Favor had kept some of the old burglary pics he'd taken from various thieves back during his city detective days. He got into Sam Evans' condo with no problem. He went out into the kitchen and found some Jack Daniels black label and fixed himself a drink. Then he went into the living room and parked himself in the recliner. He used the channel zapper and found the Cubs game. During a long commercial break, Favor picked up the phone and called Princess Jane.
"I think I figured it out. What your husband was up to."
"Oh, God, Favor, I'm almost afraid to hear."
He told her and she started crying almost immediately.
All the time she cried, he thought, the cops're going to nail David's ass, and she's going to be free. Maybe seventh-grade dreams really do come true You just have to wait a while. Say twenty or thirty years.
She kept on sobbing. "I'm sorry, Favor. I'd better go."
"Don't mention any of this to your husband. I've got a little plan in mind."
He could imagine how she'd feel in his arms right now, the tender slender body against his, the warmth of the tears on her cheeks.
"Just remember," Favor said, "you need anything, any time night or day, you've got my number."
"Oh, Favor, I just feel so terrible right now."
"You lie down and try to nap. That's the best thing."
He could feel the gratitude coming from the other end of the phone. It was almost tangible.
Four innings later--the Cubs losing another close one, 9-0--Favor heard somebody in the hall.
)
