Barely Legal

94

Joshua Hook frowned at Herbie skeptically. “You’re being followed by a thug?”

“Yes.”

“Over an old gambling debt?”

“Back before I was a lawyer.”

“A debt you’ve already paid off?”

“That’s the crazy thing.”

“That’s one of the crazy things. This whole thing is crazy.”

“Maybe so, but the guy is out there.”

“All right. You say you’ve paid the debt off?”

“Yes.”

“Have you considered paying it off again?”

Herbie frowned. “What?”

“If this is causing you as much trouble as you claim, wouldn’t your peace of mind be something worth buying?”

Herbie pretended to consider the idea. “I suppose.”

Josh studied his face. “What’s the real story?”

“Huh?”

“Come on, Herbie. You drive all the way up to my facility, take a lesson, and get a gun. I can’t believe you did that rather than pay someone some money. I mean, we’re not talking a hundred thousand here, are we?”

“Ninety.”

Josh shook his head. “Did anyone ever teach you moderation?”

“Hey.”

“But even so, you won a fortune in the lottery and you’re a partner in a law firm. Why are you sweating the small stuff?”

Herbie put up his hands. “All right, all right. It’s not the loan shark. It’s Tommy Taperelli.”

Josh’s mouth fell open. “You’re mixed up with the mob?”

“I’m not mixed up with the mob. I got roped into handling a criminal case, a drug bust. The defendant got set up by the guys who busted him, and it looks like Taperelli’s pulling the strings. He wants me to cease and desist.”

“You think that’s Taperelli’s man on the corner?”

“Probably.”

“And you were going to let me walk right into it thinking he works for a loan shark?”

“I know you can take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, unless I’m lulled into thinking I’m dealing with an amateur and get coldcocked by a pro.”

“I’d still bet on you.”

“Thanks a heap. Assuming you get free of this guy, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to try to get myself out of trouble.”

“What sort of trouble are you in?”

“Well, I’ve been arrested for murder and charged with contempt of court. That’s for starters. I also happen to have some witnesses I’d like to talk to without leading Taperelli to them.”

Josh sighed. “All right, kid. Let’s go take on the mob.”