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ring.
    “Hello.”
    “Mr. Pomeroy?”
    “Yes. Is that you Randall? Do you have something to report?
    “It’s good news. I found her.”
    “That’s outstanding Randall. Have you set a meeting?”
    “That’s what I’m calling about. She’s willing to meet as early as tonight if you wish.”
    “Splendid! You’ve done a fine job. There will be a bonus in this for you my boy.”
    I hoped I would still be on such good terms with him when all the details came out.
    “Thanks,” I said. “How about my office in an hour? It will probably take awhile to tie up loose ends and get out of here.”
    “Where are you,” he said with a worried tone.
    “I’d rather you get all the details at once and in person.”
    “Of course, of course, I understand.” He didn’t sound like he understood at all.
    “Would you like to speak to Paula?” I asked trying to allay any fears that he might have. “She’s in the next room.”
    “No,” he said slowly. “Perhaps it’s best that this is all done face to face. I’ll be in your office in one hour. Then I want to hear all the details. I’m sure you have an interesting tale.”
    We rang off. I turned around to go back to the dressing room and almost bumped into Martinez standing behind me. I was getting tired of people sneaking up behind me.
    “It’s not nice to eavesdrop Rudy.” He must have heard every word I said.
    “I would never dream of such a such a thing,” he replied. But I could see the wheels turning in his head. I wondered how much he could have doped out from my end of the conversation. I was spreading Pomeroy’s name around way too much in a joint like this where everyone was a grifter out to make a quick buck. Rudy already had nicked me for two hundred and had me down as an easy mark. I couldn’t blame him; tonight that’s just what I had been.
    “I’m having a bad day Rudy. Don’t push me. I’d hate to think what might happen if I found out that you were telling people my private conversations. Let’s just keep out of each other’s way. Okay?”
    He nodded and stepped aside. There were daggers in his eyes. I was reminded of the saying about if looks could kill.
    Paula was seated when I came back. She looked up with expectant eyes.
    “It’s set,” I said. “He’ll meet us in my office in an hour.
    “I wonder if he’s changed much?”
    “I wouldn’t know I only met him today.”
    “Will you tell me one thing?”
    “If I can.”
    “No, it’s silly.”
    “Come on, what is it?”
    “Well…does he still have that god awful toupee?” she said and giggled.
    “He does,” I said. It was good to hear her laugh.
    “I guess some things never change. I never had the heart to tell him how it looked. He was sensitive about his bald spot and he was convinced that he looked great with his add-on. He would have killed to have your hair.”
    I tousled my hair self-consciously and shifted from one foot to the other. She was staring at me studying me intently. I was growing uncomfortable.
    “Mr. Randall, you have a welt on your neck. Are you alright?”
    My hand stole to the token Frankie had left me.
    “I’m fine.”
    “What happened?”
    “Just some Boy Scouts tried to help me across the street and I didn’t want to go. It got a little rough, but it’s no big deal.”
    “Can I get you some ice?”
    “No, really I’m fine,” I said. “Look, we’ve got a little time before we have to leave I’ll wait out front while you get yourself ready.”
    “Okay, I do have some things to straighten out before we leave.”
    “Fine, I’ll be waiting at the bar.”
    “You could stay here if you like,” she said.
    Was there anything behind that offer? I couldn’t tell, so I swallowed once and said: “No, I better not. I’ll have another drink and wait for you there.”
    “Alright,” she said. “I understand.”
    Maybe she did.

Chapter 6

The Ride

I found my way to the bar and ordered a double. The case was nearly over and I needed a