'She's in the business.'
'Sure is. We've never been able to get anything that'll stand in court.'
'One reason being that no one will testify against DeLauria's wife,' I said.
'Or Nicky's daughter,' Samuelson said.
'So how come she works as an actors' agent?'
'How many actors you figure she represents,' Samuelson said.
'One?' I said.
'Correct.'
'Jumbo?' I said.
'Correct,' Samuelson said.
'She's his keeper,' I said.
'That's right.'
'You know why?' I said.
'Mob money is invested in him.'
'I know,' I said. 'Can you prove it?'
'No,' Samuelson said.
'I can't prove it, either,' I said.
'But you know about the Mob money,' Samuelson said.
'They invest in Jumbo's films,' I said. 'Wash dirty money, and make a profit, too.'
'And you know that how?'
'You're not my only friend in Los Angeles,' I said.
'Lucky for you,' Samuelson said. 'You working the Jumbo Nelson thing in Boston.'
'I am,' I said.
'Who you working for?'
'I'm sort of pro bono at the moment,' I said.
'He kill her?' Samuelson said.
'I don't know,' I said. 'Homicide commander in Boston has his doubts.'
'I'll pay attention,' Samuelson said. 'Anything passes me, might be useful, I'll let you know.'
'Back at you,' I said.
'Good,' Samuelson said. 'Be nice to arrest somebody.'
'Always is,' I said.
33
THE BIG WINDOWSin Rita Fiore's top-floor corner office gave a grand overlook of everyone who worked at lower altitudes.
'Above it all,' I said.
Rita smiled.
'And yet still a woman of the people,' she said.
'I've heard that,' I said.
'For an okay time, call Rita?'
'I read it somewhere,' I said. 'I want to talk with Jumbo Nelson alone.'
'Most people don't,' Rita said.
'I know,' I said. 'But I do. And I don't want to have to fight with his bodyguard, or outwit his agent, or work around his lawyer.'
'And you want me to help with that?' Rita said.
'Yes,' I said. 'Do you think, despite your recent estrangement, that you could get Jumbo to come see you alone.'
Rita began to smile.
'We both know how to get Jumbo here alone,' she said.
'Could you stand it?'
'I believe I could,' she said. 'As long as I don't actually have to be alone with him.'
