“How long have you been inventing her life?” Dix
said.
“Always,” Jesse said.
31
Suitcase Simpson sat very straight in the chair across from Jesse’s desk. He was always serious when he reported. Like a kid,
Jesse thought, giving a school report on Denmark.
“Bo Marino,” he said, “is around
school bragging about how he
spent a night in jail. Troy Drake is staying clear of Bo, and Kevin Feeney hasn’t been in school for the past three days.”
“You try his house?” Jesse said.
“Not yet, I wanted to check with you first.”
“Okay,” Jesse said. “Go get
him.”
“What about Drake?”
“We don’t know that Drake was
involved,” Jesse
said.
“Candy said …”
“Candace,” Jesse said. “And we
didn’t get any of this from her,
remember?”
Simpson nodded.
“And take Molly with you,” Jesse said.
“You think I can’t handle this
alone?”
“I’ve seen you handle worse than this alone, Suit. Molly has a
calming effect on parents.”
Simpson looked pleased for a moment, and left. Jesse picked up the phone and called Abby Taylor.
“You still representing Bo Marino?” he said when she
answered.
“No.”
“Old man fire you?”
“He didn’t get the chance,” Abby
said.
“Good for you.”
“File him under life’s too
short,” Abby said. “Are you going to pursue this?”
“I am.”
“I wish you well.”
“You know who your replacement is?”
“No, but I’ll bet he’s a
loudmouth,” Abby said.
“No bet,” Jesse said. “Want to
have dinner some
night?”
There was a pause. Jesse waited.
Then Abby said, “Of course I would. I have always felt bad about
the way we, ah, ended.”
“Gray Gull?” Jesse said.
“Tonight?”
Again the pause. Again Jesse waited.
