So Long As You Both Shall Live (87th Precinct) Read Free

laughed and reminded them all that kidnapping was a Class A felony punishable by life imprisonment, and they all laughed again, and finally Carella shushed them all with the palm of his outstretched hand. Looking around to make sure they all had glasses in their hands (as if they needed anything more to drink), he lifted his own glass and said, “Fellas, I want to tell you how happy this day makes me. I want to say I’ve been hoping for this day for a long, long time now. Do you remember when this kid first came on the squad, that was after he cracked the Jeannie Paige murder when he was still a patrolman, I think you all remember that.”
    There were nods and murmurs of assent, and Hal Willis chose this moment to slap Kling on the back again, and Meyer Meyer winked at him, and then Carella said, “Well, this kid here has added a lot to that squadroom, we’ve had a lot of good times together over the years. All I want to do now is wish him the best of good times in the future, the best of everything.” He lifted his glass a trifle higher. “To Augusta and you,” he said, “a good marriage, and happiness for years and years to come. Congratulations, Bert.”
    That’s his goddamn name, Pike thought.

“If that guy takes one more picture…” Kling said.
    “He’s doing a conscientious job,” Augusta said.
    They had changed into street clothes and were at the front desk of the hotel now, registering for the room they had reserved. Across the lobby, Pike was standing with his camera to his eye, focusing for a long shot of the couple at the desk.
    “Does he plan to sleep with us tonight?” Kling asked.
    “Who plans on sleeping?” Augusta asked, and smiled slyly.
    “I mean—”
    “I’ll gently suggest that maybe he’s taken enough pictures, okay?” Augusta said. “He’s a dear friend, Bert. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
    “Okay.”
    “And it will be nice to have a record afterwards.”
    “Yes, I know. Gus, are you happy?”
    “Yes, darling, I’m very happy.”
    “It was a real nice wedding, wasn’t it?”
    “Yes.”
    “I mean, the ceremony itself.”
    “Yes, darling, I know.”
    “There’s something awesome about those words,” Kling said. “When you come to think of it, that’s one hell of a frightening contract.”
    “Are you frightened?”
    “Sure, aren’t you? I take this very seriously, Gus.”
    “So do I.”
    “I mean, I really do want it to last so long as we both shall live.”
    “I do, too.”
    “So…so let’s just make sure it does last, Gus.”
    “Are you worried about it?”
    “No, but—well, yes, in a way. I love you so much, Gus, I just want to do everything I can to make you happy and to see you grow and to—”
    “Your key, sir,” the night clerk said.
    “Thank you,” Kling said.
    “That’s room 824, the bellhop will show you up.”
    “Thank you,” Kling said again.
    Across the lobby, Pike was sitting on one of the sofas, putting a fresh roll of film into his camera. The moment he saw them moving away from the desk, he snapped the back of the camera shut, and rose, and began walking swiftly toward them.
    “I just want one more picture,” he said in immediate apology.
    “You’ve really been an angel,” Augusta said. “Did you get a chance to enjoy the wedding, or were you just working all day long?”
    “I had a marvelous time,” he said. “But I still need another picture.”
    “Which one is that?” Kling asked apprehensively.
    “I haven’t got a single shot of Augusta and me. Bert, I would appreciate it greatly if you took a picture of Augusta and me.”
    Kling smiled broadly. “I’d be happy to,” he said.
    “I just put in a fresh roll,” Pike said, and handed Kling the camera and the strobe pack, and then looked around the lobby and maneuvered Augusta to a potted palm just inside the revolving entrance doors, where a steady trickle of people moved in and out of the hotel. Kling brought the camera to his eye, focusing from a