“He returned to his residence in Juárez. He refuses to come back and testify on Wayne’s behalf,” Capslock said. “A group of us law enforcement officers pointed out to the county attorney that Wayne has insights into several local criminal enterprises. An arrangement was made.”
“I gotta do two thousand hours of community service,” Wayne said. “Two thousand hours. Jesus Christ and all the fuckin’ Apostles didn’t do that many.”
“Careful,” Capslock said. “Virgil’s the son of a preacher.”
“Well, then, I apologize to you, your dad, Jesus Christ, and all the fuckin’ Apostles—the whole fuckin’ bunch of you.”
Virgil: “I’m losing track of the conversation. You have a friend who knows somebody who was fucking a famous professor?”
“Yeah. At the U.”
“What’s your friend’s name? Not China White?”
“Paisley.”
“Paisley what?”
“Just Paisley. Some of the guys call her Paisley Tied because, you know...”
“Yeah,” Virgil said. “Like a necktie.”
Wayne glanced at Capslock, then looked back at Virgil. “Necktie? What the fuck are you talking about?”
Virgil said, “What?”
Wayne said, “No neckties. She’s called that because you can tie her up. Or she can tie you up. Strictly voluntary. Costs extra, of course.”
Capslock laughed, and asked the world, “We’re talking about a classy chick, are we not?”
“Where can I find her?” Virgil asked. “Paisley?”
“You gotta call her and she’ll meet you. I got her number. Tell her that she was recommended by Richard. Ask her what facilities she offers,” Wayne said. “That way, she’ll know you know about the tie thing.”
“I’ll do that,” Virgil said. “And Wayne? If word leaks back to her before I get there, you’ll be doing six thousand hours.”
Wayne looked at Capslock. “This guy’s an asshole, Del. You said he was okay.”
Capslock shrugged, and said, “Wayne, we can all be assholes. Isn’t that the way of the world? Assholes everywhere. You’re an asshole, I’m an asshole...”
Wayne took a swig of beer, tipped the bottle at Virgil. “And this guy’s an asshole. You’re right, Del. Assholes everywhere. Six thousand hours, shit snackin’ crackers.”
—
Virgil thought to go somewhere with Capslock to make the call to Paisley, but Capslock said, “Why not now?”
“You mean here?”
“Yeah. Here. I mean, we’re already sitting down.”
“Tell her you met Richard here, at the Territorial,” Wayne said.
Virgil laid his phone faceup on the table so everybody in the booth could hear and he called. A man answered. “Who’s this?”
Virgil: “Could I speak to, uh, Paisley?”
“She ain’t here. Who are you?”
“Bob.”
