give up a name.'
'Do you know anyone other than cops? Someone who would know how to get information out of him?'
'I know a few retired cops. I could make a few calls. How about you?'
I shook my head. 'No one.'
'How about your ex-partner? That McGlade guy?'
'No. He'd find some way to make everything worse.'
'We've only got tonight, Jack. Tomorrow they'll ship Rushlo to the county lock-up. We wouldn't be able to get a mole in there.'
'McGlade is an idiot.'
'He used to be a cop. Plus he owes you one, from the way they depicted you in that awful TV movie. Remember how they made you into a binge eater, constantly shoving things into your mouth? That must have been humiliating.'
I thought about McGlade's suspended PI license, and knew I could use that to get him to help. But, dammit, it was using a machine gun to kill a gnat.
'If the choice is working with Harry, or letting a maniac run free, I'm not sure which is the worse of the two.'
'Call him.'
'Maybe I can dress up as a man and do it myself. I can paint on a mustache with mascara.'
'Call him.'
'Ah, hell.'
I needed to dial directory assistance to get McGlade's number. As his phone rang, I silently hoped he wouldn't pick up.
'This is Harry McGlade, World's Greatest Private Detective, featured in the television movie Fatal Autonomy. Talk to me.'
I swallowed a gallon of pride. 'Harry, it's Jack.'
'Jackie! Calling to give me good news about my license?'
'Sort of. I need a favor.'
'Consider it done, sugar. I had no idea you wanted to ride the Harry Rocket, but I'm more than happy to give you a taste. I usually like them younger, though.'
'Even if you tied me down, McGlade, I'd chew off my own arms to get away. I need you to run the mole ploy for me.'
'Gimme details.'
I filled Harry in, lowering my voice when a pair of cops walked past.
'And if I help you out with the stiff-sticker, you'll get me my license back?'
'You have my word.'
'I'll be there in half an hour, ready to be wired. See you soon.'
Harry hung up. Herb gave me a pat on the shoulder.
'It's for the greater good, Jack.'
I took a deep breath and rubbed my temples.
'That's what Oppenheimer said.'
Chapter 17
'Want to help me tape on the wire?'
McGlade waggled his eyebrows at me. He'd unbuttoned his shirt, exposing a flabby chest completely carpeted with curly brown hair. It was like looking at a gorilla, if the gorilla used Rogaine.
'Is it a full moon?' Herb asked.
'Could be,' McGlade answered. 'Does the full moon turn you into a fat pig?'
Herb narrowed his eyes. Harry had a wonderful way of immediately getting on a person's bad side.
'Don't get angry, Porky.' Harry grinned. 'It's just a joke.'
Herb folded his arms. 'For your information, I just lost ten pounds.'
'You didn't lose them -- they're hiding in your ass.'
I stepped between them and used some tape to attach the lavaliere microphone to Harry's chest. More tape than necessary.
'You're so gentle, Jackie. You're turning me on.'
Harry put his hand on my hip, and I pinched his nipple hard enough to draw milk. He yelped and dropped his hand.
Herb shook his head in disbelief; Harry got that reaction a lot. 'You were right, Jack. He's an idiot.'
'Herb,' I warned.
