The Guild.
The Actors’ Guild?
Exactly. They’ve got a record of stage names.
Isn’t that confidential information?
Sure, Ricky, it’s private, she laughed. As soon as I heard that, I gave up.
Sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to impugn your investigative skills.
I accept your apology. Listen. I got the name. I did a search. These articles turned up. The ages matched. He’s a mystery guy. Here’s a mystery. It all fits. Could I be wrong? I could. But I seriously doubt it.
It would be quite a coincidence, I agreed. But I’d rather have something more concrete.
We could fly to Podunk, interview the locals. Go the whole nine yards. Or, we could just ask him.
Sure. And he’ll say, ‘Yeah, sure, I’m a sister-fucker. And I’m dying to expiate my guilt.’
Expiate. Nice. Are you Catholic?
No, but I’ve considered it. Answer the question.
There wasn’t any question. But I’m telling you, if he’s Brendan, we’ll know. We’ll know in two minutes. He’s a drunk. At least, you told me he was. We’ll get him liquored up.
I love you. ‘Liquored up.’ Who else would use that phrase?
After we get him liquored up, we spring it on him. He won’t see it coming. He has no reason to think anything’s cooking. We’ll see it on his face. Instantly. Then, he spills it. Or he doesn’t. If he doesn’t, we fly to Podunk, get the goods. He does, we save the trip.
Podunk has an airport?
I can always count on you to keep your eye on the ball.
Thanks. It’s one of my better qualities.
Set it up.
All right. I’ll set it up. But tell me, darling. How is it that you got to be so goddamn smart?
Sex. Lots and lots of sex. It stimulates the brain.
You have no idea how depressing that is.
Don’t worry, we’ll fix that.
90.
I knew Jake would be at the Wolf’s Lair that night. It seemed like he’d moved in.
We talked some poker talk for the first few drinks. I complimented his play. He complimented mine. We talked about the others in the crew. Mike bluffed too much. You’d lose a few to him. You’d have to fold. You didn’t have the cards. But you knew if you were patient you’d catch him. You’d have a big hand. You’d re-raise. He’d re- re-raise. You’d get into a bidding war. He’d never back down. It was an ego thing. You’d win more in that hand than he could make all night on your folds. Riverstreet was cagey. You had to watch him close. He had a tell or two. A twitch in his neck when he had the goods. A very slight tremor in his left hand when he didn’t. You paid attention, you could make him pay. Andrea and Butch were imperturbable. You didn’t look to them for profits.
This went on for an hour or two. We discussed strategy. We talked about personalities. We talked about what made a good game. We could find a better one, we agreed. Some rich guys, eager to give their money away. We could be a team. Play them like a yo-yo. They wouldn’t know what side was up or down.
Drunken bravado. There was nothing like it to bond a guy to you.
Dorita got there, almost too late. We’d got so drunk I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to play my role.
I didn’t need to worry. She was in her element. She didn’t need me. I’d set him up. She could take it from there.
She put her arm around me, asked me to introduce her to my handsome friend. She posed. She postured. She seduced him with salacious conversation.
What is it that makes a lover? she asked. Not just a guy that can convince you in the bar that he’s cool? A guy that can convince you later that you can’t live without his touch?
Dorita put her hand on Jake’s.
He didn’t have a chance. A man with an ounce of ego couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
He put his hand over hers. She smiled. He tried to smolder. He did a fairly decent job of it.
The fish was hooked.
We talked, we laughed. We drank. We drank some more.
Let’s all go to your place, Dorita said to me.
I don’t know, I said. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with that.
Oh, I’m sorry, she said. I’m so insensitive. Jake, let’s go to your place.
We flagged a cab. We all squeezed in. Dorita in the middle. I felt her long strong thigh against me.
Jake looked ready to pass out.
By the time we got to his place he’d recovered a bit. He was able to fish out his key. Only two or three tries to get it into the lock. Once we got into his apartment, black and white and stark, he was almost normal.
He made some drinks. We all sat down. He and Dorita on the couch. Me on the chair. Dorita chided him for his decorating skills, or lack thereof. He looked around, befuddled.
What’s wrong with it? he asked.
Nothing that a month’s remodeling wouldn’t cure, she said.
Maybe you can help with that, he said.
He was looking off into the distance. I wasn’t sure if it was too much drink, or just his usual vacant thing.
I don’t do windows, she said. But I can recommend somebody.
That’s great, he said. As long as they’ll work for free.
We’ll see about that, Dorita laughed. Maybe Rick’ll pay for it.
Sure, I said, no problem. I’ll get a second mortgage.
Dorita leaned toward Jake, cupped his face in her hand.
Jake, she said softly.
Yes? he said.
I really like you.
I really like you, too, he said, with a glance at me.
He looked scared. Asking for my permission. I nodded my head approvingly.
There’s just one thing I need to straighten out, Dorita said.
What? said Jake.
His eyes were half closed.
What’s with this incest thing?
Jake froze. His eyes opened wide. He looked at her. She took her hand away. He looked at me. He sobered up fast.
What the fuck? he said.
The incest thing, she repeated. I need to know about it.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. His brow furrowed.
What the fuck are you talking about?
I had a second’s doubt. Maybe it wasn’t him. Maybe the names were just coincidence.
I’m talking about your sister, Dorita said quietly. Your sister and you.
Her face went calm, impassive. He got up abruptly. Went to the kitchen. Opened the freezer. Took out a bottle of Stolichnaya. Poured a huge glassful. Dropped the glass. It shattered on the tiles. He ignored it. Got a plastic cup. Filled it. Took a gulp. Looked at us. Shook his head.
So you know, he said.
This was almost too easy. I’d anticipated hours of sparring. Turning the screws. Letting the evidence out piece by piece, until he had no choice but to succumb.
