“The parents have money.”

“Yes, they do, and we both know that money can buy a lot of janitorial work. But even money can’t clean everything.” He put the coffee cup down and leaned over. “This stays between the two of us, you hear me?”

“I hear you.”

“Those two have done some edgy things in these parts as juveniles. Things I don’t need to go into. When they came back from Miami— after I heard what happened down there—I put the fear of God into them and into their families. I do b’lieve we came to a mutually satisfactory agreement.”

Decker waited.

“It goes somethin’ like this,” Merrin said. “I don’t poke my nose in their affairs as long as they keep their mess outside my jurisdiction. That don’t mean they can get away with murder. If I seriously thought those two dogs had anything to do with the death of that little girl, I’d have their dicks in a vise so fast, they’d be talking like Alvin and the Chipmunks. But short of the biggies—murder, rape, assault, robbery—I don’t want you messing with their heads. Simply because I don’t want those two bothering me or the fine citizens of Quinton. If that seems selfish, I can live with that.”

“Can I talk to them?”

“No, you may not go to their houses and interrogate them. But if you give me a couple of hours… well, maybe I can set something up here in the station house. Nice and clean and officially sanctioned.”

“More than fair, Chief. Thank you.”

“I suggest that in the meantime you go find yourself a nice, warm restaurant and nurse a long cup of coffee. Or… if your dick needs attention with the wife out of town, go on over to Tattlers and tell them that Virgil Merrin sent you. That way, you can have a good meal and some fine scenery on the house. Tattlers likes to cooperate with the law. It’s in their best interest.”

Decker tried to smile wickedly. “Sounds nice.” He took a calculated risk. “I wouldn’t mind some company. Wanna come with me, Chief?”

Merrin smiled with smoker’s teeth, but his eyes never left Decker’s face. “Now that’s kind of you to ask, but right now I’m backlogged. Another time, maybe.”

Decker nodded. “You got it.”

“Maybe I misjudged you, Lieutenant.” Merrin continued to study the face. “Or maybe I didn’t and you’re being cagey.”

“Innocent until proven guilty. That’s American jurisprudence.”

“Nah, that ain’t American jurisprudence.” Merrin unhooked his holster and pulled out a Beretta. “This is American jurisprudence.”

“Are you telling me something, sir?”

“I’m not a man to cross.”

“I figured that out.” Decker got up. “Thank you. You’ve been more than accommodating.”

Merrin rose, his belly straining the buttons of his shirt. From a wastebasket, he took out a pocket umbrella. “You might be needing this.”

“Great.” Decker took it, then extended his hand. “Thanks again.”

“Not a problem. Always happy to help out.”

They shook hands, extending the routine gesture just a little too long. Grip-to-grip and eye-to-eye, they were engaged in something more than a pissing contest, but hopefully less than mortal combat.