Orchid Blues

"I understand, Holly, and I appreciate your help."

"Let's get this straight, Harry. I'm not helping, I'm just not hurting you if I can help it. Frankly, I don't know why the Secret Service isn't already here, talking to Ham. What I'm going to tell them when they come, and they will, is that I asked Chip if the president was in town, and he said no. I hope that will cover both your ass and Chip's, but if it doesn't, there's nothing I can do to save it. Are we perfectly clear on that?"

"Perfectly. I couldn't ask for more."

"One final thing, Harry: You and I are pretty good friends, so I'm sorry to have to say this, but I'd better get it up front. If I begin to get the feeling from the questions I'm asked by whoever that blame is starting to fall on either Ham or me, then I'm going to protect us."

"I understand, Holly, and you didn't have to say that."

"Good. We'll be home tomorrow. Call me if there's something I ought to know." She closed the telephone.

"If you hadn't told him that, I was going to," Ham said.

"You get some rest, old man."

"One more thing," Ham said.

"What?"

"John owned up to the robbery and Jackson's death. Peck pla

"Oh," Holly said. She suddenly had a hollow feeling in her chest. "I hope Jackson knows we got these people."

"If it helps, they offed the guy who shot him. Oh, and the two people in the submerged van? The guy, Frank, was put in the bank by John, and they put the couple in the river when they tried to run with some money."

"Well," Holly said, "that ties up a few loose ends."

"So what do we do now? Wait for the Secret Service to show and ask us questions for twelve hours?"

"I guess."

"I've got a better idea. I think my pants are in that closet over there."

"Ham, you can't do it. You've got to spend the night here."

"I told you, girl, I've been shot before. I know when it's bad, and this isn't bad."

Holly went to the closet to get Ham's clothes. His bag was there, too.

"Oh," Ham said, "how are we getting home?"

Holly went to the phone. "I'll rent a limo, and we'll charge Harry for it." She gave Daisy a pat. "Daisy's never ridden in a limo."

"That's my girl," Ham said, putting on his pants. "And don't call me old man."