"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"You don't. But a Benjamin ain't much to find out if I am." He waited patiently.
I pulled out my wallet.
"You're gonna pay him?" Luke whispered.
"Cost of doin' business, Luke."
I fished two fifties out of my wallet and held them so the guy could see them.
"Okay, let's have it." I noted everything about him, just in case I had to hunt him down later.
"He live in a dive hotel on Arch Street. Up in the twenties. You know it?"
"I know it. Got a room number?"
"Naw, man. I juss know he live there."
"How do you know?"
"He owe me money, man. I followed him home one night. Got my money, too."
"If this doesn't pan out, I know where to find you. And I will."
I handed him his money and he disappeared around the corner.
Chapter 30
A hundred bucks lighter, I led Luke to Bubbles to commiserate.
"Paying a hundred dollars for information you don't even know is good," Luke clicked his tongue.
"You're the big spender. Who just bought a seventy-five inch LCD TV?"
"I make a lot. I can afford it," Luke said without any pretense. "But I don't throw it away."
Luke spent a lot but was also generous. He'd never had much money when he immigrated to the U.S. He'd struggled for everything, including school and setting himself up in business. His business and smart investments had made him rich and able to live comfortably. He enjoyed expensive restaurants, vacations, lots of technology, and anything he decided he wanted. He had a second home at the beach and was considering another condo in Florida. But none of that stopped him being generous with his friends.
"Sometimes you've gotta trust these guys. Besides, I could tell he wasn't lying. I'm good. You know that." Still, I'd be happier when the information panned out and I'd found Colt.
"Problem is, he could've thought he was telling the truth. He looked pretty tweaked."
"I don't wanna seem callous or anything but Hollister's gonna pay for all of this. It's part of expenses."
"I figured as much."
"Tell you what, I'll buy you a drink," I said holding the door for him. "But we've gotta make a stop at my office first."
"You mean you're going to force me to look at all the naked guys hanging around outside your office?"
"Oh, no. Not at all." I smiled. "You can stay down here. Please, get comfortable. I'll be down and we can..."
"Not on your life. I'll put up with the naked guys." Luke laughed. His smile lit up his entire face. "The things I put up with for friends."
He followed me up the stairs and we found Anton herding dancers and reminding them who was up next.
"Did you have a fun time at the sewer called Stella's?" Anton tucked his clipboard under his arm and smiled.
"Had a ball," Luke said. "Boss man here wouldn't let me downstairs to see the strippers." Luke turned to gawk at Zeb and Jeb, twin dancers, who were adjusting their thongs and not embarrassed about what was exposed as they worked. The twins were one of the hottest tickets I had.
"You didn't miss anything, Luke. The classy strippers work for us," Anton boasted.
"They do," I said. "I'm being honest when I say that. But tonight I saw a dancer at Stella's whose face..." All I could do was utter a small moan.
"Bet you he sells more than the dance," Anton said. "Not that I have anything against prostitution, but we can't run a whore house here."
"Anyway, the visit paid off. I had a run-in with Scanlan, saw a beautiful dancer, and got a lead on where Colt lives. Not to mention, I got a clear description of the guy."
"Yeah, he got a hundred dollar lead that he doesn't know will really pay off." Luke rolled his eyes.
"Tell me about it. I know how he operates," Anton said. "It's easy to see why he works two jobs to keep himself clothed and fed."
"Just came up to see if you needed help here," I said, changing the subject before Ma and Pa started in on other aspects of my life. "Any sign of Nando or Kent?"
"No, as a matter of fact. I'm worried. Haven't you made any progress?" Anton said.
"I'm sorry, Anton. We've checked their apartments. I even put a guy on stakeout at both their places. No dice."
"How about your guys, Luke? They haven't come up with anything?" Anton asked.
"Something's bound to turn up. We'll find them."
"As long as it isn't a dead body you find. That's what I'm worried about. You almost had me fooled into thinking I could trust Kent."
"C'mon down and have a drink with me and Luke. My treat," I said. "No use worrying about what you can't control."
"Let me finish up here first. I'll join you in a minute."
I placed an arm around Anton's shoulders and gave him a squeeze. He melted into me and it felt good. But I also felt a lot of tension in his body.
"No more than five minutes. That's an order. From the Boss. C'mon Luke." I headed toward the stairs. "If I don't see you in five, I'll send Curly up after you."
Curly was one of the patrons who had a crush on Anton. Except in Anton's presence all Curly ever did was stutter and mumble, which drove Anton crazy.
"I'll be there." Anton called down as we made our way back to the bar.
Cal was dancing. A baby-faced, blond heartthrob. He knew exactly how to tease the dollars out of patrons. In fact, I saw he already had more than a few twenties sticking out of his g-string.
Across from where we sat, Tony chatted with someone I didn't recognize.
"Order whatever you want," I said to Luke. "Be right back."
I went around to approach Tony, who saw me and smiled.
"Have you heard anything about Jared?" Tony asked.
"That's what I was about to ask you."
"Niko is frantic. We're both worried sick. I've put feelers out but nothing so far."
"He's not making it easy, I'll tell you. You're aware Jared is friendly with one of my dancers?"
"Nando? Sure, I knew that. They've been friendly for a while. What's that got to do with anything?"
"Nando is missing. And so's one of my workers, Kent. In fact Kent and..."
"Yeah, I know. Jared told us." Tony sipped his drink and looked at me. "Jared likes Nando. They're really close."
"You think Nando and Jared are involved?"
"Not a chance. They're girlfriends. Nando turned to Jared when he was having doubts about Kent. But it never went further than that."
"Why so sure?"
"Because Jared would've told Niko. He tells him everything. Besides, Jared's in love with someone else."
"Helmut," I said. "That much I know. But Helmut is dead. Isn't it possible that Jared found some comfort with Nando?"
"Not from what Jared told us. He and Nando became friendly before Helmut was shot. They had things in common. They were girlfriends, like I said. The idea of them sleeping with one another just doesn't compute." He gulped the rest of his drink and signaled for another. "And falling in love. That's a whole other level. No. It's just not them."
"They're both missing. That's no coincidence. And it's more than a little suspicious."
"Could be a coincidence. Stranger things have happened," Tony said. His tough demeanor had totally melted away as the liquor washed through him. We talked like old friends and I liked that.
"I don't believe in coincidences," I said. "In my line of work there's no such thing."
"What're you saying, then? They ran off together? They eloped?" Tony started laughing. "Or, what?"
"You tell me. The way they think is not exactly linear. I mean, have you ever had a conversation with Nando? Anyway, they're not the only ones missing."
"You don't think Kent did something? Do you? Like maybe he found them together and just assumed Jared was stealing Nando... and... and... maybe he..."
"Whoa, pull up on that horse before he runs away with you." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I may not be sure about a
lot of things, but I'm pretty sure about Kent. He's a nice guy. Romantic. Crazy in love. But not violent."
"Not the way I heard it."
"Well, you hear a lotta things that don't turn out to be true. Listen to the news some time. I'm bettin' this is all some big misunderstanding and it'll be all right." I silently berated myself again for literally betting this was going to work out in my favor.
"I wish you could tell that to Niko. The guy's going nuts. Maybe if you talked to him he'd calm down."
"I will. I'll stop by the diner tomorrow."
"Jared was... I mean... is... that's right, isn't it? Nothing bad has happened?"
"Jared is gonna be fine. He'll be back and he'll be fine."
"He's like a little brother to Niko and he's my best friend. He's like family."
"We'll find him."
Luke was busy chatting with one of the customers. I heard him mention cleaning rates and knew he was drumming up more business.
"Marco. You know Mr. Tabouleh?" He turned to the swarthy older man, smothering his barstool with his generous bottom.
"Don't think I know you." I extended a hand. "Nice to meet you. Enjoying the show?"
"Oh, very much, indeed. And the company is even better." He beamed at Luke.
"Mr. Tabouleh owns a couple of apartment buildings and needs a cleaning service. I told him this was his lucky day." Luke smiled at me and I knew that once he turned that smile on Tabouleh, the poor man would be signing a lifetime contract with Luke's company.
***
Luke left well before closing and I stuck around to help Anton. By the time I started walking home it was past three. Keeping hours like this was bound to show up in my face sooner or later. But I didn't always have a choice.
When I reached Broad, my cell phone rang. I fished it out of my jacket pocket and glanced at the screen. It said: "Restricted."
"Fontana."
"This is... Jared." His voice was soft, the words tentative.
"Jared! Where are you? Are you all right? I've been looking for you. Niko is going nuts." I wanted to jump through the phone and pull him out.
"I'm all right," he said, his voice quavered.
"Where are you? I'll come get you. Stay put and don't worry."
"I'm not worried, Marco. But you've got to stop looking for me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Just what I said. Don't look for me. I'm safe. I don't want to be found."
"Look, Jared, it's not just about you." I was angry. Sure I was happy he was safe, if he really was, but if he knew something, I was obligated to find out what. I wasn't about to give up. "Niko is crazy with worry and so's Tony. Besides which, I need to talk with you. You can help put a killer away. Think about it."
"I have. That's why I don't want to be found." He sounded scared but resolute. "I'll be in big trouble if I say anything to you." He paused. I thought the call had been dropped.
"Hello? Jared?"
"In a few days I'll be out of the city altogether. I'm leaving." There were tears in his words. "You're not the only one who wants me. I can't let them get to me. You've got to stop looking. You understand?"
"No. No, I don't understand. People are dead. You might be able to help catch a killer. You're being selfish." I regretted talking to him this way. I'm sure Scanlan had treated him badly and I didn't want to add to that. But I needed him. Maybe this was the exact wrong way to go about it but being reasonable hadn't worked.
"Maybe I am selfish but that's because I've gotta look out for myself. No one else does. You've gotta stop looking for me. They'll find me if you keep looking. You know it's true."
"Just tell me if you're all right."
"I'm fine. I said I was safe. No one's gonna find me and then I'm leaving town."
"Who are you with?"
"I'm st... very clever. You're a smart guy, Fontana." He sighed. "But I'm not telling you. I'm fine and I don't want to be found."
"But... you've got to let me..."
"You'll hear from me."
Then the phone went dead.
Chapter 31
I decided on casually dressy for my meeting with the Cardinal. I probably wanted to impress Tad with my civility more than I wanted to show the Cardinal any deference. I harbored no innate respect for that Prince of the Church. Not this Italian. Galante was just a man with a title and a red sash. On the other hand, my Aunt Yolanda would be scandalized if I was anything less than respectful, on the surface. Italians are supposed to know how to hold their enemies close and keep them off guard.
Settling on regulation black slacks and a blue, rayon, CabanaNick shirt, I looked myself in the mirror and saw an off duty cop. Sleek, neat, up-to-date. But a cop. Maybe the Cardinal would get a subliminal message from my clothing choice. Nah, he was too cagey for that.
I fished my best leather jacket out of the hall closet and stuffed my notepad in the pocket along with two pens. I waltzed out of the apartment and headed for the elevators. Before long I was waving to Carlos in the lobby.
"Got you working on Saturday, Carlos?" I watched him come to life.
"Buildin' up some comp time, man. Holidays are comin' and I want some time off," he answered. "Where you off to all dressed up?" His deep brown eyes sparkled with a happiness I envied.
"Got a meeting with the Cardinal," I said.
Carlos laughed as if he thought I was joking. "Yeah, kiss his ring for me, man." He chuckled as I went out the door.
Tell the truth and they don't believe you. Tell a lie and they eat it up.
The Marriott was a few blocks away. It was cloudy and colder this morning but the October chill was filled with the promise of holidays and cozy times. The sky, though, was overcast with the potential for colder weather and it seemed to signal danger. There was something exciting in never knowing what to expect. I walked to Market Street and the Marriott's blocky structure loomed up ahead. Its pink granite exterior gave it a pale washed-out appearance.
I was to meet Tad under the faux rotunda in the middle of the quietly elegant lobby. Plants and leather seating made a quiet oasis. I sank into one of the chairs and reviewed my questions for Galante while I waited. I'd have to approach things carefully if I wanted him to talk. I needed information on Wren and Scanlan particularly, then I could launch into his association with Cody and the plotters.
Galante was at the hotel speaking to a national conference of mayors about the fate of big city parochial schools. Then he was scheduled to meet with Philly's mayor and explain the closing of several city schools. The Cardinal was presiding over the downsizing of inner city Catholic education. But he did it with a cheerfully resigned attitude. The Church's philosophy of periodic retrenchment meant survival which meant they'd live to expand another day.
I had a lot to ask but I knew he'd cut me off at the knees once I started down Conspiracy Road and John Paul the First. But I'd have to ask. It might help with the case or it could just help Hollister know whether Brandt had really been on the right track. If he was, then even someone like Galante could be a suspect in the Pope's murder. Odds were Galante had been just another clerical flunky assigned to work for an American Cardinal in Rome, the holy grail for all new priests. Living and working in the bosom of the Vatican was the ideal. If you got assigned to an important Cardinal, all the better.
Do your job well, do as you were told, kiss the right hierarchical butts, and you'd be on a career path that ultimately led to the red hat. That had apparently been Galante's course. He'd worked for Cody, had done a good job and kept moving up. He'd put himself on the path to that brand new red hat he was finally awarded. I wondered if Tad wanted that same career path? He didn't strike me as the ambitious, be-a-cardinal-at-any-cost type. It was difficult picturing Tad, tall, blond, tan, and windblown, dressed in the robes of a Cardinal. But Galante was grooming him for just that.
A stray thought made me sit straight up in my chair. Imagining myself in bed with a priest... a monsignor who might easily become a cardina
l. This was like nothing I'd ever envisioned doing. Me and the Church in bed together? Easier to imagine myself as a nun. But Tad had been flirty with me and that's often the first signpost on the way to the land of Between the Sheets.
I could hear my Aunt Yolanda wailing, "Scandaloso!" Of course, she'd want to know every detail of the dirty deed.
Before I thought another lascivious thought, Tad stood in front of me. From where I sat he looked like a blond colossus towering over my comfortable leather chair. I was still a bit tired from the night before and his presence had a dreamlike quality. For a moment I wasn't sure he was real.
"I see you made it." He smiled nervously.
"Disappointed?"
"Just nervous about your meeting," he said.
"It's not everyday I get to grill a Cardinal."
"Your jokes will backfire one day, Marco," Tad said. "Unless you really do want to make my life difficult."
"That's not what I want," I said. Of course, if I had to grill the old man, I'd grill him nice and slow. If it meant getting to the bottom of things, I'd grill anybody. But Tad had stuck his neck out getting me face time with Galante. I didn't want to make trouble for him but I had the case to think about.
"There's a conference room off the lobby. I told him I'd have you there when he finishes with the Mayor." He beckoned me to follow.
"How's that meeting going?"
"So far, so good. No arguments," Tad said.
"Maybe Galante will be in a good mood," I said.
"Don't expect too much. If he thinks you're trying to blindside him, he won't cooperate."
"Me? Blindside someone." I feigned shock. "That's not me at all."
"Yeah, well, I don't know you that well, now do I?"
"That's easy to fix." I smiled at him as we walked.
"I haven't had a chance to read those files you sent."
"I was hoping you'd get to them soon. It could help." I looked at him and he seemed genuinely sorry. "But I know you're a busy man."
"I've got some free time coming up, Marco. I'll get to the files in a day or so. There's quite a lot of them. But I'll do it. That's a promise."
"It's a lot to ask, I know. I'll treat you to dinner as a thank you. Deal?"
Murder on Camac Page 32