I looked up at the clock. I had spent over two hours looking at microfilm. I decided to go upstairs and call Guy.
Guy was his charming self and said that he would love to meet for lunch. “I also have something on that matter we discussed the other day,” he said.
“What did you find out?”
“I think it would be better if we waited on that,” he said, and I realized that someone must be standing near his desk. He went on. “By the way, why don’t you have your friend with the spark join us? He may find it interesting as well.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you at the bank at about eleven. I’ll bring both friends if I can.”
“I think it would be better if I met you.”
So someone
“I take it we don’t want to meet at some banker’s hot spot.”
“No.”
“How about the Thai Royal down on Broadway and Pacific?”
“Good. See you there.”
I stopped by Lydia’s desk and filled her in on the lunch plans. “He wants me to invite Frank, too.”
“Oh, no,” she said.
“What do you mean, ‘Oh, no’?”
“God, Irene, it will be like a double date.”
“Relax. He’s a mature person.”
“What’s that mean? Is this guy 109 years old or something?”
I laughed, realizing I really hadn’t filled her in on Guy. So I told her a few details, and I could tell she was interested.
John Walters strode up to us. “This sounds very much like girl talk to me. You got anything useful to tell me today, Irene?”
“I think I might have something pretty big before the end of the day,” I said.
His bushy brows lifted.
“Can we talk in your office?” I asked.
He motioned me to follow him as he waddled off.
“So what’s the story?” he said as he seated himself at his desk.
I filled him in on what I had learned from Guy.
“Well, what do you know. Hollingsworth and Longren, eh?” He mulled this over for a moment. “Do you think O’Connor got killed over this?”
“I’m not sure. I still think that was in connection with Jennifer Owens — Hannah.”
“Hmm.” He studied me, a skeptical look on his face. But he said, “You watch your backside — understand? Now get out of here and get back to work.”
“I understand they’re taking up a collection in the newsroom — they want to pay your tuition for charm school.”
“OUT!” he shouted, but I was already on my way.
I called Frank at police headquarters. I didn’t know how he would respond to the idea of meeting Guy, but I was at least going to give him the invitation.
“Frank?”
“Irene? What’s up?”
“Guy St. Germain has found something out down at the bank. He specifically asked if you could be there when he talks about it. We’re going to meet at the Thai Royal at eleven o’clock. Can you make it?”
He didn’t respond right away.
“I don’t see why not,” he said at last, and I felt a wave of relief.
“Great. See you there.”
SAM WAS ELATED to see me. Naturally, when I told him a couple of gentlemen would be joining us, he was beside himself with joy.
He showed us back to the same booth that I had been in the day Frank had called to say Kenny had been hurt. It seemed like a long time ago.
Guy arrived first, and as I had hoped, he and Lydia seemed to hit it off from the word “go.” Frank arrived a little late, apologizing as he and Guy appraised one another. He had apparently been swamped that morning, trying to catch up on all the loose ends from his days spent recuperating. I introduced him to Guy, and they shook hands as Frank sat next to me. Sam practically danced over and took our order.
“Well, Detective Harriman—”
“Call me Frank.”
