Hard News (Rune 3)

"What does Lee think?"

"He's given me the job of filling the spot. I haven't mentioned you to him but he'll go with whoever I recommend."

"This is pretty wild. I mean, I never thought that's what you were going to say. How long would I be over there?"

"A year minimum. If you like it, something more permanent might be arranged. That would be up to Lee. But usually we like to shift people around. It could be Paris or Rome after that. You'd have to learn the language."

"Oh, I took French in high school. 'Voulez-vous couchez ...'"

Sutton said, "I get the idea."

Rune asked a passing waiter for a glass of milk for Courtney. "And a straw? The kind with the bend in them." He didn't grasp the concept and Rune let it drop. She said to Sutton, "I don't want you to think ... I mean, I'm grateful and all--but what about Randy Boggs?"

"You said yourself you don't have any evidence."

"I still know he's innocent."

No emotion in Sutton's face.

Rune said, "Somebody tried to kill him in prison. They stabbed him. If we don't get him out they'll try again."

Sutton shrugged. "I'll assign a local reporter to pick up for you."

"You would?"

"Uh-huh. So how 'bout it?"

"Uh, would you mind if I thought about it?"

Sutton blinked and seemed about to ask, What the fuck is there to think about? But she just nodded and said, "It's a big decision. Maybe you should sleep on it. I won't ask the other people I'm considering until tomorrow."

"Thanks."

Sutton motioned for the last of her wine. A young waiter scurried over and, with alternate glances at her freckled chest and the crystal glass in front of her, emptied the bottle. She looked at her watch. She said, "And the check, please."

OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT THE THREE OF THEM PAUSED.

"That is one amazing car," Rune said as a glossy midnight-blue stretch Lincoln Town Car turned the corner and slowed. "Don't you wonder who rides in those things?"

Sutton didn't answer.

The car eased to a stop in front of them. The driver hopped out and ran to the door, opened it for the anchorwoman.

Oh.

Sutton said, "You'll give me your answer tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Piper, we're late," a man's voice called from the limo.

"Good night," the anchorwoman said briskly to Rune and started toward the Lincoln.

The occupant leaned forward to help her in. It was Dan Semple himself, in a beautiful gray double-breasted suit. He glanced at Rune, then kissed Sutton on the cheek. They disappeared into the bla

ckness of the car.

"Thanks--"