“Not so much a weakness as a familiar face. You ever hear of an old movie star named Christopher Stein?”
“No. Why is he important?”
“I’m not sure he is. But nothing anyone has tried on them has worked. I thought that maybe going after one of them would let me figure out the rest.”
“How can I help?”
“Stein was murdered. I don’t remember how or when, but I bet it was in Little Cairo. Maybe if I knew more about his case it would help. Can you get me his police report?”
“Of course. You’ll have it first thing in the morning. Is there anything else?”
“Nothing now, but keep that doctor handy. I have a feeling this isn’t the last window I’m going to fall out of before this is over.”
“I’ll make some calls about Stein’s report. Take my advice and go easy tonight.”
I look at Candy in the kitchen.
“Good advice. Talk to you later.”
I go into the kitchen and Candy hands me a sandwich. While I’m eating it, she wanders around the apartment. I forgot that she hasn’t spent much time here. I eat and let her roam. After a couple of minutes she calls to me.
“Stark.”
“What?”
“Why is there a shopping cart in your bedroom?”
“I stole it.”
“You’re quite the outlaw these days.”
“I get around.”
A minute later she comes back into the kitchen. She’s naked.
“Are you done with that sandwich or what?”
I drop it on the counter and we race to the bedroom. She wins because I bump into the shopping cart. When we’re both inside, she pushes me onto the bed and climbs on top.
“If you and Janet haven’t done anything, I’m guessing it’s been over a year since you’ve been in a position like this. Think you still remember how this works?”
“You might have to show me.”
“That was pretty much my plan. Now shut up and kiss me.”
I do. We spend the rest of the night breaking a lot of the furniture. She even leaps into the shopping cart and I run her around the apartment. Back in the bedroom, she jumps from the cart and lands on the pillows. We knock over the splintered furniture and punch holes in the walls until almost dawn. By the time we go to sleep we’re as wrecked as the room. I haven’t been this happy in years.
Candy is already dressed when I wake up. She shakes me gently.
“I have to go. If you’re too tired, I can call a cab.”
I get up and pull on my pants and boots.
“Of course not. I can take you home.”
She sits on the edge of the bed as I dress. Her heart rate is up a little. She’s nervous. Wants to get home, but doesn’t want to be a jerk about it.
As I pull on my shirt and coat she says, “Last night was a lot of fun.”