Chapter 7 We both heard it down the block. The front door of Batter Up opening and a small flood of people laughing boozily, coming out into the night. Stone joined the big table and had a meatball and some pasta. The restaurant was famous for its meatballs. He kept the earphones on. It was, actually, she said firmly. I want to go shopping today, she said. Oh, that, she said. Sit tight and dont be frightened. Im accustomed to canoes. I wont tip it over. Why do you say that? Chapter 7 Yeah, I said, give that bartender my best. Chapter 63 The name of the bar and grill that Freddie Koontz had agreed to meet us in was called The Feathered Nest and it was the kind of place that was used as a hangout by those who had reason to hang around city hall. At two oclock in the afternoon I thought I could spot three off-duty cops, a couple of lawyers, a bail bondsman, one pale man who looked hung over enough to be a reporter, and a pair of rather pretty young women who seemed to be waiting for somebody to buy them a drink. I had the feeling that almost anybody might do. Shut the hell up, Patton, the man next to him said. Theres nothin wrong with Grimes. He’s in some kind of trouble and we shouldn’t be laughin’ about it.’ The tray that she had placed on the table contained three glasses, a bucket of ice, a pitcher of water, some fresh mint, and a quart of Virginia Gentleman, which is a bourbon distilled not far from Herndon and has something of a local following. Youre not making any sense, Dino said. 17 Goats cant talk, her brother said. But he also said it in French. Goats can only say baaaaaa. That was in French, too, perhaps even the baaaaaa. i caught my mom masturbating.