policy, it might still be covert, but it would be better organized than handing wads of cash under the table to two second-rate gumshoes, and calling them up for a report. There were too many employees. This deal was a seat-of- the-pants operation.
A squirrel dashed past us. Without hesitating, Pearl was off the bench and after him. The squirrel barely made the tree, and barely got up it before Pearl was standing on her hind legs at the base.
Francis and O'Neill were certainly through. Trent's death blew that cover, and what I'd said to Eisen in front of Gavin had ended it for O'Neill. It would be easy enough to find out if Gavin put a new tail on the women. Same way I had before. But that wouldn't tell me why. What was required was a brilliant stroke of detection. I couldn't think of one. The best I could do was go around and talk to the same people again. If you keep poking, something will eventually come buzzing out. I went to get Pearl, still on her back legs, staring up the tree. I didn't have to bend over to put her leash on.
My friend Ms. Gluteus appeared, returning from her run. I watched her as she came toward us. Expensive shoes. Black tights, loose tee shirt, headband. She wore a curved yellow radio on her arm, the small earphones in place. In her left hand she carried a water bottle with one of those nozzles that allow you to squirt the water in without breaking stride. About twenty-four yards away she slowed to a walk and when she reached the tree where Pearl had cornered the prey, she stopped, breathing hard, and patted Pearl again.
'What kind did you say?'
'German shorthaired squirrel hound,' I said.
'Not a weimaraner?'
'No.'
'I also thought she might be a chocolate Lab.'
'No.'
I could tell she was skeptical, but I seemed so sure. So after another couple of pats, she smiled and walked away drinking water from her squirt bottle.
20
I was back in the Eisens' flossy new condo looking at the view I again, and drinking a light scotch and soda. Ellen and Bernie were having martinis that Ellen had made while we men got comfortable. Sadly, Darrin couldn't join us.
'I don't know what to tell you, Spenser,' Eisen was saying. 'I simply did not hire anyone to follow Ellen.'
I was particularly fond of people who barely knew me calling me by my last name.
'Well, Eisen,' I said. 'Somebody was following her.'
'That's ridiculous,' Eisen said.
'It is,' I said. 'But there you have it.'
'Honestly, Mr. Spenser,' Ellen said. 'I don't believe anyone was following me.'
I smiled at her.
'You got it wrong, pal,' Eisen said.
I was even more fond of people who called me pal. I tried to remain focused.
'How about Gavin?' I said.
'Gavin?' Eisen said.
'Who's Gavin,' Ellen said.
'My information is that Gavin had Ellen followed.'
'Jesus Christ,' Eisen said. 'Will you stop it. Why the fuck would Gavin hire somebody to follow my wife?'
'Darling,' Ellen said more firmly, 'who is Gavin?'
'He's the chief of security at the shop,' Eisen said.
'So why would Gavin have your wife followed?' I said.
'He wouldn't, you idiot, don't you get it?'
'This might go better if you were more restrained,' I said.
'Restrained? You're lucky I don't throw you out.'
'One of us is,' I said.
'What the fuck does that mean?' Eisen said.
I took a deep breath, but it was too late. I found myself standing.
'It means that if you don't settle down I'm going to stick your foot in your ear,' I said.
He took an involuntary step backward and realized he had, and tried to compensate.
'You want to try it,' he said in a commanding voice.
'Oh, you men,' Ellen said. 'You're just overgrown boys.'
'True,' I said. 'But it's worth keeping in mind that I'm about thirty pounds more overgrown than your
