fingers spread shaking her head. No. Dont. The untherapied so seldom called pd. Here was statistical safety a perfect ground to ply their trade of perfection rooting out correcting. He hoped he was wrong and the formula and posture were part of a sour joke. I beg your pardon. Mr. Richard Fettle. Yes. The red haired man lifted an eyebrow as if to say quid pro quo you are you and the rest is formality. Come in, Richard said. He could not think of a way to dissemble. Please dont get in a rough, the man said. I only have a few questions. + Want to say Who do you think you are? Self appointed God of all? Hate this cowardice Dont get in a rough keep silent my gut You were a friend of Emanuel Goldsmith? Nadine had backed into the kitchen doorway, leaning against the thick enamel covering the doorjamb eyes cautiously blank. Richard wished to concentrate on her and on the age creamed white paint. + Puzzle that out think about the century old wood here before any of this. But he forced himself to look at the man. The visitor wore a simple black suit, cuffs rising a few inches above shiny black shoesocks, narrow red tie against green shirt, sleeves short above wrists making him appear tall and lanky but in fact he was shorter than Richard by six or eight centimeters; about Nadines height. I was, Richard said. Did you know he was capable of murdering people? I did not know that. + Would you punish me for that? Its the truth; I told the pd; did not know. Did he ever tell you he was going to do such a thing? No. I dont recognize this woman. Was she a friend of Goldsmiths? + Perverse honesty here; hate this man but spill my guts to him. She knew him. Not as well as I did. Do you know what I am? the man asked Nadine. She nodded like a child caught eating forbidden candy. She didnt know him well at all, Richard said. Shes part of de Roches clique, isnt she? Like you? Yes. Arent you all a little culpable for what happened? Swallowing. Not my brothers keeper. We are all our brothers keepers, the man said. I live for that truth. You should have known what your friend was capable of. What we do or neglect to do affects all; what anyone does affects us. + Punish us all then. You do not know where Goldsmith is? I assume the pd have caught him. The man smiled. Our reluctant colleagues havent the slightest idea where he is. Colleagues. Richard managed a brave but brief smile. The man returned the smile. + Admires my stage presence. Our local chapter is interested in this case because it seems possible that a man of fame and privilege might be able to escape justice. You know. Hide out with friends and become a folk hero. Get in silky with the blandly ignorant. Heavens. I hope not. The mans smile thinned. We are not thugs. We are not fanatics. We are vitamin supplements to justice. Please do not misunderstand my visit. Never. His fear put him on the edge of giddiness. + Suicidal. I doubt youve done anything wrong in this case, the man said. We cant always know the souls of those around us. But I warn you: if you do hear about Goldsmith, if you learn where he is and do not tell the pd or your local chapter for societys sake, that would be very wrong indeed. You would hurt a lot of people who are hungry for justice. Theyve hired you, contracted you? Richard asked v hoarse coughing swallowing back the roughness. Nobody hires us, the man said calmly. He returned the door and nodded politely at Nadine. Thank you for your time. Youre welcome, she said small mouselike. The opened Richards door stepped out of Richards apartment and walked down the long balcony to the stairs. Im going, Nadine said, spinning suddenly and running to grab her few clothes toothbrush handbag from the and bathroom. Unbelievable, she said. Unbelievable. You. What about me? Richard asked, still stunned. Theyre after you. I dont know why! You defended him! Youre bin friend! Christ, I should have known. Anybody silky with Goldsmith. Christ! Selectors. Im going. He did not try to stop
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