quarter a pound, he never would have had to turn his hand at
another day's work. But even a quick peck had been enough to
show him that the watch Paladin was wearing was not just a Rolex
but a Rolex Midnight Star. It might be an imitation, of course, but
his gut told him it was genuine. Part of it was his clear impression
that Paladin wasn't trying to make an impression - he'd wanted to
see what time it was, no more or less than that. And if the watch
was the McCoy ... well, there were cabin-cruisers you could buy
for less. What was a man who could afford a Rolex Midnight Star
doing mixed up in something weird like this?
Now he was the one who must have been showing perplexity clear
enough for Paladin to read it, because the man smiled - a
humorless skinning-back of the lips from the capped teeth. 'The
air-conditioning in here's pretty nice,' he said, crossing his legs
and flicking the crease absently. 'You guys want to enjoy it while
you can. It's pretty muggy walking a beat out in Watts, even this
time of year.'
In a harsh and abrupt tone utterly unlike his bright pitter-patter
Comedy Store voice, Jacoby said: 'Shut your mouth, jag-off.'
Paladin jerked around and stared at him, eyes wide. And again
Cheyney would have sworn it had been years since anyone had
spoken to this man in that way. Years since anyone would have
dared.
'What did you say?'
'I said shut your mouth when Detective Cheyney is talking to you.
Give me your lawyer's number. I'll see that he is called. In the
meantime, I think you need to take a few seconds to pull your head
out of your ass and look around and see exactly where you are and
exactly how serious the trouble is that you are in. I think you need
to reflect on the fact that, while only one charge has been lodged
against you, you could be facing enough to put you in the slam
well into the next century ... and you could be facing them before
the sun comes up tomorrow morning.'
Jacoby smiled. It wasn't his howaya-folks-anyone-here-from-
Duluth Comedy Store smile, either. Like Paladin's, it was a brief
pull of the lips, no more.
'You're right - the air-conditioning in here isn't halfbad. Also, the
TV works and for a wonder the people on it don't look like they're
seasick. The coffee's good - perked, not instant. Now, if you want
to make another two or three wisecracks, you can wait for your
legal talent in a holding cell on the fifth floor. On Five, the only
entertainment consists of kids crying for their mommies and winos
puking on their sneakers. I don't know who you think you are and I
don't care, because as far as I'm concerned, you're nobody. I never
saw you before in my life, never heard of you before in my life,
and if you push me enough I'll widen the crack in your ass for
you.'
'That's enough,' Cheyney said quietly.
'I'll retool it so you could drive a Ryder van up there, Mister
