“I’m just passing through, I’m not really even stopping in Washington. In case you’re wondering.” “Uh-huh.” I left the store smiling. I was just about sure the clerk had bought my story. * * * “Get this thing settled!” Darth said. “Once and for all!” He was inside one of the paper bags containing all the gifts I’d bought. The bags were near me on the floor of the cab. I rolled the windows in the back seat all the way down, letting the air swoosh in, so the cabbie couldn’t eavesdrop. Not easily, anyway. “Maybe you’re right,” I said to the middle bag. “Why in the world would John Helms want to kill me?” “He have any secrets you know about?” Darth said. “Yes!” I cried. “That’s it! That’s it! That’s it! I know things! I know some of his secrets!” The cabbie’s eyes peeked at me through his rear view mirror. I pretended that I’d only been singing—by starting to sing. “Country roads! Take me home! To the place, I belongggg! West Virginia! Mountain momma .
