Reckless Abandon

“No,” Stone said. “Go away.”

“But I’ve got some information for you,” Herbie said, sounding hurt.

“Shoot him, Dino,” Stone said.

“I want the reward,” Herbie protested.

“Then go see the FBI,” Dino said. “It’s their reward.”

“But don’t you want Trini Rodriguez?”

“Herbie,” Dino said, “if you don’t get out of here, I’m going to call a patrol car and have you arrested.”

“For what?”

“For annoying the police.”

“Then maybe you better take a look at this,” Herbie said. He tossed a five-by-seven photograph on the table.

Lance picked it up. “Where did you get this?”

“I processed it.”

Holly looked at the photograph. “It’s Trini.”

“Where did this come from?” Stone asked, looking at the picture.

“A guy brought two rolls of film into the store this afternoon. This negative was on one of them.”

“Who was the guy?”

“I have his name and address,” Herbie said slyly, rubbing his fingers together in a fashion indicating he wanted money.

“You still want me to shoot him, Stone?”

“Not until he gives us the name and address,” Stone replied.

“So, do I get the reward?”

Stone clapped him on the back. “Sit down, Herbie, and have a drink. Good to see you.”

53

HERBIE TOOK A sip of the twelve-year-old Scotch he had requested. “Looks like I’m getting more popular,” he said to nobody in particular.

“It’s an illusion,” Stone said. “Who brought the pictures in?”

“This guy.”

“Which guy?”

“This Italian guy.”

“How did you know he was Italian?”

“You think I don’t know a goombah when I see one?” Herbie took another sip of Scotch. “And he had an Italian name.”

Stone took out his notebook and a pen. “Spell it for me,” he said.

“G…” Herbie blinked. “Hey, what about the reward?”

“It’s like this, Herbie: The FBI said on television that they were offering a reward for the arrest of Trini Rodriguez. They didn’t say that they had to arrest him.”

“So, they’ll give me the reward even if Dino arrests him?”

“Well, that is certainly what I inferred from their announcement. Do you have any reason to think differently?”

Herbie scratched his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, there you are.”

“Where?”

“There.”

“Where’s there?”

Stone sighed. “Herbie, do you know what obstruction of justice is?”

“Sort of, I think.”

“Well, if you don’t give me the name, Dino will arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

“Why give it to you? You’re not a cop, Dino is.”

“Then give it to Dino.”

“Dino, if I give you the name, do you promise I’ll get the reward?”

“Herbie, if you give me the name and address of the guy who brought the film in for processing, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to get you that reward. I’ll even write the FBI a letter, saying you’re the guy who deserves the reward.”

Herbie brightened. “Okay.”

“That’s if we arrest him and on your information,” Dino said. “If he’s not at this guy’s address, there’s no reward.”

“Yeah, that seems fair,” Herbie said.

“So, give me the name.”

“And I’ll be a hero?”

“Herbie, you’re going to be a dead hero if you don’t give me the name right now.” Dino stuck his hand under his jacket, as if reaching for his gun.

“Okay, okay,” Herbie said, raising his hands. “The name is Galeano-G-”

“I know how to spell it,” Dino said. “What’s his first name?”

“Vito.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Dino said. “I know that guy. He runs a numbers operation, and God knows what else, out of a grocery store in Little Italy.”

“That’s the address he gave me,” Herbie said, taking Stone’s pad and pen and laboriously writing out the address.

“What’s he doing getting film processed in Brooklyn?” Dino asked.

“He lives in the neighborhood. I’m not sure exactly where. He comes in all the time with his wife’s pictures.”

“Stone and I are acquainted with the gentleman, too,” Holly said, inspecting the photograph. “Oh, oh, take a look at this, Stone,” she said, pointing. “I think this nails down the location, don’t you?” She handed him the photograph.

Stone inspected it carefully. “Aha,” he said, “I believe that’s our grave in the background.”

“Your grave?” Dino asked. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Remember, I told you about that? Mr. Galeano and his friends dug this hole in the basement of his grocery store especially for Holly and me.”

Dino took the picture and looked at it closely. “So, why aren’t you in it?”

“Because I persuaded him to call your father-in-law first. Eduardo suggested he not do it.”

“When did he dig the grave?”

“Yesterday,” Stone replied.

“So we know Trini was there yesterday.”

“Right.”

“And how do we know Trini isn’t in the hole?”

“Because he was at that apartment today.”

“Did you actually see him?”

“No, but one of the SWAT team identified him just before he slammed the escape door in their faces.”

“When do I get the hundred grand?” Herbie asked.

“Herbie,” Dino said, “do you remember the conditions attached to the reward?”

“Sort of.”

“Let me review them for you: Number one, we have to arrest Trini on the information you supply. Number two, the FBI has to sign off on it.”

“Yeah, but you’re going to write them a letter.”