Character Coffee Chat with Ethan Fritz

Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you love to hate. Character Coffee Chats offer a little extra time with some of the characters readers have enjoyed meeting or getting to know in the Jorja Matthew mystery series. For those who haven’t yet read the series, be warned some coffee chats might offer spoilers.

For those who have kept up with the series since the beginning, here’s your chance to spend extra time with each character, gain insight about recent events in the novels and learn more details about their backstory. Now, grab a cup of coffee or other hot drink of your choice and let’s get started!

Today’s coffee chat will be with Officer Ethan Fritz from the Jorja Matthews mystery series.

We’ll begin with Ethan, or Officer Fritz, telling us a little about himself and how he knows Jorja…

Just call me Fritz. I don’t go by my first name and you don’t have to address me in my professional capacity.

Okay, Fritz…why don’t you share a little about yourself and how you know Jorja.

I’m a police officer here in Tenino and I first met Jorja after she and her brother were assaulted in Jorja’s home shortly after she moved here. Since then, I’ve gotten to know her better since she runs the local bookstore and she’s also worked as a private investigator on some local cases.

Are you married? Do you have family?

No, I’m not married, I have no kids or siblings and both my parents are gone so it’s just me. I work with Officer Reynolds, Tim, who I met not long after I moved here and he’s like a brother to me. I wouldn’t hesitate to call him family.

What made you become a police officer?

Well, the reason behind it is due to something I don’t generally speak about. Long story short, my dad was abusive to my mom and he ended up going to prison for it. As a kid, I felt completely helpless. As an adult, I wanted to do what I could to help other victims or children caught in the middle of bad situations. Being a cop was an easy choice when I knew that in some way I could try to help victims and in the process hopefully make a difference.

Do you enjoy being a police officer?

Enjoy it? I’m not sure I’d use that term, but I feel good about what I do. I’ll admit there are days when I wonder if I’m really making a difference. I like my job and I want to help people, but it’s hard sometimes because there are days when I just don’t like people…or what they’re capable of, anyway.

I’m sure your mom was proud of the fact that you became a police officer. You said both your parents have already passed?

Yes…my mom was proud, but she also worried, as moms do. She passed over five years ago from cancer and my dad died while he was in prison. Some people might say karma paid him a visit. Anyway, I miss my mom but like I said, Reynolds is like family to me. I think his wife takes pity on me so I’m always invited to family events and holidays. I enjoy spending time with Tim and his family, and in a way it makes up for my lack of one.

You said you moved here…you didn’t grow up here like Jorja and some of her friends?

No, I didn’t move to Washington until after my mom passed away. I would have moved away sooner but she didn’t want to leave her house and I didn’t want to move too far away from her. Then when she got sick, I stayed to help her as her condition worsened. I was already working as a police officer but after my mom passed away, I needed a fresh start as far away from where I grew up as possible. When I learned the town of Tenino was hiring, I submitted my application and didn’t hesitate to move here while I was waiting to see if I was a candidate for the job. I figured if I didn’t get it, I’d apply for other positions in other cities or with the county. But the chief decided he liked me and recommended me for the job and I haven’t regretted my decision to move here. It’s a nice little town, I enjoy working with Reynolds, the chief treats me well, and I’ve come to appreciate being a part of the community here.

Since you first met Jorja, you and she have butted heads a number of times when she’s been investigating cases. What do you think about that?

What do I think about why she and I butt heads? Or that’s she’s investigating cases? Honestly, I’d prefer not to butt heads but sometimes her methods are unorthodox or put her at risk. I’d prefer she not investigate cases, but she won’t listen to me and I get that she’s serious about continuing her work as a P.I. Once she gets it in her head that she’s going to help someone, there’s no arguing with her, but I have issues with the fact that she hasn’t figured out how to keep herself out of danger. That’s why we butt heads. I just don’t want to see her get hurt.

Even so, she’s been able to help quite a few people who were viewed as a suspect when in fact they were innocent, correct?

Yes…but sometimes in order to help them, she puts herself at risk in a way that’s beyond necessary. She’s stubborn though. I tell her what I think, and we argue about it. In the end I try to help her when I can. One thing I’ll say I’ve learned is that Jorja does have good instincts about people. Even if I don’t like her methods, if she tells me something about someone or she decides to let me in on some scheme she’s concocted to prove someone’s guilt or innocence, I’m doing my best to keep an open mind about it. It’s hard but I’m doing my best to work with her when I can.

As long as it doesn’t get you into trouble?

Definitely. I’ve already been in hot water with the chief because he doesn’t want my relationship with Jorja to hinder any cases we have. And it didn’t help when a reporter decided to print an article with a claim that Jorja may have been using inside information from the police department to help solve crimes. Turns out that reporter was just trying to stir up trouble and turn the attention away from what she was really up to. You just never know with people these days.

So how would you describe your relationship with Jorja?

Uh, well, we’re friends and we have gone out a couple of times. We’re also professional associates… I guess you could call it. But I don’t know that I’d like to get into more detail about our relationship. Why, what did she say about it?

Actually, it might be best to move on from that subject. Maybe we can ask Jorja more about it another time.

And I’d be more than interested in hearing what she has to say.

Maybe we can ask Jorja to return to shed some light on a few of these questions, but for now, it’s probably a good time to end today’s chat. Fritz may return another time, but it could be a while so if readers have questions specifically for him, please note them down in the comments and he’ll reply to the best of his ability.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of the Character Coffee Chat and that you’ll check back next month for the next chat with another character from the Jorja Matthew mystery series!