Fat Tuesday(16)

Roman carried a carafe of fresh coffee and another cup and saucer to the kitchen table."Will you be needing anything else, Mr. Duvall?"

"No thank you, Roman. Good night." Over the rim of his china cup, Bardo watched the old gentleman as he went down the hall toward his quarters."Not too many niggers like that left in the world."

"I wouldn't let him hear you say that," Pinkie remarked as he broke the yolk on one of his sunny-side-ups."When he caught his wife in bed with another man, Roman took an ax to both of them."

"No shit?" Bardo was obviously impressed."Hmm."

Pinkie came straight to the point of the unscheduled meeting.

"We're going to have trouble with Basile."

"Duh! " Pinkie's fork halted halfway to his mouth. He looked up at Bardo and was pleased to see that the other man correctly read the meaning behind his dangerous expression.

'"Sorry," Bardo mumbled."Didn't mean to sound like a smart ass. It's just, you know, I'd already figured we weren't finished with that Boy Scout yet."

"I thought we could take care of him in good time, but I've changed my mind. I don't think we should wait."

"Why? What's up?"

Pinkie told him about Sachel's arrest."I think it's time we sent Mr. Basile a message."

"Okay."

"A clear message that if he meddles with us, he's begging for trouble.

Bad trouble."

"What do you want me to do?"

'"Pinkie?" At the sound of Remy's voice, both men looked toward the open doorway where she was standing, wrapped in a robe, her hair tousled, eyes sleepy."I didn't hear you come in."

"I've been back a while." Pinkie noticed that she had deliberately kept her eyes away from Bardo, and Pinkie couldn't help but wonder why that was."Mr. Bardo and I had some business to discuss."

"At this hour?"

"Urgent business."

"I see."

"Go back to bed. I'll be there shortly."

Her gaze shifted to Bardo for a millisecond before she looked back at Pinkie."Don't be long."

Keeping his voice low, he finished his conversation with Bardo. It took no longer than it did for him to finish eating his food. In conclusion he said, "I'd like this taken care of immediately." "Sure.

" "Immediately," Pinkie repeated with emphasis."The impact should be hard and strong, like a blow to the head. I want this to be a real wake-up call for Basile and everyone in the Narcotics Division."

"I understand."

"As to your fee ..."

"The usual?"

Pinkie nodded."You can leave by the back door, same as you came in."

After Bardo left, Pinkie reset the alarm system, then went upstairs.

Remy was in bed, but she was still awake."What was that about?" "I told you. Business." He began undressing, but his eyes remained on her. i"Are you feeling well, Remy?" He could tell the question made her uneasy."Of course. Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You haven't been yourself lately."

She gave him an unconvincing smile."You know I get a little blue every winter. I'm ready for spring. It seems a long way off."

"You're lying." In their natural state, other men might feel vulnerable and less imposing. Not Pinkie. Nakedness didn't inhibit him.

Placing his hands on his hips, he gave his wife a stern stare."You've been dragging your ass around for weeks."

"I told you, it's " "The time of year? Bullshit. Where'd these newfangled ideas of yours come from?"

"What newfangled ideas?"

"The ones you so outspokenly shared with our party guests last night." Dropping his voice almost to a whisper, he said, "You came awfully close to siding with the opposition, Remy."

"That's ridiculous. You know whose side I'm on."

"Do I?"

"You should."

She met his gaze levelly. He could see no equivocation in her eyes, but he wasn't ready to let the matter drop just yet. Her position in his life did not include the voicing of opinions on anything of importance.

"I also didn't like the fact that you disappeared during my party."

"I didn't disappear. I developed a headache and had to come upstairs and lie down."

'"A headache?" he repeated skeptically."You've never had headaches before. You've never been this lethargic before either. Are you ill?

Maybe I should schedule a doctor's appointment for you."

"No! " The force of her answer surprised even her. She mollified it with a light little laugh."It's nothing, Pinkie. I'm fine. Just a little moody, that's all."

He sat down on the bed close to her and stroked her neck."The one thing I won't tolerate, Remy, is someone lying to me." His fingers ceased stroking her."Tell me, now, what the hell is wrong."

"All right," she exclaimed angrily. Throwing back the covers, she left the bed, then turned back to confront him."It's that man."

He came to his feet."What man?"

"Wayne Bardo."