The naked edge

30

They lay under blankets on a motel-room bed, but despite a long, hot shower, they still had trouble getting warm. Beyond closed draperies, the sound of the rain lessened. Afternoon became evening. Shadows deepened. They held one another.

Someone knocked on the door.

A blanket around him, Cavanaugh crossed the room. Standing next to the door, avoiding the peep hole, which could be a target for a bullet, he asked, "Who is it?" The response made him open the door, allowing William to enter.

"Hi, Jamie," William said cheerily, as if accustomed to seeing her in bed.

"Hi, William," she said from her pillow, as if receiving a visitor in this manner was the most natural thing in the world.

Cavanaugh locked the door.

William had two garment bags draped over an arm. "Here are the clothes you asked me to bring from the Gulfstream. Jeans. Pullovers. Jackets. Socks. Shoes. Underwear. I'm quickly becoming the most expensive errand boy in the legal community."

"Except that we can't afford to pay you any longer," Cavanaugh said.

"The distraction factor is payment enough. Rutherford says that he still has some loose ends to take care of, that we won't be flying out of here until the morning."

"Does that ruin your schedule?"

"Not at all. I went to Harvard with the dean of the University of Iowa's law school. I'm having dinner with him tonight."

"Every city you come to, you have a connection."

"I win friends and influence people."

"Intimidate them into submission is more like it."

"Oh, I almost forgot. I needed to set something down when I knocked." William opened the door and retrieved a large paper bag marked with the logo for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

"How could you forget you brought food?" Jamie asked with delight.