Beckett stepped out of the car and handed his wallet and keys to Corbin. He looked at Union Station, his gateway to Philadelphia and destinations unknown. “What have you gotten me into?”
“A brighter future,” Corbin said without hesitation.
Without another word, Beckett disappeared into the early-morning crowd.
Corbin tossed his suit jacket onto the spare chair. Beckett’s navy-blue polyester suit jacket already hung from the coat rack. Corbin added a hot cup of coffee to Beckett’s desk and entered Beckett’s password, causing Beckett’s computer to dutifully report Beckett’s presence to Kak’s computer. Corbin took his own seat and began his day. He felt great.
The recently-renovated Baltimore station rolled into view outside the train’s window. The platform was busy, even though the morning rush hour had yet to begin. Several travelers boarded Beckett’s car, but none fit the description of Joe Nobody. Beckett stood up to get a better look around the car. He tapped the back of his seat and scowled. He heard the door chimes ring.
“If that son of a bitch doesn’t show up,” he said to himself.
As Beckett spoke, an Hispanic-looking man entered the rear of the car. The man wore a light-blue, button- down shirt and gray slacks, with headphones wrapped around his neck and thick glasses stuffed into his shirt pocket. Sure enough, the man sat down opposite Beckett.
“You’re Joe.”
“You’re Jeff.” Alvarez checked his watch. “You have the bag?”
“Of course,” Beckett said, patting the duffel bag on the seat next to him. “You’re late.”
“How am I late? It’s a train. If I was late, I wouldn’t be sitting here, would I?” Alvarez pulled his headphones to his ears and fiddled with the volume control.
“Are you going to do that the whole way?”
Alvarez pulled off the headphones. “Do what?”
“Never mind,” Beckett replied, not bothering to hide his annoyance. He waited for Alvarez to replace the headphones before speaking again.
Alvarez removed the headphones again. “What did you say?”
“I said to make sure you’re awake when we get to Philly.”
Alvarez went to replace the headphones again.
“I didn’t know you wear glasses,” Beckett said, nodding toward the glasses in Alvarez’s shirt pocket.
“I don’t. I borrowed these.”
“Can you see through them?”
“Not well.” Alvarez returned the headphones to his ears. The next time Beckett spoke, he didn’t remove the headphones.
Molly stood in Corbin’s door watching him type. Despite the warm day they were expecting, she had abandoned her recent near-miniskirts for a tight, black, silk skirt with a red rose print, that fell to the lower end of her calves. The skirt was so snug it visibly restricted her movements. The combination of the tight skirt and her higher-than-normal high heels made her appear precariously balanced. A wide black belt rested just above her hips and three silver bracelets stood out prominently below the short sleeves of her dark-red blouse. Her lips, her fingernails, and her toenails visible through her open-toed shoes and tan stockings, all matched the dark red of her blouse.
Corbin didn’t look up, but he did acknowledge her presence. “Molly.”
“Corbin,” Molly echoed his tone.
“How are you today?”
“
“
“It means same shit, different day.”
“Doesn’t it mean, all else remains unchanged?”
“That’s what I said.” Molly picked up Beckett’s coffee cup. Corbin drunk half the contents ten minutes prior. “Where’s your diminutive friend?”
“What is this, big word Tuesday?”
“I’m feeling loquacious.” Molly smiled.
“Clearly. I have no idea where he went. He’s in high demand today, with this being his last day and all.” Corbin looked up from his keyboard. He looked Molly up and down. “What are you dressed up for?”
Molly rolled her eyes. “Do I need a reason to look nice?”
Corbin shook his head.
“Have you met the F-N-G yet?” she asked.
“‘F-N-G’?”
“Fucking new guy.”
“Ah, no, I haven’t had the pleasure.”
“It’s no pleasure, I assure you.”
“I take it you’ve met him?”
“Yes, I have,” Molly said, as she swirled Beckett’s coffee in her hand. “They sent us a dud. . a real dud. . weapons grade boring. His last name should be Bland, Mr. Bland.” Suddenly, Corbin realized the reason Molly was dressed up.
“Wonderful. At least he won’t interfere with nap time.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t sleep around this guy.”
“Why not?”
“He’s got desk rage written all over him.”
“I thought you said he was Mr. Bland?”
“He is, but those are the ones you need to watch. They’re always ready to blow. A little too much caffeine and bam!” Molly slapped her hands together. “Mr. Bland goes postal! If I were you, I wouldn’t turn my back on him for a minute.” Molly rose. “Tell your friend I’m looking for him.”
The train raced through the Marylandcountryside. Alvarez stared out the window, listening to his music. Beckett twiddled his thumbs. He was bored and anxious.
“What are you listening to?”
Alvarez pulled the headphones from his ears. “What?”
“You’re listening to ABBA, aren’t you?” Beckett asked accusingly.
“No,” Alvarez responded defensively.
“I know ABBA when I hear it. That’s ABBA.”
“It’s not ABBA.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s not,” Alvarez almost growled, “and you can stop saying that now.”
“Why? Does it bother you?”
“What’s your problem?”
“No problem.” Beckett scratched his chin. “How long have you known Corbin?”
“We’re not supposed to talk about that.”
“I’m just trying to pass the time.”
Alvarez glared at him.
Beckett rose. “I’m going to the can. You stay here and watch the bag and listen to your ABBA.” As Beckett walked away, he began loudly humming “Dancing Queen.”
Alvarez bit his tongue.
Corbin slipped silently into the hearing room. Despite its name, the “hearing room” was nothing more than a large empty room with two dozen chairs and three desks arranged in an “L” shape at the front of the room. Five people sat in the audience. The court reporter gathered their names. Corbin positioned himself at the clerk’s desk. In ten minutes, the hearing would begin and the federal government would provide him with the perfect alibi.
Alvarez watched the clerkreach under the counter for the promised paperwork. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His mouth was dry. The fake glasses made him dizzy. Behind Alvarez, a wall of silver mailboxes stretched the length of the store. Another wall of silver mailboxes ran the width.
