“But you don’t like it.”
“I don’t like it that some clown sold you this thing with you not knowing any more about it than I know about transcendental meditation. You should see what this baby will do to a pound of flesh.” I made a fist about the size of a human heart.
Her look said she could imagine. “Well, don’t worry, I’m not going to kill anyone with it. I thought it might scare someone off.”
“Jesus, Koko, that’s even worse. If he gets it away from you, you’ve just armed your enemy.”
Nothing was said for a moment. Koko put the gun down on the table.
“You never want to pull a gun on a guy unless you mean it, that’s all I’m saying.”
She looked frustrated. “I know you’re right. I’ve been uneasy with that thing in the house. But what am I supposed to do? You don’t get Jehovah’s Witnesses at two o’clock in the morning.”
“You never know. Those birds never stop trying.”
The gun yawned up from the table between us. She started to say something but again her eyes drifted nervously to the window.
“I was pretty careful when I came up here,” I said.
“Why? Did you think you were followed? Did the same cat cross your path?”
“I was careful, Koko. You know the reasons.”
“Maybe so, but I think you
I came up and we stood together, close enough to touch.
“I don’t see anything.”
“I saw someone, across the road. He went back in the trees.”
“Same guy?”
“I don’t know. I think so. I can’t be sure.”
“I’ll go take a look.”
“No. Don’t do that.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t know that. I’ll call the police.”
“Whatever you want. But it’s different seeing a guy in your backyard and seeing one out on the road.”
“The police will laugh at me, is that what you’re saying?”
“They’ll have a harder time taking this seriously.”
“What about you? Do you think I’m imagining things?”
“I think you saw somebody. Who that was, we may never know.”
“What if it’s him?”
“He’d have to be pretty good to have followed me here.”
“But if he is pretty good, it could be done.”
“Anybody can be followed.”
“No matter how careful you think you are. And it would be a lot easier if he knew ahead of time where you were going. Or thought he knew.”
“Sure. He wouldn’t need to follow me at all then, would he?”
“Just wait for you. But what would that prove?”
“That you and I have made contact. He’d have to assume that you now know what I know. And that I’ve put you on guard.”
“So the next time he breaks in…”
“He won’t pussyfoot around.”
She stepped away from the window and sat looking down at her gun.
“None of this may happen,” I said. “But you’ve got to play it safe now. I’ll help you if you want.”
She looked up at me. “We’re in this together, is that what you’re saying?”
“We are if you want us to be.”
“I’m not sure what that means. But right now I sure would welcome your help.”
