Sixkill

32

I called a cop I knew in L.A. named Samuelson.

“Calling to see how it’s going with a Boston guy as chief,” I said.

“Best cop I ever worked for,” Samuelson said. “Whaddya want?”

“I’m calling to inquire as to your well-being, and you’re giving me ‘Whaddya want’?”

“Correct,” Samuelson said.

“Ever make captain?” I said.

“Yes.”

“Makes me proud,” I said, “just to know you.”

“Will you get to the favor you want me to do you,” Samuelson said.

“You think I’d only call because I needed a favor?” I said.

“Correct.”

“That’s cynical,” I said.

“You think being a cop for thirty years is going to make me idealistic?” Samuelson said.

“Didn’t you join the force in order to protect and serve?” I said.

“Sanitation department wasn’t hiring,” Samuelson said. “Whaddya want?”

“I’m interested in finding out whatever I can about a woman named Alice DeLauria,” I said. “Jumbo Nelson’s agent.”

“Has her own agency,” Samuelson said. “Alice DeLauria Inc.”

“Ah, you know her.”

“Her old man is to the Anglo Mob in L.A. what your pal del Rio is to the Latino Mob.”

“His name DeLauria?”

“No,” Samuelson said. “His name is Nicky Fellscroft. She’s married to one of his associates, guy named Stephano DeLauria.”

“He a hood?”

“Stephano? You bet. He’s Nicky’s enforcer.”

“Any good?” I said.

“World-class,” Samuelson said.

“And Alice DeLauria?”

“Close family,” Samuelson said.

“She’s in the business.”

“Sure is. We’ve never been able to get anything that’ll stand in court.”

“One reason being that no one will testify against DeLauria’s wife,” I said.

“Or Nicky’s daughter,” Samuelson said.

“So how come she works as an actors’ agent?”

“How many actors you figure she represents,” Samuelson said.

“One?” I said.

“Correct.”

“Jumbo?” I said.

“Correct,” Samuelson said.

“She’s his keeper,” I said.

“That’s right.”

“You know why?” I said.

“Mob money is invested in him.”

“I know,” I said. “Can you prove it?”

“No,” Samuelson said.

“I can’t prove it, either,” I said.

“But you know about the Mob money,” Samuelson said.

“They invest in Jumbo’s films,” I said. “Wash dirty money, and make a profit, too.”

“And you know that how?”

“You’re not my only friend in Los Angeles,” I said.

“Lucky for you,” Samuelson said. “You working the Jumbo Nelson thing in Boston.”

“I am,” I said.

“Who you working for?”

“I’m sort of pro bono at the moment,” I said.

“He kill her?” Samuelson said.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Homicide commander in Boston has his doubts.”

“I’ll pay attention,” Samuelson said. “Anything passes me, might be useful, I’ll let you know.”

“Back at you,” I said.

“Good,” Samuelson said. “Be nice to arrest somebody.”

“Always is,” I said.