we mostly get kids in here." The bartender continued talking as he removed the dirty glasses and wiped across the surface with a cloth. "Kids with red and green hair and rings in their noses and in their navels. Do you know how they tip me? After they leave, I find dollar bills neatly foiled into little squares with packets of coke inside."
Kate who had only been partially listening now gave him her full attention. "What do you do with them?" she asked.
"I immediately flush them down the toilet," he replied and then shrugged. "But what else can I do? I'm working here nights to pay my way through law school. The bar is crowded most nights. I don't know who leaves them. Many of these kids have wealthy parents; if you even stare at them too long, they threaten lawsuits." Looking apologetic, he added, "We do try to card them, but many of them carry fake ID's.”
Kate was unusually quiet until they reached the townhouse. Once they were inside, she kicked off her tan loafers with so much force they flew across the room. Then she angrily announced that if those kids think that they are going to spoil Saratoga, they better think again. "I feel so indignant when I think about what drugs are doing to this country." Picking up her shoes and pacing around the plants, she expounded, "I remember a conversation about children I had with a senior editor. He told me about his twenty-eight-year-old daughter coming to him and telling him she didn’t know how to say no to her three-year-old daughter. The editor said all he could think of was what had he done as a parent to his daughter that she couldn’t say no to her child.”
“Well, at least his daughter recognized she had a problem,” answered Rod, trying to refrain from smiling.
“Why are you smiling?” Kate demanded.
“I realize you’re upset, but you look so pretty stomping around these plants in your bare feet. All I can think of is Jane and Tarzan.”
Kate started laughing as Rod reached for her. “Let’s go to bed. We can’t solve anything tonight.”
“Me, Jane,” she said, breaking away from his arms and running toward the bedroom. Rod, grinning, followed her.
* * *
The next morning Rod followed her into the bathroom. He removed her robe, and they stepped into the shower together. He shampooed her hair and lovingly caressed her body with shower gel. She in turn massaged his back and chest with soap.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too, Rod."
They made love as the water from the shower head cascaded over them.
"I can't wait for this job to be over where we can be with each other forever," Rod said.
They dressed, and then Rod ran out and returned shortly with donuts. Kate had made coffee for them. They sat at the small kitchen table and ate.
"Kate, your grandmother told me you came to Saratoga early to work on a story. What are you pursuing?"
She related to him what Bob had told her, Guy's accident, and the information Maria had given her about the plane crash.
"Do you have to do this story?" Rod asked, looking worried. "You're a good writer. I read some of your stuff on microfilm at a library."
"Thanks, but I do have to. I can't put all the pieces together yet, but I will. I think you learned last night how I feel about drugs."
"Yes, but this sounds dangerous. You could get hurt." Rod picked up the empty coffee cups, walked over, and put them in the dishwasher.
"I promise I'll be careful and not do anything stupid," Kate replied as she wiped off the table.
"I still don't like your going after this drug thing." Rod insisted and asked, "What are you going to do next?"
"I am going to try to go to the horse sales and nose around." Then giving him a penetrating stare, she asked, "Can you tell me what you're truly doing here?"
"Kate, you're going to have to continue to trust me. I've told you everything I can. I have to go, but please watch yourself. I'll meet you on Friday afternoon at the Sheraton."
Monday morning Kate called Maria and asked if they could meet for lunch. Maria replied that she didn't have a lot of time but agreed to meet her at Pal's in Saratoga.
When Kate walked in, Maria lifted up her arm and waved from a table in the rear of the crowded restaurant. Maria had already ordered a diet coke and a veggie pita sandwich. Kate told the waitress she would like the same.
"Rod is here. I'll be bringing him to your wedding."
"I can't wait to meet the man who has captured your heart. Kate, you are positively glowing."
Blushing, Kate responded, "I guess it does show, but I need to ask you something." Looking extremely serious, Kate continued. "As long as I've know you, I've never asked you this because I always figured it would hurt your feelings."
"Go ahead, ask me. I promise you won't hurt my feelings."
"Maria, do you know someone on a personal level that – well, you know, could be connected to the Italian Mafia?”
Maria howled with laughter. Almost everyone in the small restaurant turned toward them and stared. “Kate, you’re too much. I can’t believe you’ve been wondering about that probably since we were freshmen in college, I bet. But why are you asking me now?”
Slightly embarrassed, Kate said, in a low tone, “It’s these drug rumors I’m tracking down. I’m having a hard time getting anywhere.”
After Maria managed to stop laughing, she declared, “The truth is I do have a great uncle who plays cards a little and bets a few numbers. I suppose he has been going in and out of the back rooms of restaurants since he was a teenager. There’re not many of his generation left. I feel certain people tolerate him out of nostalgia. I’ll see what he has to say.” And then she added, “All I seem to have time for lately are your everyday murders.”
* * *
Kate returned to the racetrack to find Mose. Giving two dollars to the cashier in the ticket booth, she walked through the turnstile and went directly to the paddock area. She saw him leaning against the same fence.
"Mose, you're just the man I want to see."
"Hi, Kate, what's up?" he asked.
I was wondering if you're going to the horse auction." Kate asked, standing before him.
"I sure am. I go every year to help out. Why?" he asked, studying her.
"I was hoping that since it's by invitation only, you could get me in."
"Maybe I can, but I have to know why," Mose responded.
Looking directly into his dark eyes, she announced, "I'm a reporter doing a story on horse racing, and I want to see what goes on at the sales."
After knocking the cold ashes out of his pipe on the fence, he replied, "I don't know if I totally believe you, but since Highwayman likes you, I'll get you in. Meet me a little ways down the block from the place."
"Thanks," Kate said, turning
