Wild, Hard, Sweet | Page 4

have done. Probably would have ended up in some motel and wrecked her life, too.

2

When Brunswick attacked and Charley dove for the water, Harry put his hands in the air. The guys on the boat looked at each other. A shot. Two more. Brunswick yelped and fell on his side, arterial blood arcing from his throat. The cops were on them.
Cuffed. Shoved around.
Cursing in Spanish.
Another boat. Lights on the water, looking for Charley.
They weren't getting Charley who seemed to have turned into some kind of otter. Otter resists arrest. Going to be the worse for him. Me, I'm a kid. Twenty-five. Don't know any better.
'It's just grass,' he said, 'hold the cannons.' They recited his Miranda rights.
The ride to the police station was uncomfortable and disorienting, filled with loud messages to and from the dispatcher.
'Your new address,' the cop said, opening the cruiser door.
'10-4,' Harry said. For the mug shot, he produced an innocent, there must be some mistake, smile. How was he going to tell his mother'
In the morning, Jack Eagleton, the family lawyer, got him out on bail and drove him home to Falmouth.
'I'm sorry, Mother. I got caught trying to buy some grass--marijuana.'
"Marijuana, really! I don't understand. For money' Why couldn't you just rip people off on Wall Street like your father?'
'You think I should rip off Father?'
She rolled her eyes. 'You aren't going to be joking if you have to go to jail.'
'Mother, I'm not going to jail. Jack knows what he's doing. It's not like I shot anybody. We weren't even armed. It's a harmless substance with medicinal properties--probably be legal when they figure out how to tax it. It's a stupid law.'
'But it is a law. And you broke it.'
'Mmm--true. Jack is waiting outside.'
'Yes, of course, bring him in.'
After the niceties had been observed, Jack suggested that Harry had been na?ve, was over his head. 'You have a clean record. One of the guys on the boat is wanted in Florida. The Columbian has no papers. Charles Walker has one O.U.I. and is on probation for possession. I think it best to state that you happened to be there in case more money was needed. Charles Walker was in charge.'
'Do you like a joint now and then, Jack?'
'Attorneys don't break the law, Harry.'
Harry burst out laughing. 'Right, yup, that was my mistake--listening to Charley.'
Jack wrote on his pad and looked at Harry's mother. 'I was going to delay, Elizabeth, but I think not. I think it best to move this along. There may be--confusion--when Charles Walker is caught. Perhaps that will take some time.'
'Masterminds are slippery,' Harry said.
'Would you care for more coffee, Jack?'
'No, thank you, Elizabeth.' He slid his pad into a leather case. 'I'll have a statement Monday for your approval.'
'Thank you so much. I'm so grateful. We would be lost without you.'
They stood. Harry walked over to Jack and shook hands. He had an urge to brush the croissant flakes from Jack's lapel, but he didn't. The situation was getting more serious. Blaming Charley should help in the short run, but there would be problems down the road. And he didn't feel good about it.
'Thanks, Jack. Mother.' He went outside, taking a suede shirt-jacket from a peg in the hall closet. He needed to walk and think things over. Then maybe see Lynn.

3

Charley found a diner near the bus terminal and ordered pancakes. The blanket roll was doubled in front of his feet. He looked at his plate and tried not to scratch his three day beard--just another morning in Worcester. Most of the customers were still waking up or hungover. No one stared at him, but he felt like a face on a poster. Coffee helped.
A patrol car passed him as he walked to the terminal. He kept his eyes on the sidewalk. The cops kept going.
Inside the terminal he washed his face and shaved. He folded the blanket into a square with the rope and the razor inside, and bought a ticket to New York, feeling less conspicuous. The bus left half an hour later, and he slept all the way to the city.
It was bright and clear when he walked out of the Port Authority bus station onto a crowded sidewalk. He found a sporting goods store and bought a day pack, sun glasses, and a travel toothbrush. He bought a shirt, jeans, underwear, and socks. He changed into clean clothes and had his hair cut short. He thought about buying another hat, but things were happening too fast. Rafer's hat fit. He needed to hang on to something.
He was tired but still pumped up. He wandered along Broadway and Columbus avenues feeling not too out of place. He was blonde, taller than average, square across the shoulders, good looking, energetic, just another young guy come to make