High Profile

17

“How’s it going so far?” Jesse said on the phone.

“Fine,” Sunny said. “She’s taking a shower right now.”

“You think this might be kind of bizarre?” Jesse said.

“If things get back to normal, it will get bizarre, I suspect,” Sunny said. “Right now it’s about sisterhood.”

“She and Rosie get along?”

“Deeply bonded,” Sunny said. “In fact, Rosie is sitting at the bathroom door as we speak, waiting for Jenn to come out.”

“Jenn’s never had a dog,” Jesse said.

“Well, she seems to like Rosie, and Rosie likes her,” Sunny said.

“Jenn’s a lot of fun,” Jesse said.

“Except when she’s not,” Sunny said.

“Except then,” Jesse said. “I don’t assume you’ve made much progress on the rapist.”

“We’re just getting ourselves comfortable together,” Sunny said. “I haven’t even asked her about it yet.”

“Hard to investigate if you have to stay with her all the time.”

“My friend Spike will help with the babysitting,” Sunny said. “And helping me investigate might be good for her... and here she is, looking elegant in a large bath towel.”

Jesse could feel the memory of Jenn in his stomach. She would come from the shower like that, and flip the towel and flash him.

“I need to talk with her,” Jesse said.

Jenn said, “Hello?”

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“What can you tell me about Walton Weeks?”

There was a pause. Jesse knew Jenn’s focus was deep but narrow. It would take her a minute to think of anything but her situation. Suitcase Simpson appeared at Jesse’s door, saw that Jesse was on the phone, and paused. Jesse waved him away and he disappeared.

“Me?” Jenn said.

“You’re in his business,” Jesse said.

“Well, I know he’s very successful,” Jenn said.

“Uh-huh.”

“And he’s, let’s see... He’s got the weekly TV show.”

“Walton’s Week,” Jesse said.

“Clever, isn’t it,” Jenn said. “And he’s got his daily radio show, and the syndicated column he does.”

“It’s in the Globe around here,” Jesse said. “Is he right-wing, left-wing?”

“Oh, hell, Jesse. I don’t know. You know I don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”

“Who would know?” Jesse said.

“Have you tried the Internet?” Jenn said.

“I’m looking for someone I can talk with.”

“I don’t...” She was silent while she thought. “I know.” Her voice quickened. “My former news director, Jay Wade. He’s a communications professor now, at Taft, you know, in Walford.”

“I know.”

“I could call him for you,” Jenn said. “Arrange for you to see him.”

“You and he are pals?”

“Sure, we worked together for two years, Jesse.”

“And he was your boss?” Jesse said.

“Yes. He’s the one gave me that Race Week feature.”

Alone in his office with his feet on the desk, Jesse nodded silently.

“I can call him,” Jesse said. “Thanks.”

When they had hung up Jesse sat motionless for a while. I wonder if Jay fucked her? He shook his head. Got to stop doing that. He stood and went to the door of his office and stuck his head out and yelled.

“Suit.”