Reckless Abandon

53

HERBIE TOOK A sip of the twelve-year-old Scotch he had requested. “Looks like I’m getting more popular,” he said to nobody in particular.

“It’s an illusion,” Stone said. “Who brought the pictures in?”

“This guy.”

“Which guy?”

“This Italian guy.”

“How did you know he was Italian?”

“You think I don’t know a goombah when I see one?” Herbie took another sip of Scotch. “And he had an Italian name.”

Stone took out his notebook and a pen. “Spell it for me,” he said.

“G…” Herbie blinked. “Hey, what about the reward?”

“It’s like this, Herbie: The FBI said on television that they were offering a reward for the arrest of Trini Rodriguez. They didn’t say that they had to arrest him.”

“So, they’ll give me the reward even if Dino arrests him?”

“Well, that is certainly what I inferred from their announcement. Do you have any reason to think differently?”

Herbie scratched his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, there you are.”

“Where?”

“There.”

“Where’s there?”

Stone sighed. “Herbie, do you know what obstruction of justice is?”

“Sort of, I think.”

“Well, if you don’t give me the name, Dino will arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

“Why give it to you? You’re not a cop, Dino is.”

“Then give it to Dino.”

“Dino, if I give you the name, do you promise I’ll get the reward?”

“Herbie, if you give me the name and address of the guy who brought the film in for processing, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to get you that reward. I’ll even write the FBI a letter, saying you’re the guy who deserves the reward.”

Herbie brightened. “Okay.”

“That’s if we arrest him and on your information,” Dino said. “If he’s not at this guy’s address, there’s no reward.”

“Yeah, that seems fair,” Herbie said.

“So, give me the name.”

“And I’ll be a hero?”

“Herbie, you’re going to be a dead hero if you don’t give me the name right now.” Dino stuck his hand under his jacket, as if reaching for his gun.

“Okay, okay,” Herbie said, raising his hands. “The name is Galeano-G-”

“I know how to spell it,” Dino said. “What’s his first name?”

“Vito.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Dino said. “I know that guy. He runs a numbers operation, and God knows what else, out of a grocery store in Little Italy.”

“That’s the address he gave me,” Herbie said, taking Stone’s pad and pen and laboriously writing out the address.

“What’s he doing getting film processed in Brooklyn?” Dino asked.

“He lives in the neighborhood. I’m not sure exactly where. He comes in all the time with his wife’s pictures.”

“Stone and I are acquainted with the gentleman, too,” Holly said, inspecting the photograph. “Oh, oh, take a look at this, Stone,” she said, pointing. “I think this nails down the location, don’t you?” She handed him the photograph.

Stone inspected it carefully. “Aha,” he said, “I believe that’s our grave in the background.”

“Your grave?” Dino asked. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Remember, I told you about that? Mr. Galeano and his friends dug this hole in the basement of his grocery store especially for Holly and me.”

Dino took the picture and looked at it closely. “So, why aren’t you in it?”

“Because I persuaded him to call your father-in-law first. Eduardo suggested he not do it.”

“When did he dig the grave?”

“Yesterday,” Stone replied.

“So we know Trini was there yesterday.”

“Right.”

“And how do we know Trini isn’t in the hole?”

“Because he was at that apartment today.”

“Did you actually see him?”

“No, but one of the SWAT team identified him just before he slammed the escape door in their faces.”

“When do I get the hundred grand?” Herbie asked.

“Herbie,” Dino said, “do you remember the conditions attached to the reward?”

“Sort of.”

“Let me review them for you: Number one, we have to arrest Trini on the information you supply. Number two, the FBI has to sign off on it.”

“Yeah, but you’re going to write them a letter.”

“Herbie, as eloquent as I am on department stationery, not everybody does everything I ask them to. Especially the FBI.”

Herbie frowned. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”

“Gee, I’m sorry,” Dino said.

“Can you find out where Vito lives?” Stone asked Dino.

“Yeah, sure, but Trini’s more likely to be at the grocery store than at Vito’s house. Those guys never bring business home to the family, especially business like Trini.”

Stone’s cell phone vibrated. “Hello?”

“Is this Stone Barrington?”

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“This is Vito. You remember me?”

“Vito! How could I ever forget?”

Vito chuckled. “Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t, in the circumstances.”

“Have you got a line on Rodriguez?” Stone asked.

“I think I might,” Vito said. “You want to meet me down at my place of business in the morning?”

“I have to wait until morning?”

“Well, I’m not going to be able to do anything for you until midday, at best, but if you want to spend the night in my basement…”

“No thanks, Vito, I’ve seen enough of your basement.”

“Okay. Come down tomorrow morning about eleven, and I’ll see what I can do. You remember the address?”

“Oh, yes.”

“See you then.” Vito hung up.

“Herbie,” Stone said, “I’m afraid there’s been a little hitch in getting you the reward.”