"There're no charges, but messing with guns in barrooms usually has another conclusion," I said.
"We've already covered this territory with other people, sir," he said.
"I don't think quite enough," I said.
"Is that right?" he replied.
Our eyes locked on each other's.
"Dave's just being an old friend, Daddy," Lila said.
"I'm sure he is. Let me walk you to your cruiser, Mr. Robicheaux."
"Daddy, I mean it, Dave's always worrying about his AA friends," she said.
"You're not in that organization. So he doesn't need to worry, does he?"
I felt his hand cup me lightly on the arm. But I said goodbye to Lila and didn't resist. I walked with him around the shady side of the house, past a garden planted with mint and heart-shaped caladiums.
"Is there something you want to tell me, sir?" he asked. He took a swallow from his bourbon glass and I could feel the coldness of the ice on his breath.
"A female detective saved your daughter from a resisting arrest charge," I said.
"Yes?"
"She thinks Lila has been sexually molested or violated in some way."
His right eye twitched at the corner, as though an insect had momentarily flown into his vision.
"I'm sure y'all have many theories about human behavior that most of us wouldn't understand. We appreciate your good intentions. However, I see no need for you to come back," he said.
"Don't count on it, sir."
He wagged his finger back and forth, then walked casually toward the rear of the house, sipping his drink as though I had never been there.
* * *
THE SUN WAS WHITE in the sky and the brick drive was dappled with light as bright as gold foil. Through the cruiser's front window I saw Cisco Flynn walk toward me from a trailer, his palms raised for me to stop.
He leaned down on the window.
"Take a walk with me. I got to keep my eye on this next scene," he said.
"Got to go, Cisco."
"It's about Swede Boxleiter."
I turned off the ignition and walked with him to a canvas awning that was suspended over a worktable and a half dozen chairs. Next to the awning was a trailer whose air-conditioning unit dripped with moisture like a block of ice.
"Swede's trying to straighten out. I think he's going to make it this time. But if he's ever a problem, give me a call," Cisco said.
"He's a mainline recidivist, Cisco. Why are you hooked up with him?"
"When we were in the state home? I would have been anybody's chops if it hadn't been for Swede."
"The Feds say he kills people."
"The Feds say my sister is a Communist."