Robert B. Parker’s Someone to Watch Over Me

5

“There’s a faster way through this shit,” Hawk said.

“Do tell.”

“We snatch up that man who chased Mattie off and toss him into the trunk,” Hawk said. “What’s his name again?”

“T.W.,” I said. “T. W. Shaw.”

“We take T.W. for a little joyride,” Hawk said. “When we get back, I guarantee we get the laptop and the sicko who wanted his toes sucked.”

“It was a foot massage,” I said. “Let’s not take it too far.”

It was early at the Harbor Health Club, the waterfront and harbor covered in darkness and shadows. Rain fell over the moored cabin cruisers and sailboats, the ferry running from the Boston Harbor Hotel to the airport. Hawk shook his head and started back into the heavy bag. He worked out a quick delivery of body blows and head shots that sent the bag jumping up into the air and jangling from the chains.

Two young women in black yoga pants and tight white tops with spaghetti straps over shapely shoulders stopped to watch Hawk. Hawk added a bit of flair to the round, and they stayed until he’d finished. He wore a white sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off, his upper arms larger than most grown men’s legs.

“Some sick puppies out there,” Hawk said, wiping down his bald head.

“We’ve met many of them.”

“Man need to be taught a lesson,” Hawk said. “You don’t mess with kids.”

“Agreed.”

“But Mattie won’t let you?” Hawk said.

“Mattie says I’m there only to assist,” I said. “And told me not to fuck it up.”

“Damn,” Hawk said. “Now she knows how I feel.”

“But if the club doesn’t deliver the goods,” I said. “I’ll do as I say.”

“You always deliver, babe,” Hawk said. He held out his mitt, and I met him with mine. “Many black folks members at the Blackstone Club?”

“Besides the help?” I said.

“Boston,” Hawk said.

We headed out of the boxing room Henry kept for us, the last sliver of the old gym he used to operate before going upscale. I walked over to an incline bench and added a couple plates to warm up. I cranked out a fast five and Hawk followed and then we began to slowly increase the weight on the next four sets. By the last set, we’d topped three-fifty.

“Not bad for a couple of old dudes,” Hawk said.

“Speak for yourself,” I said. “We’re not in the AARP yet.”

“I don’t get older,” Hawk said. “I youthen.”

“You and Merlin,” I said. I began to hum the first few chords of Camelot.

We continued over to the lat pulldown machine, and I watched as Hawk ran the key down to the lowest plate. He slid beneath the bar and cranked out twelve reps, slow and easy, holding the weight against his neck each time for a long count of three. He had complete control and mastery of the equipment. No wasted movement.

Henry Cimoli wandered out from his office, watched us train for a moment, and then shook his head in disappointment.

“That all you got to say, Henry?” Hawk said.

Henry tossed his hand up over his shoulder and walked back to his office.

“He loves us,” I said.

“’Course he do.”

I nodded and used my teeth to start unwrapping the tape from my knuckles. The front of my gray T-shirt was soaked.

“How’s Pearl?” Hawk said.

“Susan will only call her Puppy.”

“She’ll come around.”

“I’m still working on the house-training,” I said. “She’s pretty much only at my place. Susan claims the sounds of a yipping puppy might distract her patients.”

“That and puppies leave little presents around your house.”

“Lots of presents,” I said. “We’re working on crate training. And her sit and stay commands.”

“I like that little dog.”

“She fell asleep on your lap the whole drive back from New York.”

“How you feel if this Pearl prefers me to you?”

“Never will happen.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Hawk said.

We walked back to the locker room to shower and dress. I was headed to the office. Hawk was off to wherever Hawk goes.

Outside, he’d parked his silver Jaguar beside my Land Cruiser. Before he drove off, he looked at me from over the car. The rain beading down off his slick bald head.

“Man needs to be taught lesson,” he said.

“Won’t exactly be a paying gig.”

“This is for Mattie?” he said. “Right?”

I nodded.

“Then whatever she decides, count me in.”