The Burglar on the Prowl - By Lawrence Block Page 0,32
see her anymore. And I went out last night looking for her.”
“I bet you went lookin’ in Murray Hill.”
“As a matter of fact I did. That’s where she lives, but she wasn’t home, so I went around looking in some of the bars and coffee shops she’s apt to frequent.”
“And did you find her?”
“Finally, but it took forever.”
“Bernie, I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” Carolyn chimed in helpfully. “You actually started up with that neurotic bitch after you swore up and down you were through with her.”
“I know, I know. It was a mistake.”
“The two of you are somethin’,” Ray said. “One lies an’ the other swears to it. This femme fatality, has she got a name?”
“Of course she’s got a name.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell me, not just yet. First we’ll try a little experiment.” He took out his notebook, tore out a sheet of paper, ripped it in half, and gave half to me and half to Carolyn. “Since you both know this woman,” he said, “whyntcha both write down her name?”
We did, and he collected the slips. “ ‘Barbara,’ ” he read. “An’ Barbara. I don’t know how the two of you pulled that one off, but it don’t really matter. I don’t buy the whole story for a second.”
“Fine,” I said. “It happens to be the truth, but you don’t have to believe it. Take my picture and show it to those people.”
“What people?”
“The Rogins, or whatever their name is.”
“Rogovin.”
“Fine. Show my picture to the Rogovins and ask them if they can identify me. When they can’t, maybe you’ll go bother somebody else.”
“Can’t do it, Bernie.”
“Why not?”
“They took two bullets apiece in the side of the head, an’ they’re never gonna be able to identify anybody.”
“Ohmigod.”
“You didn’t know, did you? I had a hunch you didn’t. Your partners must have sent you home before they capped ’em.” He frowned. “Bernie, you don’t look so good. You’re not gonna puke, are you?”
I shook my head.
“I know it’s not your style,” he said. “Not the rough stuff, and not the triple homicide.”
“Triple? I thought you said there were just two of them.”
“Yeah, well, the doorman was taped a little too well. He died of suffocation by the time somebody found him.”
“God, that’s awful.”
“It’s about as bad as it gets. I don’t understand you, Bernie. Why would you want to work with people who would do something like that?”
“I didn’t work with anybody.”
“You usually don’t,” he allowed. “An’ that’s wise, because the worst thing about partners is they’ll always rat you out to save their own asses. An’ that’s exactly what you’re about to do, my friend.”
“What?”
“Give up the murderin’ bastards you worked with last night. We’ll pick ’em up and you’ll turn state’s evidence an’ testify against ’em, an’ you’ll get off with a slap on the wrist an’ a stern talkin’-to from the judge. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?”
“No, but—”
“Matter of fact,” he said, leaning on the counter and lowering his voice, “there’s no reason you got to walk away from the whole deal empty-handed. I figure you an’ me, we worked a lot of angles in the past, we can probably work somethin’ out here. Share an’ share alike, if you get my drift.”
It wasn’t that elusive a drift. “While we’re on the subject,” I said, “what exactly did they get from the safe?”
“I should be asking you that, Bernie. You’re the one who was there.”
“Except I wasn’t.”
“Aw, Bernie,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re disappointin’ me, you really are.”
“Well, I don’t mean to, Ray, but—”
“Let’s go.”
“Huh?”
“What, you want to hear the whole spiel? ‘You have the right to remain silent, di dah di dah di dah.’ Do I have to give it to you word for word?”
“No, that’s good enough. You’re serious? You’re taking me in?”
“You’re damn right I am. Three people are dead an’ you’re mixed up in it up to your eyeteeth. You bet your ass I’m takin’ you in. Now have you got somethin’ you want to tell me?”
“I think I’d better exercise my right to remain silent.” I turned to Carolyn. “Call Wally Hemphill,” I said, “and tell him to do something. And would you do me one more favor? Wrap up the rest of my sandwich and put it where Raffles can’t get it. I don’t know how long it’ll take Wally to spring me, but I’m sure to be hungry by the time I get out.”
Twelve
The first time I met Wally Hemphill, I’d just been arrested, which is