Show of Evil

'She's determined not to stand trial. She'll max out before she does.'

'Why?'

'You tell me.'

'All I know is what Shock Johnson told me. She didn't tell you anything?'

'If she did, I wouldn't tell you. But she didn't want to talk tonight. I told Eckling to leave her alone until morning. And I intend to make a little hay over that performance of his, you can bet your sweet ass on that, Mr District Attorney.'

'Ahhh, one hour away from that platinum law firm of yours and you're talking like the old Jane I remember.'

'I'm going to make this as tough as I can,' she said.

'Tell it to Shana Parver. It's her case.'

'What's the matter, afraid of me?'

'The experience'll do you both good.'

'How good is she?'

'Brilliant lawyer. A little too antagonistic. You two should get along fine.'

'Well, thanks.'

Streamroller wandered back to the table.

'You gonna order or are we jutht drinkin' tonight?'

'How do you like your steak?' Vail asked.

'Medium-rare.'

'Make it pink,' Vail said to Steamroller. 'She doesn't want to have to stab it to death before she eats it.'

'Do you have baked potatoes?' she asked.

'Of courth! Whaddya think?'

'And house dressing on my salad.'

Steamroller looked at Vail and his brow furrowed. 'Houth drething?' he said.

'Italian. I'll have the same.'

'Gotcha.' And he was gone again.

'Look,' said Venable, 'I haven't even seen the homicide report. All I know is what I read in the papers. And you didn't call with the details, as promised.'

'You left early.'

'I figured you'd be exhausted when you got home.'

'I was exhausted when I left,' he said with a smile, then just as quickly turned serious. 'Look, from what Shock says, she could be headed for the fryer. She bought a .38 back in January, went to a shooting gallery over in Canaryville every night for two weeks, and learned to use it. She sure as hell can't plead self-defence, he was naked as Adam when he got it. Also she plugged him twice, once here' - he pointed to his heart - 'and once here.' He placed his finger over his right eye. 'That second shot was an afterthought. Delaney was already with the angels when she capped him with the head shot.' He held his arms out at his sides. 'Now you know all I know.'

'Why would she risk life without parole rather than go on trial?' Venable mused.

'Maybe she doesn't trust her lawyer.'

'Cute.'

'I don't know,' Vail said. 'You tell me.'

Venable shrugged. 'Death before dishonour?'

'She can't dishonour Delaney, he took care of that himself a long time ago.'

'I wasn't thinking of him.'

Vail thought for a moment, then said, 'Her husband? You think she had a thing with Delaney? Nah, no way. He goes in for bodies, not brains. She's a nice lady but hardly a raving beauty.'

'Maybe he went in for anybody. I've known men like that.'

He thought about it a little longer and shook his head. 'I can't see