before that, and remembered it now.
I had nothing to say to her that wouldn't wait a day or two. Without saying anything, I replaced the receiver and went back to bed.
Chapter 11
After breakfast the next day I called Charles London's office. He hadn't come in yet. I gave my name and said I'd call later.
I spent another dime calling Frank Fitzroy at the Eighteenth Precinct. 'Scudder,' I said. 'Where are they holding Pinell?'
'They had him downtown. Then I think they shunted him out to Rikers Island. Why?'
'I'd like to see him. What are my chances?'
'Not good.'
'You could go out there,' I suggested. 'I could just be a fellow officer along for the ride.'
'I don't know, Matt.'
'You'd get something for your time.'
'That's not it. Believe me. Thing is, this fucker fell in our laps and I'd hate to see him walk on a technicality. We ring in an unauthorized visitor and his lawyer gets wind of it and gets a wild hair up his ass and it could screw up the whole case. You follow me?'
'It doesn't seem very likely.'
'Maybe not, but it's a chance I'm in no rush to take. What do you want from him, anyway?'
'I don't know.'
'Maybe I could ask him a question or two for you. Assuming I could get to see him, which I'm not sure I could. His lawyer may have cut off the flow. But if you've got a specific question-'
I was in the phone booth in my hotel lobby and someone was knocking on the door. I told Frank to hang on for a second and opened the door a crack. It was Vinnie, the desk man, to tell me I had a call. I asked who it was and he said it was a woman and she hadn't given her name. I wondered if it was the same one who'd called last night.
I told him to switch it to the house phone and I'd take it in a minute. I uncovered the mouthpiece of the phone I was holding and told Frank I couldn't think of anything in particular that I wanted to ask Louis Pinell, but that I'd keep his offer in mind. He asked if I was getting anyplace with my investigation.
'I don't know,' I said. 'It's hard to tell. I'm putting in the hours.'
'Giving what's-his-name his money's worth. London.'
'I suppose so. I have a feeling most of it is wasted motion.'
'It's always that way, isn't it? There's days when I figure I must waste ninety percent of my time. But you have to do that to come up with the ten percent that's not a waste.'
'That's a point.'
'Even if you could see Pinell, that'd be part of the wasted ninety percent. Don't you think?'
'Probably.'
I finished up with him, went over to the desk and picked up the house phone. It was Anita.
She said, 'Matt? I just wanted to tell you that the check came.'
'That's good. I'm sorry it's not more.'
'It came at a good time.'
I sent money for her and the boys when I had it to send. She never called just to say it had arrived.
I asked how the boys were.
'They're fine,' she said. 'Of course they're in school now.'
'Of course.'
'I guess it's been a while since you've seen them.'
I felt a little red pinprick of anger. Had she called just to tell me that? Just to push a little guilt button?
'I'm on a case,' I said. 'Soon as it's finished, whenever that is, maybe they can come in and we'll catch a game at the Garden. Or a boxing match.'
'They'd like that.'
'So would I.' I thought of Jan, relieved that her kids were on the other side of the country, relieved she didn't have to visit them anymore, and guilty over her relief. 'I'd like that very much,' I said.
'Matt, the reason I called-'
'Yes?'
'Oh, God,' she said. She sounded sad and tired. 'It's Bandy,' she said.
