by Rod Reynolds
He glanced at Agent Bryce and then back at me. ‘We’ll have to survey it then. Call me at six.’
Without another word they pulled away from the kerb and were gone.
It was a short distance to where Lizzie sat but it felt as if I walked through glue to get there. My mind was in tumult. When she saw me, she started the engine and slid over onto the passenger side. I climbed in and she stared at me expectantly.
‘He’s with the FBI. They’re investigating Siegel.’
She watched me in profile. ‘I’d have said that’s a good thing, but you look like you’re thinking a different way.’
‘It’s a complication.’
‘How so? They can put a stop to this, can’t they?’
‘Bayless? Yes, but not how you mean. They’re going to put him on ice until we can get out from under this.’
She thought about that a moment. ‘I meant all of it – but I suppose if it were that easy to stop Siegel they would have done so by now.’ She rubbed her forearm. ‘Still, it seems unfair that Mr Bayless is the one ends up in jail.’
The words ran down my throat like stones. ‘It’s not jail, it’s protection. It’s the best thing for him – and us.’
‘Us?’
‘If they can’t touch him, Siegel hasn’t got that hold over us …’
She’d turned her body towards me, picking up on my reticence, sensing there was something more. ‘Charlie?’
I made a left at a light, realising then that I was driving without a destination. ‘I’ve asked them to provide protection for you too.’
She stared a hole in the side of my head. ‘Why would you do that?’
‘To keep you safe.’
‘But not you?’
‘They want me to stay inside Siegel’s operation so I can—’
‘Goddammit, Charlie, after what I said to you before? You want to leave me in a room with strangers while you’re on the street trying to get yourself killed?’
‘Will you quit saying that? That’s the last thing I want—’
‘The worst hell for me is being left to wonder – how can I make you understand that? It’s what I went through with Alice all over again, waiting for someone to show up at the door and tell me you’re dead.’
I thumped my palm against the wheel. ‘What would you have me do, Liz? You want to run, is that it? So we can climb the walls waiting for one of Siegel’s men to show up at our door instead?’
She covered her face with her hands. When she spoke it was barely audible. ‘I want this to be happening to someone else.’
There was nothing left to say. I kept driving, aimless at first, then suddenly knowing where to take us. I made another left to pick up Route 26, followed it all the way out to Santa Monica, then south to Venice.
At the beach, the boulevard was busy with people, the sun reflecting off the ocean in a glistening corridor of white light. I parked facing it and rolled down the windows, the breeze carrying salt spray and the smell of shrimps from the shacks a little further down the block.
‘What are we doing here, Charlie?’
‘Do you remember when I first brought you out here? How you felt?’
It was after Texarkana. In the brief period when it felt as though we’d made it through the worst hell the world could throw at us. And where I’d later asked her to be my wife.
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘We can have that again. For keeps. Hold onto that thought.’
‘You can’t promise that.’
I took her hand. ‘Please, if I know you’re safe, they can’t do anything that scares me. I’m asking you to give me that much.’
‘That’s unfair, Charlie. You can’t ask that of me when you’re not willing to do the same. After everything I’ve told you.’
‘If Tanner’s legitimate, this is our way out. I’ll be with you, and when I’m not, they’ll be watching my back.’
She closed her eyes, her jaw set tight.
‘A couple weeks and it’ll be over. Please.’
*
At six, I dropped a dime into the telephone and called Tanner’s line. I’d called the Los Angeles office of the FBI an hour earlier and after I gave my name to the switchboard, I’d been routed to an agent called Caxton who confirmed Colt Tanner was a Special Agent attached to that office.
This time, the man himself answered right away.
‘Yates?’
‘It’s me. Are you set?’
‘I’ve arranged a place for tonight. It’s temporary, I’ll have to move him tomorrow, but it’s a start.’
‘And my wife?’
‘I’ll post Agent Bryce on her door tonight, and, again, I’ll have someone else assigned by morning. Where is she?’
‘With me.’
‘And where is that?’
‘Venice Beach.’
‘The beach.’ He paused, a clicking noise coming down the line – a pen tapping against teeth. ‘Take her to the Breakers Motel – you know of it?’
‘I can find it. But—’ I looked at the ocean, uncertain. ‘Earlier you made out like you had somewhere in mind. You sound like you’re improvising.’
‘I can’t just snap my fingers and make things as you want.’
I gritted my teeth and thought about hanging up and driving away.
He sighed, must have read irritation in my silence. ‘Look, everything has to be improvised when time is short, pay that no mind. The property is safe and there will be a Federal agent between your wife and the outside world at all times. On my word.’
I jangled the dimes in my pocket, the sound drowned out by the rolling waves down the beach.
‘Go to the Breakers, Yates. We’ll be there in thirty minutes to collect you. We checked on Bayless’ place and it’s clean, so we can go there directly.’
Safety for Lizzie. Safety for Bayless. A way out. ‘Thirty minutes.’
*
We took a room at the motel and waited, small talk petering out early on, a nervous silence taking its place, neither of us wanting to address what came next. The room was like every motel we’d stayed in, even if the finishings weren’t. Island scenes on the walls and a pastel paint scheme couldn’t dull the sense of endless desperation that filtered through me.
When Tanner and Bryce arrived, I made the introductions and promised Lizzie I’d be back as soon as I could. I left her standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed, looking as though she was revisiting her worst nightmares. Tanner posted Bryce in our car outside, with instructions not to crowd her.
*
We rode back into Los Angeles along Olympic Boulevard, passing through the outskirts and into the Miracle Mile development. ‘How long have you been after Siegel?’ I said.
‘I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation. You must know that, your background.’
‘How close are you to getting him?’
He glanced at me, a disapproving look.
‘The government thought they had him in ’forty-one,’ I said. ‘He skated then.’
‘Before my time.’
‘His button man, Abe Reles, was set to spill his guts on Siegel in open court. The DA’s office had him under guard for months. The case collapsed when he made like a bird out of a sixth floor hotel room on Coney Island, right before it was due to start. He was in there by himself, supposedly. Local cops on the door, never saw a thing.’
‘“The canary who could sing but couldn’t fly”. I remember the headline and I know the details.’
‘Siegel got to him, even under—’
‘I said I know the details. When I said it was before my time, I meant it would have worked out differently if it’d been my case. That would never have been allowed to happen. Your wife is safe.’
I touched my finger on the dash. ‘I covered the story. I made it to the scene while they were still cleaning him off the sidewalk.’
He made eye contact, the briefest of looks. ‘I know what we’re up against, if that’s your point.’
I watched him, his torso pitched forward towards the wheel, the skin so tight on his face it was almost like a mannequin’s head.
‘What is it you expect me to give you?’ I said. ‘I can read between the lines – you don’t want to get him just for a shakedown scam.’
‘If I could prove extortion under Federal statutes, I’d take it. Break it open from there. Wouldn’t be my first choice although.’
‘What would?’
‘Racketeering is the Bureau’s interest, but I want all of it. I want to know everyone’s ever had a hand in his pocket. Use him to blow apart his own damn organisation.’
‘You think you can make him talk?’
‘With the right incentive.’
‘Which is what?’
He glanced at me out the corner of his eye but ignored the question. ‘What’s your next engagement with Siegel?’
I told him about the meeting set for the following day. ‘I’m supposed to have the money or the story.’ I looked at him, expectant.
He nodded his head, keeping his eyes forward. ‘Let’s talk to Bayless.’
*
When we reached Bayless’ address, Tanner made a loop of the block before stopping, checking again for Siegel’s men. As we passed the house, I saw one of the windows on the ground floor had been boarded up. Tanner logged it too, pointing as we passed, but kept on driving, completing the circuit. Satisfied the house still wasn’t being watched, he jumped out and rounded the front of the car, patting the hood twice as he went, as if to rally me. I climbed out and followed him up the path.
Approaching the door, I saw the threshold was stained red. I put a hand on Tanner’s shoulder but he’d seen it too and was reaching for his weapon. I looked all around. There were lights on in the house. I took a step, heard the crunch of broken glass underfoot – a remnant from the window.
Tanner edged around the red stain and tried the door. It was locked. He banged on it and stepped back, his hand gripping the butt of his weapon. ‘Get back, Yates.’ He motioned for me to retreat without taking his eyes off the door.
There was the sound of movement inside. Unhurried. Tanner drew his weapon and gripped it with both hands, aimed at the ground.
Seconds dragged by. The sound of a car starting somewhere down the block.
Then the door opened. Trent Bayless saw Tanner first and looked dazed, then caught sight of the gun and scrambled backwards, stumbling. ‘Oh Jesus—’
Tanner called over his shoulder. ‘Yates?’
‘It’s him.’ I dashed forward, put a hand on his trigger arm. ‘It’s him.’
Bayless had staggered back against the hallway wall. He saw me and looked lost.
Tanner edged inside. ‘Mr Bayless, are you in the house alone?’
‘What? Who are—’
‘Mr Bayless, are you alone?’
‘Yes, goddammit. Yes. Who the hell are you?’
Tanner looked along the hallway again and through the parlour doorway. He remained poised a moment more, the gun by his thigh, and I realised he was listening. No sound came from the house.
Finally he holstered his weapon and called back to me. ‘Come inside and shut the door.’
I did as he asked, then looked at Bayless, still pressing himself against the wall. He had on a crumpled brown suit and sported a five o’clock shadow that was a day old at least. There was a smell of liquor in the air. ‘What happened here?’
‘Who is this?’ He gestured to Tanner.
‘Special Agent Colt Tanner.’
He looked incredulous. ‘Am I expected to take that at face value? For all I know …’
Tanner whipped out his identification. ‘Answer Mr Yates’ question.’
Bayless looked from Tanner to me, as if seeking confirmation. He took a breath and it rattled in his chest like a faulty tailpipe. ‘Mr Yates most probably knows better than I do.’
‘Well, I’m asking you, chief. The doorstep?’ Tanner said.
Bayless righted himself, colour coming back to his face. ‘Paint. Pink paint. Mr Yates’ friends getting their kicks. I did my best to clean it up.’
‘They broke your window as well.’
Bayless nodded once. ‘A house brick. It was the dead of night, I was asleep – damn near gave me a heart attack. The paint was everywhere when I went to look.’
‘You didn’t see who did it?’ Tanner asked.
‘I didn’t try. It’s not hard to fathom.’
Tanner glanced at me, reaching the same obvious conclusion. Intimidation measures.
‘What are you doing here?’ Bayless said.
I positioned myself next to Tanner. ‘This man can help you.’
‘You’re a real jack-in-the-box, aren’t you? I never asked for your help.’
Tanner unbuttoned his jacket. ‘I’m your ticket out, that’s all you need to think about. You’ve got five minutes to pack a bag. Take the minimum but make like you’re never coming back here.’
Bayless looked from him to me and back again. ‘Are you … having me arrested?’
‘We don’t ask you to pack a bag when we arrest you.’
‘They’re going to take care of you until we can get Siegel to lay off,’ I said.
Bayless shook his head. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
‘It’s the only way,’ I said.
Tanner walked a little way down the hall and stuck his head through the parlour doorway. ‘Where are the photographs?’
Bayless’ face soured. He was still looking at me when he said, ‘I burned them.’
Tanner stepped back and shot him a look. ‘You’re not that stupid. Surely?’
‘To hand them to the FBI? No.’
Tanner flicked his eyes to me, shaking his head. ‘Bad start for your man, Yates.’
I motioned Bayless to the stairs. ‘Just go get your things together, will you?’
‘This is my home.’
Tanner was still watching. ‘I can have you arrested if you’d prefer. Photographs or not.’
I looked Bayless full in the face. ‘Please.’
Slowly, he gathered himself to his full height. He made his way along the hallway and up the stairs as though he was treading on broken glass.
Tanner strode inside the parlour. When I came in a second behind, he was scouring the room. ‘You buy that?’ he said. ‘That he destroyed them?’
‘Wouldn’t you?’ I heard footfalls above me – Bayless moving around upstairs.
Tanner rifled a pile of magazines and, finding nothing, moved over to the bookcase. ‘I think they’re still here somewhere.’
‘Did you have to come on strong like that?’
He jerked his head around to look at me. ‘You’d have me mail him an invitation instead?’
I said nothing as he kept moving around the room, inspecting everything in plain view. Three or four minutes went by and it felt like an hour.
Then I heard Bayless coming down the stairs and I looked over. He was carrying a grip across his chest and had changed into a fresh shirt. From the bottom step, he said, ‘Where are we going?’
Tanner straightened. ‘It’s imperative you pass me those photographs if you still have them. You’re impeding a Federal investigation otherwise. You’re certain they’re no longer in your possession?’
Bayless held his stare, his jaw moving as though he were chewing a candy. Then he said, ‘I burned them.’
Bayless kept looking at him, then sniffed. ‘Let’s go to the car.’
*
We rode in darkness, Tanner behind the wheel, Bayless in the back. I could feel Bayless’ eyes on me but every time I glanced over my shoulder he was staring right ahead.
‘Where are you taking me to?’
Tanner waved a hand. ‘Somewhere safe. Be grateful to Mr Yates, he’s gone out on a limb for you.’
I turned my gaze to the road.
‘Thank you, Mr Messenger.’ Bayless lit a cigarette. ‘When will I be able to go back home?’
‘Tha
t’s unclear at this stage,’ Tanner said.
‘You’re proposing to hold me indefinitely?’
Tanner eyed him in the mirror. ‘You’re free to take your leave any time you like.’
Bayless looked off to the side as though scolded.
‘They’ll have forgotten about you in a few days,’ I said. ‘They’ll switch their attention to someone else.’
He blew smoke out the side of his mouth. ‘That’s a comfort.’
‘I don’t think you appreciate the seriousness of the situation you’ve gotten into, Mr Bayless. Be thankful you’re not being arrested at this time.’
‘I abided by what was expected of me. It’s not as though I took those photographs.’
Tanner drew over to the side of the road, the quiet street we were following ending in a riot of lights at the intersection with Wilshire Boulevard ahead.
Tanner turned in his seat to address Bayless. ‘Let us have the car a moment, please.’
Bayless looked at me and then at Tanner again.
‘I need to speak with Mr Yates before I let him out,’ Tanner said.
Bayless put his cigarette in his mouth and opened the door. He took a few paces along the sidewalk in front of us, skirting the pool of light from the headlamps.
‘You can take the bus back to Venice from here,’ Tanner said.
Some reason, I’d assumed he’d bring me along too. ‘You don’t trust me?’
‘Trust plays no part. If you don’t know, you can’t talk.’
He watched my face as the implication of what he said hit home. The chance that Siegel could work me over. He didn’t know I’d been through that wringer once already and was alive to the threat.
‘I want you to keep the meeting tomorrow,’ he said. I waited for something more, but nothing came.
‘That’s it? What the hell am I supposed to say?’
He watched Bayless on the street. ‘Tell them he disappeared after you braced him. Who’s to say any different?’
I scoffed, incredulous. ‘What’s to stop them putting a bullet in me?’
‘You told me you think they have bigger plans for you – let’s take advantage of it. If we know their next move, we can plan for it.’
I stared at him. ‘What if I’m wrong?’