Bookman's promise

“It could also go for much less than you think.”

“Then call me on it.”

More silence.

“I didn’t think so,” Archer said.

“Not to beat a dead horse, but there are reasons why I don’t want this to become public.”

“That’s why you’re going to pay me, isn’t it, precious?”

“I can go up some. Not a lot. Certainly not double.”

“That’s too bad. Double’s where I start.”

“You’re wasting your time. And don’t call me precious again.”

I could almost see him shaking his head when he laughed. “I’ll bet you are one tough cookie in court, cookie.”

“You don’t want to find out.”

“That sounds like a threat. Are you threatening me, Erin?”

“Just agreeing with you.” She sighed suddenly and said, “We’re getting nowhere.”

Abruptly she got up: I heard her walk across the room. “Thanks for the drink. It doesn’t look like we’ll be able to do business but it’s always such a pleasure seeing you.”

“You can’t bluff me.”

Her voice was hard now. “This isn’t a bluff, precious. I’ll negotiate within reason but I haven’t heard anything out of you yet that sounds reasonable. By the way, the offer will only be good through noon Saturday. If I have to go back to Denver without a deal, all bets are off.”

“I’m quaking in my boots.”

“Don’t quake yourself out of a small fortune, Hal.” She moved across the room. “If this doesn’t go well you could lose it all. This way you get your money and nobody’s any wiser.”

“Erin, my goodness, that sounds like you’re talking tax-free money to boot.”

“That’s not what I’d advise if I were your lawyer.”

“But the IRS won’t hear about it from you.”

“No.”

She moved closer to the door. “Sleep on it but don’t forget where I’m staying. Once I’m gone, I’m gone.”

“I want to talk to Lee.”

“I don’t think so, Hal. That’s a bridge you’ve burned pretty badly in recent days.”

“I know him better than you do. He’ll talk to me.”

“Don’t try to take either of those presumptions to the bank. I know Lee pretty well too. He’s angry and he’s wounded. He thought you were his friend. He’s been a friend of yours all his life and this is what he gets for it.”

I could feel the heat of the passing moment. Erin said, “I’m just telling you. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can get too high-handed with us, just because I came all the way out here.”

“We’ll see about that,” Archer said. “Maybe I’ll call you. Maybe

I won’t.“

“Don’t cut it too short. I’m not about to miss my plane for any more games. You’ve got to show me something or this whole deal may fall apart.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

She moved to the door. I heard him say, “Erin,” buying me just enough time to slip down off the porch.

From the bottom of the stairs I heard her say, “What now?”

“Go fuck yourself,” he said.

I barely made it to the ground before she came out and started down the stairs. I dropped into the sand under the house and lay there. She got into her car and backed out toward the street.

What now, indeed? These are the times when you wish you could split yourself in two.

I abandoned Archer and hustled after her. She was still in sight on the long, straight road, and it was easy to follow her back into town.

CHAPTER 24