I went back to tying the last square knot into the swings rope and I remember thinking that perhaps I should get a book and teach myself to tie at least one or two other kinds when Ruth came out on the porch and looked up. She looked at him skeptically.For all I know he jetted off to some island with a group of swimsuit models. But if you say I told you that Ill deny it. Im not through, either, she said. So hes tending his pea patch or raising his cattle or doing whatever it is that hes decided is better than gunfighting when they come to see him. I already told you I did! Okay, she said. Ill be back here when youre ready to go. Now, if youll excuse me a moment, I have another matter to attend to. Well get back to it, then, the cop said, revving his bike. Youll hear about it, if we spot him. Its all legal and aboveboard, Stone said. Well, legal, anyway. Nothing those people do is aboveboard. Then therere the goats. They miss your firm but gentle touch. And so do I. Drake said wearily,Maybe you think it isnt work! These birds who think a private detective has glamorous adventures, plays tag with cops, spends his free time fighting off beautiful babes, should try keeping two dozen operatives working so they get results and dont fall all over each others feet. Who? I said. There arent all that many female pros working, Stone said. I can remember us busting only one. But nevertheless, though he legally wasnt aqualified investor under the securities laws, hed bought a thousand bucks worth of stock in the little bird that flitted around flowers sucking up nectar and paying it forward. Which was where she had gotten the name, Tapshaw had told him. You can spend a hundred grand on a branding firm to come up with horseshit and then focus-group the hell out of it for another hundred grand, or you can do it on your own for free. The defendant. Chickens? You raise chickens? That trust covers all the stock? Mason asked. Mason stopped his car in front of the California type bungalow, opened the door of the car. What do you mean? I struggled to wake up, to focus..