Killing the Blues by Michael Brandman

to the Explorer. Suitcase got behind the wheel. Lopresti sat in the passenger seat. Jesse was in back.
    They drove to the Boston warehouse, arriving just before dawn. Once there, Jesse pulled Lopresti from the vehicle. He removed the handcuffs.
    â€œKeep the blindfold on for five minutes. If you attempt to remove it before the five minutes are up, you’ll be accosted. It’s been nice knowing you, Robert.”
    Jesse got into the Explorer, and Suitcase drove away. When they turned the corner, Jesse noticed through the rearview mirror that Lopresti was still wearing the blindfold.
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    O n their way back to Paradise, Jesse and Suitcase stopped for breakfast at a highway coffee shop.
    â€œCan I ask a question,” Suitcase said over eggs and coffee.
    â€œGo,” Jesse said.
    â€œTell me again why we did it?”
    â€œWhy we did what?”
    â€œHeld Lopresti like that.”
    â€œAs a preemptive measure.”
    â€œPreemptive of what?”
    â€œA certain Boston-based crime organization is in the process of expanding its activities. Under the guidance of John Lombardo, Lopresti’s boss, their chop-shop enterprises are escalating. By creating branches up and down the East Coast, Lombardo took a local operation and made it statewide. He upped the ante. His mistake was establishing his business here in Paradise.”
    â€œWhy is that,” Suitcase said.
    â€œBecause Paradise is my turf,” Jesse said.
    They were silent for a while.
    â€œSo how was holding Lopresti preemptive,” Suitcase said.
    â€œHe led us to Lombardo.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œWe’re going to put Lombardo out of business.”
    â€œHow do you do that?”
    â€œCarefully.”
    â€œCome on, Jesse. I’m trying to learn from you. What are you going to do?”
    â€œI’m going to exceed my authority.”
    â€œIn what way?”
    â€œI’m not going to tell you.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause then you’ll have deniability in the event you’re questioned.”
    â€œYou’re gonna do what you’re gonna do alone,” Suitcase said.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd it won’t be legal.”
    â€œCorrect.”
    â€œHow do you know what you’re going to do will work?”
    â€œI’m the police chief. I know everything.”
    Suitcase stared at Jesse for a while.
    Then Jesse paid for breakfast, and they drove back to Paradise.

33
    A fter an early-morning jog, Jesse fed the cat and made some coffee, which he brought outside to the porch. He settled himself on the love seat to read the paper.
    The story of the fire was now old news. Apart from the article regarding safety tips for protecting your dog at night, there was nothing further on the killings. He was about to turn to the sports pages when the cat jumped onto his lap.
    He could feel the cat’s sharp claws as it made mittens on his leg. He petted it. It began to purr. They stayed that way for some time.

    J esse noticed the two men as soon as he came out of the pet store lugging his newly acquired cat case.
    One of them was leaning against a light pole. The other was lounging against a wall. Although each was as wide as he was tall, their upper torsos were raging with steroid-enhanced musculature. Jesse put the case down.
    The one closest to him, the wall leaner, walked toward him.
    â€œMr. Lombardo wants to see you,” he said.
    â€œI don’t know any Mr. Lombardo,” Jesse said.
    â€œMakes no matter. You gonna come with us.”
    â€œGosh, boys, I’d really love to, but I’m afraid I have other plans.”
    â€œHey, you hear that, Frank? Guy says he’s got other plans.”
    The two goons began to laugh.
    Jesse stepped quickly to the talker and kicked him hard in the balls. The guy looked at Jesse for half a moment, then went down, gasping for breath.
    Before Frank could extricate himself from the light pole, Jesse had smashed the