“Ah…”
After breakfast, Tally took Decker over to his hotel. They found Billy Rosewood waiting out front.
“I was gettin’ worried,” Rosewood said.
“I think it’s about time you two became friends,” Decker said. “Billy, Lieutenant Tally will explain what’s happened. I think I’ll go upstairs and get some rest.”
“Good idea,” Tally said, although Rosewood looked dubious.
As Decker entered the hotel, he heard Tally say, “Now, Billy, my boy…”
Turn on the old charm, Tally, he thought…
Decker collected his key from the desk clerk and made his way slowly to the second floor. He inserted the key in his lock and then stopped. He’d almost allowed his fatigue to allow him to become careless. He took out his gun and pushed the door slowly open.
There was somebody in the room, on the bed.
“I knew you were getting out today,” Linda Hamilton said, sitting up. She was fully dressed, but she was as pretty a sight at that moment as she would have been naked.
Decker put the gun away and closed the door, then started to take his coat off.
“Here, let me help you,” she said, bounding to his side.
“I didn’t expect to see you again…for a while,” he said.
“If you had asked me last night, I would have said you’d never see me again,” she said, putting his coat on a chair.
“What changed your mind?”
“You did.”
“How did I do that?”
“Just by being you,” she said. She kissed him gently on the mouth and said, “Besides, I think you’re going to need a live-in nurse for a while.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” she said, unbuttoning his shirt, “that is so.”
“Have you noticed how both wounds are on the left side?” Decker asked later.
They were lying together in bed, she in the crook of his right arm.
“And what does that mean?”
“It leaves my right arm free for you.”
“And for your gun.”
The remark hung in the air for a while.
“I’m sorry,” she said finally.
“Don’t be,” he said. “I’m a lot better off because of that.”
“What are you going to do now?” she asked. “Keep looking for that man?”
“Yes.”
“He’ll send someone else to kill you, won’t he?”
“Most likely,” he said. “That’s what the police are counting on.”
“The police?”
“Lieutenant Tally is putting some men on me, so you see, you don’t have to worry.”
“Why would I have to worry?” she asked. “I’ll be right here with you.”
“No,” he said, “you won’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think you had the right idea last night, Linda,” Decker said. “Stay away from me…for a while. Let me and the police do what we have to do.”
“Maybe they have to do it,” she said, “because it’s their job. You don’t have to, though, Decker. You can let it alone.”
“No, I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.”
“Same thing.”
“Is that what you really want?”
“What?”
“For me to stay away from you?”
“It’s for your own safety.”
“But is it what you really want?” she asked. “Not to see me for a while?”
Yes, he thought.
“No,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-five
“Did you hear?” Bookman asked.
“I heard,” Largo said. “It looks like one of Bolan’s friends switched sides.”
“Or went into business for himself.”
“I guess he didn’t inspire the same confidence you do.”
“Don’t pull my chain, Largo,” Bookman said, putting down his knife and fork, “you’ll ruin my meal.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“We both know that Bolan underpaid his people.”
“Or downright cheated them.”
“That’s something you can’t accuse me of,” Bookman said, picking up his utensils again.
“You’re right about that.”
“Would you like a bite?” Bookman asked, indicating his breakfast.
“You’ll excuse me for saying so, Bookman,” Largo said. “I can work for you, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat with you.”
Bookman either didn’t hear or ignored the remark.
“Largo?”
“Yeah?”
“Where were you while Decker was killing Razor?”
“I was outside the building.”
“Doing what?”
“Watching.”
“Why weren’t you helping?”
“I didn’t expect Decker to need my help,” Largo said. “After all, it was only Razor he was dealing with.”
“Did you see Coles in the area?”
“I didn’t see him,” Largo said, “but he was there.”
“How do you know?”
Largo made a face and said, “I could smell him.”
“I guess it’s safe to assume that Coles killed Bolan.”
“He never did have any…loyalty.”
“Largo,” Bookman said, “you’re starting to worry me. Where is Decker now?”
“He’s out of the hospital and in his hotel.”
“Stay with him.”
“He might have some extra help.”
“Like who?”
“Police.”
“Tally?”
“Yes.”
“Tally will probably put somebody on him, whether he wants their help or not.”
“I agree.”
“Mmm, thank you so much.”
Largo waited while Bookman chewed.
“All right, go and see him. Tell him I’m sorry I didn’t get him the word on Bolan in time.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
“And don’t clash with the police. If they are there, they won’t bother you. You are, after all, not known to them—thanks to me.”
“I appreciate that, Bookman.”
“Tell him about Coles.”
“I will.”
“Warn him that Armand is good.”
“You want me to exaggerate, do you?”
“Just tell him, Largo.”
“I will.”
As Largo left, Bookman poured himself another cup of coffee. He hoped Decker wouldn’t hold it against him that he hadn’t gotten him the names in time. After all, things were happening very quickly.
Largo left and caught a cab to Decker’s hotel. On the way he thought about Armand Coles’s going into business for himself. He hadn’t thought Coles was that intelligent.
Largo had worked for Bookman for three years now. Both Bookman and Largo knew that Largo was the best killer in New York, but Bookman was right. Thanks to him, nobody else knew, not the police, and not Armand Coles.
Maybe it was time, Largo thought, to make a move of his own.
Chapter Twenty-six
After much conversation, Decker finally convinced Linda that what he was suggesting was best.
“All right,” she said. “I don’t want you to get killed because you’re worrying about me.”
“That’s as good a reason as any,” he said, walking her to the door.
“Come and see me at the hospital?”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Decker kissed her and opened the door. Largo was standing there.
“Oh,” Largo said. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Linda looked worried, but Decker simply said, “I’ll talk to you.” She went out past Largo and walked down the hall. Largo watched her walk away until Decker said, “Are you going to stand out in the hall all day?”
Largo looked at him, then stepped into the room.