NOON WAS LYING ON HIS BACK ON THE BED OF HIS MOTEL room but he wasn’t sleeping. Just staring at the crack in the plaster. Looking at it in what dim light was offered from out on the road. Outside he could hear a pack of coyotes yipping in the opaque night and a lone dog answering them. He heard snoring through the thin walls. Then he sat up and placed his feet on the floor. He turned on the lamp beside the bed. He put his hands on his knees and took a breath and closed his eyes. His back was straight. He looked like some kind of strange monk in meditation. Then he opened his eyes and lifted the phone from the receiver and dialed a number and listened to the tone and waited for an answer on the other end.
Hello? a voice finally said.
Noon sat with the receiver to his ear for a moment. Didn’t speak, just listened.
Hello? the voice said again. This time with impatience.
Answering your own calls? Noon said.
There was a long pause on the other end. Then: How’d you get this number?
I have all of your numbers.
How do you have all of my numbers? Actually, I don’t give a shit. Why you calling in the middle of the night?
Is it the middle of the night?
Cut the cute shit.
The girl is dead, Noon said.
Girl?
Yes, Noon said. You let her drown.
I didn’t let her do shit. Why the hell am I talking to you right now?
Because I want to tell you something.
You have any idea of the scrutiny that little fire you started put me under?
Fire?
I suppose you’re going to tell me someone else burned down that shack out in the woods? First the fire then that gal with her throat cut. Not to mention the Barnhardt and Summers ordeal. You know the kind of heat you’re putting on me?
Is that some kind of pun?
Cut. The. Shit.
I think there would be a lot of people interested in hearing the kind of activities you’re into.
There was silence on the other end.
Noon said: Are you still there?
That’s called extortion, the voice said.
Okay, Noon said.
You know I got a call from the governor the other day? Asking if we need any assistance out here. The fucking governor!
People love to help people, Noon said.
You think this is a joke?
No.
You need to lie low.
Why are you upset?
Because you’re being reckless. Because you’re making your business my business.
My business is your business, Noon said.
He sat with the phone to his ear. He looked out the window.
It’s raining outside, Noon said.
Why do I care if it’s raining?
You’ll want to wear a jacket.
Why would I want to wear a jacket?
Because you’re going to meet me in about thirty minutes.
I’m not going anywhere.
There’s someone I want you to meet.
Middle of the night, fucko. I don’t want to meet anyone right now.
Yes you do, Chief, Noon said. Yes you do.
He said the place then he said the time. Then he hung up the phone without saying another word and laid back down and laced his fingers behind his head and listened to the rain falling on the asphalt.