Section 7, Through p. 228 Summary

Renata picks Charlie up in her old Pontiac to give him a ride to the courthouse, where he is to undergo another confrontation with his former wife, Denise. He tells her about Rinaldo's offer to rub out Denise, and Renata allows that, while he was probably joking, it might not be a bad idea. Denise is represented by a man named Pinkster, who has a reputation for taking no prisoners in divorce actions. Charlie, on the other hand, is represented by two mid-town attorneys whom Rinaldo is convinced are in league with Pinkster and the prevailing judge to do Charlie out of his fortune - or what's left of it. During the ride to the courthouse, Renata, who is an interior designer, picks up one of her kookier clients, apologizing for the Pontiac and explaining that their Mercedes is...