“I am most familiar with your American idiom, sir. And it is common knowledge that the word box is a synonym for the vagina.’
“Well, the judge about had a kitten. He was no legal scholar but even he knew the kids call a ghetto blaster a box.”
“What did he do?” Flood wanted to know.
About what you’d expect—he thanked the doctor for his time and remanded the kid for another psychiatric exam.”
“You think that pimp will get a shrink like that?”
“It doesn’t make much difference—he’s sure as hell crazy by now. Anyway, Margot’s well away, and that was the deal. I pay my debts.”
“I know you do,” said Flood, bending to kiss me.
“We have to leave for the airport,” I told her.
“There’s enough time,” she said. And that was true.
61
TWO HOURS LATER I nosed the Plymouth through the parking lot at JFK, looking for a soft spot. I carried Flood’s little bag in one hand, held her waist with the other. She bumped against me softly.
“Burke?”
“Yeah?”
“The last time we made love. In my studio. I thought about having your baby—in Japan—raising him there.”
“And you decided not to, right?”
“Yes.”
“I know,” I said. And I did.
We walked to the departure lounge. I didn’t have a ticket so the JAL people said I could only go so far. I already knew that—I’ve heard it before.
I put my thumb under Flood’s square chin and tilted her lovely face up to me. I grabbed a look at those clear big eyes for the last time, the little tic-tac-toe crosshatch scar now almost invisible under the Cobra’s fading bruises. I kissed her. My heart died.
Flood looked deep into my face, said, “I’m for you, Burke,” squeezed my hand and turned to go. I watched her walk away—and I knew it was the truth.
ANDREW VACHSS
Andrew Vachss has been a federal investigator in sexually transmitted diseases, a social caseworker, a labor organizer, and has directed a maximum-security prison for youthful offenders. Now a lawyer in private practice, he represents children and youths exclusively. He is the author of numerous novels, including the Burke series, two collections of short stories, and a wide variety of other material including song lyrics, poetry, graphic novels, and a “children’s book for adults.” His books have been translated into twenty different languages and his work has appeared in Parade, Antaeus, Esquire, The New York Times, and numerous other forums. He lives and works in New York City and the Pacific Northwest.
The dedicated Web site for Vachss and his work is www.vachss.com
ANDREW VACHSS
Flood
Strega
Blue Belle
Hard Candy
Blossom
Sacrifice
Shella
Down in the Zero
Born Bad
Footsteps of the Hawk
False Allegations
Safe House
Choice of Evil
Everybody Pays
Dead and Gone
Pain Management