faint-might have been hard to spot from a distance. And you said he might be an ex-con.'
'Hmm.'
The light turned green, and I headed back toward the freeway.
He chuckled.
'What?'
'Just thinking. If I ever actually make sense out of the Herbert thing, my troubles will just be beginning. Sneaking her file out.
Moving in on Central's territory, offering Gabray protection I had no permission to authorize. Far as the department's concerned, I'm a goddam clerk.'
'Solving a homicide wouldn't impress the department?'
'Not nearly as much as rank conformity-but hell, I suppose I can work something out if it comes to that. Give a gift to Gomez and Wicker-let them take the glory and hope for halfa gold star. Gabray may get sold out in the process... Hell, he's no innocent screw him. If his info turns out to be real, he'll do okay.'
He closed the kit and placed it on the floor.
'Listen to me,' he said, 'talking like a goddam politician.'
I drove up the ramp. All lanes were empty and the freeway looked like a giant drag strip.
He said, 'Putting some bad guys out of commission should be enough satisfaction, right? What you guys call intrinsic motivation 'Sure,' I said. 'Be good for goodness' sake and Santa will remember you.'
We arrived back at my house just after three. He drove away in the Porsche and I slipped into bed, trying to be silent. Robin awoke anyway and reached for my hand. We locked fingers and fell asleep.
She was up and gone before my eyes cleared. A toasted English muffin and juice were at my place on the kitchen table. I finished them off while planning my day.
Afternoon at the Joneses'.
Morning on the phone.
But the phone rang before I could get to it.
Alex,' said Lou Cestare, 'all those interesting questions.
Branching out into investment banking?'
'Not yet. How was the hike?'
'Long. I kept thinking my little guy would tire but he wanted to play Edmund Hillary. Why do you want to know about Chuck Jones?'
'He's chairman of the board of the hospital where I used to work. He also manages the hospital's portfolio. I'm still on staff there, feel some affection for the place. Things aren't going well there financially, and there's been talk ofJones running the place down so he can dissolve it and sell the land.'
'Doesn't sound like his style.'
'You know him?'
'Met him a couple of times at parties. Quick hello-goodbyehe wouldn't remember. But I do know his style.'
'Which is?'
'Building up, not tearing down. He's one of the best money managers around, Alex. Pays no attention to what other people are doing and goes after solid companies at cut-rate prices. True bargains-the stock-buys everyone dreams about. But he finds them better than anyone else.'
'How?'
