'I didn't pull off anything. When I got to the D.C. office, Huenengarth was already there. He gets right in my face, demands to know why I've been tracing him. I think about it and tell him the truth, because what's my choice? Play hard to get and have the department cite me for improper use of departmental time and facilities? He then proceeds to ask me lots of questions about the Jones family. All this time, the D.C. is just sitting behind his desk, hasn't said a word, and I figure this is it, start thinking private enterprise.
But soon as I finish, Huenengarth thanks me for my cooperation, says its' a shame, the crime rate being what it is, that a guy with my experience is sitting in front of a screen instead of working cases.
The D.C. looks as if he just sucked pigshit through a straw, but he keeps quiet. Huenengarth asks if I can be assigned to his investigation--LAID liaison to the Fed. D.C. squirms and says sure, getting me back on active duty was the departments plan all along.
Huenengarth and I leave the office together and the minute we're alone he tells me he doesn't give a fuck about me personally but his case on Jones is just about to break and I'd better not get in his way while he moves in with the killing thrust.'
'Killing thrust, huh?'
'Gentle soul, probably doesn't wear fur... Then he said, Maybe we can cut a deal. Don't fuck me up and I'll help you.' Then he told me how he knew about Cassie from Stephanie, but hadn't done anything because there wasn't enough evidence, but maybe now there was.'
'Why all of a sudden?'
'Probably because he's close enough to getting Grandpa and wouldn't mind doing a total destruct on the family. I also wouldn't be surprised if on some level he enjoys seeing Cassie suffer--the curse of the Jones family. He really hates them, Alex.... On the other hand, where would we be without him? So let's use the hell out ofhim, see what happens. How does this look on me?'
'High fashion, Ben Casey.'
'Yeah. Take a picture. When it's over:' Movement on the screen.
Then nothing.
My neck was stiff I shifted position while keeping my eyes on the TV Huenengarth continued to do his homework. It had been hours since anything I did caught his attention.
Time passed, slothfully cruel.
More movement.
Shadowing one corner. Upper right-hand.
Then nothing, for a long TIME
Then.
'Hey!' I said.
Huenengarth peered over his pamphlet. Bored.
The shadow grew. Lightened.
Took shape. White and fuzzy.
Starfish... human hand.
Something grasped between thumb and forefinger.
Huenengarth sat up.
'Go!' I said. 'This is it!'
He smiled.
The hand on the screen advanced. Grew larger. Big, white.
'C'mon!' I said.
