'Yes.'
'Tell me about him.'
'First,' del Rio said, 'you tell me what you might be doing that would come to Morris Tannenbaum's attention?'
'I'm working on a murder case,' I said.
'Here?'
'Some people involved used to live here,' I said. 'But the murder was out in the desert, place called Potshot.'
Del Rio moved one of the chess pieces.
'Is there a connection?'
'I don't know.'
'Of course you don't,' del Rio said.
Chollo moved a chess piece. Del Rio studied the move. I don't play chess. I had no idea what they were doing.
'Morris is an important figure in this part of the country.'
'As important as you?' I said.
Del Rio consulted the chess book and studied the board and moved another piece.
'Not to me,' he said.
'Me either,' I said. 'What's Tannenbaum do for a living?'
Del Rio smiled. 'He's a venture capitalist,' del Rio said. 'Like me.'
'What's he invest in?'
'Drugs, whores, numbers… usual thing.'
'Competition?' I said.
'Not really,' del Rio said. 'He operates east of Chino.'
'The inland empire?'
Del Rio nodded, studying the chessboard. 'Fresno,' he said. 'Bakersfield, San Berdoo, Riverside.'
'Where would I find him?'
Del Rio moved a chess piece, kept his hand on it for a moment, and moved it back. He continued to stare at the board. Chollo was motionless.
'Palm Springs,' del Rio said.
'Maybe I should go out and talk with him.'
Del Rio smiled and moved a chess piece, sat back, and looked at the move with satisfaction.
'It would save you the drive if you were to shoot yourself here.'
'Morris is not friendly.'
'No.'
'Is he persistent?'
'Very.'
'So he'll admonish me again,' I said.
Del Rio looked at Chollo.
'Admonish,' he said.
'Even for a gringo he talks funny,' Chollo said.
'Yes,' del Rio said. 'He will admonish you again.'
'So maybe I'll need backup,' I said.
Del Rio looked again at Chollo. Chollo was studying the board.
Without looking away he said, 'Backup.'
'That would be the second favor,' del Rio said.
'Si.'
'You wish to borrow Chollo?'
'Like last time,' I said. 'And Bobby Horse, too. If you would.'
Del Rio leaned back in his chair and stared at me.
'They are not mine to lend,' he said.
'Then, I'd like your permission to make them a proposal.'
