Silver Linings

got.”
    “But you're in a hurry, right, Rosey? You need the money tonight. You can't afford to sit around and wait for another buyer.”
    “Goddamn it, Abbott,” Rosey said, his voice taking on the characteristic whine, “if you want the name you're after, be at that warehouse in half an hour. With the thousand.”
    “Five hundred and that's it, Rosey.”
    “Sheesh. Okay, okay. Like you say, I can't hang around. Five hundred.”
    The receiver on the other end was slammed down in Hugh's ear. He gently replaced the phone and looked at Silk and Mattie.
    “That was Rosey?” Mattie asked.
    “Yeah.” He met Silk's steady blue gaze. “He's got a name. Wants five hundred in cash for it.”
    Silk shook his head. “Poor guy's got delusions of grandeur.”
    “What name?” Mattie demanded, starting to look anxious.
    “The name of the guy who shot Paul Cormier. Or so he says. Who knows with a rodent like our friend Rosey.” Hugh walked over to the tiny kitchen and opened a chipped metal cabinet. He found his revolver behind the sack of pinto beans he kept for making chili.
    “You're going to see Rosey? Tonight? Hugh, what is this all about?” Mattie got to her feet clutching the spoon she had been using to serve the pasta. “Why are you taking your gun?”
    “Yes, I'm going to talk to Rosey, and I'm taking the gun because when one is dealing with the Roseys of this world, one feels more secure when one is armed.” He shoved the revolver into his belt and went over to the table. He felt ridiculously pleased by her unnecessary concern. “Now, don't worry. I won't be gone long.”
    “I don't like this,” Mattie stated emphatically. “I don't like it at all.”
    “I'll be back before you know it.” He bent his head and kissed the tip of her nose. “Silk will stay here with you until I get back. Won't you, Silk?” He met the big man's knowing eyes.
    “Sure,” Silk said. “If that's what you want.”
    Hugh nodded. “That's what I want.”
    Silk shrugged. “You're the boss. You going to give him the five hundred?”
    “Probably. If the information is good.”
    “Where you going to get that kind of money at this time of night?”
    “I'll stop off at the office on the way. There should be a couple of grand in the safe. Derek and Ray got paid in cash for delivering those medical supplies to St. Julian.”
    Mattie followed as Hugh went toward the door. “You will be careful, won't you?”
    “I'll be careful.”
    “How will you know if Rosey is telling you the truth? Maybe he'll just give you a name, take your money, and run.”
    “He wouldn't get far,” Hugh said. “And I think he's just barely smart enough to know that.” He kissed her again and firmly closed the door in her anxious face. He went out to where the Jeep was parked in the drive.
    It was starting to rain again. Another squall was about to sweep over the island. The palms rustled in the breeze and the night scents of the jungle were strong.
    He was going to miss St. Gabriel for however long he had to stay in Seattle, Hugh thought as he started the Jeep and drove toward the main road. It was odd how the island had become home during the past couple of years. It was the first real home he could remember. He couldn't wait to start building his dream house overlooking the sea. He just knew Mattie was going to love it.
    But first he had to survive Seattle.
    He drove into town, past the loud taverns and bars, and parked in front of Abbott Charters. He let himself in the front door and walked through the darkened interior to the small office, where he kept a big old-fashioned safe. He switched on the light.
    There was nearly five thousand in the safe. Hugh reminded himself to get it to the bank in the morning, and then he counted out five hundred in large bills, folded it up, and stuffed it into his pocket. He'd put it down on the books as petty cash.
    On the way out of the office Hugh automatically glanced around with a proud, possessive eye. Abbott Charters was starting to thrive. Another year or two and he would be ready for serious expansion. He considered the business his first and only real accomplishment in life other than keeping himself alive. It was the one positive thing he had ever created from scratch. It was his dream, his future, his hope for a different sort of life than the one he had been living for the past forty years.
    He wondered if that was how Mattie felt about her art gallery. The thought was unsettling and he