blond mustache and a haircut that hid his ears. Belson’s sideburns were trimmed at the temple.
”Reliable snitch?“
Belson nodded. ”Always solid in the past.“
”How much you pay him for this stuff?“
”C-note,“ Belson said.
”I’m flattered,“ I said.
Belson shrugged. ”Company money,“ he said.
We were passing Harvard Stadium. ”You or Quirk got any thoughts about what I should do next?“
Belson shook his head.
”How about hiding,“ Billy said. ”Doerr will probably die in the next ten, twenty years.“
”You think he’s that tough?“
Billy shrugged. Belson said, ”It’s not tough so much. It’s crazy. Doerr’s crazy. Things don’t work out, he wants to kill everybody. I hear he cut one guy up with a machete. I mean cut him up. Dis-goddamn-membered him. Crazy.“
”You don’t think a dozen roses and a note of apology would do it, huh?“
Billy snorted. Belson didn’t bother We passed the Kenmore exit.
I said to Billy, ”You know where I live?“
He nodded.
Belson said, ”You got a piece on you?“
”Not when I’m running,“ I said.
”Then don’t run,“ Belson said. ”If I was Doerr I coulda aced you right there at the curb when we picked you up.“
I remembered my lecture to Lester about professionals. I had no comment. We swung off at Arlington and then right on Marlborough. Billy pulled up in front of my apartment.
”You’re going up a one-way street,“ I said to Billy.
”Geez, I hope there’s no cops around,“ Billy said.
I got out. ”Thanks,“ I said to Belson.
He got out too. ”I’ll walk up to your place with you.“
”With me? Frank, you old softy.“
”Quirk told me to get you inside safe. After that you’re on your own. We don’t run a baby-sitting service. Not even for you, baby.“
When I unlocked my apartment door, I noticed that Belson unbuttoned his coat. We went in. I looked around.
The place was empty. Belson buttoned his coat.
”Watch your ass,“ he said, and left.
