Fly Me to the Morgue (11 page)

‘Ma'am,' he finally managed.

‘Shall we go?' Katy further flustered Jerry by sliding her arm into his and having him walk her to the car.

‘If she gets him to call her Katy it'll be a miracle,' I said.

‘She's pretty good at miracles,' Bing said.

We went to the Sahara to eat in the Congo Room. Sheckey Green was playing and he introduced Bing from the stage, then came by to say hello.

This was Katy's first trip to Vegas, so Bing wanted to show her the town. We began with the Congo Room, then started to hop from casino lounge to casino lounge. Finally she claimed she was tired, but I figured she wanted to get Bing back to the hotel fairly early.

We drove back to the Sands in the limo. As we got out Katy said, ‘Oh, I've lost an earring.'

Bing turned but Katy waved him off and said, ‘Eddie can help me find it, Sweetie. Go on inside.'

I knew this was a ruse, because I noticed both her earrings were right where they belonged, on her ears. She wanted to talk.

‘Eddie,' she said, putting her hand on my arm, ‘Bing told me about the . . . the dead men. I'm worried about him being involved in this.'

‘He hasn't done anything, Katy,' I said. ‘It'll probably make the papers, and the wire services, but all he did was drive out to meet a guy who turned out to be dead.'

‘I know, but you also know how Hollywood can blow things out of proportion.'

‘What do you want me to do?'

‘I've heard Frank and Dean talk about you,' she said. ‘They trust you. Can I trust you?'

‘Of course.'

‘Can you just . . . watch out for him?' she asked. ‘Without telling him that I asked you to?'

She still had her hand on my arm, so I put my hand over hers and said, ‘Don't worry, Katy. Everything will be OK.'

‘Thank you, Eddie,' she said, squeezing my arm. ‘Thank you very much.'

TWENTY-FIVE

When we went inside, Bing Crosby asked, ‘Did you find it?'

She touched her ear and said, ‘Yes, it was in the seat. Eddie found it. Thank you, Eddie.' She leaned over and kissed my cheek.

They said goodnight to us and went up to their suite, arm-in-arm.

‘They make a nice couple, even though he's a lot older.'

‘Yeah, they do,' I said. ‘Let's get a drink in the lounge.'

‘OK, Mr G.'

On the way Jerry took off his tie, tucked it into his pocket and undid the top button of his shirt. When we got to the lounge Jack Jones was singing ‘Lollipops and Roses,' his hit from the year before. When he saw me, he waved, never missing a beat. I waved back, then stopped to look the place over. In a corner booth sat Frank Junior with a young lady.

‘There's Frank Junior,' Jerry said.

‘I see him.'

‘Who's that he's with?'

‘I'm not sure,' I said, ‘but it looks like . . . Joey Heatherton.'

‘Are either one of them twenty yet?'

‘Probably not. Come on, let's just sit at the bar.'

We went to the bar, got the bartender's attention and ordered two beers. Didi came over to say hello, and I introduced her to Jerry. Jack Jones did a few more songs, then came over to say hello, also.

Finally, just before Jack did another set, Frank Junior came over and introduced us to Joey Heatherton, who was a kittenish blonde with more sex appeal than one girl should have.

Frank agreed to have lunch with me the next day, and then he and Joey left.

Jerry finished his second beer and said, ‘I'm gonna go to my suite, Mr G.'

‘Already?'

‘Who knows when I'll ever have a suite again,' he said. ‘I'm kinda enjoyin' it.'

‘Jerry,' I promised, ‘I'll get you a suite from now on whenever you come to town.'

‘Nah,' he said. ‘This time is good enough. Makes it special, Especially knowin' that Mr C. is payin' for it.'

‘OK,' I said. ‘Wanna meet for breakfast in the coffee shop?'

‘Sure,' he said. ‘Eight?'

‘That's good. We can talk about what we're gonna do when the cops start comin' after us.'

‘Mr G.,' he said, putting his massive paw on my arm, ‘this time we didn't do nothin'.'

‘You know it,' I said, ‘and I know it . . .'

TWENTY-SIX

Rather than stay overnight in the hotel I decided to drive home and sleep in my own bed, even though I'd arranged to meet Jerry early for breakfast. It would only be about an hour's drive from my house in the morning.

Because there had been more than one occasion over the past few years when I found some strangers in my house, I used my key and entered very carefully. I felt silly, though, and quickly switched on a light. What reason would anyone have to lie in wait for me in my own house? We'd said it more than once, Danny, Jerry and I, that we hadn't done anything this time. We were actually in the clear, hadn't shot at anybody, hadn't killed anybody.

I shucked my clothes, hung up what had to be hung up and tossed the rest into the hamper and noticed that it was laundry time. Maybe Frank Junior would like to accompany me to the laundry when I dropped my clothes off the next day.

Yeah, that'd be the day.

I decided not to worry about anything until morning and went to bed.

I woke at six, wondering whatever possessed me to agree to meet Jerry for breakfast at eight.

I showered and brushed my teeth, put on jeans, a polo shirt with a collar, and sneakers. Real casual. Then I put all my laundry into a bag and carried it out to the car. On the way to the Sands I dropped it at a Chinese laundry.

I found Jerry in the Garden Room, working on a pot of coffee and waiting for me, like the morning before. Only this time we didn't have to drive to the desert. He was wearing a sports jacket and pants. I hoped the jacket wasn't to hide his gun.

‘'Mornin', Mr G.,' Jerry said.

‘Jerry,' I said, sliding in the booth across from him. ‘Pancakes today?'

‘You know it, Mr G.'

‘I think I'll join you.'

When the waitress came over I told her two orders of pancakes for Jerry, and one for me.

‘Comin' up, Eddie.'

I watched her as she walked away, but couldn't remember her name.

‘They all know you, Mr G.'

‘Yeah, Jerry,' I said. ‘I guess they think they do.'

‘What are we gonna do today?' Jerry asked.

‘I'm not sure,' I said. ‘I guess we should talk to Bing. His lawyer is supposed to find out if there's any family for him to buy that horse from.'

‘He still wants to buy the horse?'

‘Is it worth buying?'

‘I don't know, Mr G.,' he said. ‘I never did get a real good look at it.'

‘So if Bing is still interested, he'll want you to check it out.'

‘Hey, as long as he's payin' the freight, I'm willin' to stay.'

‘Jerry, we're gonna have to deal with the cops, pretty soon,' I said. ‘Maybe even our old buddy Hargrove.'

‘Hey, I figured that, Mr G., when I found the dead guy. I even thought about coverin' him and leavin' him there.'

‘Without telling me?'

‘Well, it was a just a thought. What's the dick doin' today?'

‘Nothin', as far as I know,' I said. ‘There's nothin'
for
him to do.'

‘He could solve the murder.'

‘Not while the cops are workin' on it,' I said. ‘He's got a license to consider. Besides, nobody's payin' him to solve it.'

‘What about Mr C?'

‘I think he's happy to let the police work on it,' I said. ‘He knew the man as a trainer, but I don't think they were friends.'

The waitress came with the pancakes, set them on the table in front of us, provided syrup and a fresh pot of coffee.

‘Anything else, Eddie?'

‘No, thanks a lot.'

She left and we dug in. We were only halfway done when a man I wasn't looking forward to seeing, walked in the door.

‘Jerry.'

‘Yeah, Mr G?'

‘You don't have your gun on you, do you?'

‘No, Mr G. It's still hidden in my suite.'

‘That's good.'

‘Why?'

‘Remember we were talkin' about Hargrove before?'

‘Yeah.'

‘Well, speak of the devil and up he pops.'

‘Damn,' Jerry said, ‘is he gonna ruin my breakfast?'

Hargrove spotted us and came walking over.

‘I think he's gonna give it the old college try.'

TWENTY-SEVEN

Hargrove stopped at our booth, another man behind him. He was younger, looked uncomfortable in his suit, like he hadn't been out of uniform for very long.

‘Eddie,' he said. ‘Looks like your Gunsel is in for another visit.'

‘You're gettin' older, Hargrove,' I said. ‘Or are your partners gettin' younger?'

‘Probably a little bit of both,' he said. ‘You mind if I sit down?'

‘Sure, why not?' I asked. ‘Have a cup of coffee. Want me to slide over?'

‘No.' He grabbed a chair from another table. ‘This is good.'

His partner just sat at a chair at the table behind us. He knew his place, already.

‘Keep eatin', fellas,' Hargrove said. ‘I don't want to ruin your breakfast.'

‘Thanks.'

‘Where's your other buddy? Bardini?'

‘He doesn't check in with me every day.'

‘No, huh? Off on a case maybe? Already?'

I shrugged.

‘I talked to a colleague of mine yesterday,' Hargrove said. ‘Freeman. Know him?'

‘I know Freeman.'

‘Seems you and the Gunsel, here, got yourselves involved in another murder.'

‘We're not involved,' I said.

‘Your buddy Bardini is.'

‘He just found the body, that's all,' I said. ‘He was lookin' for a missin' person, and he found him dead.'

‘He was workin' for you, though.'

‘Not me,' I said. ‘Bing Crosby.'

‘Yeah,' Hargrove said, ‘another one of your Hollywood bigwig buddies. But in the end he was working for you.'

I looked at him.

‘It's not gonna do me any good to keep sayin' no, right?'

‘Right.'

‘So what do you want, Hargrove?' I asked. ‘This isn't your case.'

‘I'm helping my friend Freeman,' he said, ‘since I know some of the principals involved.'

‘That's us, right?' Jerry asked.

‘Smart boy.'

There was an empty cup on the table. Hargrove poured himself a cup of coffee.

‘Heard you fellas found a body out in Red Rock Canyon, too,' he said.

‘Now I know that's not your case,' I said. ‘Still helpin' some friends?'

‘Naw, I don't know those Sheriff's men,' Hargrove said, sipping his coffee. ‘I just find it interesting how you guys always stumble across bodies when you're together.'

‘Not always,' I said.

‘Enough.'

I ate the last of my pancakes, pushed the plate away.

‘What's this about, Hargrove?' I asked.

‘I'm just curious, Eddie,' he said. ‘I was going to ask you the same question.'

‘All I know is what I told the Sheriff's boys, and what I told your boys. Bing Crosby needed some help, we tried to give it to him.'

‘Then why the Gunsel?' Hargrove asked.

I saw a muscle jump in Jerry's jaw, but he covered it with a mouthful of pancakes.

‘Actually, Bing met Jerry at Del Mar last year and was impressed with his knowledge of horses. When his trainer didn't show up he asked me if Jerry would take a look at the horse for him. Jerry agreed, and Bing flew him out.'

‘He's coverin' my expenses,' Jerry said. Then he did something I'd never seen him do before. He smiled at Detective Hargrove. ‘He put me in a suite.'

‘Nice,' Hargrove said. ‘A free flight, free suite, and free pancakes, huh?'

‘You got it,' Jerry said.

‘Pretty good deal,' Hargrove said, then looked at me and asked, ‘but are we sure Crosby didn't bring Jerry in to off the horse owner?'

‘Oh yeah,' I said, ‘Bing made an appointment to meet the guy. Then we showed up and clubbed him to death before they could make a deal for the horse. And then we called the cops. Tell me something, Detective? What does Bing Crosby gain from that?'

‘Gee, I don't know, Eddie,' Hargrove said, ‘but maybe I'll poke around and see what I can find out.' He put his cup down. ‘Thanks for the coffee. I'll be seeing both of you guys . . . soon.'

‘Hargrove,' I said, before he could leave, ‘I really like this new quiet, understated technique of yours. Maybe your new partner is rubbing off on you.'

Hargrove just smiled, tossed us a salute and then led his partner out of the coffee shop.

‘What the hell . . .' I said.

‘I don't like that,' Jerry said. ‘He was way too calm. Usually he's yellin' at us.'

‘I know,' I said. ‘Something's up. We better talk to Bing.'

‘After breakfast?' Jerry asked hopefully, looking at the rest of his pancakes.

‘Of course, after breakfast,' I said.

TWENTY-EIGHT

I asked the waitress – whose name, I finally remembered, was Jeannie – to bring a phone to the table. When she did I called Bing. When he answered I told him we'd had a visit from the police, and they had something up their sleeve.