drive with him.
'Do you keep files?' I asked.
'Sure. At the office.'
I let out a breath. My head was beginning to hurt, probably because I'd inhaled something toxic, and I was quickly losing the little patience I'd brought along. I took another cautious step forward, and something crunched underfoot.
'Hey, watch out for the pizza, Jack. I'm not done with it.'
'Get dressed,' I ordered. 'We're going to your office.'
'Kiss my piles. It's my day off. I'm not going anywhere.'
'Then you're under arrest.'
'For what?'
'For being an asshole.'
'You can't do that. I've got an Asshole License.'
'Okay. How about for assaulting an officer?'
'I haven't laid a hand on you.'
'Seeing you in your underwear qualifies as assault.'
McGlade shook his head.
'When are you going to get over it, Jackie? It was a long time ago. I paid for it, didn't I?'
'You have the right to remain silent, and I sincerely hope you do.'
'This is ridiculous.'
'Good. Resist arrest. Maybe you'll find someone down at County General that likes your boxer shorts more than I do.'
Harry sighed. 'Fine. You win, O Mighty Lieutenant. We'll go. Just help me find some socks.'
'Find them yourself.'
He bent over and picked some pants up off the floor. After sniffing the crotch, he deemed them okay and put them on. Years ago, I learned that the best way to deal with Harry was excruciating patience, punctuated by occasional outbursts of hostility. It still held true.
'What's the big deal anyway?' he asked, smelling a sock.
'She was murdered.'
Harry gagged and dropped the sock back on the floor.
'I didn't do it.'
'I'm sure you didn't. It was the Gingerbread Man.'
'No shit? No wonder you've got your undies in a knot. If you told me that earlier, I would have been much more helpful.'
'I bet.'
Harry picked the sock back up and put it on.
'Can we stop for coffee on the way?'
'No.'
'Maybe a bagel too.'
'No.'
'I know a great place nearby. If you don't like it, I'll pick up the tab.'
'I hate it already,' I said.
McGlade found a stained shirt and a suit jacket that didn't match his pants. He buttoned up the shirt incorrectly and had to redo it. I needed more aspirin.
'So what's with the limp?' Harry asked as we walked to my car. 'Boyfriend wearing you out?'
'I got shot.'
'Who would shoot a sweetheart like you? You sure you can drive okay? We could take my car. It's a lot nicer than yours.'
'Shut up and get in. The more you talk, the more I feel like arresting you again.'
'So nasty, Jackie. When was the last time you got laid? Pretty thing like you should be able to find a guy.'
Following Harry's lousy directions, our meandering took us to a corner bakery, where I got coffee and McGlade got a large orange pop and blueberry bagel.
'Hell, where did I leave my wallet?'
I paid. From there, it was to his office, a merciful five blocks away.
