Jesse shook his head.
He sat quietly while Molly and Suit thought about it. They didn’t think of anyone.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic relationship,” Jesse said. “What woman do I simply spend the most time with?”
“Me,” Molly said.
Suit turned to look at her, then back at Jesse.
“Molly?”
“That would be my theory,” Jesse said.
“I think so,” Molly said.
Unconsciously, Suit’s hand rested lightly on his gun butt.
“You think he would actually take a run at Molly?” Suit said.
“She’s often with me. She’s a woman. She has a secret.”
“And a damn good-looking one,” Molly said.
Suit flinched.
“Jesus, Moll,” he said.
She smiled at him.
“We won’t let it happen,” Jesse said, more for Suit than for Molly.
“I’ll stay with her,” Suit said. “Anytime she’s not in the office with you, I’ll be right there.”
Molly was shaking her head.
“I appreciate your concern, but you guys aren’t thinking about it right,” she said.
“What’s the right way?” Jesse said.
“We want this to happen, it’s our shot at this creep, maybe, if we believe him, our last one.”
“You want to be bait,” Jesse said.
“No,” Suit said.
“Yes,” Molly said. “I’m a cop. I’m not the girl who makes coffee and pats down the female perps. I’m a cop. I have a gun, and Mace. I know something about self-defense. And I’m pretty sure I’d have backup.”
“Molly,” Suit said. “For crissakes . . .”
Jesse put his hand up to stop Suit.
“She’s right,” Jesse said.
Molly looked at him.
“You came around pretty easy,” she said.
“When you’re right, you’re right,” Jesse said.
“You devious sonovabitch,” Molly said. “You knew I’d say that, didn’t you?”
“I like a volunteer,” Jesse said.
69
“MY HUSBAND is fishing with his brother,” Molly said.
They had moved to the squad room so Jesse could walk back and forth as they talked and write things on the chalkboard.
“Where?” Jesse said.
“Trawler’s going up off George’s Bank,” she said.
“How long are they usually out?”
“Till the boat’s full,” Molly said. “Couple weeks, anyway.”
“He’s not carpentering anymore?” Suit said.
“Does that, too, “Molly said. “Does a lot of things. Mostly what he wants to.”
“Like what?” Suit said.
“Carpenters, works in the boatyard, fishes with his brother, does some lobstering, crews now and then on one of the yachts.”
“Sounds like a pretty good life,” Suit said. He looked sideways at Jesse and grinned. “No boss.”
“Michael couldn’t work a regular job,” Molly said. “He’d eventually get fired, or punch out the boss.”
“And then get fired,” Suit said.
Molly shrugged.
“I’m the one with the steady job,” she said.
“You talk to Mike while he’s gone?” Jesse said.
“Cell phone,” Molly said. “We usually talk every day.”
