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MY BAG IS IN my car. My gun is in my bag. It seemed crazy to think I might need it once I was alone inside the house. But now I have company, two men who I believe are certifiable, on a good day.

“Long time no see,” Eric Jacobson says pleasantly.

“Not nearly long enough,” I say. “So speak for yourself.”

I haven’t moved from the top of the stairs. I feel a breeze coming in through the front door.

There is a smirk from McKenzie that reminds me of the one I see all the time from Rob Jacobson, as if they’ve been practicing the look on each other since high school, or just in the mirror.

“You know, I’ve always gotten turned on when chicks talked down to me,” he says. He shrugs. “Even when it’s like the little balcony scene we’ve got going here.”

“You two followed me here from the courthouse?” I ask.

“So we did,” Eric Jacobson says.

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Thought it might be fun.”

They have moved across the hall so now they’re standing in front of the bottom step.

“I didn’t see either of you at the trial,” I say.

I am wondering how this will play out when I am ready to leave. But it appears we’re not there yet.

“Come on, trials are boring as shit,” McKenzie says. Shrugs again. “Unless you’re the one actually on trial.”

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Just to catch up,” Eric Jacobson says.

“I’m still sick, the two of you are still punks, your dad is still up for murder,” I say to Eric. “There. We’re caught up.”

“Now she’s really making me hot,” McKenzie says.

“What do you two really want?” I ask.

“What we want,” Eric Jacobson says, “is to deliver a message.”

“A message,” I say.

“As sick as you are, Jane, it would be hazardous to your health for you to make the same mistake with us you’re about to make with Sonny Blum,” Eric says. “Or even try.”

“Wait,” I say. “You still think you can threaten me, Junior?”

I know how much Eric hates being called that. He gives a quick shake to his shoulders and I worry that his next move might be charging up the stairs.

“Think of it more as a warning,” Eric says. “The only way you’re ever going to see us in that courtroom is if we do decide to come inside.”

“Got it,” I say.

“Does that mean we won’t get called?” he says.

“Well, not unless I want to,” I say.

“You never learn,” Eric says.

“My dad used to call me a spunky lass.”

“It’ll be hard to find us again after today,” Edmund McKenzie says, “just so you know.”

“Jimmy Cunniff is a lot better at finding people than they are at not being found,” I say. “Long-established fact.”

“Before we go, though,” Eric Jacobson says, “how about we all go upstairs and have some real fun?”

“Now you are scaring me,” I say. “Just not the way you think.”

“You’re a lot tougher when you’ve got a gun in your hand,” Eric Jacobson says.

“You know, Junior, you’re right,” I say. “But there are occasions when I don’t need one.”

“Like when I’m the one with the gun in his hand,” Jimmy Cunniff says from behind them.