What the hell was your pal Bertin demanding?” he asked. “Sipping syrup?”

“It’s a cocktail he prefers when he gets, ah, overly excited.”

“A cocktail?”

“Of sorts. Lemon–lime soda, vodka, codeine in solution, and a Jolly Rancher candy.”

“A what?”

“Bertin prefers the watermelon–flavored variety.”

D’Agosta shook his head. “Christ. Only in Louisiana.”

“Actually, I understand the concoction originated in Houston.

Author: Douglas Preston