that is outside us.’

I poured the coffee, asked, ‘How d’ya take it.’

‘Cream and sugar -

“But we make

ourselves true by

manifesting the truth

as we see it.”’

I handed her a mug, wondering if she’d finished. She had.

I took a sip, real good – fuck, I make great coffee.

‘So Cassie, where’s my gun… eh?’

‘I tossed it.’

‘You wot.’

‘I was scared – scared I’d eat the metal so, I walked over Waterloo Bridge and sank the sucker. Is that the one Ray Davies wrote about – I saw the Kinks once.’

‘And my money, I suppose you, dumped that too.’

‘Don’t be a horse’s ass, I spent it, you’ve mucho dinero.’

‘But not so mucho patience lady and your meter’s running high. Lemme see if I can get this across. You stole from me, broke in to my gaff, took a shot at me and generally ran fuckin’ liberties. Am I getting through to you Cassie. Our firm has been moving rag-ass trying to find you.’

‘I’ve been naughty!’

‘Naughty?’

‘I need spanking.’

‘Whoa – hold the phones lady.’

She was up, took my hand and put it on her breast, said, ‘Hold this.’

I pushed her away and her voice dropped to a whisper.

‘You don’t want me?’

‘Look Cassie, you’re a hot lady but this isn’t a real good time – OK.’

‘It’s because I lost my little girl, isn’t it. You’re punishing me.’

I stood up, ‘For heaven’s sake, I’m real sorry about that. I’m trying to be fair, I’m not going to hassle you about all the other crazy shit. Just leave now and we’ll let it be.’

‘I think I see her, you know, on the street and I chase after her – or on a bus – or…’

‘Jesus.’

‘But I have a good report that she’s in Agadir.’

‘Where?’

‘Morocco. Her father was from Kif.’

‘I thought that was Keith Richards’ nickname.’

‘It’s a village in the Blue Atlas Mountains, they specialize in hash. I know he now lives in Agadir, a P.I. says he’s ninety percent sure.’