Raborn just nodded. "But it's still the rule."
"It's the same killers, they're both the same warrant," Edward said.
"Used to be, you'd be right, but you got too many marshals in your branch getting their toes stepped on, so they changed it."
"They're wanting to phase us old-timers out," Edward said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"They think the new marshals will be easer to handle, but first they have to prove the newbies can do the job."
"Stupid," I said.
"Politics in the field always is," he said.
"It wouldn't be so bad if Newman would let Tilford lead, but he's not. He's taking that I'm-in-charge-so-I-have-to-be-in-charge attitude. He's never been on a real hunt. At least Tilford has, not many, but I'll take some experience over none," I said.
Raborn tried to frown at me, but in the end he just shrugged. "Agreed."
It was the first thing he'd ever simply agreed to with me. It made me hopeful. "What can we do to keep this from going pear-shaped?" I asked.
"Try your powers of persuasion on him, Blake. I hear you can convince most men to do just about anything you want 'em to do." He looked at Edward then, and it wasn't a friendly look. More a guy look, and I wondered if there was just a touch of sexual jealousy there. It wasn't that Raborn wanted to sleep with me, but there is a type of man who feels if a woman is sleeping around he shouldn't be left out. It's almost not personal to the woman; it's just a guy thing.
"You sound jealous, Raborn," I said. I've found a direct assault is best on shit like this.
"So you admit it."
"Accuse me of something and maybe I will admit it, but don't make snide remarks and tiptoe around the question; just fucking ask, or don't."