'Well,' she said, 'time's getting short. Do you want to marry me? Have we got a deal?'
'No,' he said.
She looked at him with a gargoyled grin, all twisted and ugly. Her hands clenched, knuckles white. She was trying to hang on, but it didn't work. She broke and collapsed into the armchair, black wings of hair covering her face, shoulders rocking back and forth. What moved him most was that she wept silently, no sobs, no wails, just soundless grief.
He relented then and went looking for something to drink. The only hard stuff he had was a bottle of Popov. He poured it over ice and brought one of the drinks to her. He took her hand and pressed her fingers around the glass. The feel of her velvety skin still had the power to stir him.
He sat down in his chair again, took a gulp of his drink, watched her. Her body finally stopped shaking.
She straightened, jerked her head back to get hair away from her face, drained half the glass of vodka.
'Why did you do it?' he asked her. 'You don't have to answer, but I'd really like to know. Was it the loving?'
'Part of it,' she admitted, taking a deep breath. 'And part was the way he treated me, like I was the most valuable thing he had ever owned. And part was the lush life. David really knows how to live.'
'What kind of bullshit is that?' Harker demanded. 'You talk like it's a special talent. Everyone knows how to live. All you need is money.'
She smiled wanly. 'That's what David always said. His favorite expression. Well, he had the money.'
'Sure he did. But look how he made it, and look where it got him.'
'So you've got me on tape,' she said. 'Am I going to be charged?'
'No,' Harker said. 'There'll be no charges. You'll be allowed to resign for reasons of health. Nothing on your record. But no more jobs in law enforcement. Crockett okayed it.'
'So he knows, too?'
Harker nodded.
'Anyone else?'
'No, just Crockett and me.'
She sipped her drink and stared at him. 'Why didn't you tell me about the bugs and the taps? Was it because from the first you were afraid I'd turn?'
— 'That's what Crockett thinks,' he said, not looking at her. 'But I don't think that's the whole reason. I think part of it was jealousy. Listening to you and Rathbone in bed together was like pounding on a wound.'
'You were right,' she said. 'You are fucked-up. What's going to happen to me now? What'll I do?'
Harker shrugged. 'I'm not worried about you,' he said. 'You'll find another David Rathbone. Or another me,' he added.
She finished her drink, and with it her breezy courage returned. 'And what about you, kiddo?' she said. 'No more fun and games with me on motel sheets. That was the best loving you'll ever have.'
'I know.'
'You'll get your allergies back,' she jeered. 'And your nervous stomach and your sun poisoning.'
'I'll survive,' he said, not certain he would. He glanced at his watch. 'After twelve. They've taken Rathbone by now.'
They fixed her umbrella, and he locked up and accompanied her down to their cars. They faced, not knowing whether to shake hands, kiss, or knee each other in the groin.
'Will I see you again?' she asked.
He looked upward, hoping for an omen: the muddy clouds parting and a shaft of pure sunlight striking through to bathe them in gold. He saw only zigzags of lightning splitting the sky, heard only the growl of far-off thunder.
'Will I?' Rita persisted.
'Maybe,' Tony said.
