فصل 44

CHAPTER 44

Ardelia Mapp was in her usual position, propped up in bed with a book. She was listening to all-news radio. She turned it off when Clarice Starling trudged in. Looking into Starling’s drawn face, blessedly she didn’t ask anything except, “Want some tea?” When she was studying, Mapp drank a beverage she brewed of mixed loose leaves her grandmother sent her, which she called “Smart People’s Tea.” Of the two brightest people Starling knew, one was also the steadiest person she knew and the other was the most frightening. Starling hoped that gave her some balance in her acquaintance.

“You were lucky to miss today,” Mapp said. “That damn Kim Won ran us right into the ground. I’m not lying. I believe they must have more gravity in Korea than we do. Then they come over here and get light, see, get jobs teaching PE because it’s not any work for them.… John Brigham came by.” “When?”

“Tonight, a little while ago. Wanted to know if you were back yet. He had his hair slicked down. Shifted around like a freshman in the lobby. We had a little talk. He said if you’re behind and we need to jam instead of shoot during the range period the next couple of days, he’ll open up the range this weekend and let us make it up. I said I’d let him know. He’s a nice man.” “Yeah, he is.”

“Did you know he wants you to shoot against the DEA and Customs in the interservice match?” “Nope.”

“Not the Women’s. The Open. Next question: Do you know the Fourth Amendment stuff for Friday?” “A lot of it I do.”

“Okay, what’s Chimel versus California?” “Searches in secondary schools.”

“What about school searches?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s the ‘immediate reach’ concept. Who was Schneckloth?” “Hell, I don’t know.”

“Schneckloth versus Bustamonte.”

“Is it the reasonable expectation of privacy?” “Boo to you. Expectation of privacy is the Katz principle. Schneckloth is consent to search. I can see we’ve got to jam on the books, my girl. I’ve got the notes.” “Not tonight.”

“No. But tomorrow you’ll wake up with your mind fertile and ignorant, and then we’ll begin to plant the harvest for Friday. Starling, Brigham said—he’s not supposed to tell, so I promised—he said you’ll beat the hearing. He thinks that signifying son of a bitch Krendler won’t remember you two days from now. Your grades are good, we’ll knock this stuff out easy.” Mapp studied Starling’s tired face. “You did the best anybody could for that poor soul, Starling. You stuck your neck out for her and you got your butt kicked for her and you moved things along. You deserve a chance yourself. Why don’t you go ahead and crash? I’m fixing to shut this down myself.” “Ardelia. Thanks.”

And after the lights were out.

“Starling?”

“Yeah?”

“Who do you think’s prettiest, Brigham or Hot Bobby Lowrance?” “That’s a hard one.”

“Brigham’s got a tattoo on his shoulder, I could see it through his shirt. What does it say?” “I wouldn’t have any idea.”

“Will you let me know soon as you find out?” “Probably not.”

“I told you about Hot Bobby’s python briefs.” “You just saw ‘em through the window when he was lifting weights.” “Did Gracie tell you that? That girl’s mouth is gonna—” Starling was asleep.