Twenty-Nine.
As forecast, everybody who was anybody was at the mayor's reception in the Pleasure Dome.
Joe was there with Beryl, who was impressed despite herself by his possession not only of the invitations which got them admitted but a couple of spare ones that got Merv and Molly admitted too. He didn't mention their source but tried to give the impression a man with his connections had an endless supply.
He'd been a little surprised to see Molly.
'Glad you could make it,' he said. 'Thought you might have to stay at home and baby-sit. Both your babies. How's Dorrie taking it?'
It being the realization that her child's father was a crook and a killer.
'Steady,' said Molly. 'She's cut up, naturally. But she's a sensible girl. Like her old mammy, it took her a lot of time and tribulation to tell a prince from a prick, but she'd just about got there already. It was pride as much as anything made her head round to Naysmith's. Didn't like to think he might actually choose his wife before her. Now it's dawned on her that he wasn't just making up his mind which of them he should dump, but which of them he should kill, she's starting to realize she came off lucky. It'll take time, of course. The flat'll have to go, so she's moving back in with me. I don't mind. Gives Merv and me an excuse for some long nights baby-sitting in front of the fire. Neither of us getting any younger.'
'Speak for yourself, doll,' said Merv. 'Have you clocked that Zak? Takes twenty years off a man, that does!'
'In your dreams,' said Molly. 'And then you'd wake up embarrassed.'
Darby Pollinger was there, of course.
He approached Joe and said, 'Well done, Sixsmith. I had a feeling I could rely on you. Don't stint on your bill now.'
'I won't,' promised Joe. 'Finances looking OK, are they?'
Pollinger raised his eyebrows at this piece of cheek, then said equably, 'We'll survive. I'm a little short of partners, that's all. Fortunately I have a key-man indemnity policy covering all of them, in case of sudden death or disability, so that should sweeten the pill till I get replacements.'
'Would that be with Penthouse?' asked Joe.
'Indeed.' They shared a tasty moment, then he went on, 'By the way, I asked my chum there to take another look at your car claim. As I pointed out, can't afford to have a local celebrity as a dissatisfied customer, can he? Daresay you'll hear something shortly. Cherry, my dear, how very timely. I was just telling Mr. Sixsmith how desperate I am for top-flight assistance. How would you like to make an immoral penny temping, as 'twere, for a few weeks?'
Butcher had joined them. Joe did a deliberate double take to register his three-fold surprise: one, that she was present at this elitist, up market event; two, that she was on such friendly terms with Pollinger; three, that she didn't kick him in the crotch for his disgusting suggestion.
She said, 'Cost a lot more than a penny, Darby.'
The labourer is worthy of her hire,' said Pollinger. 'I'll ring you.'
He moved away.
'Not a word, Sixsmith,' warned Butcher.
'I don't know words like that,' said Joe. 'Listen, how's your friend?'
He'd rung Butcher and put her in the picture about the Naysmiths.
'Badly in need of help and I don't just mean legal. I blame myself a lot. I knew what a bad way she was in after the op.' but then suddenly she started to pull out of it, and instead of looking for reasons, all I did was think, thank Christ for that, one less thing for me to worry about.'
'Butcher, you're not a trick-cyclist,' said Joe gently. 'You can't be responsible for everything.'
'Jeez, this is the donkey telling the cow it shouldn't crap on the grass,' said Butcher acidly.
But she was smiling affectionately and suddenly she reached up, gave him a kiss and said, 'You did good, Sixsmith,' before moving away.
Across the room he caught Beryl watching him. She made a comic there-you-go-again face.
Joe turned away, smiling, and bumped into something solid. It was Starbright Jones.
'Hi,' said Joe. 'Enjoying yourself.'
'Not here to enjoy myself. Some of us are still on duty.'
'Sorry. Look, I was thinking, that voice of yours if you're interested, why don't I introduce you to Rev. Pot who runs our choir? He'd be knocked out, I'm sure.'
'Now that's real friendly of you, Joe,' said the Welshman. 'Only I shan't be around long enough to learn a part, see. Zak's putting me on the payroll permanent. I'm going across the water with her, keep her safe from them heathen Indians and such.'
'That's great,' said Joe sincerely. 'Send me a postcard.'
They shook hands, which was a mistake. Joe was still nursing his crushed fingers when Jim Hardiman touched his elbow.
'Hi, Hooter,' said Joe. 'Oh, sorry.'
'Joe, why do you apologize every time you use that old name? I don't mind. Takes me back to those good old days when we were all a lot younger and thought an ulcer was a bit of Ireland, eh? By the way, I hear it's down to
