'When did he take off?'
'Three, no, four days after I came to see you.'
I did some quick calendering in my head. That made it the same day we found Anthony. When I got more time I'd think about that.
'As far as I know, Mr. Fish, he came to Vegas and checked into the MGM Grand either under another name, or in a room rented for him by another guy. Tough little guy, big nose, wore a Panama hat all the time. Very quick with a gun.'
'You saw him there?'
'Yes.'
'And you were in Las Vegas…?'
'Looking for Anthony Meeker.'
'On behalf of his wife?'
'His wife and his father-in-law.'
'Do you know why Marty was in Las Vegas?' Gino said.
'Anthony Meeker was there with Marty's wife.'
Gino was very still. I waited. Gino looked at his ocean again.
'And Shirley Ventura was in Vegas as well,' he said.
'You know about her.'
'Yes. Do you have any knowledge of who killed her?'
'No. Cops are trying to act like it was a random act, but I don't think they believe it.'
'Do you?'
'No. Whoever killed her made every effort to conceal her identity. Which means he thought he could be connected to her.'
'Her husband?'
'Could be,' I said, 'though it doesn't seem his style.'
'Marty would enjoy something like that,' Gino said.
'He was apparently in the area.'
'It's his style, okay,' I said.
'And she had his hotel phone number on her person. But I don't see a motive.'
Gino was silent.
'Do you?' I said.
Gino didn't answer. He looked at Vinnie.
'If he uncovers something detrimental to our interests, Vinnie, will he use it?'
'He might,' Vinnie said.
'He might not. Telling him not to won't make any difference.'
'Can he be controlled?' Gino said.
'No.'
'If we kill him?'
'Have to kill Hawk too,' Vinnie said.
Gino nodded thoughtfully.
'Gentlemen,' he said, 'you see my situation. I want to know what you find out, but I don't want your investigation impinging on my business. Can we work out a financial solution?'
'What do you think we're investigating?'
Gino paused a moment and almost smiled a real smile for a moment.
'Put that way, I must admit I'm not sure.'
'Don't feel bad,' Hawk said.
'We not sure either.'
'Well, who is your client?'
'We have none,' I said.
'Are you merely curious?' Gino said.
'We want to find Bibi Anaheim, see if she's all right.'
Gino stared at me and then shifted his eyes slightly and stared at Hawk. Then back at me.
