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the attention of Suitcase, who was seated at the desk next to Molly’s. He was leaning forward in his chair, listening intently.
    â€œYou haven’t answered my question,” Molly said.
    â€œWhat if I said it was a business call?”
    â€œThen I’d most happily make it.”
    â€œAnd if I said it was personal?”
    â€œThen you could make it yourself.”
    â€œWell, it’s a business call.”
    â€œHow do I know that?”
    â€œBecause I said so, that’s how.”
    Molly didn’t say anything.
    â€œHave you always been such a hard case,” Jesse said.
    â€œOnly since puberty,” Molly said.
    Jesse looked over at Suitcase, who quickly looked away.
    â€œAm I wearing a ‘kick me’ sign or something,” Jesse said, as he headed for the door. “Quit busting my chops and make the call, will you, please, Molly.”
    He left the building.
    After he’d gone, Molly looked at Suitcase, and they both burst out laughing.

12
    L ike all of the new-wave fitness centers, Nordmann’s was gigantic, football field–sized, containing every imaginable kind of electronic exercise machine. Jesse figured that if hyperactivity didn’t pose the members a danger, the intensified electromagnetic field in which they exercised would more than likely neuter them.
    He spotted Alexis Richardson among the treadmills. She waved to him. She was wearing tight blue leggings and a white tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was jogging steadily on a treadmill that was running on high.
    When she noticed Jesse, she slowed her jog, then turned off the machine but kept walking until it came to a stop. She stepped off and picked up her towel, patting her face before wrapping it around her neck.
    â€œI’m a total fitness freak,” she said. “Have been since I was a girl. You?”
    â€œI was a baseball freak. Till I got hurt.”
    â€œYou played baseball?”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œWere you any good?”
    â€œTriple-A good until I tore up my shoulder.”
    â€œSo what do you do now?”
    â€œI jog.”
    â€œJogging is good.”
    â€œAnd I sulk.”
    They wandered over to the juice bar and ordered a couple of healthy-looking sandwiches. They sat at one of the tables.
    â€œYou do this a lot,” Jesse said.
    â€œEvery day, if possible. I don’t really feel right unless I’ve done at least two hours. I start with the treadmill and end up with the heavy bag.”
    â€œYou work out on the heavy bag?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œYou box?”
    â€œNot exactly. I kickbox. I was on my college team. It’s an artful sport. And there’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of a lethal kick.”
    â€œYou mean you’ve killed people?”
    Alexis laughed.
    â€œIt’s just an expression,” she said.
    They finished their lunch and she walked with Jesse to the door.
    â€œThank you,” Alexis said. “It was lovely.”
    â€œJust like a first date,” Jesse said. “Do you kiss and tell?”
    â€œDon’t tease me, Jesse. I like you.”
    â€œDitto,” he said.
    Â 
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    O nce home, Jesse stepped out of his clothes and into the shower. The steaming-hot water never failed to help ease the tensions of the day. He had just begun to feel better when he realized that someone was pounding on his door.
    â€œShit,” he said.
    Then he hollered, “All right.”
    He turned off the shower, dried himself the best he could, wrapped the towel around his waist, and gingerly made his sodden way to the kitchen, where he picked up his pistol. He press-checked it and went to the door.
    It was Captain Healy.
    â€œWe have to stop meeting like this,” Healy said.
    Jesse stared at him.
    Healy noticed Jesse’s gun.
    â€œWere you planning to shoot me,” he said.
    â€œYou can’t be too careful,” Jesse said.
    â€œWhy don’t