'We can call her,' Romero said.
Cooper came back across the lot from his car.
'Anything?' Romero said.
'She's not at the Grand,' Cooper said.
'Still checking around.'
'Get a list of the guests?'
'They're running it off for us,' Cooper said.
'I sent a car over to get it.'
Romero turned to me.
'Give you a copy of the list, you check it for names?'
'Sure.'
'How about Boston?' Romero said to Cooper.
'Talked to the Homicide commander,' Cooper said.
'Guy named Quirk. Says the Hawkshaw is legit.'
'Just legit?' I said.
Cooper continued speaking to Romero as if I hadn't spoken, but there was a trace of humor at the corners of his mouth.
'Says he'll lie to you, he thinks it's a good idea. But he wouldn't rape and murder anyone.'
'Good to know,' Romero said.
'He say anything about brilliant?' I said.
'Or dauntless?'
'No.'
'I'll send a copy of the list over to your hotel,' Romero said to me.
'You need a ride back?'
'No,' I said.
'Just as soon walk.'
Romero nodded.
'You know why the husband disappeared?' Romero said.
'I don't think he was happy in his marriage,' I said.
'Well, that won't be a problem for him now,' Romero said.
CHAPTER 21
Hawk and I went over the list of guests at the MGM Grand that Romero had sent over. We recognized no one.
'Why don't I go stand by the elevators in the MGM Grand,' Hawk said, 'watch who gets on and off, see if I recognize anybody, might not be using their right name.'
'Don't get sidetracked by the Wizard of Oz display,' I said.
'Be hard,' Hawk said.
'But ah does have a will of iron.'
'And a head to match,' I said.
Hawk almost smiled as he left.
I went down and sat at the bar in the casino with Anthony Meeker. He didn't like being at the bar. He wanted to be at the tables.
'I got a hot table,' Anthony said.
'I need to get back to it before it cools off.'
'Okay, I won't waste time,' I said.
'Your wife was found murdered today in a vacant lot about a half mile from here.'
'My wife?'
'Shirley,' I said.
'Here?'
'Un huh.'
Anthony glanced back at the blackjack table he'd left.
