by Greg Iles
Some of that would be appreciated. With enough to go around, of course.
Oh, thats never a problem here.
Not just girls, though. I'm talking about the gambling too.
Well, you've seen the boat.
And a fine one she is too, as far as she goes.
Sands cocks one eyebrow. Meaning?
Legal gamblings all right, in its place. But its kind of restrictive, if you get my meaning. Its like sex in a medical clinic with all the lights on. Takes the zing out of it. Half the funs the sneaking around, the mystery of it. That's what gets the blood pumpingthe forbidden. You with me?
Oh, yes.
When I was a boy, before I went into the army, I used to work in a gambling joint down in Galveston. Illegal, of course, like all the best places. Man, there was
nothing
they didn't have. I'm talking sport, now. Bare-knuckles boxing, strictly for interested parties. Cockfighting. Shooting contests.
That's
the kind of action I'm talking about.
Sands mulls this over, watching Walt with unblinking eyes. I see. You ever put money on dogs?
Dog racing?
Dog
fighting,
says Sands, his eyes as insinuating as those of a pimp offering a young boy to a tourist.
Oh, I get you. Twenty, twenty-five years ago we had a good bit of that in my neck of the woods, but the governor got a bug up his ass and the state troopers started cracking down. The Rangers too.
I saw old Red fight in Taos. She was bred out of Arkansas Blackie. Hell of a leg dog. Went for the foreleg every time, but she could really break em down. A real champion. That was years ago, though. I've heard they do a lot of hogs-and-dogs-type stuff out at the hunting camps, and I've seen a little of that. But straight fighting? Pit fighting? Not in a while.
Well, we have a variety of activities available to players accustomed to more intense games. I'll give it a think and see what I come up with. As for ladies, do you have any preference?
I gotta tell you, I like those oriental girls. You seem to have a surplus too.
Sandss eyes flicker with light.
When I first got to town, I was thinking about a colored girl, but these young ladies you got remind me of some I spent time with in Korea.
Recently?
Hell, no. I'm talking 195253.
For the first time, Sands looks truly interested. You fought there?
All along that godforsaken thirty-eighth parallel, with those hookers granddaddies launching human-wave attacks every night. Only one out of two of those bastards even had a rifle in his hands when they started, but soon as one man would fall, the unarmed fella would pick up his gun and keep acomin.
A very effective tactic, Sands says, if you can find personnel fanatical enough to carry it out.
Walt laughs. That's your basic Chink soldier right there. Fanatical. I'll bet you couldn't find a hundred Americans on the East Coast who would do that.
Quite right. If one American dies in Iraq, its national news.
You look like a man whos spent some time in uniform.
Sands shrugs. When I was young and stupid, I confess. But the real fighting isnt always done in uniform.
I imagine youre right, there. Anyway, it goes without saying that anybody who can help us out with extracurricular activities would be handsomely compensated.
Sands dismisses this with a flick of his hand. I have no worries on that score, Mr. Gilchrist.
J.B., please.
You know, of course, that the type of action were discussing is illegal, both in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Aint just about everything worth doing illegal? That's the way this country works. Pure hypocrisy, from Plymouth Rock on down.
Sands sniffs and leans forward, subtly signaling that the meeting is over. Which hotel are you staying at?
The Eola.
If youll call ahead on your next trip, well comp you a suite at our hotel.
I appreciate it, but I've got a soft spot for those grand old dames. The downtowns may be dying, but the great hotels soldier on, in the good towns anyway. Course, I don't mind putting the boys up in your hotel. Well make that part of the deal if it makes things easier.
It does simplify issues like transport.
Its a deal, then.
Walt gets up, not wanting to press, but Sands comes around his desk and says, Are you interested in any special action during this visit? A test-drive, say?
A girl, you mean? Or the blood sport?
You seem quite able to manage the ladies on your own. I was thinking of sport.
Well, I wouldn't be against it. I got three, four more days here. I was planning on getting to know one of those little China girls better. But I'm open to anything. You get something good going, I'm in.
Sands shakes Walts hand and leads him to the door with a smile. I'm sure we can accommodate you.
Walt has shaken a lot of hands in his life, and he knows the feel of great strength under restraint. The manager of the
Magnolia Queen
could tear a deck of cards in half.
CHAPTER
43
Kelly and Major McDavitt flew Annie and my mother back from Houston this afternoon, arriving at my house just after seven. My mother insisted on cooking for us. We tried to make Kelly eat, but he privately told me that he wanted to go down to the
Magnolia Queen
and make sure that Sands appeared to be keeping his part of the deal. I like to know where my enemies are was how he put it. Kelly expressed visible relief when Dad informed him that Sandss guard dog had tested negative for rabies, and laughed that he might have to celebrate.
Living in the Texas safe house for a few days had been surprisingly comfortable, my mother claimed. The simple fact of separation had proved to be the ordeal. Though Mom sensed that the crisis that had necessitated their fleeing was not fully resolved, we assured Annie that the bad guys were all taken care of. When she asked why James Ervin and his brother were standing guard on the front porch and in the backyard, I told her that we just needed to play it safe for a couple of days.
In case the bad guys friends are mad, right? she said.
Sort of, I admitted.
My parents left a half hour ago, with James Ervin driving. His brother Elvin stayed behind to await Kellys return. Annie took a quick bath, then climbed into bed and called for me to tuck her in.
Its obvious that being home has given her a great sense of relief, no matter how hard she pretends that living on the run was no big deal.
The second house was scarier, she says, looking up at me from the covers as I sit on the edge of the bed.
Why?
The first one was a condo, really. Like a vacation. But then Mr. Kelly called, and Mr. Jim said we had to move. The place he took us to then wasn't near as nice. I think it belonged to a lady he knew. The house was okay, but I could tell that Mr. Jim and his friends were worried. At the first house I never saw their guns, but at the second one, they had them out all the time.
I'm sorry you had to go through that, baby. But its over now.
How was Mr. Tims funeral? Was it sad?
It was. All funerals are sad, but when the dead person is young, its harder.
Confusion clouds Annies eyes. Mr. Tim wasn't young.
I smile. I guess I'm not either, then. He was the same age I am.
Well, youre not
old,
she says, obviously a little embarrassed. But youre not young either. I guess what I mean is, Mr. Tim seemed a lot older than you.
That's because he didn't take care of himself when he was young. He had some bad luck, and heI hesitatehe turned to drugs t
o try to deal with it.
You don't have to tell me not to do drugs. I already know.
I know you do. But life looks different to people as they grow older. Fate always throws something you don't expect in your path, and sometimes its really tough.
Like Mom getting sick.
The rush of emotion that hits me is almost dizzying. Yes. Like that. I look away for a moment and gather myself. Were okay, though. Right?
Annie nods with reasonable certainty.
I want to ask you a question, squirt. A big one, okay?
Okay.
What would you think if I wasn't the mayor anymore?
Her eyes widen, but I cant tell what shes feeling. What do you mean? Are you going to get voted out or something?
No, no. But for a while now I've been thinking that I haven't been able to accomplish the things I wanted to. The things I wanted to change for you and the kids your age. I think only time is going to fix those things, and you and I only have a certain amount of time together. Time to get you the education you deserve, to
What?
To
live,
I guess. Its hard to explain, really.
Annie works her mouth like someone trying to solve a difficult problem. I liked it better when you just wrote books. You were home a lot more.
I sure was.
But to have things back like they were before, youd have to quit, right?
Yes.
You always tell me never to quit, no matter what.
I know. I've been struggling with that. But this job is about serving the people of the city. And if I'm not giving my full self to that job, then I'm betraying those people.
Annie looks at the ceiling, considering.
Its been done before, I tell her. The last mayor resigned, remember? That's how I was elected, during a special election. That's what would happen this time.
But Mr. Doug had cancer. Who would be mayor if you stopped?
I give her a smile. I know someone whos wanted to be mayor for a long time.
Not Mr. Johnson!
Laughing at her sound political instincts, I say, No, no. Shads always wanted it, but I was thinking of Paul Labry.
Annies eyes brighten. Yeah! Mr. Labry would be a great mayor. Hes so nice, and he likes being out talking to people on the streets. You don't like that part of the job so much. That's not good.
You see a lot, don't you? I rub her head affectionately. Annie, I think what I'm really feeling is this. Natchez was the right place for me to grow up, but I don't think it is for you. The town was different when I was a boy. I ran for mayor because I thought I could bring back some of the good ways life used to be, and at the same
time fix the things that were wrong back then. But that jobs too big for one person. I want us to be somewhere there are more kids like youas smart as youand also more who are different from you. I want you to be exposed to everything thats out there. You deserve all that.
She knots the blanket in her right hand and speaks in a voice that is subtly changed. When you say us, do you just mean you and me?
This is the unspoken heart of our conversation.
Well you know my decision to run for mayor was probably the main reason that Caitlin and I broke up.
Uh-huh.
That's why I'm asking this now, dummy,
her eyes seem to say. But I don't think she really wanted to leave us.
I don't either.
She kept her house here.
Yes. And I think that house was sort of a symbol. A reminder that she was still out there, hoping I would come to her. But this town is too small for Caitlin. If we were all going to be together, I think it would have to be somewhere else. And I'm not sure thats what you want, since youd have to leave behind the friends you've made here.
Annies face can be difficult to read, but in this moment her mothers eyes shine out at me with certainty. I don't care where we live, Daddy. As long as were together.
By we, do you mean you and me?
Annie shakes her head. I mean the three of us. I want Caitlin to be my mom. I think thats how its supposed to be.
When the tears swell in the corners of my eyes, I turn and look toward the door.
Annie rises up and puts her arms around my neck. Its okay, Dad. I think even Mom would want that. Shed want us to be happy. Shed want you to have someone to take care of you.
And you, I choke out.
Youve taken good care of me. But I think youre right. I think its time to let Mr. Paul take care of the town, and us take care of each other.
I lean down and hug her as tight as I dare. When I rise back up, she says, I think Caitlin needs us too.
This brings a wave of warmth into my chest. I think youre right. Now, you need to get some sleep.
I will. I'm glad to be in my own bed again.
I smile, kiss her once more, then turn out the light and leave the room.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see Kelly walking through the front door. Hes moving more slowly than usual, and his eyes look bleary. Then I see the Styrofoam cup in his hand. The smell of alcohol hits me with his first words.
Hey, Penn, hows everybody doing?
Its all good. Were glad to be back together. How about you? You okay?
I'm good.
I reach out and squeeze his shoulder. You look pretty out of it.
Well I haven't done much sleeping since I got here. I don't need much, but I need some.
Well tonight you can finally get some.
He gives an exaggerated nod. Yep. I finally took me a drink too. I didn't want to buy one on the
Queen.
That fucking Quinn would love to get me that way. I'll bet he was watching me on the CCTVs the whole time.
Whered you go?
Stopped at a little bar on the way back here, down on the corner of Canal Street. Its called the Corner Bar, fittingly enough. Kelly almost giggles, which makes me laugh.
Dude, you need some serious sleep.
Yeah. I'm going to sit on the couch in the den for a while. Zone out and watch a movie. Will that bother Annie?
Nah. I do it all the time.
Hey, Kelly says, as though just remembering something important. I just saw Caitlin pull into her driveway.
Something stirs in my chest. Really?
Yeah. She didn't look too happy. I think you ought to go talk to her.
I don't think she wants that right now.
Bullshit. When you think they don't want to talk to you thats
exactly
when they want you to talk to them. Take it from me.
The truth is, I very much want to talk to Caitlin. Before doubt can
stop me, I dial her cell and am surprised when she doesn't let it go to voice mail.
Penn? she says.
Yes.
Is anything wrong?
No. I was wondering if I could come over and talk to you.
I'm pretty wiped out, actually. Is it important?
Kelly motions for me to push it. I think it is. It won't take long.
Theres a long silence. Then she says, All right, I'll be on the porch.
Thanks. I'm on my way.
Way to go! Kelly says, slapping my back. I told you.
As I smile back at him, I see that he must have had quite a few drinks at the Corner Bar. His eyes are bloodshot slits. But if anybodys earned a few drinks, Kelly has.
I'll see you, bro, I say.
I hope not. You need to stay over there tonight.
Is Carl there?
Yeah. But I'll text him to put some Kl
eenex in his ears. Go on, man. Shes waiting for you.
I wave him off and hurry out.
CHAPTER
44
Caitlin waits on her porch with her arms folded, her hair down around her neck. Shes wearing a blue cashmere sweater and jeans, and from her expression I get the feeling shes not planning on being out here long. I walk up the steps and stop a few feet short of her.
Long day? I ask.
She shrugs. Yes and no. Lots to think about. No big epiphanies. What about you?
I did a lot of thinking during Tims funeral. About Annie, about the town. But about us, mostly.
Caitlin doesn't prompt me to continue, but theres no point backing away from it now. I realized today that I lost you the first time because I was too idealistic, which you told me at the time. I wanted to do something that you thought was impossible, and I didn't really listen to your objections. I thought you didn't see the situation as deeply as I did, so I went on and did it anyway. And you left.
Shes watching me with interest now. She doesn't often get abject admissions of fault from me.
I really thought you were never coming back, I go on. But you did. And I think you were open to us when you came back. And the irony is, now I'm losing you again, only this time its because you want me to do something
I
think is impossible, at least for the time being. Now its your idealism thats separating us.
Her mouth opens in amazement. So its
my
fault? That's what youre saying?
No. I'm saying that you were right the first time. I was wrong to think I could save this town by myself. It was hubris. And though my parents raised me never to quit anything, I think that for a lot of reasons, the time has come for me to step down and focus on what the people I care about really need.
She looks steadily back at me, but I cant read her expression. Whatever she feels, its clearly not what Id hoped for.
I spoke to Paul Labry today about running for mayor after I resign.
Resign? She draws back as though she cant quite believe this. And what do you plan to do after that?
Move somewhere that you can be happy working in your job, and where Annie can go to a top-flight school.