WOLFE is in his office, fiddling with a sand dial when a
knock stirs him. He goes to answer the door. DETECTIVE WELSH is there with a
frown on his face and a thermos in hand. WOLFE grins politely and waves him in.
WOLFE
Ah! Good evening, Detective! I was expecting you would
arrive earlier.
DETECTIVE WELSH
I’m afraid that we had a little…incident with the new
patient of yours.
WOLFE
(grin fading) I
see. No matter, he and I can speak about it now if you wish.
DETECTIVE WELSH
Considering the fact that he almost strangled DeSantos into
unconsciousness, let’s do that. Bring him in, Reacher.
WOLFE waits for JOHNATHAN to be ushered in by POLICEMAN. He
doesn’t seem angry, but rather, he bears a grim acceptance. He stumbles into
the room and remains still, eyes still fixated on the floor. WOLFE approaches
him with a grin.
WOLFE
How are you today, Johnathan? (he has his hands in the pockets of his wool jacket.)
JOHNATHAN
I’m just peachy, Dr. Wolfe. Can’t you tell?
POLICEMAN
Hey! You show some goddamned respect, you-
WOLFE
(raises a hand to cut
him off.) No worries, Reacher. This is how he says hello.
DETECTIVE WELSH
(glaring at him)
Speak when spoken to, Reacher. I thought I taught you better.
POLICEMAN
Sorry, sir. It’s just that-
JOHNATHAN
You heard what Welsh said, kid. If you’re wise, you’ll
listen to your superior next time.
POLICEMAN
(opens his mouth to
say something, but is shot down by a reassurance from Wolfe.)
WOLFE
I believe that I have it from here, gentlemen.
WOLFE begins to walk them to the door. DETECTIVE WELSH frowns
again and scratches his neck.
DETECTIVE WELSH
Are you sure, Edwin? You know what happened last time…
WOLFE pats DETECTIVE WELSH’s shoulder and smiles.
WOLFE
If I cannot trust my clients, how are they to trust me?
DETECTIVE WELSH and
POLICEMAN leave. POLICEMAN sneers at JOHNATHAN before a nod from DETECTIVE
WELSH sends him out of the room.
JOHNATHAN
Nice guy. Guess he’s a newbie, huh?
WOLFE
(chuckling) I don’t
think that they find your snide remarks as refreshing as I do, Johnathan.
JOHNATHAN
(grimacing) I
suppose that’s why you’re my only friend, then.
WOLFE
Not your only friend. Just your best friend. What happened
this morning, Johnathan?
JOHNATHAN puts his face in his hands.
JOHNATHAN
I…I’m not really up for discussing it right now.
WOLFE
It’s fine. Take your time.
JOHNATHAN
Heh, you wouldn’t be saying that if you knew how long I
intend to prolong this conversation.
