our mission.  So I wouldn’t call what we do a crusade.  It is perhaps a calling we are dedicated to. I sought out these special individuals and recruited them for their special talents AND their dedication.
AC: No offense meant.  I hope to interview each of them.
PG: I’ve got no problem with that, but it will be up to them.
AC: Fair enough.  Now, one last question: Please fill in the blank: The problem with this world is that there’s not enough _______

PG: Hmmm… a very good question… very revealing if answered honestly.  I would have to say justice. Too often life just isn’t fair.  People don’t get what they deserve –good or bad. That’s part of why we do what we do, I think.  We bring justice to some of those who work to support the justice system.
You can read an excerpt from Beyond Blue, and help get the book published,by visiting http://ow.ly/yqQSh (look in the updates.)