An Interview with Jacob Schmidt
Even though I created Jacob Schmidt, it's not often that I get to sit down with him for an interview. It was a very enlightening experience for me.
Photo courtesy of "Photography 33" at Can Stock Photo
Me: I’m going to start out by letting you ask me a question.
Jacob: You mean role reversal?
Me: Yes.
Jacob: OK. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
Me: I’m sorry. You already asked your question.
Jacob: (ponders and then laughs) I see what you did there.
Me: Why don’t you just say the first thing that pops into your head.
Jacob: I’m a family man.
Me: And your career?
Jacob: Will always come second, though I put a lot of time and effort into both.
Me: Would you do anything for your family?
Jacob: No.
Me: That’s a little surprising to hear.
Jacob: I just mean it in the most literal way. For example, I wouldn’t set off a nuclear bomb.
Me: Are you referring to The Strain?
Jacob: The what?
Me: It’s a television show based on a series of books by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan.
Jacob: Never heard of it.
Me: Between family and your job, you probably don’t watch much television.
Jacob: I didn’t say that.
Me: (feeling awkward) Never mind then. Let’s move on to something else.
Jacob: Sounds good.
Me: You’re a former police officer?
Jacob: Yes.
Me: Did you like it?
Jacob: Yes.
Me: But you eventually left it to start your own private investigation business?
Jacob: Yes.
Me: How is it different from being a cop?
Jacob: It’s harder. I have less resources available to me, and I don’t even carry a gun.
Me. Why the change then?
Jacob: Family. I have a more flexible schedule.
Me: And you have a business partner?
Jacob: Yes. Dinah Peterson. She worked the crime lab when I was a detective.
Me: A very attractive woman. You two must have hit it off?
Jacob: What are you implying?
Me: Uh. You must have worked well together at the department. Why else would you go into business together?
Jacob: Exactly. We worked a case during the apocalypse a few years ago (read Children of the Snow due out this winter).
Me: I remember that. I’m glad things are back to normal now.
Jacob: Normal is a relative term.
Me: I suppose. I’ve heard some of your cases are anything but typical.
Jacob: That’s true.
Me: Do you mind sharing?
Jacob: I do, but only out of fear of being institutionalized.
Me: That crazy?
Jacob: Yes.
Me: Even so, I’m offering you an opportunity for shameless promotion here.
Jacob: (shrugs) I guess I can leave out the finer details.
Me: That works for me.
Jacob: One was a cold case. Murder (read Pursuing the Dead due out in 2017).
Me: Fair enough.
Jacob: Our most recent case was a complex one. Too many things to touch on, but it took our business to another level (read Window of Fire due out in the not-so-distant future).
Me: I see. Ever heard of Jack Reacher?
Jacob: Yes
Me: How would you compare yourself to him?
Jacob: We’re completely different. I’m an average guy. He’s much bigger.
Me: Forget the physical traits then.
Jacob: We’re still different. He’s former military and possesses an elite tactical and combative skill set.
Me: Then what sets you apart from the others?
Jacob: Honestly?
Me: Yes.
Jacob: Nothing. Like a lot of others, I get the job done. That’s all I can do, and it’s all I ask of myself.
