"Corned beef does sound good. I think you've got the gist of using these materials. I repacked the box so your assistant wouldn't see that we had been working with the kit." Mick had jumbled the container's contents so Mountain wouldn't easily notice the missing components.
"You think I can give the lad a lesson like you did for me?"
"Sure, Max, you caught on very quickly. I've taught this class to uniformed officers. Many of them didn't catch on as fast as you did."
Max beamed. "I'm glad you were bored today. I enjoyed the lesson. Come back anytime, Mick. You're always welcome in my jail."
"I'd feel more at ease if you rephrased that last sentence." Max chortled. Mick bade the chief goodbye and was walking toward the station's front door when the young officer returned, smelling distinctly of corned beef. The smell prompted Loneshark to head for The Pancake Palace at about the same time Clint's car was pulling into Jasmine's driveway.
Jasmine opened the front door and motioned for Clint to come into the house. As they settled at her dining room table, Clint asked pointedly, "What's on your mind?"
Jasmine didn't answer immediately. She stared at her plate and picked listlessly at the steaming victuals with her fork. Clint sat still, exhibiting patient concern. "I don't know if I like the idea of having to do this program," Miss Jade finally admitted.
"Don't you think you would enjoy spending a day with Precious? As I recall, you were quite taken with that little girl when we watched the program about her."
"Of course, it's just . . ." Jasmine sighed. Clint waited silently, taking a shaking forkful of the hot food and chewing it thoughtfully. "I wasn't asked," Jasmine continued. "I was basically ordered to do this show. I've read that script, Clint. I'm supposed to say such wonderful things about . . . about . . . him!
"Adam Midas?"
"Yeah . . . him. I hardly knew him. He would never let anyone get close. I didn't like what I observed of him from a distance. He was no hero. He was barely a functioning human being as far as I could see. Now I'm supposed to tell that beautiful child and the whole world what a great man he was."
"Well," Clint began with an amused glint in his sapphire eyes, "I can see where that might be difficult . . . if you can't even bring yourself to say his name."
Jasmine grinned at Clint's comical expression. "Everyone has been telling me how fortunate I am and how this might lead to an acting career," Jasmine related with no sign of excitement.
"I suppose it could," Clint agreed. "You are more beautiful than any movie star I've ever seen on the screen." Jasmine smiled sadly, as though her beauty had always been more of a
