Fat Tuesday(52)

"Hey, Mac. How're you doin'?"

"I almost didn't recognize you. What's with your hair? Where's your mustache?"

"Last time I saw, the bathroom sink."

"That'll take some getting used to." Then, changing pace from reflective to charged, he asked what the hell Burke had been up to.

"Not much. How'd you find me?"

"It wasn't easy. I started asking around a few days ago, but nobody knew where you were at. Either that or nobody was talking. Then I thought of Dixie. She remembered seeing you."

"How much did that cost you?"

"Ten bucks."

"I paid her twenty to forget it." "Well, Mac said with a philosophic shrug, "you know whores."

Yeah, he knew whores. Some would sell out a friend for ten dollars.

Others held out for limousines and mansions.

Knowing that Mac wouldn't be easy to shake, Burke bit the bullet and offered to buy him a beer. To his surprise, Mac declined."I'm in a hurry now. But the reason I've been looking for you is to invite you to dinner. Tonight. Sort of a retirement party."

Burke couldn't think of an occasion better avoided."I appreciate the thought, Mac, but no thanks."

"Relax. Dozens of people aren't going to pop out from behind the furniture and yell Surprise." Nothing like that. Just you, me, and Toni.

She wants to cook."

"Sounds nice, but " Mac, being his irrepressible self, poked his index finger into the center of Burke's chest."I won't take no for an answer. Five dollars says you've got no other plans for tonight. So be there. Seven o'clock Know where I live? I wrote the address on the back." He pressed a business card into Burke's reluctant hand.

Even for Mac, who was always overeager and hyperactive, this was strange behavior. As he turned to leave, Burke caught his sleeve.

"You've never invited me to dinner before, Mac. What's up?"

"Your future." Burke tilted his head quizzically. Mac said, "Tonight."

Then he pulled his arm free and struck off down the banquet, walking briskly.

Burke turned over the business card and read what Mac had written down.

It wasn't his street address.

Burke had been to the Mccuens' house only once, when he'd dropped Mac off after work. Mac's car had been in the garage, and he hadn't wanted to inconvenience his wife, so he had inconvenienced Burke instead.

On that occasion, it had been after dark and Burke hadn't given the neighborhood any particular notice. Now, as he arrived at dusk, he was surprised to see how well the Mccuens lived, which was much more affluently than he and Barbara had, or the Stuarts. The houses on Mac's street were spaced far apart, separated by clipped hedgerows and manicured lawns. Cars in driveways were expensive, late models.

Mac opened the front door before Burke reached it."Glad you're here, Burke. Come meet my wife." Smiling, shaking hands, and slapping Burke on the back, Mac pulled him into a wide vestibule. There was no trace of mystery in his bearing, none of the nervousness evinced earlier that day. Burke had brought with him a six-pack of imported beer and a bouquet of flowers.

He handed Mac the six-pack and presented the bouquet to Toni Mccuen when Mac introduced them.

She was a petite blonde who was as good-looking as her proud husband had boasted. She thanked Burke for the flowers in a heavily accented, deep South, sugar-coated voice that was genuine."I'm so pleased to finally meet you. To hear Mac tell it, Burke Basile is a living legend."

"Hardly. It's a pleasure to meet you, Toni."

"It's nice out tonight. Why don't y'all take your beeah out on the patio. I'll call you when dinner's ready. It shouldn't be too long now."

As they moved outside, Mac showed him where they were planning to install a swimming pool."I gave Toni a choice a pool or a baby.

She chose the pool." Mac winked." Course I'm still doing my best to knock her up. Bet you ten to one she'll be pregnant by the time the swimming pool is in, but what the hell."

The patio furniture wasn't the kind bought cheaply in the hope that it would last at least one summer season. The barbecue setup was the Rolls-Royce of outdoor cooking. By the time Toni called them to dinner, Burke had deduced that either the Mccuens were living way beyond their means on credit, or that Toni had brought a sizable dowry into the marriage, or that Mac's gambling was providing a substantial second income.

One thing was certain: They couldn't live this high on the hog on a cop's salary.

After a superb dinner of pork tenderloin with all the trimmings, the charming Toni shooed them out of the dining room so she could clean up.

"Is it too cold for you outside?" Mac asked.

"Not at all."

They returned to the patio with brandies and cigars and, for a while, sat silently enjoying both. Burke waited for Mac to commence the conversation which he'd obviously orchestrated to take place out of his wife's hearing. Burke had determined not to bring up Mac's obscure reference to his future, or question him about the warning he had scribbled on the back of his business card: Watch your back. Others are.

This was Mac's party. It was up to him to provide the entertainment.

Out of the darkness, Mac asked, "Why'd you quit, Burke? And don't give me that bullshit about burnout."