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generally stripped his associates like a vulture.
    Right now, Green was probably experiencing spasms because he’d failed to make the right move three years ago.
    Tough.
    As recently as the middle ’60s, some potent adversaries of dancers and waitresses in topless establishments were fulminating against this new phenomenon. Legislators promised constituents that this new art form would never be legitimized in Michigan.
    Cameron had taken the simplest approach. Since Adam, men had delighted in looking at women. The more of women men could see, the better men liked it. Laws forbidding toplessness were foredoomed.
    An earlier generation had thought it best that everyone stop drinking alcohol. That generation had learned that people liked to drink alcohol. So Prohibition was repealed.
    Threats against the displaying of minimally clothed women held the same chance for success.
    Cameron had put all his chips on the right number and won … big. Now he had no need nor any inclination to take on a partner. Especially not Dr. Moses Green.
    THE PRESENT
    Jake Cameron had finished his narration some moments before Father Koesler realized it was ended. “You mean,” Koesler said, “that Mrs. Green, that sophisticated woman I spent practically this whole afternoon with, once worked as a cashier in a topless bar?”
    “Well,” Cameron hedged, “she was a cashier. She was also treasurer and …well … just about everything except dancer or bouncer. It was just plain fool’s luck that I found Joe Blinstraub. He isn’t as multitalented as Margie—but … almost.”
    “And she was your … what are they calling this relationship nowadays … significant other?”
    Cameron nodded.
    “But she just left you and went with Dr. Green?”
    Again Cameron nodded. “He had more money and power than either of us figured we’d see in our lifetimes. I don’t blame her. I’d have done the same.”
    “Even with the difference in their ages?”
    “When I met Moe in ’74, he was thirty-six. Margie was nineteen. Now he’s fifty-eight, she’s forty-one. What can I say? She made a commitment and kept it.”
    “You know her much better than I,” Koesler said. “But this afternoon, believe me, she was no passive person. I got the clear impression that no one— no one —was going to push her around, or dominate her.”
    “Oh, I see what you mean …” Cameron needed a cigarette. He promised himself one after finishing with Koesler—even if it was chilly outside. “You’re right. Ordinarily, Margie is in charge—oh, I’d say 90 percent of the time. But she came close to meeting her match in Green.
    “One example: Green had been divorced before he met Margie. She made him get some kind of additional divorce—a Catholic one—before she would marry him.”
    “An annulment.”
    “Yeah, that’s it. They put him through the wringer. A lot of time and a lot of trouble. But she got him to do it. That’s pretty much how it’s been with them over the years. Now, I would guess it’s probably fifty-fifty. But, you gotta remember: I get my information second-and third-hand. When Margie left me, she left me. As far as I know, she’s been faithful to him. Which, of course, is probably more than you could say as far as he’s concerned.
    “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Father, I feel the need for a weed ….”
    “Oh, of course. Just one last question: When we met a few minutes ago, I think you said that you and Dr. Green were partners. But then you said you repaid the loan two years early … you said you absolutely refused his bid to become your partner. I mean you seemed very resolute—very!”
    Cameron grinned mirthlessly. “Things change. Especially when someone is pulling your string.”
    THE PAST
    It was 1990.
    Employee turnover at Virago was high, compared with other area restaurants. Most eateries did not offer top wages or anything close to top. Many employees were young and wanted to improve their opportunities.
    With the