them, or shoot them, or whatever is the right thing.'
'And what makes you think I'm the man for the job?' I said.
Penny smiled at me again. She thought my modesty was very becoming.
'The horse world is a small one, sir. You were involved in some sort of case over there in Alton a few years back, with Jumper Jack Nelson. I knew of it. I talked with the Alton Police, with someone in the South Carolina State Attorney's Office. My attorney looked into it. We talked with the FBI in Atlanta. We talked with a man named Hugh Dixon with whom I once did some business. We talked to a Massachusetts State Police captain named Healy, and a Boston police captain named Quirk.'
'How the hell did you find Hugh Dixon?' I said.
'I have money, sir. My attorneys are resourceful.'
'And I'm the man?'
'Yes, sir, you are.'
'Fairly expensive,' I said.
'What are your fees?' Clive said.
I told him.
'That will not be an issue,' he said.
'And who is the outfit in Atlanta that's on the job now?' I said.
'Security South.'
Meant nothing to me.
'The on-site supervisor is a man named Delroy. Jon Delroy.'
That meant nothing to me either.
'Will Mr. Delroy be pleased to see me?'
'He'll cooperate,' Clive said.
'No,' Penny said. 'I don't think he will be pleased to see you.'
Clive looked at her.
'Well, it's the truth, Daddy. He will be absolutely goddamned livid.'
Clive smiled. He couldn't help being condescending, but it was a genuine smile. He liked his daughter.
'Penny has been quiet during our interview, Mr. Spenser. But don't assume that it's habitual.'
'Jon will have trouble with you bringing in someone over him,' Penny said. 'Mr. Spenser may as well know that now.'
Clive nodded.
'He's not really 'over' Jon,' Clive said. 'But Jon may feel a bit compromised. That a problem to you, Mr. Spenser?'
'No.'
'Really?' Penny said. 'You think you can work with someone like that?'
'I'll win him over,' I said.
'How?'
'Northern charm,' I said.
'Isn't that an oxymoron?' she said.
'You're right,' I said. 'Maybe I'll just threaten him.'
TWO
'LAMARR, GEORGIA?' SUSANsaid.
She was lying on top of me in her bed with her clothes off, her arms folded on my chest, and her face about six inches from my face. Pearl the Wonder Dog was lying somewhat grumpily on the rug at the foot of the bed, having been displaced, if only temporarily, by me.
'Just an old sweet song,' I said.
'Don't sing. Do you know anything about racehorses?'
'Secretariat gave me a big lap once,' I said.
'Anything less specialized?' Susan said.
'That's about it.'
'And you are being brought in over someone who has heretofore been in charge?'
'Yes.'
'So you are going to Georgia without Pearl, or me, and you'll be gone for who knows how long, and you don't
