I'm a fool to kill you

TWENTY-EIGHT

We walked across the parking lot to a two-story building with lots of doors in it. Apparently, it had been broken up into many small office spaces.

‘This is where all the writers used to work when we had them under contract,’ he told me. ‘William Faulkner wrote in here.’

He opened a door and we stepped into a small office sparely furnished with a desk, two chairs and a file cabinet.

‘You mentioned some big names to the guard,’ Vargas said, seating himself behind the desk. ‘Why should we believe that you have any connection to Frank Sinatra or Ava Gardner?’

‘Come on, Mr Vargas,’ I said. ‘I had time to take a little nap in the cab. That means you spent that time checking me out.’

Vargas stared at me.

‘Look, I know things are in an upheaval around here, and I’m not lookin’ to take up your time. I just need to ask somebody a question.’

‘What kind of question?’

‘About Ava Gardner.’

‘We haven’t had anything to do with her since nineteen sixty.’

‘But there are people who don’t know that,’ I said. ‘If somebody was interested in talking to her they’d most likely come here.’

‘What’s your question, Mr Gianelli?’ he asked.

I was thinking the only reason I hadn’t been kicked out was because Vargas had probably talked to Jack Entratter at the Sands. Also, Vargas knew who owned the Sands. He wasn’t exactly being polite to me, but he was giving me more time than he normally would have.

‘Has anyone been askin’ about Ava Gardner lately?’ I asked.

‘Asking about her. . how?’

‘Tryin’ to find her, get in touch with her.’

‘Who are we talking about, Gianelli?’ he asked. ‘The police?’

‘Anybody, Mr Vargas,’ I said.

Vargas studied me for a few moments.

‘Look,’ he said, finally, ‘I’m willing to cooperate with you, but you’ve got to give me something.’

‘Like what?’

‘We’re interested in getting Frank to do a picture for us,’ he said.

‘I don’t have that kind of authority,’ I told him, wondering what Jack had told him about me?

‘I understand that,’ Vargas said. ‘All I’m asking is that you. . talk to Frank. Put a little bug in his ear.’

‘A bug in his ear,’ I said.

‘Yes,’ Vargas said. ‘We just need him to be. . open to the possibility.’

I thought a moment, then decided Frank would probably do anything for Ava.

‘OK,’ I said.

‘OK. . what?’ he asked.

‘I think I can guarantee that Frank will be open to the possibility.’

His eyes widened and he smiled for the first time.

‘That’s wonderful!’ he said.

‘Sometimes,’ I said, ‘all you need to do is ask.’

‘Wow,’ Vargas said, ‘well, OK then, exactly what do you want to know?’

‘Has anybody been asking about Ava Gardner in, say, the last week or two?’

‘Somebody looking to make a movie with her? Get an interview? Or are we talking legal-’

‘Mr Vargas,’ I said, cutting him off, ‘you’re makin’ this harder than it has to be.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, backing off. ‘I don’t mean to do that.’

‘Just answer the question and I can be on my way,’ I said.

‘As far as I know,’ he said, ‘nobody’s been looking for Miss Gardner. She made a picture recently in Spain, but we had no involvement in that. Nobody’s asked to interview her, and there have been no police here asking about her. Does that answer your question?’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I think that about does it.’

‘We’re done?’ he asked.

‘I am,’ I said, standing

‘Very well,’ he said, ‘I’ll walk you back to your, uh, car.’

At the cab he stood by while I opened the door.

‘When can we, uh, expect a call from Mr Sinatra?’ he asked.

‘I suggest you get in touch with his representative,’ I said. ‘They’ll get back to you.’

‘We’ve been trying, but-’

‘They’ll get back to you this time.’

‘Excellent,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’

I started to get in, then paused. He seemed so damned uncomfortable at that moment.

‘Tough times around here, huh?’ I asked.

‘You don’t know the half of it,’ he said. ‘Television! This place has made some legendary movies. It’s a damn shame.’

‘And nobody’s runnin’ the place?’ I asked.

‘You know, I don’t even have an office,’ he answered and shook his head.

As I drove through the front gate the guard said, ‘You get what you wanted?’

‘Pretty much,’ I said ‘but things sure sound grim around here.’

‘Yeah,’ the man said, ‘I’m, thinkin’ of makin’ a move.’

‘Sounds like a good idea,’ I said.