Frankly, O'Donnell's plan might be a bit shady, a rehash of a "honey trap." Congressman Lavoie's legislative director, Daniel Boyd, was a lecherous and shameless man with a penchant for driving large cars. He could easily be manipulated by catering to his preferences.
Jack initially hesitated. After all, while the women around him weren't all stunning, they each had their own strengths. Dixon, by comparison, had too many wrinkles around her neck and around her eyes.
But since Reacher and O'Donnell seemed confident, Jack didn't say much. He summoned Jiejie to take Dixon and Negley on an urgent shopping trip and hairdressing trip.
He also took Reacher and O'Donnell to a handmade tailor shop to buy their outfits. Shoes were easy enough, as leather shoes were readily available in all sizes in the US, but high-end suits were more difficult to come by. A larger man like Reacher could only get ready-made tailoring done.
Their time was limited. Daniel Boyd would be in Boston tonight for a fundraiser for the Boston Pops Orchestra, and to set him up, everyone needed to be dressed formally.
The girls' clothes were all ready-made, and with the right money, it wasn't impossible to have their makeup and hair done in an hour. It was Reacher's oversized suit that took the longest.
As he emerged from the dressing room, freshly dressed, O'Donnell, who was waiting outside with Jack, whistled. "Wow, look at you, you look much more presentable now."
Reacher glanced at him unimpressed, but didn't respond. Jack, curiously glancing at the combat boots he was holding, asked, "Where are your old clothes?"
"In the trash," Reacher said matter-of-factly.
"In the trash? Why?" O'Donnell knew Reacher was broke, with no savings at all. He spent whatever he got from his monthly pension, and he couldn't understand why he was suddenly so extravagant.
"Just carrying a pair of boots takes up one of my hands. Carrying clothes requires a suitcase. With a suitcase, I think I need a house to put them in. Seeing an empty driveway, I think I need a car. And then, all of a sudden, I'm filling out a mountain of forms."
Reacher's response was quite philosophical. Jack laughed and shook his head. After paying, he pushed open the door and walked to the curb.
O'Donnell, behind him, continued to nag. "So a spare shirt and jacket are too much for you? Hey, shrink, do you think this big guy might be a sociopath?"
Jack corrected with a smile. "First of all, I'm not a shrink. I study criminal psychology. Secondly, there were many people like him in the East in the past. They were often called ascetics. To them, external things were obstacles to inner cultivation."
"Okay, Mr. Ascetic, what do you think of Marlo Burns's hasty escape with her daughter, taking only a few clothes and leaving behind a pile of cash?" O'Donnell asked maliciously.
Reacher didn't hear the hidden malice in his question. After a moment of careful consideration, he replied, "I haven't got a clue yet."
O'Donnell continued with a deadpan expression, "But she did take the toothbrush."
At this point, he suddenly showed a look of surprise and took a deep breath. "Oh, she should be your soul mate, right?"
"Shut up!" Reacher, whose heaviest piece of luggage was a toothbrush in his pocket, couldn't hold back his expression. Jack was also amused by this antics.
Reacher took his bank card from his pocket and handed it to Jack. "Here, take this. When my pension comes in, you can withdraw it as you wish."
Although he didn't see the specific amount Jack paid, he knew that this outfit was worth a lot of money.
Jack looked at the small card, not even reaching for it. "If you're planning on staying home for six months, living off the bill, I can build you a cabin in the garden behind the house.
If you're serious, the cost of a single Gulfstream flight alone would keep you from eating or drinking for two or three years. This case is getting a bit complicated, and it has something to do with me, so I might need some cooperation from you."
He hadn't finished his words when a fiery red Porsche Cayenne pulled up, followed by Jack's Firebird.
The Cayenne's door opened, revealing a pair of slender legs in 10cm high heels. Of course, the color of the jade was a bit darker, as it belonged to Negley, who was of mixed black and white descent.
The indigo swan dress perfectly accentuated the woman's figure. Standing nearly 5'10" tall, she held her own against the larger man in high heels.
Her stiff, awkward posture revealed that Negley, like Reacher, was unaccustomed to formal attire.
"Don't say a word," Negley threatened, glaring at O'Donnell, whose mouth had twisted into an O shape.
But it was too late; O'Donnell had already uttered two words: "Holy shit!"
"If you say another word, I'll shove this stiletto heel into your eye." Negley awkwardly grasped the car door, her feet seemingly stilts instead of heels.
"I just wanted to say you look really beautiful like this. You two look like different people," O'Donnell flattered, gesturing at Reacher.
"We both look like idiots on a wedding cake," Reacher said self-awarely.
At this moment, the Firebird, following behind the Cayenne, also opened its door. Jiejie, still dressed normally, got out and walked around to the passenger side to open the door. Dixon, dressed in a pure black, backless dress, gracefully stepped out, clutching a Gucci clutch.
The top of the evening gown was very economical in fabric, with two straps extending from the back of the neck to the chest, gradually converging, framing the undulating curves while also leaving as much room as possible for the imagination.
Jack recalled the description of Daniel Boyd's preferences in the file and gave Jiejie a thumbs-up. Entrusting this task to her had indeed been a perfect decision.
"Looks like everyone's ready. Let's get going! We have less than five hours." Dixon smiled and winked at Reacher before returning to the car.
"Hope the traffic isn't too bad. I'll drive up front." Jack took the Firebird's keys from Jiejie and kissed her on the cheek as he said goodbye.
"Boss, shut up and drive! You're talking so loud it's practically catching flies." Nigley grinned as he tossed the Cayenne keys to the still-dazed Reacher.
Boston is one of the oldest cities in America's short history, founded in 1630, nearly a century and a half before the official founding of the United States.
That year, the Ming Dynasty in the East hadn't yet fallen, and Emperor Chongzhen had been on the throne for less than three years, a full 14 years before he hanged himself from the crooked tree.
There's a district in downtown Boston known for its many theaters, earning it the nickname "Theatre District." It's populated by well-dressed gentlemen and ladies.
The main character of this mission was Dixon, and Nigley was in charge of surveillance. The three men were confined to stand by outside the theater; it wasn't their time to appear.
Luckily, there was a cafe across from the theater. While it was a bit odd to see three well-dressed men drinking coffee together, it was better than standing like wooden stakes on the side of the road in the cold wind.
"I didn't expect you to keep in touch with that 'wool man'." Reacher adjusted his tie awkwardly.
Jack couldn't help laughing when he heard the nickname Reacher gave Finlay, "I suggest you keep a certain respect when you meet him. He is now the inspector of the serious crime unit."
They were talking about Oscar Finlay. Since they left Margrave Town, the short black detective returned to Boston and continued to work as a detective.
After Jack joined the BAU, he dealt with him in the "Boston Death" case.
It was the most dangerous case that the BAU team had ever experienced. Hotchner almost died, and Finlay was shot twice. Fortunately, they were blocked by bulletproof plates. It was a blessing in disguise. He was promoted after the case was over.
(End of this chapter)