SEVEN
‘Why me?’
‘That’s what you do, Eddie,’ Frank said, as if it was perfectly logical. ‘You’re a fixer.’
‘I’m a pit boss turned casino host,’ I argued.
‘He’s right, Mr G.,’ Jerry said.
I gave him a look that said he wasn’t helping.
‘You do fix things,’ the big guy said, with a shrug.
‘Yeah,’ I said, ‘I fix it for a player to get into a poker game, for a high roller to get a girl, and I fix it for you to get pancakes when you want them – and you always want them.’
Jerry shrugged. ‘I like pancakes.’
‘Come on, Eddie,’ Frank said. ‘Look at all the times you’ve bailed us out of tight spots. Me, Dino, Sammy, over and over again.’
‘That’s because you’re my friends.’
‘Marilyn,’ Frank said, ‘and Ava?’
‘That’s because they were your friends.’
‘And that’s what Judy is,’ Frank said. ‘She’s my friend, and Dean’s.’
‘And, by association,’ Dean said, ‘yours, pally.’
I glared at him, the same look I had given Jerry, times two. Dean shrugged and looked away.
‘Frank, you don’t even know what the problem is,’ I argued. ‘How could you tell her I can help her?’
He walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. ‘Because, Eddie, it’s been my experience – our experience,’ he added, looking at Dean and then back to me, ‘that you can fix anything.’
I frowned, but before I could say anything. Frank went on: ‘Look, Eddie, all I’m askin’ is that you go and talk to Judy. Hear her out, see what the problem is, and then decide if you can do anything to help.’
‘Where does she live?’
‘LA,’ he said.
‘I’d have to go to LA?’
‘That might not be such a bad idea, Mr G.,’ Jerry said.
I looked at him and he raised his eyebrows. I knew what he meant. With a hit out on me, it might be smart to get out of Las Vegas for a while.
‘What do you mean?’ Frank asked Jerry.
Jerry didn’t even pause. ‘Mr G. ain’t had a vacation in a long time.’
I was impressed.
‘Well, there you go,’ Frank said. ‘A free trip to LA.’
‘Free?’
‘On me,’ Frank said.
‘And me,’ Dean added, raising his hand.
‘All expenses paid,’ Frank said.
‘For both of you, if Big Jerry wants to go,’ Dean said.
Frank and Dean exchanged a look, and then Frank said, ‘That’s right.’
‘Sure, I’ll go along,’ Jerry said. ‘Whatever Mr G. wants to do.’
Now they were all looking at me. I still had not recovered from Jerry telling me there was a hit out on me. An open contract. Somebody was really pissed and was putting up a lot of money.
Leaving town suddenly seemed very appealing.
‘OK,’ I said, ‘I – we’ll – go to LA and talk to Judy, see what the problem is.’
‘Attaboy!’ Frank said, grinning broadly. ‘We’ll all have dinner tonight – on me.’
‘At the Bootlegger?’ Jerry asked, hopefully.
Dino and I looked at each other, but kept quiet. Frank said, ‘Sure, at the Bootlegger. Eight o’clock all right with everybody?’
‘Good for me,’ Dean said.
‘Me, too,’ Jerry said, happily.
‘Yeah, sure,’ I said, with a fatalistic shrug of my shoulders. ‘Why not? Let’s celebrate yet another new job for me. Eddie the Fixer.’
‘I’ll call Judy and tell her to expect you,’ Frank said. ‘Tomorrow too soon?’
‘Tomorrow’s fine, Frank. I’ll have to clear it with Jack first—’
‘I’ll clear it with Jack.’
‘No,’ I said, ‘that’s OK, Frank. It’s my job. I’ll talk to him.’
‘OK, Eddie,’ Frank said, ‘you call the shots.’
‘Speaking of which,’ I said, pushing away from the bar, ‘I’ve got some work to do if I’m gonna be leavin’ tomorrow.’
‘OK, see you at eight,’ Frank said.
‘OK,’ I said. ‘Jerry?’
‘Right with ya, Mr G.’ He came around from behind the bar.
‘I’ve got some things to do, too, Frank,’ Dean said, standing. ‘I’ll see you later.’
‘All my friends are deserting me,’ Frank said, throwing his hands in the air. ‘Ah, I’ll just give Judy a call right now.’
I opened the door, let Jerry and Dean precede me into the hall, said, ‘See you later, Frank,’ and followed them.
EIGHT
Dino’s room was two floors down. We rode there in silence, until the doors opened. He stepped out, then stopped the doors with his hand.
‘I didn’t know what it was about, Eddie,’ he told me. ‘Not until he just told the three of us.’
Frank and Dean were so close I wasn’t sure that was true. Not that Dean would lie to me, but maybe he just thought I’d feel better hearing that.
‘It’s OK, Dean,’ I said. ‘Like Jerry said, I can use the time off.’
‘OK, guys,’ he said, releasing the door, ‘see you at eight.’
Jerry and I rode down to the fourth floor, where Jack’s office was.
‘Jack’s got a new girl, Jerry,’ I said, as we walked down the hall. ‘Don’t scare her, OK?’
‘Mr G.,’ he said, reproachfully, ‘why would I do that?’
‘This one’s kind of pretty.’
‘I seen pretty girls before.’
I let that go.
We walked into Jack’s office and the girl sitting at the desk there looked up at us. She had showgirl looks – the hair, the face, beautiful smile – but not the height, which was why she was working for Jack and not in the showroom.
‘Hello, Diane,’ I said. I’d made sure I learned her name early on – even though I didn’t think she was going to last very long in the job. Jack wasn’t an easy guy to work for day in, day out.
‘Hello, Mr Gianelli.’
‘This is my friend, Jerry Epstein. We’d like to see Jack. Is he in and available?’
‘I have my orders, Mr Gianelli,’ she said. ‘You can go in any time.’
‘Well,’ I said, ‘thanks.’
I started into Jack’s office, but realized I’d lost Jerry. He was still standing in front of the desk, staring at the pretty girl.
‘Come, Jerry,’ I said. ‘You’ve seen pretty girls before, remember?’
‘Huh?’ He looked at me, and it took an effort. ‘Oh, sure, Mr G.’
I went into Jack’s office with a reluctant Jerry right behind me.
‘Eddie,’ Jack said, ‘and Big Jerry. What a … surprise.’
‘For me, too,’ I said. ‘Jerry, why don’t you close that door?’
‘Somethin’ you don’t want my girl to hear?’ Jack asked.
‘Somethin’ I don’t want anybody to hear,’ I said, sitting across from him. Jerry stood with his broad back to the door.
‘And what could that be?’
‘Jerry, tell Jack what you told me.’
‘There’s a hit out on Mr G.,’ Jerry said. ‘An open contract.’
‘What the fuck – how much?’
‘Ten G’s.’
Jack looked as if he’d been punched between the eyes. He sat back in his chair and shook his head. Then he became pensive. ‘Well, that explains the car and the shot,’ he said. ‘Could’ve been two different hitters tryin’ for that jackpot.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
‘What do you plan to do?’
‘Well, for one thing,’ I said, ‘I’ll leave town for a while, be hard to find.’
‘What will that achieve?’
‘It’ll give Danny Bardini time to find out who put this hit out on me.’
‘I can do that,’ Jack said. ‘I’ll ask Momo.’
‘What if Giancana doesn’t know?’
�
��He’s got to know,’ Jack said. ‘If he don’t, he’s gonna be pissed.’
‘Well, I’m already pissed.’
Jack looked at Jerry. ‘So you came to town to warn Eddie and … what?’
‘Protect him.’
He looked at me again. ‘Where you boys goin’?’
‘We’re doin’ a job for Frank,’ I said, ‘so Frank and Dean will be the only ones who know where we are.’
Jack’s eyes popped. ‘You’re not gonna tell me?’
‘It’s for your own good, Jack.’
He grumbled, but asked, ‘How long you gonna be gone?’
‘Until we finish our job, or until Danny – or you – finds the answer.’
Jack scowled.
‘You can do without me for a while, Jack.’
‘That ain’t it,’ he said. ‘Of course I wanna do whatever’s best for you, Eddie.’
‘Then why the long face?’
‘Ah,’ he said, ‘with you gone, I’m gonna have to look after that asshole Bennett myself.’
NINE
I made sure Harry Bennett got his poker game and his girl that night. After that, Jack was right; it was going to be up to him.
We met Frank and Dean at the Bootlegger at eight and talked about everything but Judy. The limo took us back to the Sands, and the subject finally came up again after Dean had already said goodnight and gone inside.
‘This same car will take you guys to the airport in the morning,’ Frank promised. ‘Just let me know how things are progressing while you’re there, and I’ll keep Dino in the loop.’
‘You got it, Frank.’
‘And thanks again, both of you.’ We shook hands and he went inside.
‘Where we goin’ now?’ Jerry asked.
‘I’m goin’ home to pack.’
‘Not without me, you ain’t.’
‘Come on, then.’
Outside, one of the valets brought my car around. Jerry almost cried when he saw the smashed mirror.
‘That sonofabitch!’ he swore. ‘Whoever it was, I’m gonna kill him for this.’
‘I’m glad to see you’ve got your priorities straight,’ I said, tossing him the keys. ‘You drive.’
‘Yes, sir!’
We got in the car and he caressed the steering wheel before starting the engine.
‘Can we get dessert along the way?’ We’d all skipped dessert at the Bootlegger, which had made Jerry unhappy.
‘Sure,’ I said, ‘I should see Danny before we leave, so let’s get ahold of him and have him meet us at the Horseshoe.’
‘Suits me!’
Danny was available, so we arranged to meet him at the Horseshoe coffee shop. He was waiting for us in a booth when we got there.
‘Hey, Big Guy,’ he said to Jerry.
‘Hey, Shamus.’
I sat next to Danny, left the other side of the booth for Jerry.
It was late, so there were only a few diners who were taking a break from the tables and machines upstairs. We were intending to order pie, but Danny hadn’t eaten so he ordered a burger.
‘That sounds good,’ Jerry said to the waitress. ‘Me, too.’
‘After what you ate at the Bootlegger?’
He stared at me.
‘I know, what’s my point?’ I looked at the waitress and ordered apple pie and coffee.
‘You want it heated?’ she asked.
‘Sure.’
Danny listened while I told him what Frank Sinatra wanted me to do.
‘Judy Garland, this time,’ Danny said, shaking his head. ‘I had a real crush on her when she did those Andy Hardy movies. Whoo, boy!’
‘Not my type,’ Jerry said, with a shrug.
‘Luckily, we’re not tryin’ to fix you up with her,’ I said to him.
‘So when are you leavin’?’ Danny asked.
‘Tomorrow.’
‘You’ll let me know where you land in case I find out anythin’, right?’
‘Right.’
‘Jerry knows about the attempts on your life?’
‘It was Jerry told me what’s goin’ on,’ I said. ‘Apparently, somebody put out an open contract on me.’
‘Oh, man,’ Danny said. ‘How much?’
‘Ten G’s,’ Jerry said, around a mouthful of burger.
‘Jesus,’ Danny said, ‘an open contract like that will bring hitters out of the woodwork.’
‘That’s one of the reasons I’m leavin’ town,’ I said.
‘Makes sense,’ Danny said, ‘although a good hitter will find you.’
‘With an open contract like this,’ Jerry said, ‘they won’t all be good.’
‘He’s got a point,’ Danny said. ‘But if somebody does make a try for you in LA, it’ll be a pro.’ He looked at Jerry. ‘You better keep your eye on our buddy, Big Man.’
‘That’s what I intend to do, Shamus.’
I pointed at each of them in turn. ‘You keep me alive,’ I said to Jerry, then switched to Danny. ‘And you find out who wants me dead. Then we’ll all be happy.’
‘You got it,’ Danny said, and Jerry nodded with his mouth full.
I took my first bite of my now-cold pie.
TEN
Jerry slept on my couch.
We talked it over and decided that since one attempt had already taken place at the Sands, I should probably stay away from the place. We got up the next morning, I packed – Jerry’s suitcase had never been unpacked – and then we had some coffee before going to the airport. We decided we’d probably have breakfast when we got to LAX.
We were sitting at the kitchen table, finishing our coffee, when there was a knock on the front door.
I stated to get up, but Jerry put out his hand and said, ‘I’ll get it, Mr G.’ Suddenly, his .45 cannon was in his hand.
‘Jerry,’ I said, ‘don’t overreact.’
‘Somebody took a shot at you, Mr G. I ain’t overreacting.’
We both got up, and I followed him to the door. I looked out the front window, saw a car in my driveway that was easy to recognize.
‘Cops,’ I said.
‘You sure?’
I leaned over so I could see who was on my front steps. It was two men in plain clothes. I only recognized one of them, but it was enough.
‘Hargrove,’ I said. ‘Eighty-six the cannon.’
Jerry looked around, then opened the closet next to the front door and stowed the gun inside.
‘OK,’ he said.
I opened the door. Hargrove actually smiled at me, the sonofabitch.
‘Eddie!’
‘Detective Hargrove.’
‘Mind if we come in a minute, Eddie?’ he asked. ‘I’ve got some questions for you.’
‘About what?’
‘I’d rather do it inside than on your doorstep.’
‘Sure,’ I said, ‘come on in.’
I backed away. He entered, followed by a dour-looking man in his forties who had the saddest eyes I’d ever seen on a man. Maybe because he was Hargrove’s new partner. The man went through partners like Jack Entratter was going through secretaries these days.
‘This is my partner, Detective Holliday.’
Holliday nodded.
‘And look who’s here,’ Hargrove said, his smile getting even wider. ‘The Brooklyn Gunsel.’
Jerry didn’t respond.
‘He doesn’t like me much, Doc,’ Hargrove said to his partner.
Doc Holliday? Oh, brother.
‘What’s this about, Detective?’
‘Can we sit down in the living room—’
‘I think right here is good,’ I said. ‘We have to get to the airport. Make it quick.’
‘Takin’ a trip?’
I didn’t answer. I just stared at him.
‘We heard something about a shot bein’ fired at the Sands,’ Hargrove said. ‘Would you know anything about that?’
‘I wouldn’t.’
‘Really?’ Hargrove turned and looked at his partner, who appeared
bored. ‘We also heard somethin’ about a hit bein’ put out on you. Did you know that?’
‘Why do you care?’ I asked.
‘That’s why this big freak is here, isn’t it?’ Hargrove went on. ‘To protect you?’
‘Again,’ I said, ‘why do you care?’
‘Well,’ he said, folding his arms, ‘strictly speakin’, I don’t. I mean, on a personal level, I’d like nothin’ better than to have you hit, successfully. But it’s my job to see that doesn’t happen.’
‘It’s not your job if I’m not here, in Vegas,’ I pointed out.
‘That’s true,’ he said. ‘If you’re goin’ someplace else, you become their problem. So, where are you goin’?’
‘You don’t need to know that,’ I said.
‘No,’ Hargrove said, ‘I don’t.’ He looked at Jerry. ‘You, put your arms out.’
Jerry stared at him.
‘Do you want me to say “please”?’
Jerry raised his arms slowly. Hargrove started toward him and Jerry said, ‘No, let him do it. I don’t want you to touch me.’
Hargrove stepped back, looked at his partner and smiled.
‘See? I told you, He doesn’t like me.’
Holliday stepped forward and patted Jerry down.
‘He’s clean.’
Jerry lowered his arms.
‘If we searched the house, we’d probably find that forty-five he likes so much.’
‘Not without a warrant,’ I said. ‘You bring one with you? Or probable cause?’
‘You takin’ courses in the law now, Eddie?’ Hargrove asked. ‘No, I don’t have either. But that’s OK. I’ll see you around.’ He turned as his partner opened the door and went out. He stopped just in the doorway. ‘Hey, do me a favor?’
‘What?’
‘If anybody manages to cash in on that contract,’ he said, with a smile, ‘have somebody let me know.’
He went out, closing the door behind him.
ELEVEN
The limo Frank sent to the airport to pick us up early that morning pulled to a stop in front of Judy Garland’s home at 924 Bel Air Road in LA. According to Frank, she didn’t spend much time there now, but during the tapings of her TV show in ’63 and early ’64 she had lived there. She still owned the house, however, and that’s where we were to meet her.
Jerry kept turning in the back seat to look behind us.
When Somebody Kills You Page 3