2.
Molly and Suit came into the office.
“I remember him,” Simpson said.
“I called Suit in from patrol,” Molly said. “I thought extra backup would be good.”
“What’d he want?” Suit said.
Jesse told them.
“Brazen bastard,” Simpson said.
Molly and Jesse both looked at him.
“Brazen?” Molly said.
Suit grinned.
“I been taking some night courses,” he said.
“You have no idea who he’s looking for?” Molly said to Jesse.
Jesse shook his head. “I’m not sure Crow does, either,” he said.
“He say what he’d do when he found him?” Molly said.
“Said he’d check with his employer.”
“Guy like that looking for somebody,” Simpson said, “not good for the somebody.”
“No, it’s not,” Jesse said.
“Think he’ll find him?” Molly said.
“Yes.”
“Hard to make a ten-year-old case,” Molly said.
Jesse nodded.
“Isn’t he some kind of Indian?” Simpson said.
“Claims he’s Apache,” Jesse said.
“You believe him?”
“He’s something,” Jesse said.
“He’s a hunk,” Molly said.
“A hunk?” Simpson said.
“He’s absolutely gorgeous,” Molly said.
“Isn’t he a contract killer, Jesse?” Simpson said.
“That’s what they tell me,” Jesse said. “Probably part of his charm.”
“Probably is,” Molly said. “It makes him sort of exciting.”
“Not if the contract’s on you,” Jesse said.
“No, but there’s something about how complete he is, how, what, interior, independent.”
“Power,” Jesse said.
“Yes,” Molly said. “He reeks of power.”
“I guess I better take more night courses,” Simpson said. “I don’t know what you people are talking about.”
“He’s a little like you, Jesse,” Molly said.
“Except that I just reek.”
“No. You have that same silent center. Nothing will make you turn aside. Nothing will make you back up. It’s…what do the shrinks call it…?”
“Autonomy,” Jesse said.
“Yes. Both of you are, like, autonomous,” Molly said. “Except maybe you have scruples.”
“Maybe he does, too,” Jesse said.
“For fantasy purposes,” Molly said, “I hope not.”
“Fantasy?” Simpson said. “Molly, how long you been married?”
“Fifteen years.”
“And you got how many kids?”
“Four.”
“And you are going to have sex fantasies about some Apache hit man?”
Molly smiled at Simpson.
“You better believe it,” Molly said.