Robert B. Parker’s Revenge Tour

Nine

Richie and I were walking Rosie the dog up Chestnut Street and into Beacon Hill proper. It was two in the afternoon. His son Richard was in school for another hour. I’d told him first thing what Melvin had said about Richard. Richie Burke had suggested his own contact visit with John Melvin, as a way of getting into a room with him.

“He’s bluffing,” I said.

“I’m glad you pointed that out,” Richie said.

“Ever vigilant,” I said.

“Makes two of us.”

By now we had changed the subject. I’d asked about his other ex-wife, Kathryn, and was informed she was currently in a new period of self-discovery, this time in Taos.

“Isn’t she eventually going to run out of selves to discover?” I asked.

“You never run out of those Brit TV shows with the horny vicars,” Richie said.

“They’re not horny,” I said. “They’re just star-crossed.”

“Like us,” Richie said.

“I think of us more as stars that intermittently uncross,” I said.

He was holding Rosie’s leash. He didn’t love this Rosie the way he had the original. But she didn’t know that. If she did, she didn’t let on.

“There’s nothing stopping us,” he said.

“Other than me,” I said. “Who at this point in the proceedings would prefer to discuss other things.”

“How come you always get to set the terms of the engagement?” Richie said.

I smiled.

“I’m the girl,” I said.

He said okay, he’d drop the subject, and asked how Spike was doing on his first day watching Melanie Joan.

“She did some press around town,” I said. “He was with her at every stop, without incident. He actually gets a kick out of her.”

“When is she moving in?”

“Later this afternoon,” I said. “Although reluctantly.”

“I assume you’re not letting her check out of the hotel.”

“We’re going to sneak her out a side entrance, the one that faces the Public Alley,” I said. “Spike will be waiting in his car. The bags will follow her later. Lots and lots of bags.”

“Sounds like a good play to me,” he said. “Safe rather than sorry.”

“It’s only temporary. And if anybody tries anything at the house, I’ll be there. And the game will officially be afoot.”

“If you need more backup,” Richie said, “you know I can supply it.”

“Spike and I have this for now,” I said.

“You and Spike,” he said. “Two stars who are always aligned. Makes me jealous of things being so easy between the two of you and so complicated with us.”

I gave him a quick, sisterly peck on the cheek.

“No offense,” I said. “But I do look at Spike as being pretty much the perfect man.”

“He’s gay,” Richie said.

“What’s your point?” I said.