“I don’t mean they’re criminal criminals. Look into your own heart. Look at god’s law and the Sermon on the Mount and all that shit. I’m talking theory. I mean I’ve always committed adultery and thought about killing people I hated.”

“I see what you mean. Man is doomed unless he improves his nature.”

“Don’t give me that liberal shit. You pussies all live in fur-lined closets. Get out on the street and take a look. First of all get Clete to teach you how to shoot a pistol….”

“We started yesterday….”

“Great. Maybe you’re getting smarter. Get a heavy punching bag and work out. Don’t drink on the job. And remember everyone, I mean everyone, is trying to fuck you over in one way or another. From kids to grocers to wives to bosses. Even dogs. Get it?”

“I understand. Be on your toes. Be wary.”

“Right. And call me if you get in trouble. I still got a lot of connections in Michigan. I’ll send you a secret card to carry. Our kind stick together. And you know what?”

“What?”

“Detroit never should have traded LeFlore to Montreal. Sportswise Detroit has all the hicks running teams. Look at the Pistons. Look at the Red Wings. Look at the Lions.”

“I agree.”

“I love you, son.”

After recovering from the initial shock of the phone call he rewrote the memo with a fresh, icy eye. He was forced to retype it having put the carbon paper in backwards. By the time Diana got home he felt sullen, cynical, but somehow with a sense of firm, unshakable control. He smoked a cigarette without taking it from his mouth as she talked about the movie. He only picked at the cold cuts. He would become lean. He asked her with a new and certain firmness to undress and put on her nightgown in front of him.

“I think it’s going to be good, kid.”

“What’s going to be good?”

“All of it.”

Chapter 20