The Hornet’s Nest. Patricia Cornwell

who had to have a meager mental bank account to spend so much time working out? Of

late, Brazil recently had caught the rumors about Hammer’s pitiful marriage to a fat guy

who was unemployed. A dynamic woman like her would have needs and urges. How

did Brazil know that she might not go for it, and decide to meet Raines somewhere?

It was important for Brazil’s peace of mind and spiritual development that he know

Hammer had, in fact, driven straight home. He could not trust her unless he knew, with

certainty, that she would not betray him and the world by stooping so low as to sneak

around with Denny Raines. Brazil drove quickly through Fourth Ward. He was stunned

to see an ambulance parked in front of Hammer’s house, and her dark blue police car

gleaming in the driveway. Brazil’s heart was boxing his ribs as he parked some distance

away, staring in horror and disbelief.

How in God’s name could she be so blatant?

A madness invaded Brazil’s otherwise sound mind. He got out of his BMW and strode

toward the house of the woman he worshiped but no longer respected or would ever

speak to or think of or wonder about again. He

would air his righteous thoughts, but there would be no violence unless Raines started it.

If so, Brazil would sock him to Oz, ace him, smash him. He tried not to think about

Raines’s size, or that the paramedic did not appear to be scared of much. Brazil was

having second thoughts when Hammer’s front door opened.

Raines and another paramedic wheeled out a stretcher bearing a fat older man. Chief

Hammer followed and seemed in shock, and Brazil was stunned and baffled in the middle

of Pine Street. Hammer was distraught as practiced hands loaded her husband into the

ambulance.

“You sure you don’t want me to ride with you?” Hammer asked the fat man.

“I’m sure.” The fat man was in pain and sluggish, perhaps from whatever was dripping

into him intravenously

“Well, have it your way,” Hammer told him.

“I don’t want her coming,” the fat man instructed Raines.

“Not to worry.” Hammer sounded hurt as she walked back to the house.

She stood in the doorway, watching the ambulance drive off. Squinting, she noticed

Brazil on her dark street, staring at her. She recognized him, and it all came back to’ her

Oh Christ. As if she didn’t have problems enough.

“I tried to get you earlier. Give me a chance to explain,” she called out to him.

Now he was completely baffled.

“Excuse me?” He stepped closer.

“Come here.” Hammer wearily motioned to him.

He sat on her porch swing. She turned out the light and sat on the steps, certain this

young man must think she was the biggest, most dishonest bureaucrat he had ever

encountered. Hammer knew this might

be the night her controversial community policing project would go to hell along with everything else.

“Andy,” she began, ‘you’ve got to believe that I said nothing to anyone. I swear I kept my promise to you. ”

“What?” He was getting a very bad feeling.

“What promise?”

She realized he did not know.

“Oh God,” she mumbled.

“You didn’t hear the news tonight?”

“No, ma’am. What news?” He was getting excited, his voice rising.

Hammer told him about Channel 3 and Webb’s scoop.

“That’s impossible!” Brazil exclaimed.

“Those are my details! How could he know the stuff about the bloody money, the

washcloth, any of it! He wasn’t there!”

“Andy, please lower your voice.”

Lights were blinking on. Dogs were barking. Hammer stood.

“It’s not fair. I play by the rules.” Brazil felt as if his life were over.

“I cooperate with you, help as much as I can. And get crucified for it.” He got up, too, the swing moving, slowly swaying, and empty.

“You can’t stop doing what’s right just because others do things that are wrong,” she

spoke quietly, and from experience, as she opened the door that would lead her back

inside her fine home.

“We’ve done some pretty wonderful things, Andy. I hope you won’t let this ruin it.”

Her face was kind but sad as she looked at him. He felt the ache in his heart, and his

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