“Howdy,” I said in the friendly manner that many Texas hicks used. I didn’t want to fight this man at any time, for any reason.
He just looked at me.
“Easy Rawlins to see Robert E. Lee,” I said.
“Right this way,” the brute replied in a melodious baritone. He rose from the chair like Nemo’s
2 9 3
W a lt e r M o s l e y
Opening the door he gestured for me to go through. He tagged along behind — an elephant following his brother’s tail.
Lee was sitting up in the bed wearing a nightshirt that wasn’t hospital issue. It had white-on-white brocade along the buttons and a stylish collar. Seated next to him was Maya Adamant. She wore tight-fitting coral pants and a red silk blouse. Her hair was tied back and her visage was nothing if not triumphant.
They were holding hands.
“You two kiss and make up after the little tiff and trifling attempt at murder?”
I felt the presence of the bodyguard behind me. But what did I care? It was gospel I spoke.
“I told Robert everything,” Maya said. “I have no secrets from him.”
“And you believe her?” I asked Lee.
“Yes. I’ve realized a lot of things being so close to death. Lying here I’ve come to understand that my life has had no meaning for me. I mean, I’ve done a lot of important things for others. I’ve solved crimes and saved lives, but you know if someone is on a path to hell you can’t save them.”
His mouth was still under the sway of the drugs they’d given him but I perceived a clear mind underneath the weave of me-andering thoughts.
“She sent Joe Cicero to our meeting,” I said. “Then Joe emptied a clip into your chest. He almost killed you.”
“She didn’t know that he’d do that. Her only desire was to get the bonds. She’s a woman without a man. She has to look out for herself.”
“Wasn’t it your job to get the bonds and give them to Haffernon?”
“He only wanted the letter.”
2 9 4
C i n n a m o n K i s s
Those five words proved to me that Lee’s mind was running on all six cylinders. If I had become used to the idea of that letter, then I might not have noticed him slipping it in there.
“What letter?” I asked.
Lee studied my face.
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said. “Haffernon is dead. I’ve received notice.”
It was my turn to stare.
“The only problem now is Joe Cicero,” Lee said. “And Carl here is working on that problem.”
“Cicero can’t be in this alone,” I said. “He has to be working for someone. And that someone can always find another Chickpea.”
Lee smiled.
“I must apologize to you, Mr. Rawlins. When you first walked into my offices I believed that you were just a brash fool intent on pulling the wool over my eyes; that you only desired to make me do your bidding because I was a white man in a big house.
But now I see the subtlety of your mind. You’re a top-notch thinker, and more than that — you’re a man.”
I can’t say that the accolades didn’t tweak my vanity, but I knew that Lee was both devious and a fool, and that was a bad combination to be swayed by.
“Can I speak to you alone?” I asked the detective.
He considered a moment and then nodded.
“Carl, Maya,” he said in dismissal.
“Boss . . .” Big Carl complained.
“It’s okay. Mr. Rawlins isn’t a bad man. Are you, Easy?”
“Depends on who you’re askin’.”
“Go on you two,” Lee said. “I’ll be fine.”
Maya gave me a worried look as she went out. That was more of a compliment than all her boss’s words.
2 9 5
W a lt e r M o s l e y
After the door was shut I asked, “Are you stupid or do you just not care that that woman sent an assassin after you?”
“She didn’t know what he intended.”
