“Mr. Lundgren?”

“Yes,” he croaked, his strong hands around Hudley’s throat, choking off a bark.

“It’s past check-out time. Will you be staying?”

“Chalk me up for another night, ma’am.”

“The guild ladies wanted me to thank you for the donation. We’re aiding the Indians out on the reservation.”

“Wonderful.” The struggle with Hudley was getting out of hand. He resolved not to lose the petty battle. He took the remaining piece of cold pizza off the dresser and shoved it in the dog’s mouth.

“There was a crying Indian girl making a phone call in the office this morning. I hope there wasn’t any trouble?”

“No trouble. Her mother died. It was a sad occasion.”

“That’s terrible …” she began, but he let Hudley go. The old cunt was driving him witless. The dog hit the door with a roar and a smash. There was a shriek. The gesture would certainly cost Rabun another hundred bucks. Now for the gloomy phone.

“Rabun. This is Warlock.”

“War what?”

“Lock. A code name. It’s Johnny.”

“Oh. In the U.P.?”

“Yes. I busted the timber thieving ring. Send a lawyer up tomorrow to Sault Ste. Marie. I’ll leave the papers at the Hertz desk. He can take them to the state police and prosecutor.”

“Tomorrow is the Friday before the Fourth.”

“Use your weight. Christ, man, a forester made a conservative estimate of your loss at a hundred fifty grand, mostly prime hardwood. I caught them red handed. It got a little rough.”

“Oh my god. Are you okay? I didn’t think you were that smart.”

“Fine. I am that smart. This is just a beginning.”

Warlock left a message at the hospital telling Diana he would be home by Saturday evening. He needed rest and his vision of rest included another night with a certain Armenian Indian by the name of Aurora. He got her number with some difficulty from the college. She was asleep and very cross.

“This is Johnny….”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” she interrupted. “Good-bye.”

“Just a minute. I thought we’d go for a drive and a swim. Have a gourmet dinner and champagne.”

“I’m a vegetarian and I have to study.”

“You ate pepperoni last night.”

“No I didn’t. I fed it to your macho dog.”

“Some of the pepperoni juice no doubt leaked into the cheese. You’re tainted.”

“Not funny. Now I’m …”

“I knew you were a vegetarian.” He knew he was losing her. It was time to be inventive. “How come?”

“You tasted so good. Ladies that are meat eaters don’t taste nearly as good.”

“Far out. It’s weird but I’ve been told that before.”