Everybody Kills Somebody Sometime

Forty-six

When I got down to the steam room I was surprised to see that all of the bathrobes were missing from the pegs. Apparently, every one of the Rat Packers were having a steam after the day’s shooting. There were plain bathrobes in a closet. I debated for a moment whether or not I should go in, then decided, what the hell? It was as good a time as any to be properly introduced to the ones I hadn’t met yet, and it was a good test to see how welcome I’d be.

I got undressed, donned a robe and entered the steam room.

“Whoa!” Sammy Davis said. “Who’s the strange cat?”

“Take it easy, Smokey,” Frank said. “This is Eddie G. He’s a pit boss in the casino, and a new friend. Come on in, pally. Have a seat and I’ll introduce you.”

It occurred to me that this could get awkward. Sammy, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop didn’t know about the threats against Dino. Also, Peter and Sammy didn’t know that Joey had brought me to Frank. So the only one who knew everything that was going on were me, Frank and Dean.

Frank made the introductions around the room, as if I didn’t know anyone, except when he got to Dean he added, “And, of course, you know Dino.”

“Yes,” I said, “of course.”

“I say,” Peter said to me, “I think I saw you on the set today.”

“That’s right, Charlie,” Frank said. “I gave the okay for Eddie to come and watch some of the shoot.”

“Welcome to the club, Clyde,” Sammy said. “Take in a steam with the cool cats.”

“Thanks.”

“Eddie,” Frank said, “Sammy just asked me to be his best man. He’s asked May Britt to marry him.”

I looked at Sammy, who today was wearing his eye patch. I assumed the glass eye, which he wore on stage and in the movie, was not behind it.

“Really? That’s great. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, man,” Sammy said. “I know there’s gonna be some cats out there who are gonna get all bent out of shape, but we love each other. I don’t care how many threats I get, I’m gonna marry ’er.”

“Threats?” I looked at Frank.

“The usual things,” Frank said. “that is, usual for Sammy.”

“’Die nigger,’” Sammy said, “’die Jew.’ I’m used to it, but it upsets May.”

“Fuck ’em,” I said. “Bunch of ignorant bastards.”

“Hey, Frank,” Sammy said, “I like this boy.”

“Hey, Eddie,” Dean said, “I might feel like dealin’ some blackjack tonight. You gonna be in the pit?”

“I’m actually off the clock at the moment, Dean,” I said, “but I can make a point to be in the house tonight.”

If I had to stay in to let Dean do some dealing, it kept me from going outside without my backup man, Jerry. Given how close I’d come to physical harm, and even death, I didn’t relish hitting the streets without him.

“Well,” Dean said, stepping down off the risers, “I’m gonna hit my room and take a shower, get ready for the show.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “See ya later, pally.”

“I’ve had enough, too,” Joey Bishop said. “See you fellas at the show.”

“Yes, I suppose it’s that time,” Peter Lawford said. “I have to call Pat, anyway. Good to meet you, Eddie.”

He waved as he went out the door. That left me with Frank and Sammy. I looked at Frank, to take my cue from him, but he and Sammy started talking about the wedding and I thought I should leave. Frank stopped me.

“You just got here, Clyde,” he said. “Stick around. Sammy’s gotta go anyway.”

“May’s waitin’ for me,” Sammy said. “See you later, Frank. Good to meet you, Eddie.” He shook my hand, a fierce grip for a man so small in stature, but huge in talent.

“What a bunch, huh?” Frank asked.

“Yeah,” I said, “it’s good to have friends.”

“You got friends, Eddie?” he asked. “I mean, a lot of friends?”

“Not a lot,” I said. “A few good ones.”

“Hang onto them,” he said. “You never know who your true friends are. Some of ’em, they just need you, or wanna use you.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said, “Frank, I need to talk to Sammy and Peter about threats.”

“You just talked to Sammy.”

“I mean, about the same kind of threats Dean’s been gettin’.”

“Why do you have to do that?” he asked, with a frown.

“What if one of them has been gettin’ the same threats, but hasn’t said somethin’ about it?” I asked.

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know,” I said, “I’m just tryin’ to come up with a next step. If one of them has been gettin’ threats then we’ll know they’re not just bein’ aimed at Dean.”

He thought that over for a moment, then said, “I see your point. You’ll have to talk to Joey, too.”

“That’s right.”

Frank scratched his cheek and thought a moment.

“Try to do it discreetly,” he said. “Don’t tell ’em about Dean if you don’t have to.”

“What can I-”

“Just say your askin’ all of ’em about it,” he suggested, “even Dean.”

“And what do I tell them is the reason?” I asked. “I mean, I’m just a pit boss.”

“Tell ’em you’re doin’ it for the Sands. Tell ’em Jack Entratter wants to make sure they’re safe in his hotel.”

We both knew what they’d think, that Frank Costello wants to make sure they’re safe. It would make them pretty sure I worked for Costello and, consequently La Cosa Nostra. I didn’t like havin’ anybody think I was mobbed up, but when it came to these guys, when was I ever going to see them again after they finished filming the movie? We just didn’t travel in the same circles.

“Okay,” I said, “I’ll be discreet.”

“Good. I knew I could count on you. So, how’s Jerry workin’ out for ya?”

“He got arrested tonight.”

“What? When? Where? And for what?”

I explained that the cops had come to the casino and arrested Jerry on suspicion of murder.

“Did Jerry murder someone?”

“Well, no,” I said, “He, uh, did kill someone, but it wasn’t murder.”

Frank looked disgusted.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened, Eddie?”

“How much has Jerry told you?”

“That doesn’t matter,” he said. “Come on, give.”

So I told him everything that had gone on, before and after Jerry. He listened intently and did not interrupt me once. I wondered how much of my story matched Jerry’s, and why there would be any discrepancy.

When I was done he said, “Jesus, you’ve been through a lot.”

“We-”

“And all to do me and Dean a favor?” he asked. “You sure Jack didn’t threaten you and make you help?”

“No,” I said.

“Maybe you should bow out,” Frank said. “Stay healthy.”

“Frank, I started this, I’d like to finish it.”

“You sure everything is tied together?”

“The warehouse you’re using as a set is where Mike Borraco was killed. Up to that point I thought everything was separate, but now I have my doubts.”

“And you don’t want to quit?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You’re a stand-up guy, Eddie.”

I didn’t reply.

“Stay inside tonight,” he said. “Dean says he wants to deal some blackjack, so you don’t have to go out. Tomorrow you’ll have Jerry back. Jack Entratter will see to that.”

“Frank, I was just wonderin’.”

“Wonderin’ what?”

“Couldn’t you ask some of your … friends for help?”

“Sometimes,” Frank said, “askin’ the wrong people for help is a sign of weakness, Eddie.”

I guess that was supposed to answer my question.

“I’ve got to get ready for the show,” he said. “You gonna be there tonight with your girl?”

“I don’t think so,” I said, “and Bev was just a friend, not my girl.”

“Oh. When she turned down Nick Conte I thought she was your girl.”

“No.”

We left the steam room together. He dropped his robe and started to get dressed, so I did the same. I told him I had some friends coming to the show tomorrow night, and wanted to get them back stage. He said he’d arrange it. I gave him Danny and Marcia’s names.

“The doll,” he said. “Another friend?”

“Yeah,” I said, “another friend.”

He wagged his index finer at me and said, “Sounds to me like you got more than just a few.”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s go, kid,” he said, slapping me on the shoulder. “We both got things to do.”

We made our way to the casino floor and stopped there.

“Listen, if things start to get really hairy, I can probably get you some more help,” he said. “You just let me know.”

“Okay, Frank. Thanks.”

He nodded and went off to get ready for the show. Me, I stood there wondering how much hairier things could get.