Stranger in Paradise

“Getting tired of Wilson,” Puerco said.

“People do,” Crow said.

“Throw him the fuck out,” the long-haired kid said.

“Sí, Esteban,” Puerco said.

“Okay,” Crow said, “you’re Carty. I’m looking for Amber Francisco.”

Puerco stepped across the room toward Crow. Without appearing even to look at him, Crow hit him with the edge of his right hand on the upper lip directly below the nose. Puerco screamed. It was so explosive that none of the others had time to react before Crow had a gun out and pointed at them. Puerco went down, doubled up on the floor, his face buried in his hands, moaning.

“So,” Crow said. “Where do I find Amber Francisco.”

“I don’t know nobody named Amber Francisco,” Carty said.

“Girl who bought you the television,” Crow said. “What’s her name?”

“No bitch bought me nothing,” Carty said.

Crow lowered the gun and shot Puerco through the head as he lay moaning on the floor.

Esteban Carty said, “Jesus.”

No one else spoke or moved. Crow pointed the gun at Esteban Carty.

“Amber Francisco?” Crow said.

“Bitch bought me the TV name is Alice,” Esteban said, “Alice Franklin.”

“Where’s she live?” Crow said.

“She lives in Paradise, man, her and her old lady.”

“Thank you,” Crow said. “I’ll kill anybody comes out this door while I’m in sight.”

Then he stepped through the door and walked away through the trash, toward the street.

19.

Molly came into Jesse’s office with Miriam Fiedler right behind her. Molly stopped in the doorway, blocking Miriam Fiedler from entering.

Molly said, “Ms. Fiedler to see you, Jesse.”

There was a glitter of amusement in Molly’s eyes.

“Show her in,” Jesse said. “You stay, too.”

Molly stepped aside and Miriam Fiedler brushed past her angrily.

“This woman is deliberately annoying,” she said.

“I doubt that it’s deliberate,” Jesse said. “Probably can’t help it. Probably genetic.”

“I find her impertinent,” Miriam Fiedler said.

“Me, too,” Jesse said.

Molly sat down to the right of Miriam Fiedler and behind her.

“Is she going to stay here during our meeting?” Miriam said.

“Yes,” Jesse said.

“I don’t want her here,” Miriam said.

Jesse nodded. Miriam waited. Jesse didn’t speak.

“Are you going to send her out?” Miriam said.

“No,” Jesse said.

“Chief Stone,” Miriam said, “may I remind you that I am a resident of this town, and as such am, in fact, your employer?”

“You may remind me of that,” Jesse said.

“Are you being sarcastic?” Miriam said.

“Yes,” Jesse said.

“I find it offensive,” Miriam said.

“Ms. Fiedler,” Jesse said, “it is standard practice in this office that Officer Crane be present when a woman is alone with any male police officers. She will stay as long as you are here.”

“Well, it’s a stupid rule,” Miriam said.

“Did you come to berate me?” Jesse said. “Or have you something substantive?”

“I wish to report several instances of Hispanic gang infiltration of Paradise,” she said. “Ever since that school was established on Paradise Neck…”

Jesse nodded.

“Specifically?” he said.

“Specifically,” Miriam said, “I have recently seen several Hispanic gang members on the street in downtown Paradise.”

“How recently,” Jesse said.

“In the last two days.”

“And how did you know they were Hispanic gang members.”

“Well, my dear man,” Miriam said, “you can tell just looking.”

“What did they look like?” Jesse said.

“Dark, tattoos, one of them was wearing some sort of hairnet.”

“Dead giveaway,” Jesse said. “How many did you see.”

“Two one day,” Miriam said. “And three yesterday, walking side by side, so that they took up the whole sidewalk.”

“Did they do anything illegal?” Jesse said.

“Well, they weren’t here to sightsee,” Miriam said.

“But you are not actually reporting a crime?” Jesse said.

“The press is investigating this, too,” Miriam said.

“I heard,” Jesse said. “Have they uncovered a crime?”

“Take that attitude if you wish,” Miriam said. “When they hurt someone, then you’ll act?”

“We’ll keep an eye out,” Jesse said.

“Maybe you can put Officer Simpson on the case,” Molly said. “Any assignment he has, he’s on top of it.”

Miriam Fiedler turned her head involuntarily to stare at Molly. Jesse saw it. He glanced at Molly. She was smiling sweetly at Miriam Fiedler. Jesse decided to look into the remark later.

“I am not empowered by law to run someone out of town,” Jesse said. “I wish I were. But we’ll be on the lookout.”

“Those children,” Miriam said. “They are the camel’s nose under the tent.”

“And it’s a slippery slope from there, I imagine,” Jesse said.

“Perhaps I should take my story to the media,” Miriam said.

“Perhaps you already have,” Jesse said.

“I beg your pardon?”

Jesse waved his hand.

“Well, whether I have or not,” Miriam said, “I certainly shall. And I expect a more sympathetic hearing than I get from you.”

“They are permitted to deal in allegation and innuendo,” Jesse said. “I am not.”

“I know what I saw,” Miriam said.

“We both do,” Jesse said. “Molly, could you show Ms. Fiedler out, please.”

20.