Riding the Rap

Chip looked like he was approaching the edge of a cliff, coming within a few feet of Louis and turning away. Raylan sent him to get Harry.

“Nine days up there in fucking chains,” Harry said, coming across the patio, eager, his eyes full of life. “I nailed him, didn’t I? Like a split second before he was go

Raylan said, “Is that what you think?”

thirty

It was Sunday morning now, half past ten. Dawn asked Raylan if he’d like a cup of coffee; he said he wouldn’t mind and followed her to the kitchen. It seemed bare, hardly ever used. She stood at the range, her back to him, in jeans and a white shirt, her hair combed. Raylan, by the Formica table, had his hat on. He said to her, “You saw Harry?”

“Last night, but only for a few minutes. I told you he was okay.”

“For a man who spent a week chained up,” Raylan said, “blindfolded, eating TV di

“He was nice to me,” Dawn said, sounding hopeful, coming to the table now with the electric coffeepot. “I told him I was sorry, but there was really nothing I could do. He said he understood that. You want toast?”

“I’ve had breakfast.”

“He said if I needed a lawyer he’d get me one.”

“Harry did?”

“He’s not mad at me. He kept telling Joyce how he’s shot and killed three bad guys in his life, making the point, more than you have. Joyce was all over him. She even fixed him a drink, saying ‘cause he deserved it. I left.”

Raylan watched her pour coffee into ceramic mugs. Sugar and powdered milk were on the table. He pulled a chair out and sat down. “I understand they’re going away.”

“Yeah, to Vegas,” Dawn said. “I love Vegas, I wouldn’t even mind living there. Maybe when this business is settled… What about Chip?”

“His first appearance hearing’s tomorrow afternoon. He’ll be charged and a bond set.”

She said, “I suppose I’ll have to appear sometime.”

Raylan watched her lean over the table, her shirt open in front, to put three spoons of sugar in her coffee and stir it. He said, “The sheriffs people will talk to you, then it’s up to them.” He had to ask her, “What do you see happening to you?”

“It’s not real clear yet.”

Raylan said, “I think you see things the same way I do except you have that Grand Trine in your natal chart, so you believe you have a gift. I’ve never understood people wanting to know their future. I’d rather let it happen and be surprised.”

Dawn put the spoon down. She moved around behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She said, “You’d like to go to bed with me.” She said, “That’s how psychic I am. You can deny it, it’s still true.”

“I admit it’s crossed my mind,” Raylan said.

“See? Come on then, let’s go.”

“Wanting to is one thing,” Raylan said, “doing it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“Appropriate-gimme a break. If you want to and I want to…”

“I’m not go

There was a pause.

“You’re not?”

Raylan felt her hands slip from his shoulders. She was sitting down now at the table, hunching her chair in close, all the while looking at him.

“How come?”

“It’s not my case. I was never on a case, I was looking for Harry. I’ll be asked what I know, but mainly it’ll be Harry’s word, and you said he was nice to you.”

“Yeah, but what’ll you tell them about me?”

“Only what you told me, you were threatened, they made you do it.” Raylan paused. “You said the other day, when we were talking about that woman’s murder and how you co

“I did not. I saw the murder weapon, that bookend.”

“You took a chance, guessed there were two bookends and reasoned it out from there. I called you on it and you said, ‘What’s wrong with wanting to do better?’ Wanting to get ahead in the world, be somebody. See, I think the way you go about it,” Raylan said, “you give yourself enough problems without my adding to them.”

“You’re not go

Sounding like she wanted to be sure about it.

Raylan shook his head. “Why put you in prison? This place is bad enough.”

“Then why can’t we go to bed?”

He said, “I’m getting out of here before I do something foolish.”

She said, “What’s wrong with being foolish sometimes?”

It was a good question.