"Nicotine merely shortens one's life, it does not destroy the essential humanity of the person. Tobacco shortens, cocaine debases; the difference is like chalk and cheese. I don't know about alcohol. It is too deep rooted to get rid of but at least, for most of us it does not alter our soul the way that crack can do with three or four go-arounds."
"I agree," I said. "But dampening demand is a damned joke."
"Well then, let's attack the supply," she said. "We can't legislate against greed but we have the technology to destroy the product with an invisible hand."
"Invisible hand?"
"That's what makes it so compelling."
I was taking the bait. Where was this conversation going? Was this the breakthrough? We're going to get them, I told myself. Just like I promised you, Frank. "You mean like spraying pot with Paraquat?"
"No. That's too obvious. What I am talking about is…"
We decided to call it a night. I got ready to leave. Clarissa became unstuck. Not because I was leaving, but because the awful possibility about Julian had finally struck home.
"Stay Max. Don't leave me alone. I'll pull out the couch for you. Please."
"Okay, but I've got to make a call to the FBI before I turn in."
"Use my phone."
"Don't be daft, Woman."
"I'm going to go to a pay phone."
"I'm coming with you."
"I've got a better idea, I said. "Let's go back to my motel room for a few minutes."
"Really Max," she said. "Of all the corny pick up lines, I've heard yours is a piece of cake."
"Mine takes the cake."
"Whatever."
"I've got my fax machine there and it has a de-scrambler on it."
"Great line, Max. Let's go."
Uncertainty is worse than knowing the awful truth, I thought as we went down in the elevator to the car.
"Let's take my car, Max."
"A brand new BMW 325i. Are you sure you want me to drive?"
"Positive. I'm in no condition."
"You'd make a good undercover cop," I said. "This is what we used to do when we were tailing traffickers. We would change rental cars sometimes three times a day."
"I'm going to check out just as soon as this message has gone off to the FBI."
Code: Irish Spring.
Julian may have met with foul play. Woda Didi is probably presently piloting November X-ray. Stay in touch. Aguacate.
We were back at Clarissa's place in twenty minutes. While Clarissa made up the bed, I had a shower. Was I glad that Christie had packed pajamas for me.
"Feeling better," she asked when I came into the living room.
"Yes. How about you?"
"I'll get through it."
"I know you will," I said getting into bed.
"Sleep tight, Max," she said turning off the light.
"Sleep tight."