“Now,” Rita said. “In the event
that I’m still representing
someone in this cluster fuck, it seems to me like there are deals to be made.”
“Let’s permit the dust to
settle,” Reagan said, “before we start bargaining.”
“Just as long as you see what I see,” Rita said.
Reagan smiled, and got to his feet.
“We done here?” he said.
Jesse nodded. So did Rita.
“Barry,” Rita said.
“I’ll be along in a little while. Why don’t
you get the car warmed up.”
Feldman stowed the notebook in his inside pocket and stood and picked up his briefcase.
“Nice meeting you all,” he said.
“I’ll walk you to your car,”
Reagan said, and both men
left.
40
Rita stood and came down the length of the table and sat on the
edge of it near Jesse. Jesse understood that she was letting him get a look at her. She knew she was very good-looking.
“I did a little background research,” Rita said.
“Thorough,” Jesse said.
“I am very thorough,” Rita said.
“I also have the resources of a
huge law firm.”
“Fortunate,” Jesse said.
Rita smiled.
“Try not to babble,” she said.
“Hard,” Jesse said.
Rita smiled and nodded.
“You were a homicide detective in Los Angeles,” Rita said.
“Captain Cronjager out there says you were very good.”
Jesse nodded.
“But your marriage went south and you had a drinking problem.”
Jesse nodded again.
“How’s your marriage?” she said.
“South,” Jesse said.
Rita smiled.
“And the drinking?”
“Better.”
“My paralegal talked with the state police homicide commander,”
Rita said.
“Healy,” Jesse said.
“Usually you get into one of these suburban towns and they have
a homicide, the state police take over the investigation pretty quickly.”
Jesse nodded.
“Healy says it’s not the case
here.”
“We do as much as we can in-house,” Jesse said.
“Healy says you know what you’re
