And Leave Her Lay Dying by John Lawrence Reynolds Read Free Book Online

Parsons asked, leaning across the table to McGuire.
    â€œLast year’s,” McGuire answered. “My choice. I take a bunch of them, walk through the records, assess how efficient the investigating team was, maybe check out some new angles.” He rotated the beer glass in his hands. “If this was the army, it would be one step above cleaning the latrines.”
    â€œThat’s disgusting, Joe.” Janet sat back in the booth and shook her head. “A guy with your experience, all those years you put in. Kavander’s acting like a bigger ass than ever.”
    â€œHe wants me to resign,” McGuire said, smiling warmly at her.
    â€œWill you?” Lipson asked.
    â€œNot yet. Not until I’m ready.”
    â€œYou got any back-up?” Innes inquired.
    â€œI’ve got a car, a desk and a computer terminal. That’s it.” McGuire drained his beer, then looked around at the others, who studied him with solemn expressions. “Come on, it’s not so bad. The retrial is scheduled for six months from now. We’ll get Wilmer put away and I’ll be golden again. Meanwhile I get to come and go as I please. Even work at home.” He grinned at Lipson. “Just might do me good. No nice Jewish boy bringing me bagels and blintzes to stuff in my fat gut.”
    â€œHey, Joe,” Innes said. “If you need something, anything, you call me, right? Bernie and me, we’ll get you whatever you need. I’ll bet you even put away some of those grey file cases.” He turned to look at the others. “Ten bucks says Joe comes up with something, something solid so he can put the grab on a guy, get a conviction. Am I right?”
    â€œRalph, it’s a clerk’s job,” McGuire said before anyone could respond. “Let’s not make a big deal about it, okay?”
    Innes shrugged, then slid along the booth to bump Janet Parson’s hip with his own. “Hey, how’s your love life, Legs?” he asked. “You getting all you need without me around to sizzle your cymbals?”
    â€œIt’s none of your business, Ralph,” she replied, staring at McGuire.
    â€œWhich means it ain’t so hot, right?” Innes placed his arm delicately around her shoulder. “What you need is a young stud like me. If things were good in the sack, you would have said something. They’re not so good, so you tell me to mind my own business.” He took a long swallow from his drink. “I rest my case.”
    â€œAlso your cock,” Janet said, and Lipson exploded in laughter while McGuire smiled in silence.
    â€œAnything left in your glass?”
    She raised herself on one elbow and reached across him to the night table, the motion pulling the sheet from her body and exposing the gentle slope of her back, the slight hollow of her waist, the smooth swelling at her hips.
    McGuire traced the lines of her body with his hand, sweeping his fingers back along her stomach, dragging his nails against her smooth skin.
    â€œDon’t,” she giggled. Janet Parsons lay back and studied him, the glass of rye and water in her hand. “You know the best part about sex?” she asked.
    â€œDamn right. It feels good.”
    â€œNo, I mean philosophically.”
    â€œParsons, you’re the only woman I ever met who could get philosophical about sex.”
    â€œListen to me. Making love forces you to live in the moment.” She reached out with her free hand to touch the scar on his upper lip. “We spend so much time regretting or missing the past, or worrying about the future. Both are a waste of time. But when you’re making love, you’re totally wrapped in
now
. That’s what makes it so special, isn’t it?”
    â€œWell, I’ll agree that it’s never a waste of time, anyway.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
    â€œRalph was getting to you tonight with his wisecracks about me,