It Was a Very Bad Year

FORTY-ONE

‘Gorillas?’ Danny asked.

‘Two of ’em,’ I said. ‘Big, not smart.’

‘Eddie, you just described every hood in the book.’

‘From the way they operated I assume they work together all the time,’ I said.

‘And they look alike?’

‘They could wear each other’s clothes,’ I said. ‘In fact. .’

‘What?’

I had just realized, so I said it out loud to see how it sounded.

‘. . they could be brothers.’

‘Ah, brothers who work together all the time,’ he said. ‘That should narrow the field.’

‘And they’re probably on their way back to Vegas right now.’

‘I’ll alert both airports,’ Danny said. ‘Unless they drove, they should be spotted going or coming.’

‘Remember,’ I said, ‘I don’t want revenge. I just want to know who they work for.’

‘Yeah, but we both figure it’s Irwin,’ Danny said, ‘so what we need to do is follow them.’

‘Right,’ I said, ‘don’t brace them. . alone.’

‘What? No, I’m not about to brace two gorillas on my own. Mike Hammer I ain’t.’

‘OK, good.’

‘Now you want to tell me why you’re in Reno and what’s goin’ on?’

‘I can tell you,’ I said, ‘but you can’t tell anyone else.’

‘You’ve got my word.’

I told him about Frankie being snatched.

‘No demand for cash yet?’ he asked.

‘No.’

‘Sounds like amateur hour,’ he said. ‘The longer they wait, the more chance there is something can go wrong.’

‘I was thinking the same thing!’ I said. ‘It sounds messy, right?’

‘Definitely. Are you sure you want to make the drop?’ he asked.

‘Why not?’ I said. ‘They’re amateurs, I’m an amateur.’

‘Come on, you’re practically a card-carrying private eye’s assistant.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You called Jerry, right?’

‘I don’t call Jerry everytime I get in trou. . yeah, I called him.’

‘Good. The big guy will keep you safe. Stay in touch. Let me know where you are.’

‘What are you, my fuckin’ father?’

He was laughing when I hung up. I wondered if we had time to get Jerry to Reno before the kidnappers called with their demands? That’s when Jack stuck his head in.

‘They called.’