"Ain't you got enough mules?"

Clarry shook his head. "What, did I say mule? I ain't talkin carryin, I'm talkin sellin, man. I'm talkin a territory, man. You gettin on, boy, you oughta think about gettin yourself a little something outta your hustle, you know?"

Booth's expression turned suspicious. "What you talkin about, man? How come you want to give me somethin?"

Clarry chuckled and clapped Booth on the shoulder. "I don't need no reason. I like you, man. I wanna see you smile. You too serious. Besides, I got to take care of my homeboy. We a long way from hangin out on Thirty-six, now, hey? They ain't no catch, man-I mean it. So, smile!"

Booth managed to comply with a thin one as they left the building and approached the glittering dark blue Mercedes 600 sedan parked illegally in front. It was a mild spring midnight. For the moment, at this latitude, Park Avenue was as deserted as the streets of a small town. Booth opened the rear door for Clarry and walked around to the driver's side. He got in, settled himself, and started the car.

The engine rumbled to life. From the back, Clarry said, "So what you think, man? We in business?"

Before Booth could answer, the man who had been crouched in the foot well of the passenger's side uncoiled his body, reached over the front seat, and shot Larue Clarry in the face with a small-caliber revolver. Clarry fell back and his left foot kicked out spasmodically. Booth felt it kick the back of his seat twice. The shooter fired another two rounds into Clarry's head.

Booth rolled down his window and headed the car north on Park Avenue. The stink of gunpowder and death mixed unappealingly with the remnants of Larue Clarry's ultimate cologning. The shooter fired his last three rounds into Clarry and then turned around in the seat. He carefully buckled his safety belt.

"You think he dead yet?" Booth asked.

The other man reached into his jacket pocket and took out a thick brown envelope, which he handed to Booth. "Just drive, Tecumseh," the man said. "I don't need any wiseassery tonight."