I'm a fool to kill you

SEVEN

When I knocked on the door I was surprised when it was answered by a beautiful young girl of twenty-two. She was blonde, slender, wearing a mini-skirt and white boots.

‘Well, hello,’ she said.

‘Hello,’ I said. ‘I was looking for Frank-’

He came up behind her, cutting me off with his appearance.

‘Eddie!’ he said. ‘I want you to meet my daughter, Nancy.’

‘The famous Eddie G.,’ she said, with a smile. ‘This is a pleasure.’

‘I can see why your dad is so proud of you,’ I said. ‘You’re beautiful.’

‘And talented,’ Frank said. ‘She sings like an angel.’

‘Daddy, I’m more interested in the fact that Eddie thinks I’m beautiful,’ she said, boldly looking me in the eyes. I had the feeling this young lady was going to be a force to be reckoned with as she got older.

‘Maybe we could have a drink some time-’ she started, but her father cut her off.

‘Oh, no,’ he said, pushing her out the door. I had to step aside to let her go. She smelled wonderful. ‘Eddie’s too old for you, little girl. You just run along. We have business.’

‘Oh, Daddy. .’

‘Go!’ he said.

She took a few steps down the hall and when she was out of his sight held her hand to her ear and mouthed, ‘Call me.’

Frank was casually dressed and waved me in, a big welcoming smile on his face. I stepped into the suite, where it was safe.

‘Hey, my man Eddie,’ he said, closing the door behind me. He pumped my hand. He was dressed casually, open collar shirt, grey slacks, and a pair of slippers. ‘Great to see you, Clyde. What brings you here?’

‘Where’s George?’ I asked, looking around.

George Jacobs was to Frank what Mack Gray was to Dean.

‘Down the hall,’ Frank said. ‘I got a separate suite for Nancy and the kids. I’m having George look after them. You wanna drink?’

‘No, thanks,’ I said. ‘I’m not gonna take up too much of your time, Frank. I just have a question.’

‘OK.’ He folded his arms and shrugged. ‘Shoot.’

‘Did you see Ava today?’

‘Ava?’ He dropped his arms. ‘Why? Is she here?’ His blues eyes lit up as they always did when he spoke of her, or heard her name.

‘I guess that means you didn’t see her, then.’

‘No, no, I haven’t seen her’ He frowned. ‘Was she here?’

‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘That’s what I’m trying to find out. One of our valets said he saw her, but he could’ve been mistaken. I’m checking with the airport now.’

Frank walked to the bar, hesitated, then changed his mind about a drink. Instead, he just leaned on the bar with both hands.

‘Maybe,’ he said, ‘she was here, and somehow. .’

‘Somehow what?’

‘Found out that my family was here.’ He turned to face me. ‘She wouldn’t have wanted Nancy to see her.’ I knew he was talking about his ex-wife, not his daughter.

‘Would she just run out?’ I asked. ‘Without even leavin’ you a message?’

‘Run?’

‘The valet said she came out in a hurry, got into a cab,’ I explained. ‘I’m waiting to talk to the cab driver who might’ve picked her up.’

‘When was this supposed to have happened?’ Frank asked.

‘Jack came to me a little while ago.’

‘So this morning?’

‘Yes.’

‘I was in the lobby this morning,’ he said, ‘briefly, but with my family, my ex. She could’ve seen me.’ He scratched his head. ‘Damn it. You gotta find her for me, Eddie.’

‘I’m lookin’, Frank.’

‘No,’ he said, ‘I know Entratter wants you to find her so that I won’t worry. He’s trying to protect me. But I mean you’ve got to find her for me, talk to her. Find out what’s wrong. If she came here without calling first, then something’s wrong. She wanted to see me for some reason.’

‘So maybe she saw you with Nancy, got jealous and ran out.’

‘No, Ava wouldn’t get jealous of Nancy,’ Frank said. ‘Come on, Eddie. I know you. If she’s in town you can find her. Then bring her to me so I can find out what she needs.’

‘And then what?’

‘Then I’ll give it to her,’ he said, with a helpless shrug. ‘Whatever it is.’