I went over, whispered, “I can get the 'Cat' off your back —for good.”
“Little detective—don't overreach yourself, you couldn't... Can you?” She lost some of her control, sagged, sat down hard on the couch.
“I think I can. Franklin lost his head, tore his britches badly on... something. You his girl?”
“Have to be—whenever he wants me.”
“Do favors for his friends, too?”
“Hell no! Just...”
“Like that postman, Willie?”
“He's the only one. Franklin insisted, got rough. Some funny idea about me searching his clothes for a stone. I didn't find anything. And that Willie—real childish bastard.”
“What was so important about the stone?”
“Don't be dumb, nodamnbody asks Franklin questions.”
“One last item—think back about two months ago, maybe three months or so. Was there any time during that period when Franklin seemed angry, mad as hell, about anything?”
“Ed never loses his temper, always has the same even, evil disposition. A couple months ago... say, remember he came here one night and tied on a big one. When he gets drunk he's a regular dirty slob, but I remember that night he didn't.... Anyway, he wasn't mad, he was upset, scared.”
“Scared? Of what?”
“Who knows? Sat up all night, nibbling at the bottle, begging me to, well, mother him. Never did see him frightened, before or since.”
“Thanks. Don't know if you've given me a clue or not. If the 'Cat' asks if I was up here, don't lie—got a million guys tailing me, it seems. Tell him about the farm, but that's all. Goodbye, honey.”
As I opened the door she said, “Hey...” and fumbled with my card. “Hey, Hal, will I see you again?”
“Sure, I'll catch your act every chance I get. And remember, we only talked about the estate.”
We winked at each other and I walked out, feeling very noble and pure... and a jerk. I never thought I'd see that day I'd pass up an invitation like Margrita!
13
I drove to the office. Shirley and Bobo had straightened the place up and it looked normal—again. Nobody had called, so I told Shirley to scram. She put on her hat, said, “This is the craziest job I ever heard of. Work a couple minutes and you tell me to go to the movies. I come back and work another hour and now you tell me to go home.” Her deep-brown face was puzzled—and a little worried.
“Things will work out. Maybe in a few days, when you've run out of movies, we'll get back to normal—start working. See you in the morning.”
“One thing, a girl certainly can't kick about the hours here.”
“Take in a movie tonight and you'll be on overtime,” I said, trying to make a joke, as she grinned and shut the door.
Bobo asked, “A couple days? Think you've found the key to this mess?”
“Not yet, but it's coming to a head fast. Go home, but hang around the house tonight, just in case I need you.”
“Maybe I should stay here, might be another rumble and...?”
“Naw, I think he's convinced we haven't got whatever he's hunting for.”
“He? You still think it's 'Cat' Franklin?”
“Bite your tongue—before the cat gets it! I'll be okay. If that's the afternoon paper, leave it.”
I opened my tie, sat at my desk, reading the paper carefully, chopping away at my rubber board. There wasn't a thing about Louise in the papers. That didn't mean the cops hadn't found her... but whether they had or not, when she didn't show up at work tomorrow, or answer her phone, the office would probably send somebody around... then it would explode in the headlines.
So Franklin had been scared—that made sense. He wouldn't risk a murder rap because he was merely p.o.'ed, but if he was frightened...? But what on earth could two old duffers like Brody and Shelton possibly do to scare the “Cat”?
I kept working it around in my mind, making like a detective—and ending up with nothing but a headache. Then I knocked the phone over grabbing it; I broke out in a cold sweat... all the time I'd been sitting on my bottom, I must have been sitting on my brains too—for I'd made another dumb move. The “Cat” had knocked off Anita and Louise because he thought they were my girls. Now, assuming he had me tailed while I was with Laurie... I'd really put the kiss of death on her!
14
IT was only five and I didn't get any answer, then... what a relief to hear her voice. I said, “Baby, you'll never know how good you sound!”
“You again. Did you get me out of the shower merely to hear my voice?”
“Not exactly. Have some talk for you—over supper. This is important, so do exactly what I tell you, don't ask questions. At exactly six-fifteen leave your place and walk over I to that joint we had lunch at I'll meet you there.”
