Page 48 of Bazooka
“What? Oh, not at all,” Chief Bibb replied. “I was on the phone with Missus. She’s still upset that I beat her at Canasta last night. Erm… where was I? Right. How is this Luz arrangement going?”
“Good, sir. It’s still early days, so we’ll see how it goes.”
“General Zablonsky is a very important man,” Chief Bibb said sternly. “And his happiness is important to me. Am I clear, Bradley?”
“Crystal, sir.”
He couldn’t have been clearer, actually.
“What about the Mendoza situation?”
“We can’t do anything without him doing something first, but we’re keeping our ears to the ground. My gut feeling tells me he will move soon.”
“Good, good. Keep me posted.”
“Yes, sir.”
I left his office just as Patricia walked out of the interrogation room.
“How is it going?” I asked her. “Is Luz giving you a hard time?”
She smiled, avoiding my eyes. “Oh, it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
She was being nice, and I could see it on her face.
“Are you in the mood for coffee?” Patricia asked me. “I know I could use one.”
“Lead the way.”
We headed to the kitchenette, where she made us two strong cups of coffee.
“How are the sketches going?” I said as we sat at the table.
“Good. Luz is very observant. He would make an excellent cop.”
“Speaking of, what about you?” I asked her. “You probably have a good reason for choosing this profession?”
“One thing led to another, I guess. It’s a lonely life, though.”
I nodded. “Sure is.”
“What about your little keychain over there?” Patricia said, pointing her chin at the interrogation room. “He has a bit of a crush on you, doesn’t he?”
I waved my hand dismissively. “Luz is just allergic to the word no. He’ll get over it.”
She didn’t seem to agree.
“No, it’s more than that.”
“I saved his life,” I said thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s some kind of misconception that he owes me or something.”
“Have you ever considered that he’s manipulating you? He’s the type, you know?”
I chuckled. “Oh, he definitely is, but no way he’s doing that. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he’s so preposterous that most people miss that.”
“He’s a pretty little thing, though,” Patricia said, looking at me from under her lashes. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
I grinned. “I don’t swing that way, if that’s your way of asking.”
