End of Watch

'You certainly are. But I had a good time with you. You were fun and easy to be with. Like the old Frank, but better.'

'I had a good time, too. I almost called you a couple times but stopped myself. Don't want to push.'

'A phone call's not pushing.'

'No?'

'Um-um.'

Gail sounded soft and willing. Frank wanted to reach through the line and hang on to her. To touch her, smell her, kiss her, make love to her . ..

'Are you there?'

'Yeah.' Frank opened her eyes. 'I'm here. How was the Phantom of the Opera}'

'Oh, my God, it was fantastic! It was so worth waiting for.'

Frank couldn't stop herself from asking, 'Did your friend from the frigid north enjoy it?'

'Yes, she did. Then we both went back to our respective hotels. Speaking of which, where are you staying?'

'Uh, I'm at Annie's. She's letting me stay in her guest room.'

'My. That's convenient.'

'Yeah, it is. Beats a hotel.'

'I'll bet. Talk about chummy.'

Gail didn't sound sweet anymore and Frank was happy that she cared enough to be worried about another woman.

'Is she a lesbian?'

'No. Not at all.'

'What does she look like?'

'Annie? She's Italian. Thick salt-and-pepper hair. Conservative cut. Dark eyes. Great features. A little thick around the waist but fairly trim.' Gail didn't say anything so Frank added, 'She's handsome, but not nearly as beautiful as you.'

Gail remained silent.

Frank looked at her phone, saw she was still connected. 'You there?'

'I'm here,' was the cool reply.

Frank couldn't resist teasing Gail. 'So, this jealousy of yours. That a particular trait of sobriety?'

'Oh, please. Why would I be jealous? You're not even my girlfriend anymore.'

'We could change that.'

'I wouldn't want to interfere with you and Annie.'

'There's nothing to interfere with. You gotta know my heart belongs to one gal.'

'Hmph.'

Frank chuckled, thrilled Gail cared so much. 'Can I call you tomorrow?'

'If you're not busy. With Annie.'

'I won't be. Try and get some sleep, okay?'

'I'll do my best.'

' 'Kay. Good night.'

'Night.'

Frank hung up, trading phone for journal, smiling as she wrote.

CHAPTER 24

Gail just called. She misses me. Tadow! And she's jealous of Annie. Excellent. Means I’m still in the game. Like Robert DeNiro said in The Deerhunter, 'One shot, Nicky. Just one shot.'

That's what I’ve got. One shot to make this work. But if I’m patient and aim carefully, one shot is all I’ll need. Maybe I ought to kneel down and talk to Annie's statue. Get a little extra mojo going on. Call Marguerite James and get a juju bag. Went to a meeting tonight and someone said getting sober's like listening to a country-western song in reverse—you get your car back, you get your job back, you get your lady back. No shit. You get your life back. The one you're supposed to be living if you aren't busy horking your guts up over a toilet or sucking on a barrel.

Go figure. Anyway. Shouldn't get too excited yet. But missing me is good. Very good. Big step. Christ, I hope Tm not wrong about this. I want her back in the worst way. I want a second chance. May not deserve one but that won't keep me from wanting it. That's an interesting thing, wanting. I’ll never let myself do much of that. Too disappointing when I don't get what I want. But here I am, wanting Gail, wanting my dad's killer. Even weirder, if I don't get either one, I’ll still be okay. It's like nothing can ever be as bad as the Beretta in my mouth. Or picking up a drink. Nothing can ever hurt me as badly as that. Weird. I love her and I want her but if she says no, this isn't gonna work, than I’ll be sad but I’ll be okay. I’m not going to flip out. Still, I hope it's yes. Christ, I hope it's yes.

CHAPTER 25

Friday evening, as Frank opened the apartment door Annie was slipping her key into the lock.

'Oh! You scared me,' Annie said, hand over her heart.

'Sorry. I was just heading out to dinner. Care to join me?'

'Where you goin'?'

'I don't know. Thought I'd wander around until I saw something that looked good.'

'There's a great chop house couple blocks from here. It's expensive but good, and what the hell, it's Friday, right?'

'Sure. Your call.'

'Terrific. Just give me a minute to change, huh?'

'Take your time.'

Annie put her purse down and knelt for a quick, mumbled prayer. Frank discretely waited at the window. She watched the street while Annie changed clothes.

'Ready,' Annie called behind her, fussing with her purse. She was wearing a tunic sweater over slacks with pearl studs and a necklace. She'd touched up her makeup, too. She reminded Frank of someone but before she could put her finger on who, Annie told her, 'Oh, hey. I got the report back on your prints. No match for 'em, I'm afraid.'

'Damn.' Frank sighed. 'Oh, well. Guess I keep waiting.'

'I guess so. Sorry.'

'That's okay. At least the company's good.'

They walked in the cold night and Annie asked, 'Quiet out there today?'

'Couple funerals, handful of visitors, but nobody at the grave.'

Annie puzzled, 'What are you gonna do if this person don't show? You can't stay forever, right?'

'I was thinkin' of hiring a P.I. Know any good ones?'

'Sure. Charlie Mercer. He does private work. He'd probably do it for you.'

'You're not just being biased?'

'Cookie, what you and I know together don't match what Charlie knows. Don't underestimate him just 'cause he's old.'

'Just asking.'

'I'll give you his number. You can talk to him. Cross here.'

Annie cut through a knot of double-parked cars. Frank followed. As she squeezed between two sedans, a huge pit bull lunged from a front seat. The beast gnashed at a half-open window, growling in a frenzy of slobber and teeth. Frank spun, searching for her gun. It took a second to realize she didn't have it and another second to realize she didn't need it. The dog slavered at the air outside the window, but it was safely behind the glass.

Annie laughed, 'Holy cannoli! He scared the crap outta me!'

Frank stared at the salivating brute.

'Hey.' Annie tugged her sleeve.

Frank didn't move.