as to look more baleful.
“Getting tired of Wilson,” Puerco said.
“People do,” Crow said.
“Throw him the fuck out,” the long-haired kid said.
“Si, Esteban,” Puerco said.
“Okay,” Crow said, “you’re Carty. I’m looking for Amber Francisco.”
Puerco stepped across the room toward Crow. Without appearing even to look at him, Crow hit him with the edge of his right hand on the upper lip directly below the nose. Puerco screamed. It was so explosive that none of the others had time to react before Crow had a gun out and pointed at them. Puerco went down, doubled up on the floor, his face buried in his hands, moaning.
“So,” Crow said. “Where do I find Amber Francisco.”
“I don’t know nobody named Amber Francisco,” Carty said.
“Girl who bought you the television,” Crow said. “What’s her name?”
“No bitch bought me nothing,” Carty said.
Crow lowered the gun and shot Puerco through the head as he lay moaning on the floor.
Esteban Carty said, “Jesus.”
No one else spoke or moved. Crow pointed the gun at Esteban Carty.
“Amber Francisco?” Crow said.
“Bitch bought me the TV name is Alice,” Esteban said, “Alice Franklin.”
“Where’s she live?” Crow said.
“She lives in Paradise, man, her and her old lady.”
“Thank you,” Crow said. “I’ll kill anybody comes out this door while I’m in sight.”
Then he stepped through the door and walked away through the trash, toward the street.
19.
Molly came into Jesse’s office with Miriam Fiedler right behind her. Molly stopped in the doorway, blocking Miriam Fiedler from entering.
Molly said, “Ms. Fiedler to see you, Jesse.”
There was a glitter of amusement in Molly’s eyes.
“Show her in,” Jesse said. “You stay, too.”
Molly stepped aside and Miriam Fiedler brushed past her angrily.
“This woman is deliberately annoying,” she said.
“I doubt that it’s deliberate,” Jesse said. “Probably can’t help it. Probably genetic.”
“I find her impertinent,” Miriam Fiedler said.
“Me, too,” Jesse said.
