Daylight flashed into the subway car as it emerged from the tunnel near Davisville Station.

The chorus of clicks, beeps and snaps as people took advantage of being at grade to access their networks usually made him smile. But not today. Today the flood of light reminded him of …

... the light from the interview room as he stood looking in from behind the one-way mirror. Detective Sergeant Smith had just introduced him to Detective Jane West, and he was taking her in peripherally as they watched Detective Sergeant Lee interrogate a suspect.

“I know it’s cliché, but I want you to see the face of the criminal and know how deceptive appearances can be.” Smith had said gravely,

And William had wanted to respond: “Ephraim my friend, I know how appearances can deceive.” But he said,

“Clichés become such because they are true, not because they are trite.”

Ephraim Smith smiled. At 57, he had seen his share of young smart alecs, especially these techie types, and it was refreshing to be taken seriously.