'The pleasure of my company,' I said.
'And a steak at the Capital Grill.'
'Steak sounds good,' Healy said.
'When?'
'Now.'
'You're in luck,' Healy said.
'My wife's going to a movie with her sister, and there's no basketball on.'
'So you're desperate.'
'Yeah,' Healy said.
'See you there in an hour.'
We hung up. I drank some whisky. Most of the office lights were out across the street. Lights were still on in the corridors, and the offices that the janitors were starting. The desultory lighting made the building seem somehow emptier. My own building was quiet now. There were tequila sunrises being drunk now. Seductions were underway. Healthy Choice frozen entrees were popping into microwaves. The local news people were in paroxysms of jolliness at the anchor desks. Dogs were being walked. I called Susan. She wasn't there. I left an off-color message on her answering machine.
I finished my drink and corked the bottle and put it away in my desk. I got up and washed the glass and put it away. Then I took the Browning off my desk and put it back in its holster on my hip.
I put on my coat and turned off the lights and went out of my office, and locked my door.
It was a ten-minute walk from my office to the Capital Grill. I thought about Susan the entire walk and felt much better by the time I got there.
CHAPTER 41
Healy ordered an Absolut martini on the rocks. I did the same.
When the waiter left, Healy put a brown envelope on the table in front of me.
'I pulled DeSpain's personnel file,' he said.
'You have no business looking at it.'
'I know,' I said.
I picked up the envelope and slipped it into my inside pocket.
The waiter returned with the martinis. We ordered food. Healy picked up the martini and looked at it for a moment, then took a drink. He swallowed and shook his head slowly.
'Martinis never disappoint you,' he said.
I nodded. Mine was a little less compelling after several ounces of Irish whisky.
'Not many things you can say that about,' Healy said.
'Now and then a woman,' I said.
Healy nodded slowly.
'Been married thirty-seven years,' he said.
'You still with Susan?'
'Yeah.'
'I remember when you met her. That kidnapping up in Smithfield. She still with the school system?'
'No, she's a shrink,' I said.
'You ever get married?'
'No.'
'Why not?'
I shrugged.
'Neither of us has wanted to at the same time,' I said.
'Live with her?'
'No.'
'Makes the time together better, doesn't it?' Healy said.
'Yeah.'
'Me and the old lady got separate bedrooms. People are shocked. Think the marriage is in trouble.'
'Just the opposite,' I said.
Healy nodded. He was a slim man with square shoulders and close-cut gray hair.
'Woulda done it sooner,' he said.
