On the quiet television the network cut away for the eight twenty-five local news. A picture of Hawk and one of me appeared on the screen. I stepped over and turned up the sound.
“Bay area police,” the announcer said, “are seeking two men wanted in connection with a daring jailbreak that took place early this morning in Mill River.”
The women both stared at the screen as our names and descriptions were given.
“The two men, both from the Boston area, are considered armed and dangerous. Now this from Hoffman’s Bakeries.”
I shut the television off.
“They got me fifteen pounds too heavy,” I said.
“That’s the picture of you from Susan’s apartment,” Hawk said.
“How come they didn’t get you fifteen pounds too heavy,” I said.
Fay said, “Jesus Christ.”
Hawk said, “Told you we wasn’t cops.”
“But we did lie about the names,” I said. “You had to know sometime.”
Meg said, “What do you want?”
One last time,“ I said. ”When does your pimp collect.“
“Mondays and Fridays.” Meg had olive skin, which made you wonder about the blond hair. She swallowed hard as if her throat was tight. “What are you going to do?”
“Today’s Thursday,” I said. Hawk nodded. “Day and a half resting up, talking to these ladies, and the pimp comes along with a pocket full of cash.”
“You can’t rob Leo,” Fay said.
“Pimps good to rob,” Hawk said gently. “They got money, and they ain’t likely to call the cops. And mostly they deserve it.”
“Leo’s bad,” Meg said. “Leo’s really bad. He set one of the girls on fire once.”
“We not one of the girls,” Hawk said.
“What are you going to do to us,” Fay said.
“Nothing,” I said. “We will just stay here for a day or two and then be gone.”
“And what the hell do we do,” Fay said, “while you’re sitting around in here? We got a living to make.”
“You’ll have to take a short vacation,” I said. “You can do anything you want except use the phone or leave the apartment.”
“How long,” Meg said.
“Couple of days,” I said. “No more.”
“I’m not staying cooped up in here with you two mugs for a couple of days,” Fay said.
Hawk looked at her for a moment and said, “Shhh.”
Fay stopped as she was about to speak.
Meg said, “We don’t want any trouble. You guys want to fuck us?”
I said, “No. Take a rest for a couple of days.”
Meg looked at me and her eyes widened. “You don’t?”
Hawk said, “He speaking for himself. He in love.”
“It’s not natural,” Meg said.
“It natural for him,” Hawk said.
“Tell me about Leo,” I said. “Does he come alone?”
Fay shook her head. “We got nothing to do with this, mister.”
“Fay,” I said, “you have everything to do with this. I am looking for a woman, and I am going to find her. I’ll do anything I need to do, and that includes hurting a couple of innocent whores. Does Leo come alone?”
“No,” Meg said. Fay didn’t speak, her lips were pressed together. “He has Allie with him,” Meg said. “Allie’s his bodyguard.”
Meg didn’t look at Fay.
“Does Leo carry a piece?” I said.
Meg shook her head. “I don’t know. I know Allie does. But I don’t know about Leo.”
“What time does he come?”
“Five,” Meg said. “He comes exactly at five in the afternoon, every time.”
“Does he collect other places first?”
Meg shrugged. Hawk said, “Probably, evening is heavy work time for the girls, he probably collects during the
