High Profile

10

Jesse sat in his office with Suitcase Simpson watching Daisy Dyke on the noon news.

“You bet I’m a lesbian,” Daisy said. “Married to a lesbian, and proud to be from Massachusetts.”

“So much for low profile,” Suit said.

The phone rang. Jesse clicked off the television.

On the phone, Molly said, “Ms. Randall for you, Jesse.”

“Hold on a second,” Jesse said.

He looked at Suit.

“It’s Sunny Randall,” he said to Suit. “We’ll probably talk dirty on the phone and you’re too young.”

Suit shook his head.

“At your age,” he said, and stood and left the office.

“Put her on,” Jesse said to Molly.

“Shall I stay on the line?” Molly said.

“Jesus,” Jesse said. “This is like living in a frat house.”

“I’ll take that as a no,” Molly said.

In a moment he heard Sunny Randall’s voice.

“Walton Weeks?”

“Walton Fucking Weeks,” Jesse said.

“And somebody else,” Sunny said. “Are they connected?”

“Don’t know. ME is still thinking about it.”

“Are we a little busy,” she said, “up there in Paradise?”

“Actually, right now we’re marking time and fending off the press.”

“I saw Daisy Dyke on television,” Sunny said.

“Her finest hour,” Jesse said. “You’re home?”

“Yes.”

“Where you been?”

“Los Angeles,” Sunny said. “Tidying up the loose ends on the Erin Flint business.”

“Cronjager says he can tie Moon Monaghan to the killings out there.”

“Yes.”

“Buddy Bollen’s in witness protection,” Jesse said.

“I know.”

“You see your agent friend?” Jesse said.

“Tony Gault? I did.”

“You go shopping with him?”

“On Rodeo Drive?” Sunny said.

Jesse said, “Yeah.”

“Maybe in the Jere Jillian boutique?”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe in the fitting room?” she said.

Sunny’s voice seemed to develop overtones as she talked.

“Uh-huh.”

“No,” she said. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m the chief of police, I gather information.”

“We aren’t going steady, are we?” Sunny said.

“Not quite,” Jesse said.

“We could,” Sunny said.

“You bet,” Jesse said.

“As soon as you’re clear of Jenn, and I’m clear of Richie.”

“Right after that,” Jesse said.

“Still,” Sunny said. “We might wish to relive some of those golden moments from the fitting room at Jere Jillian.”

“We do wish to do that,” Jesse said.

“I’ll come up tonight,” Sunny said. “About seven?”

“Should we have a drink first?”

“Oh, you civilized devil,” Sunny said. “You’re not going to jump me in the living room?”

“Probably not,” Jesse said. “Bring Rosie.”

“Of course,” Sunny said. “I’m pretty sure I love you.”

“Better than Richie?”

“Oops,” Sunny said.

“Yeah. And then there’s Jenn.”

“Oops again,” Sunny said.

They were quiet for a moment, listening to nothing on the phone line between them.

“Doesn’t mean we won’t have a nice night,” Sunny said.

“No,” Jesse said. “It doesn’t.”

“One night at a time,” Sunny said.