When Somebody Kills You

by Robert J. Randisi

  ‘Ah, never mind. Come, I walk-a you to the door.’

  He didn’t quite go all the way to the door. He’d never expose himself that way. He stopped in the entry foyer, where his two torpedoes were waiting. Once there, he put his hand on my shoulder and gave Jerry a curt nod goodbye.

  ‘You’ll hear from me, Eddie,’ he said. ‘Soon. Until then, stay low, eh? Don’t get-a your head shot off.’

  ‘I’ll do my best, Momo,’ I said. ‘My very best.’

  I had considered briefly asking him if he knew a man named Amico, but decided against it. If Amico worked for him, he probably wouldn’t say. Then he’d have to explain why he pretended not to know about the contract.

  Or would he?

  When we got in the car, I asked Jerry, ‘What was that thing he said?’ Most of my Italian had gone the way of my youth. ‘Ti voglio un mondo di bene.’

  ‘He said he wishes us a world of good,’ Jerry said. ‘He likes you, Mr G.’

  ‘Us, Jerry,’ I said, ‘he likes us … and thank God for that.’

  SIXTY-EIGHT

  The driver took us straight back to the airport, and Frank’s plane had us back in Vegas before daylight. We went to our rooms to get some sleep, agreeing to meet in the Garden Café for breakfast in a few hours. When I got to my room, I checked for messages. There was one from Frank, asking me to call him when I got in. I decided to give him a break, let him sleep and call him in the morning. Judy was asleep in her room, with Danny looking out for her.

  I tossed and turned a while, going over everything that had been happening since someone first tried to run me down. I also replayed the conversation Jerry and I had in the plane on the way to Chicago …

  ‘We haven’t talked about what happened at the Sands,’ I said. ‘You saved me.’

  ‘Again,’ he reminded me.

  ‘Yes, again,’ I said, ‘but you dragged me out of there before the cops arrived.’

  ‘I thought it was a good idea,’ Jerry said. ‘We never would’ve been able to go and see Mr Giancana with them there.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ I said, ‘but somebody’s gonna want to talk to us when we get back.’

  ‘Maybe not. Maybe when the cops got there, nobody told them about you or me.’

  ‘No offense, Jerry, but you’re not exactly hard to miss.’

  ‘Yeah, but, Mr G., by the time the cops get there – got there – a lot of the witnesses might have been gone. The ones who don’t work there, anyway.’

  ‘You’re right, and maybe the employees would keep quiet until they hear from me, or Jack.’

  ‘Maybe …’

  ‘And maybe the cops’ll be waitin’ for us at the airport, in the person of Hargrove.’

  But they weren’t.

  I finally fell asleep. When I woke, I called Frank’s suite and invited him to have breakfast with Jerry and me at ten.

  ‘I’ll be there,’ he promised.

  Next, I dialed Jack Entratter’s office.

  ‘What the fuck?’ he said when he heard my voice. ‘What the hell happened yesterday? The local news covered the “shooting in a local casino”.’

  ‘Somebody took a couple of shots at me in the lobby.’

  ‘That’s what I figured, but where’d you go?’

  ‘To the airport,’ I said. ‘I had to see Momo. If I’d stayed, Hargrove would have kept me on ice for hours. In fact, he still might.’

  ‘Well, you don’t have to worry, so far,’ he said. ‘He was here, but he didn’t find any witnesses. Players and guests who might have seen you took off before he arrived, and I managed to muzzle the employees. But he definitely wants to talk to both of you.’

  ‘Was anybody else hurt?’

  ‘No, just some shattered glass. But when I told him you were out of town, I don’t think he believed me.’

  ‘Well, I was, technically.’

  ‘After the fact.’

  ‘He can’t prove I was there.’

  ‘He might be able to find one customer who saw you, or Jerry.’

  ‘Until then he can’t prove a thing.’

  ‘That won’t stop him from questioning you.’

  ‘I’ll be ready.’

  ‘What happened with Momo?’

  ‘It wasn’t him.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Fairly sure.’

  ‘And he didn’t know who it was?’

  ‘No, but I think he was pretty pissed off about it,’ I said. ‘He’ll probably find out. He’ll let me know if he does.’

  ‘Or he’ll take care of them himself.’

  ‘Either way,’ I said, ‘I’ll be off the hit list … but I’d really like to know who put the contract out on me. And what I did to deserve it.’

  ‘I’m kind of curious about that myself, Eddie,’ he said. ‘What’s on your agenda today?’

  ‘Breakfast,’ I said, ‘with Jerry and Frank, and then I’ll go and talk to Judy.’

  ‘What’s happening there?’

  ‘I think I’ve got some answers for her,’ I said. ‘I just don’t think she’s gonna like ’em.’

  ‘Poor kid’s got enough problems,’ Jack said. ‘Maybe a little truth from you wouldn’t hurt.’

  ‘We could all use a little truth, Jack.’

  ‘Amen,’ he said. ‘Personally, I’d like to see you get back to work without having to look over your shoulder, so do what you gotta do, Eddie.’

  ‘That’s the plan,’ I said, and hung up.

  SIXTY-NINE

  When I got to the café, Jerry and Frank were already drinking coffee. I slid into the booth next to Frank, who scooted over.

  ‘You fellas order yet?’

  ‘No,’ Frank said, ‘Jerry wanted to wait for you.’

  The waitress spotted me and hurried over. Her name tag said ‘Betty’. I’d never seen her before.

  ‘The gang’s all here, then?’ she asked. Her accent was British.

  ‘Yep,’ Jerry said, ‘we’re ready to order.’

  Frank and I ordered bacon and eggs – scrambled for me, sunny side up for him. Jerry ordered ham-and-eggs and a stack of pancakes. We all wanted toast.

  ‘Be back in a jiff,’ she said, and hurried away, her dark ponytail bouncing.

  ‘She’s cute,’ Frank said. ‘I love that accent.’

  There was a pot of coffee on the table and I poured myself a cup.

  ‘So, OK,’ Frank said, ‘what happened with Momo?’

  I looked at Jerry.

  ‘I didn’t say nothin’,’ he said. ‘Figured it was up to you.’

  I told Frank what I had told Jack: that Momo wasn’t behind the contract, didn’t know who was, but said he would find out.

  ‘He will, too,’ Frank said. ‘I wouldn’t wanna be the guy when he does. When was the last attempt?’

  ‘Yesterday morning, when we were on our way to the airport,’ I said.

  ‘Guy made a clumsy try in the lobby,’ Jerry said, ‘fired a couple of wild shots.’

  ‘Doesn’t sound like a pro,’ Frank observed.

  ‘As a matter of fact,’ Jerry said, looking at me, ‘none of ’em have been by a pro. Even the bomb in the car was clumsy.’

  Frank pointed his finger at Jerry. ‘Say you’re a button man. You hear about an open contract, but you know it hasn’t been cleared through San Giancana, and it should be. What do you do?’

  ‘I stay away from it,’ Jerry said. ‘Don’t want no part of it.’

  ‘So no pro would pick it up,’ I said.

  ‘Not unless he wanted to stick his neck way out,’ Frank said.

  ‘So far a buncha amateurs have tried to cash in,’ Jerry observed, ‘but it would only take one pro lookin’ for a big payoff.’

  ‘So most pros might be staying away from it,’ Frank said. ‘You’re not out of the woods yet, though.’

  ‘But your odds just got better,’ Jerry said, as Betty appeared with a bunch of plates.

  We sat back and allowed her to set them down.

&n
bsp; ‘Anything else?’ she asked.

  ‘We’re good,’ I said.

  She smiled brightly. ‘Just let me know.’

  As she walked away, we quickly moved the plates around the table – she had gotten the placement all wrong.

  ‘Still cute,’ Frank said, ‘but a bad waitress.’

  ‘Just new,’ Jerry offered. ‘She’ll learn.’

  We started to eat, but kept talking.

  ‘What about Judy’s problem?’ Frank asked.

  ‘I think we’ve got that beat,’ I said. ‘It’s just a matter of getting her to understand.’

  ‘You need me for that?’ he asked.

  ‘No,’ I said, ‘I think I’ve got it. Danny’s been with her since we left.’

  ‘She’s vulnerable, Eddie—’ Frank started, but I cut him off.

  ‘Danny wouldn’t try anything, Frank,’ I said.

  ‘No,’ Frank said, ‘of course not. Sorry. So, is there any reason I shouldn’t go back to Tahoe?’

  ‘No,’ I said, ‘none that I can see. Judy’s safe here. Momo’s gonna come up with the answer on the contract thing—’

  ‘Just for fun,’ Frank said, interrupting me, ‘what if he doesn’t?’

  ‘What?’ Jerry asked.

  ‘What if Giancana comes up empty?’

  ‘But—’ Jerry said.

  ‘If someone out there has a contract out on me,’ I said, ‘and Sam Giancana can’t find out who it is, I guess I’d be in real trouble.’

  ‘As opposed to the trouble you’re in now.’

  ‘It would be worse, though,’ Jerry said.

  ‘Could there be somebody in organized crime who’s not afraid of Sam Giancana?’ I asked.

  ‘The new breed,’ Frank said. ‘Idiots like Johnny Roselli.’

  ‘Roselli,’ I said. ‘He doesn’t like me.’

  ‘Do you want me to talk to Johnny?’ Frank asked.

  ‘If it’s him,’ I said, ‘that would be the same as warnin’ him that we know. Let’s just see what Momo can come up with – for now.’

  ‘OK,’ Frank said, ‘then it’s back to Tahoe for me.’

  We finished eating and waited while Betty cleared the table, then we all had more coffee. When we were done, Frank wanted out, so I moved to allow him to stand. He grabbed my hand.

  ‘Thanks for helping Judy, Eddie. In spite of having your own problem to solve.’

  ‘Sure, Frank.’

  ‘Let me know when you take Judy back home,’ he said. ‘And what the final outcome is.’

  ‘Sure,’ I said, again.

  ‘Big Jerry,’ Frank said, with a nod.

  ‘Mr S.’

  Frank turned and left the café. I sat back down, shook the coffee pot to see if there was any left. I managed another half cup.

  Jerry looked around for Betty. ‘I think I’ll have a chocolate shake.’

  ‘Then I’ll get another pot of coffee,’ I said, as Betty came over.

  By the time Jerry’s shake was gone I’d gone through half the pot. I pushed the rest of it away from me.

  ‘What now?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ I said. ‘I’m guessin’ we’re gonna have to talk to Hargrove sooner or later about the shootin’.’

  ‘We could avoid him for a while,’ Jerry said.

  ‘That’d just piss him off even more,’ I said. ‘I’m not sayin’ we go in and see him or anythin’, I’m just sayin’ we don’t hide out. Jack says he’s lookin’ for us.’

  ‘So what do we do until he finds us?’

  ‘Let’s start with seein’ how Judy’s doin’,’ I said. ‘Maybe give Danny a break.’

  I called Betty over, told her to let me have the check.

  ‘That’s OK, Mr Gianelli,’ she said. ‘Mr Sinatra already took care of it.’

  ‘Well,’ I said, ‘that’s good for you, because he’s a much bigger tipper than I am.’

  ‘You said it!’ she said, then her face fell as she thought she might have insulted me. ‘I mean, not that you’re a bad tipper – I mean, I don’t know how you tip—’

  ‘That’s OK, kid,’ I said. ‘Relax. You better get back to work.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  As we left the café, Jerry said, ‘I think she’s gonna last.’

  ‘The waitresses here come and go more than the showgirls do.’

  As we headed for the lobby, I saw Jack’s new girl hurrying in our direction. When she spotted us, her mouth opened and she quickened her pace.

  ‘Oh, Mr Gianelli,’ she said. ‘Mr Entratter said I’d find you in the Garden Café.’

  ‘As a matter of fact we just left there,’ I said. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Mr Entratter sent me to tell you,’ she said, ‘or warn you, that the police are in his office, asking about you.’

  ‘The police? Or Detective Hargrove?’

  ‘I believe that’s what he said his name was,’ she said. ‘He’s there with another man.’

  ‘No uniforms?’

  ‘No, sir,’ she said, ‘just the two men in suits.’

  I looked at Jerry, who said, ‘If he was lookin’ to take us in, he’d have more help with him.’

  ‘Agreed,’ I said. I looked at the girl. ‘Why don’t we go up and see if those guys are still there?’

  ‘Mr Entratter told me that you might want to … avoid them?’

  ‘He was right,’ I said. ‘We might have wanted to avoid them, but we’ve pretty much changed our minds. And they’re probably givin’ Jack a hard time right now. Whataya say we go up and rescue him?’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ she said, ‘whatever you say.’

  SEVENTY

  It was noon by the time we got to Jack’s office. Hargrove and his partner were still with Jack. We could hear his big mouth out in the hall.

  ‘… tell him he’s gonna be in big trouble if he doesn’t come and see me,’ Hargrove was bellowing.

  ‘Lower your voice, Detective,’ Jack shot back. ‘I don’t appreciate bein’ yelled at in my own office.’

  ‘Let me tell you something—’ Hargrove was saying as we entered.

  ‘You lookin’ for us, Hargrove?’ I said. ‘That why you’re yellin’ at my boss?’

  Hargrove turned and glared at me. His partner, Holliday, looked at us, too, but with a lot less animosity.

  ‘You two!’

  ‘In the flesh,’ I said, spreading my arms.

  ‘Where the hell have you been?’

  ‘Here and there,’ I said. ‘Mostly there. Why?’

  ‘Why? Your own hotel lobby got shot up yesterday morning. Are you gonna try to tell me you weren’t the target?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘Do you have any witnesses that saw me – us – there?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then I guess we weren’t there.’

  ‘I’ve got something better.’

  ‘Oh? What’s that?’

  Hargrove smiled tightly. ‘I’ve got the shooter in custody.’

  I stared at him for a few seconds, then asked, ‘Well, why didn’t you say that before?’

  Jerry and I accompanied Hargrove and his partner to the police station where they were holding the shooter.

  ‘His name is Delving,’ Hargrove said. He turned to look at us in the back seat, while his partner drove. ‘Do either of you know that name?’

  ‘No,’ I said.

  ‘Never heard of him.’

  ‘No, well, he’s not a pro,’ Hargrove said, ‘just an amateur tryin’ for a big pay day.’

  ‘All the more reason to believe this was not a creditable, sanctioned contract,’ Holliday said, glancing at us in the rear-view mirror. ‘I’d bet all the attempts on you – the ones we know about and the ones we don’t – were sloppy.’

  ‘No bet,’ I said.

  When we got to the station, they showed us Delving through a window as he sat in an interrogation room.

  ‘Can he see us?’ I asked.

  ‘No,’ Hargrove said, ‘not unless we turn a light on in h
ere.’

  ‘Do either of you know him?’ Holliday asked. ‘Or have seen him before?’

  ‘No,’ I said.

  ‘Yes,’ Jerry said. ‘He’s the one who took the shots at Mr G. yesterday.’

  Jerry had just admitted that we were in the hotel lobby when the shots were fired. But so what? He had a point. Were they going to arrest us for getting shot at?

  I looked at Hargrove.

  ‘What have you gotten out of him so far?’ I was hoping he wasn’t thinking of acting on what Jerry had just said.

  ‘He’s been sittin’ in that room for almost twenty-four hours,’ Holliday said, jabbing at the air with his forefinger. ‘We’ve got nothin’.’

  ‘And he’s not a pro?’ Jerry asked.

  ‘Not a pro shooter,’ Hargrove said. ‘But he’s an insider. We’re sure of it.’

  ‘OK, then …’ Jerry said.

  ‘OK, then … what?’ Hargrove asked.

  ‘He means,’ I said, ‘let us talk to him.’

  ‘You think you can break him when we couldn’t in twenty-four hours?’ Holliday asked.

  ‘I think you came lookin’ for us for a reason.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Hargrove said, ‘to lock your asses up.’

  ‘For what?’ Jerry asked. ‘Gettin’ shot at?’

  ‘You want to find out who put that contract out on me before some innocent bystanders get hurt,’ I said. ‘Am I right?’

  Hargrove didn’t answer, so Holliday said, ‘Well, that’s our job.’

  ‘This is the first time we got somebody who tried to cash in on that contract,’ I pointed out. ‘Let us talk to him.’

  Holliday looked at Hargrove, who was probably the senior man of the two. ‘What can it hurt?’ he asked.

  ‘Crap,’ Hargrove said, waving his hand in disgust. ‘Put them in with him.’

  ‘Hands up,’ Holliday said. ‘I’ve gotta search you first.’

  I expected him to come up with Jerry’s .45, which would have meant trouble, but he didn’t. We’d gone there in their car. Had he stashed it there? If he had, it could still come back to bite us on the ass.

  ‘This way,’ Holliday said.

  SEVENTY-ONE

  When the door opened, the guy looked up at us. He didn’t flinch when he saw me, but as Jerry came in behind me, he pushed his chair back a few inches. Jerry closed the door and Delving realized it was just the three of us in the room – which smelled like a room someone had been sweating in for twenty-four hours.