(Los Angeles, 9/10/68)
“You were talking in your sleep.”
“What was I saying?”
“I thought I heard ‘at least’ and ‘vicious.’ ”
Dwight rubbed his neck. It always knotted at the same spot. He got a dream aftershock: Memphis and blood spray redux.
Karen sat up and leaned over him. She was sleep-puffed and lush. She crossed her legs and sat Indian-style. He scooted down and kissed her knees. He heard Dina one room over, talking to her stuffed frog.
“Tell me again, and convince me. My simple presence here is not screwing that little girl up forever.”
Karen took his hands. “Only if she grows up and joins the FBI.”
“There’s some left-wing parenthood thing going on here that eludes me.”
“She likes you more than she likes What’s-His-Name. Let it go at that.”
“I don’t understand the fucking world you live in.”
Karen kissed his fingers. “You understand it all too well. Your accommodations acknowledge my world and grant it an offhanded respect.”
Dwight reached for his cigarettes. Karen grabbed the pack and tossed it on the dresser.
“Don’t tempt me.”
“All right.”
“And explain yourself. Connect ‘at least’ and ‘vicious.’ ”
That knot again—Dwight kneaded and rubbed.
“A friend said it. The full quote was ‘At least they were vicious.’ ”
“Who was he referring to?”
“Babe, please.”
“Mr. Hoover? The cops in Chicago?”
Dwight laughed. It made his neck throb. Karen tickled his legs and built on the laugh and made the hurt stop.
“All right, I’ll tell you. He was referring to a dissolute band of right-wing thugs.”
Karen grinned. “I like your friend. What’s his name?”
“No comment.”
“Is he a cop?”
“He used to be.”
“Is he as tall and good-looking as you?”
Dwight grinned. “Emphatically not.”
Dina said good night to the frog. It came through the wall plain. Dwight knew she wanted them to hear it. Karen bowed and put her hand on her heart.
“I think I’ve got a line on Joan.”
“Quid pro quo, then. Blow up an extra monument and try not to get caught.”
Karen curled around him. Dwight pulled off her barrette and let her hair go. He said, “Do you love me?” She said, “I’ll think about it.”