“I didn’t notice last time, but she is a remarkably well-put-together young lady.”
“Maybe you should make this a regular eating spot,” Decker said.
“Perhaps I will.”
“All right, Tally,” Decker said as they started on coffee, “what game are we playing today?”
“Just do what you’ve normally been doing. I’ll have some men watching you.”
“Not too obviously, I hope.”
“My men are well trained, Decker,” Tally said tightly.
Decker spread his hands and said, “I didn’t mean anything, Lieutenant.”
“Sorry,” Tally said. “I’m sensitive about my men.”
“If they’re as good as you are, then I’m satisfied,” Decker said.
“Jesus,” Tally said, “spread it on any thicker and I’ll have to get a shovel.”
The waitress returned with their eggs, and Decker noticed that Tally had rated some extra today.
“Keep turning up the charm, Tally,” Decker said, “and you’ll be able to eat here for free.”
“I am always charming, Decker,” Tally said. “You’ve just been too busy to notice.”
“Ah…”
After breakfast, Tally took Decker over to his hotel. They found Billy Rosewood waiting out front.
“I was gettin’ worried,” Rosewood said.
“I think it’s about time you two became friends,” Decker said. “Billy, Lieutenant Tally will explain what’s happened. I think I’ll go upstairs and get some rest.”
“Good idea,” Tally said, although Rosewood looked dubious.
As Decker entered the hotel, he heard Tally say, “Now, Billy, my boy…”
Turn on the old charm, Tally, he thought…
Decker collected his key from the desk clerk and made his way slowly to the second floor. He inserted the key in his lock and then stopped. He’d almost allowed his fatigue to allow him to become careless. He took out his gun and pushed the door slowly open.
There was somebody in the room, on the bed.
“I knew you were getting out today,” Linda Hamilton said, sitting up. She was fully dressed, but she was as pretty a sight at that moment as she would have been naked.
Decker put the gun away and closed the door, then started to take his coat off.
“Here, let me help you,” she said, bounding to his side.
“I didn’t expect to see you again…for a while,” he said.
“If you had asked me last night, I would have said you’d never see me again,” she said, putting his coat on a chair.
“What changed your mind?”
“You did.”
“How did I do that?”
“Just by being you,” she said. She kissed him gently on the mouth and said, “Besides, I think you’re going to need a live-in nurse for a while.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” she said, unbuttoning his shirt, “that is so.”
“Have you noticed how both wounds are on the left side?” Decker asked later.
They were lying together in bed, she in the crook of his right arm.
“And what does that mean?”
“It leaves my right arm free for you.”
“And for your gun.”
The remark hung in the air for a while.
“I’m sorry,” she said finally.
“Don’t be,” he said. “I’m a lot better off because of that.”
“What are you going to do now?” she asked. “Keep looking for that man?”
“Yes.”
“He’ll send someone else to kill you, won’t he?”
“Most likely,” he said. “That’s what the police are counting on.”
“The police?”
“Lieutenant Tally is putting some men on me, so you see, you don’t have to worry.”
“Why would I have to worry?” she asked. “I’ll be right here with you.”
“No,” he said, “you won’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think you had the right idea last night, Linda,” Decker said. “Stay away from me…for a while. Let me and the police do what we have to do.”
“Maybe they have to do it,” she said, “because it’s their job. You don’t have to, though, Decker. You can let it alone.”
“No, I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.”
“Same thing.”
“Is that what you really want?”
“What?”
“For me to stay away from you?”
“It’s for your own safety.”
“But is it what you really want?” she asked. “Not to see me for a while?”
Yes, he thought.
“No,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-five
“Did you hear?” Bookman asked.
“I heard,” Largo said. “It looks like one of Bolan’s friends switched sides.”
“Or went into business for himself.”
“I guess he didn’t inspire the same confidence you do.”
“Don’t pull my chain, Largo,” Bookman said, putting down his knife and fork, “you’ll ruin my meal.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“We both know that Bolan underpaid his people.”
“Or downright cheated them.”
“That’s something you can’t accuse me of,” Bookman said, picking up his utensils again.
“You’re right about that.”
“Would you like a bite?” Bookman asked, indicating his breakfast.
“You’ll excuse me for saying so, Bookman,” Largo said. “I can work for you, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat with you.”
Bookman either didn’t hear or ignored the remark.
“Largo?”
“Yeah?”
“Where were you while Decker was killing Razor?”
“I was outside the building.”
