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“What are you up to, Clete?”
“I thought that would get your attention. Get in.”
That’s how it worked. Clete would roll the dice, and I would get stuck with the math. I opened the door and sat back in the seat. He was wearing aviator shades and a Hawaiian shirt with hula girls on it. The sunlight through the trees was as red as a ruby on his skin. He pulled away from the curb, driving with the heel of his hand, like a 1950s lowrider.
“What’s this about the chauffeur?” I said.
“I just wanted to get you in the car. Ms. Nightingale wants to hire me.”
“Hire you?”
“She says it’s to keep Levon Broussard off her back.”
“That’s not it?”
“I think she knows I might be in a relationship with Sherry Picard.”
We bounced into my driveway. “A relationship?” I said.
“Yeah, we got it on. I’m seeing her tonight.”
“Leave out the particulars. What in God’s name are you doing?”
“There you go again.”
“I just asked a question. You can’t take care of yourself.”
“That’s it. No matter what I say, you’re on my case. I’m too old. I should put my stiff one-eye in a safe-deposit box. I drink too much. I eat the wrong food. How about respecting my space for a change?”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “You’re the best guy I’ve ever known. I worry about you.”
“Remember how you used to bounce your stick on the curb in the Quarter? Everyone thought you were signaling me about a crime in progress. You were telling me to meet you at the Acme for a dozen on the half shell.”
“We’ll do it again, too,” I said.
He swallowed the rest of his sno’ball, a green ribbon running from the corner of his mouth when he smiled. “The Bobbsey Twins from Homicide are forever.”
“You really offered to help the Nightingale chauffeur with Alafair?”
“He doesn’t seem like a bad guy, although I got the feeling he’s porking Ms. N., the way they look at each other and all.”
“Why do you think she’s interested in your relationship with Sherry Picard?” I said.
“Maybe she wants to make sure Broussard goes down for the Kevin Penny homicide.”
“You think she could have done Penny?” I said.
“Ever look into her eyes? Two inkwells, midnight blue. She has antifreeze for blood.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I think Jimmy Nightingale killed Penny or had it done.”
“I don’t think you’re entirely objective, Cletus.”
“You’re right. I’d love to bust a cap on that guy.”
“Why does he get to you?”
