Free Split Image by Robert B. Parker Page A

small. As adults they have disappointed me," Mrs. Bangston said.
    "Anything besides marrying men you disapproved of?" Suit said.
    "No," Mrs. Bangston said.
    Suit looked at Jesse.
    "Anything at all," Jesse said, "that you can think of that might aid us in our investigation?"
    "No."
    The room was silent. Mrs. Bangston continued to look past them at the ocean. It was as if she'd left them. The beads moved in her left hand, and Jesse realized she was praying. He stood.
    "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Bangston," he said.
    She nodded slightly and continued to move the beads slowly with her left hand.
    "We'll find our way out," Jesse said.
    Again, a slight nod.
    The three cops left.

29

    T HE BANG BANG TWINS ," Suit said, as they drove back up Route 3 toward Boston.
    "Yep."
    "Wish we'd had them when I was in high school," Suit said.
    "Luck of the draw," Jesse said.
    "You said those sisters were so nice," Suit said.
    "I did," Jesse said.
    "And you didn't know the half of it," Suit said.
    Jesse nodded.
    "I think we need to find out if they are still the Bang Bang Twins."
    "Want me to see what I can learn?" Suit said.
    "I do," Jesse said. "You grew up in this town. They've lived here awhile. Maybe you know some of the same people."
    "I don't know any people like that," Suit said.
    "Maybe Hasty Hathaway's wife?" Jesse said.
    Suit's face turned red.
    "Man, you don't forget nothing," he said.
    "Of course not," Jesse said. "I'm the chief of police."
    "Mother was kind of weird," Suit said.
    "She's religious," Jesse said.
    "Like I said."
    "It works for some people," Jesse said.
    "Not for the Bang Bang Twins," Suit said.
    "So young, so judgmental," Jesse said.
    "What? You think what they do is okay?"
    Jesse shrugged.
    "You think Mrs. Bangston knows about the Bang Bang stuff?" Suit said.
    "Yes."
    "Because she sort of clammed up when you asked her about why she was disappointed in them?"
    "Uh-huh."
    "See," Suit said. "I notice stuff."
    "You do," Jesse said. "There's a donut place at this next exit."
    "You notice stuff, too," Suit said, and turned into the exit.
    They sat in the car in the parking lot and had donuts and coffee.
    "All-American grub," Suit said.
    "Highly nutritious," Jesse said. "I wonder how the father knew Knocko and Reggie were bad guys."
    Suit swallowed some donut and drank coffee.
    "Maybe they done some business or something," Suit said. "Mike says the old man was kind of shady."
    "Be good to know," Jesse said.
    "Why?"
    "Because we don't know," Jesse said.
    "That's what you always say."
    "Except when we do know," Jesse said.
    "Except then," Suit said. "Is any of this going to solve our two murders?"
    "Maybe," Jesse said.
    "Or maybe not?"
    "Or maybe not," Jesse said.
    "I guess we should look into that, too," Suit said.
    "I'll do that," Jesse said. "You work on the Bang Bang Twins."
    "So, why'd you drag me along all the way down to Hempstead?"
    "Training," Jesse said.
    "So I could become a crack sleuth like you?"
    "Observe and learn," Jesse said.
    "I do," Suit said. "I've already picked up the vocabulary. Maybe. Might. Possibly. I don't know."
    "If Paradise ever gets a slot for detectives, you'll be the first appointed," Jesse said.
    Suit grinned.
    "Maybe," he said.

30

    T HE MARKHAMS LIVED at the head of a circle off a street that ran from downtown Concord out toward Route 2. Sunny parked her car across the street from the circle and maybe fifty yards up the street. It was her second week. Her cell phone rang. It was Jesse.
    "Oh, good," Sunny said. "I'm so bored I'm close to fainting."
    "What are you doing?" Jesse said.
    "Sitting in my car doing surveillance on Mrs. Markham."
    "Cheryl DeMarco's mother?"
    "Yep."
    "Can't let it go, huh?" Jesse said.
    "Nope," Sunny said. "I'm worried about the kid."
    "Anything so far?"
    "Mrs. Markham takes yoga, and she shops for food," Sunny said.
    "Of course, she may not know where her daughter is," Jesse said.
    "Possible," Sunny said.
    "Could Cheryl be in the house?" Jesse said.
    "I don't