“Doing what?”
“Watching.”
“Why weren’t you helping?”
“I didn’t expect Decker to need my help,” Largo said. “After all, it was only Razor he was dealing with.”
“Did you see Coles in the area?”
“I didn’t see him,” Largo said, “but he was there.”
“How do you know?”
Largo made a face and said, “I could smell him.”
“I guess it’s safe to assume that Coles killed Bolan.”
“He never did have any…loyalty.”
“Largo,” Bookman said, “you’re starting to worry me. Where is Decker now?”
“He’s out of the hospital and in his hotel.”
“Stay with him.”
“He might have some extra help.”
“Like who?”
“Police.”
“Tally?”
“Yes.”
“Tally will probably put somebody on him, whether he wants their help or not.”
“I agree.”
“Mmm, thank you so much.”
Largo waited while Bookman chewed.
“All right, go and see him. Tell him I’m sorry I didn’t get him the word on Bolan in time.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
“And don’t clash with the police. If they are there, they won’t bother you. You are, after all, not known to them—thanks to me.”
“I appreciate that, Bookman.”
“Tell him about Coles.”
“I will.”
“Warn him that Armand is good.”
“You want me to exaggerate, do you?”
“Just tell him, Largo.”
“I will.”
As Largo left, Bookman poured himself another cup of coffee. He hoped Decker wouldn’t hold it against him that he hadn’t gotten him the names in time. After all, things were happening very quickly.
Largo left and caught a cab to Decker’s hotel. On the way he thought about Armand Coles’s going into business for himself. He hadn’t thought Coles was that intelligent.
Largo had worked for Bookman for three years now. Both Bookman and Largo knew that Largo was the best killer in New York, but Bookman was right. Thanks to him, nobody else knew, not the police, and not Armand Coles.
Maybe it was time, Largo thought, to make a move of his own.
Chapter Twenty-six
After much conversation, Decker finally convinced Linda that what he was suggesting was best.
“All right,” she said. “I don’t want you to get killed because you’re worrying about me.”
“That’s as good a reason as any,” he said, walking her to the door.
“Come and see me at the hospital?”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Decker kissed her and opened the door. Largo was standing there.
“Oh,” Largo said. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Linda looked worried, but Decker simply said, “I’ll talk to you.” She went out past Largo and walked down the hall. Largo watched her walk away until Decker said, “Are you going to stand out in the hall all day?”
Largo looked at him, then stepped into the room.
“What’s Bookman want?”
“To apologize.”
“About Razor?”
Largo nodded. “About not getting you the names in time.”
“Which names?”
“Bolan, Razor…and Coles.”
“Who is Coles?”
“Armand Coles,” Largo said. “He’s a killer who was sent in to back Razor up.”
“He didn’t do a very good job.”
“I know Armand, Mr. Decker,” Largo said. “He probably wanted you to kill Razor.”
“Why?”
“Now he doesn’t have to split the kill fee with anyone.”
“That makes sense.”
Largo saw the way Decker was moving.
“How hurt are you?”
“I’m a little stiff,” Decker admitted.
“Does Tally have men on you?” Largo said.
“You tell me.”
“There’s one on the street and one in the lobby.”
“What’s your game, Largo?”
“I’ll let you know when I decide,” Largo said. “Right now I’m just working for Bookman, doing what he tells me to do.”
“Which is?”
“Deliver a message, and keep an eye on you.”
“Like you did last night?”
Largo smiled disarmingly.
“I knew you’d handle Razor. How did he cut you?”
“By accident.”
“I figured it was something like that,” Largo said. “Razor never saw the day he could handle someone of your caliber.”
“Or yours?”
Largo shrugged.
“What about Armand Coles?”
“Ah,” Largo said, “of late Coles has been surprising me a little.”
“How’s that?”
“He’s been making smarter moves.”
“Like killing Bolan?”
“Like going out on his own, yes.”
“Tempted?”
“Like I said,” Largo replied, “I’ll let you know when I decide.”
