Mickey studies his full house, Queen high. He looks at the pot in the middle of the table and then considers the other players. “Wasn’t he just here? Now’s not really a good time, Gus. Tell him to come back another time.”
“Boss, I think you might want to see him.”
Mickey looks up at Gus, seeing the leer and wink. “Two minutes, boys.” He turns to Gus. “Fine, let him in.”
Frankie comes in, followed by another fella and a gorgeous gal. Mickey is intrigued. She’s young and fresh, just like he likes ‘em; long, golden hair ripples to her waist, pale ivory skin, cornflower blue eyes, and a rosebud mouth just made for kissing.
“Junior. Back so soon? And with guests.”
Frankie pulls the other man forward. “This here’s my brother, James. He’s the smart one of the family, but don’t tell ‘em I said so.” Frankie gives James a little punch on the arm, and they jostle back and forth.
Mickey clears his throat.
“And this is my sister, Delores. She said that she’d like to meet you.” Frankie steps around her so that he can push her forward.
Mickey leans back and stretches his legs, one arm hooked across the back of the chair. “That so, Delores?”
Delores trembles, eyes downcast. “Yes, Mr. Duffy, sir.”
Frankie gives her a nudge and Delores steps closer to Mickey. She rests her small white hand on the hard muscle of his arm. Mickey can feel it flutter, like a butterfly’s wings.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” she says, somewhat breathlessly. “I wanted to see what ya looked like in person.”
“And?” Mickey regards her.
She looks up through her eyelashes. “I think I like what I see.”
Frankie steps forwards. “Mr. Duffy. James and I would really like you to think again about us joining your crew. I thought long and hard about what you said, and both James and I are prepared to be good soldiers. Delores is what you might call something for future considerations.”
Mickey, slowly running his hand along Delores’ milky smooth arm, stares at her.
“Sure thing, boys. I’m sure we can find a spot for you. Why don’t you talk to Gus, and he’ll get you sorted.”
Delores remains locked in on Mickey as Frankie and James follow Gus to the other side of the room.
Mickey stands. “Sorry fellas, but I fold,” he says to the table without turning his head. He gently takes her arm and leads her toward the bar cart, leaning down to murmur in her ear.
Mickey pours drinks. “Delores. Nice name. Did you know that it means ‘sorrow’?”
Delores gives a small shake to her head, gazing into his eyes.
“Are you sad, Delores? Maybe I can put a smile on that pretty face?” Mickey says, handing her a drink.
“I think you can, Mr. Duffy, sir. I think you can.” Delores flutters sooty lashes and her rosebud mouth smiles.
Chapter 35
J oe and Maggie are on their corner. The sun hasn’t set, and Maggie feels exposed. It’s one thing to be working under cover of darkness but, in the daylight, Maggie imagines every front window has someone peering out. People are still going in and out of stores for last minute purchases before closing time. There are a lot more people on the sidewalk, some of them children. She doesn’t like this at all.
The time of day doesn’t seem to affect sales. She’s just as busy as she was the first few nights, maybe busier. Men are on their way home from work and stop for a wee nip. And it’s not just pedestrians. Cars have been cruising by and pulling up, people looking for a drink. At least that’s what Maggie’s hoping they’re looking for, ‘cause that’s all she’s selling.
The earlier start means for a long shift—a little more money toward the mortgage payment and tuition. A few hours in and, with the comforting cover of darkness, Maggie needs a break. She and Joe move off down an alley and pull up a few packing crates to sit on. Maggie’s brought along a snack.
“Pass that basket and let’s see what you’ve got here,” Joe says, reaching for a small wicker hamper Maggie has resting on her lap. “Oh, sandwiches, cookie, an apple. And a Thermos of coffee. Aren’t you a doll.” He passes Maggie a sandwich and then pours coffee into the cup.
“It’s busy tonight. I think I’m going to win salesman of the week award,” Maggie says between mouthfuls. “You must be bored sitting there on your box all night.”
“It’s not too bad. I’ve got information for you to pass along to the Phantom Informant, by the way.”
“Oh good. He’s been chomping at the bit, wanting to get started and find out who your police snitch is. Who are you going to target?”
“We decided we’d start with Boo-Boo Hoff. He owns the most joints.”
“Not Mickey Duffy?” Maggie tries not to sound disappointed.
“Nah, Mickey only owns a couple of upscale clubs. Not exactly what we’re looking for. We need somebody with more action.”
“I suppose that makes sense. When are you going to start?”
“We’ll put it out in Thursday’s bulletin which comes out at Morning Report at nine. Will the Phantom be ready? Does that give you enough time?” Joe asks. “We’ll say we’re planning the raid for nine that night. Is he going to wait at the speakeasy or Boo-Boo’s office?”
“Do you have a sense of whether it’s the speakeasy or the gang that’s being tipped off?”
“We can’t tell.”
“Well, let’s have him wait in the speak because we know for sure a phone call will come there. He’ll be close to the telephone to be able to eavesdrop when the call comes in. If it’s from Boo-Boo, then the next time he’ll wait at Boo-Boo’s office. But maybe we’ll be lucky, and the warning will be direct from your inside snitch.”
“Is he going to be able to sit at the bar for hours, just in case the call doesn’t come right away?”
“I doubt anyone will notice him. He could wait all day.”
Joe nods. “Blends right in, does he?”
“Practically invisible. I’m glad you’re not raiding the Cadix tomorrow. I’m going with a friend to watch the magician they’ve got performing there.”
“Oh, they’re bringing in a magician? I’d love to be able to see that.”
The two munch on sandwiches and finish the coffee.
“Say, Joe, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure, Maggie, anything.”
“Well,” Maggie starts, and then pauses, blushing. “I’ve stood on the corner twice now, and nobody’s asked me—well, mistaken me for a pro skirt.”
Joe chokes on his cookie. “What?”
“You know. I was just wondering why. Is it because I’m not pretty?”
“Oh, Maggie. Pro skirts aren’t always pretty. Especially the ones working the street corners. I, erm, mean, that’s not that you’re not a good looking woman, Maggie. No, I think it has more to do with your heavy coat. You don’t look like you’re selling anything but booze.”
Maggie laughs. “Oh good, because I was worried.”
“You goof. Now come on. It’s time to get back to work.” Joe leans down and gives her a hand up. He passes her the basket and picks up the half-empty crate of extra hooch.
They’ve just nicely settled into their routine when a car glides to a stop near her. The window rolls down, and a man leans out. “Hey sweetheart, come ‘ere.”
Maggie strolls over, all nonchalant. Joe tries to see inside the car without being too obvious, in case anyone’s looking.
“Are you thirsty, sir? Can I pour you a cup, or do you have your own?” Maggie asks.
“Ma’am, you do realize that selling liquor is illegal, don’t you? It’s a violation of the Volstead Act.”
“Well, a copper would have to nab me first before I worry about that.”
The man in the car reaches in and pulls out his badge. “Well, sister. You’ve been nabbed.”
Maggie looks at the badge “Sergeant Michael O’Shaunnessy,” she says loudly, hoping that Joe can hear. “Surely
we can come to some kind of understanding, Sergeant? I’m just a poor gal trying to put groceries on the table and feed my kids.”
“Well, now. I suppose I might be able to look the other way, for the kiddies and all. Pete, the fella who used to work this corner? He and I had an understanding. 10% or $50 bucks, whichever came first.”
Maggie leans down toward the car window, handing him the $50. He grabs it and tucks it into his pocket. Behind her back she’s waving the two finger umpire signal that Joe has shown her.
Joe suddenly opens the passenger door and slides in beside O’Shaunnessy. “Hey, Mike. Fancy meeting you here. I’m arresting you for Unprofessional Conduct and accepting a bribe. And I’m going to need that fifty bucks back.”
Mike glares at Joe and shoves the money at him. “Kelly, where the heck did you come from?”
“Lucky for you, I was responding to a call across the street. I saw this lovely lady chatting with you and the money being passed. I figured I’d best check it out. You’re not on the clock? In your civvies?”
“I was on my way home.”
“I guess I’m going to have to ask you to turn around and drive us back to the police station.”
“What? I have to drive the arresting officer to the station?”
“Yeah, one of life’s little ironies,” says Joe. “And we’re going to need the witness, too, Ma’am. If you’d please get in the back seat?”
Chapter 36
M aggie’s busy at the kitchen table, jotting her grocery list, when there’s a knock at the door. Tommy races down the stairs to open the door before she can put her pen down.
“Hey sport, what are you doing home in your pajamas? No school today?”
“Ah, hi, Mrs. Duffy. I’m sick and couldn’t go today.”
“You poor thing. Although you don’t look sick. You have a test or something today?”
Tommy coughs dramatically.
Maggie comes down the hall from the kitchen. Edith is standing on the veranda, looking cautiously over one shoulder. Her car is parked at the curb. “Edith. What a lovely surprise. Come in. Come in. Tommy, you shouldn’t leave guests standing on the veranda. Back upstairs with you now and into bed. Coffee?” she asks over her shoulder, leading Edith toward the kitchen.
Edith glances around the room. “Ah, the new refrigerator. It looks good.”
“Thanks. Having all the space in it is amazing. And it has a small freezer, for ice and other things.” Maggie chatters while she pulls down cups and saucers, and sets a plate of cookies. “I’m glad you popped by because I have a favor to ask.”
“Sure, doll. Anything.”
“I told you Joe and Fanny are getting married, right?”
“Yeah, for sure. Joe’s your lodger, the policeman.”
“I want to throw Fanny a bridal tea, but I’m not sure I know how. I want to make it extra special, and seeing as you have some free time now that you don’t have to do the Fall Frolic for the Zontas, I was hoping you could help.”
“A tea? Sure, I think I can do that. Do you have a date?”
“No, not exactly. A lot of Joe’s family are coming over from Ireland, so it will be close to the wedding which is next month. And we’ll have it here, so there’s not going to be too many people. Just family and some of Fanny’s friends from work. I’m going to talk to Fanny’s mother about the details.”
“Sure, I’ll help out. Sounds like it will be fun.”
“Thanks, Edith. I appreciate it. You throw all these great parties. It takes a load off my mind, knowing that Fanny’s shower will be special. So, what brings you by, Edith? Everything all right at home?”
“Well, Mags, I need a favor, too. I told Mickey that you and I went to the pictures on Wednesday night. But it was really Tony and me. Will you cover for me?”
“Oh, Edith. You said that you were only going to see Tony when Mickey was out of town.”
“I know. I know. But he wasn’t going out of town, and I was desperate to see Tony. Maggie, I think I’m in love,” Edith says shyly. There is a tenderness in her face that alarms Maggie.
“No. No. No. Edith, not love. This is not going to end well. You need to break this off. It’s madness. You had a close call before and were lucky.”
“I’ve thought about it, Maggie, I just can’t. I love the way Tony makes me feel. I can’t go back to the way it was before—that two-timing jerk.”
“For the record, Edith, I think you’re making a big mistake. But of course, I’ll cover for you.” Maggie gives Edith a squeeze on the shoulder as she pours her coffee. “Are we still on for tomorrow night? To see the magician?”
“Oh, that’s right. I promised you a dress, didn’t I? Do you have time now? We could go over to my house, and you could try on a few things. That purple number with the embroidery that you tried on last time looked good. Whaddaya say?”
Maggie looks at the clock and her grocery list. “All right. But let me make a sandwich for Tommy’s lunch, and let him know I’ll be gone for a few hours. And can you give me a lift back?”
“Sure, doll. Now, let’s go do a bit of shopping from my closet.”
* * * *
Dresses lie on the bed, on the chaise, over the back of chairs. And still there are more to bring out. In the end, Maggie picks the purple one covered with embroidered flowers and vines. The intense colors remind her of a garden in late summer. She can add a flower to her hair to finish it off.
“Say, I’m starved, and it’s almost lunchtime. Let’s get Hilda to put some soup on, and then I’ll run you home again,” Edith says.
Maggie wanders around the living room while Edith talks with her housekeeper, Hilda. “You’ll have a cocktail before lunch?” Edith heads straight for the bar cart when she’s done in the kitchen.
“Yes. But just a weak one. That would be lovely. You’ve got more cats in your collection.” Maggie is standing in front of a glass-doored cabinet full of cat figurines: glass, ceramic, crystal.
“Mickey’s been on the road a lot and always brings me back something. This is the latest,” she says, reaching for a green enameled cat covered in gold filigree.
“Oh, isn’t it lovely. You’re going to have to get a bigger cabinet, though. This one is pretty full.”
“If you think that there’s probably a cat for every time Mickey’s slept with another woman, it’s really quite depressing.”
Maggie hugs her friend, just as the front door opens.
“Edith, I’m home,” Mickey shouts up the stairs.
Maggie stiffens and then takes a deep breath, forcing herself to relax.
“We’re in here, Mickey.”
“Oh, hello Mrs. Barnes. I didn’t know that you were going to be here.”
“Edith was kind enough to let me borrow a dress for tomorrow night. She’s invited me to join you to see the magician.”
“Great. That’s just swell There’s a ton of people coming to see him. Best idea we’ve had.”
Hilda carries in a tureen of soup. Seeing Mickey, she lays another place at the head of the table.
Mickey pulls out Edith’s chair, and then one for Maggie.
“So, Mrs. Barnes, what’s new?”
“Maggie’s gone back to school, Mickey. To study Accounting.”
Edith’s mention brings up harsh memories for Maggie. Eugene was Mickey’s accountant, and Maggie’s lodger, before Mickey had him killed. She’d been lucky that time. Mickey had let her go because he didn’t believe a woman would know anything about business and accounting. She doesn’t want to make him suspicious now.
“Oh, that’s an unusual choice,” says Mickey, tucking into his soup.
“I’ve developed an interest in business since I opened my boarding house. I need to get a better handle on balancing my books, and figured that a bit of training might help. And that got me thinking that if I could eventually do my own books, why not do other people’s? I’ll work from home of course, so the lodgers and Tommy are looked after.”
“
Imagine, Edith, a woman in business. Next, pigs will fly,” Mickey says with a snort.
Edith forces a chuckle. “Oh Mickey, don’t be a tease. I think it’s wonderful that Maggie’s at university.”
“That’s an idea with gumption, for sure. You’re full of surprises, Mrs. Barnes. I don’t think I know another gal that would take on something like that. What about clients? Got any yet, or is it too soon?”
Tasting the Apple Page 15