She ignored him.
He started to summon a stewardess, to have her put off the plane. Then he realized that people were staring, realized how foolish he would look and sound. He plopped down, angrily fastened his own belt.
Tran stared out a window with a bemused smile.
'I don't think it's funny,' Cash told him. 'This isn't some vacation trip.'
'I was reflecting on the paradoxes in chains of command.'
'I don't follow you.'
'How many times have you threatened to crucify your lieutenant because he wouldn't let you do things your way? How many times have you ignored him? You set the example for her.'
Cash looked at Tran sharply. He wanted to claim that these circumstances were different. But he couldn't. That would have been pure hypocrisy.
He grinned. 'You got me dead to rights.'
Having listened to the conversation, Beth remarked, 'It's too late anyway, Norm.' The engines began to whine. 'So let's get on with the job.'
He gave her a look that promised he wouldn't forget, but said only, 'What else can I do?' He sighed, closed his eyes.
'Wake me up when we get there.'
He wouldn't sleep. Flying frightened him too much. Every little creak from the airframe would be sandpaper across raw nerves. Safety statistics didn't mean a thing to the primitive cowering at the back of his skull.
Frank Segasture, true to his promise, was there to meet them.
Cash embraced the man. 'How the hell are you, you runt wop? Getting a little chunky there, aren't you?' He jabbed a finger into the man's spare tire.
Segasture was short, broad, and swarthy. He looked more like a movie Mafioso than a detective. He took the insults with a grin. 'When you going to wake up and start wearing a hat? What the wind ain't bleached it's blown away. Kids started calling you chrome-dome yet?'
'Hey, Frank, when the dust settles let's go out and get plowed. I haven't gone clubbing since that time in D.C.'
'In Rochester? You got to be shitting me. Man, people around here go to Cleveland for excitement.' He eyeballed Beth while he talked. She reddened, tried pretending she didn't notice.
'Oh. This is Major Tran. And Beth Tavares.'
'Ah. The lady on the phone. The one with the sexy voice.' He ogled her. 'Maybe we
Beth blushed more deeply, moved nearer Cash.
'Tran, did you say? The Viets are in on this, too?'
'Just personal curiosity,' Tran replied. 'I was a police officer myself. I find this case extremely interesting.'
'That it is. You guys had breakfast yet? Didn't think so. With that outfit you're lucky the plane even got here. Come on. Let's get your bags and go. I've got us set up at the Holiday Inn. It's only a couple of miles from the house.'
'I'm not hungry,' said Cash, puffing as he tried to match Segasture's pace. 'Let's just go out there…'
'Down, Sherlock. There ain't no rush. She hasn't showed yet. Might as well take it easy till she does.'
'She hasn't?' Sudden fear rolled over Cash. Had he guessed wrong? 'But she's had plenty of time…'
'Hey! Don't get an ulcer. Okay? We'll know if…
'Huh? How?'
'Think about it.' Segasture grinned as he helped Beth claim her bags.
Christ, she must plan on a long stay, Norm thought.
'I give up, Frank.'
'Ah, Norm, you never were any fun.'
'Taxi drivers,' said Tran.
Segasture spat to one side. 'Yeah. Norm, your friend is too damned smart. Yeah. What I did was get to the cabbies working the stations. I told them there was a twenty for the guy who spotted her and let us know.'
'Isn't that a little cheap?'
'There's guys would cut your throat for that much down in the city. Anyway, they're going to be your bucks. I'll up the ante if you want. Hey, pretty lady, I'll carry them.'
'Don't worry, Beth. This old dog is all bark. He's the last of the faithful husbands.'
In a tight voice she remarked, 'That's what I was afraid of.' She wasn't at ease with that kind of banter.
'You're blowing my mystique, Norm. Come on. I've got a car. Hey! You remember the time we booby-trapped old Handley's microscope?'
They relived similar hijinx all the way to the motel, till Cash was sure Beth and Tran were convinced that his
