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Afterwith Harry and Bullert at the Coluo--actually, it was four, noent to Rickie’s, the jazz joint in St Paul that Nina Truhler nahter, Erica It was midafternoon, and the after-work happy-hour crowd had yet to arrive, although Nina’s waitstaff was ready to receive them A few of the waitresses called my name, and I felt a little like Norm in the Cheers reruns when I entered the coe; the jazz was played in a performance area at the top of a spiral staircase that was never opened before 6:00 PM In the past five years I had never received a tab for anything that I had ordered in Rickie’s, yet I always left a tip at least equal to the purchase price for whoever served me; thus I tended to be one of Nina’s most popular boyfriends

Jenness Crawford, Nina’s assistant er, was behind the bar Before I had a chance to say a word, she poured a Summit Ale, my favorite beer brewed in St Paul, lass in front ofman?" she asked

I looked into her eyes, and she say," I said "No one tellsmy options open I’ll tell Nina you’re here"

I watched the woman as she made her way around the bar and into Nina’s small office I had known Jenness for years and just now learned that she played for both teaator Who the hell would give me a license?

A pair of cheaters was perched on Nina’s narrow nose when she eed from her office In the past, she would have hidden theiven up the deceit at about the sahter had enrolled at Tulane University It was a concession not to age, however, but to maturity--there is a difference, trust me on this Beyond that, she looked as lovely to e I had seen photos

"How did you play?" she asked

Before I answered, I leaned across the bar and kissed her on the lips

"Lousy," I said "I beat Harry by six strokes, though, and that’s theDo you knohat that SOB wanted ans? I know you hate that"

"He wanted ive her a verbatim account of our conversation despite Harry’s claim that I could keep a secret He knewto tell her everything, he was crazy Afterward, she set her hand on top of mine and I felt a jolt of electricity that shot up ions She often had that effect on me

"What?" I asked

"Have you talked to Bobby Dunston?" she asked "What did he say?"

"I haven’t spoken to Bobby, but he’s a coations Division of the St Paul Police Department, and I know exactly what he would tell me"

"You should talk to him G K Bonalay, too"

"My lawyer?"

"And to that TV journalist you like soyou told me"

"Why would I do that?"

"Just in case"

"Nina, I don’t think you heard o--"

"Before I go? Do you actually want me to risk life and limb on some fool’s errand?"

"No, but that’s never stopped you before McKenzie, it’s beensilly You’re due"