chances to make this much money.”
“Martha Stewart.”
“You know what I meant.”
I said, “So, you’d never planned on breaking into Freeman’s room.”
“It was still a big improvisation. Yeah, I planned on getting the computer. That’s original and could be profitable. But I had to get you to do that for me, boo.”
“You could’ve done it yourself.”
“Oh, no. I’m not a thief. Not that kind.”
“Uh huh.”
“That hotel has too much security. A smart grifter never shows her face. My girl knows that too. She’s rising up in Hollywood, so she wouldn’t take any chances on getting busted.”
“You could’ve rented a room on the same floor. Worked it like that.”
She shook her head. “Never show your face.”
“I’ll jot that down in my criminal notepad.”
We ate some more, each bite tasting better than the one before. The night air became cooler. L.A. was always like that at night. The bitch always sent you to bed with a chill.
I asked, “How did you know I’d steal it?”
“Didn’t. Just fed you enough information. You didn’t know me. Didn’t trust me.”
“Still don’t.”
“I know. And I don’t trust you. So that keeps us in a good position.”
“I hit Freeman. I straight up double-crossed you.”
“I would’ve done the same. Like I told you, a million dollars on a truck.”
I told her, “I’m not buying all of that bullshit. Somebody put you on to me.”
“Kill the conspiracy theory. It was random.”
“Like searching for a four-leaf clover on a sidewalk.”
“Nice analogy. Can I use that?”
“Stop the bullshit. Yesterday you said you protected your sources. Today it’s random.”
She gave another one of those cute and criminal smiles.
I asked, “You pulled Freeman’s bank info?”
She reached inside her purse, handed me a golden envelope. Making red lights change to green. Pulling a man’s bank information. I was impressed and nervous with what she could do.
Freeman had six thousand in his savings. Around three hundred in his checking.
I said, “To be a baller, he’s conservative.”
“Look here. He bounced quite a few checks in the past year.”
“Damn. He sure did. On his old Quitman, Mississippi, bank account.”
“He needs a better accountant.”
“This is just checking and savings. Checking gets no interest and savings is so low it might as well be no interest. He has to have his real money somewhere else.”
“I expected him to be like the typical Nuevo baller, big money in useless accounts.”
I said, “Doubt if he hooked up with a woman like Folasade because he’s stupid.”
“Well, I wouldn’t sleep with my nest egg under my pillow. I’d diversify my investments, buy property. Any disposable income would be in a high-interest account.”
“He got a seven-figure deal, so this is his chump change. He probably has more accounts than he can count. What else did you come up with?”
“My contact is still on it. You done eating?”
“Yeah. Shoulda picked up a bottle of JD to wash this down.”
I tossed our garbage. We headed back toward the theater. She fired up another cigarette while we strolled, stood at the corner and smoked more than half before she tossed it. Once again she made the light change in our favor. Pushed a button, made the world stop for her.
I asked, “Besides using the lot to fence hot goods, what’s your connection to the play?”
“What makes you think there is one?”
“The way the valet and doorman looked at you. Like you’re a queen.”
“I tip well.”
“They looked at you like that before you tipped.”
“We have some money invested.”
“Legit money?”
“Yeah. Me and Mrs. Robinson.”
“Your personal pickpocket.”
She laughed.
I said, “Saw her headshot on the wall. Pamela Quinones.”
“The one and only. That’s my partner. I’d prefer to do it alone. That way there is no split. All the guts and all the glory. But she’s cool. We’ve been hanging tough for two years now. Rent scams. Vending machine scams. God, we’ve done more shit than I can remember.”
“Quinones. Spanish?”
“Part Puerto Rican. A mutt, just like me.”
“Lovers?”
She laughed, shook her head, but didn’t answer with any words.
I said, “That’s how she got the lead. Invested in her own play, hired herself as the star.”
“It was either that or do like Angelyne—buy herself a pink Corvette and lease a billboard on the Sunset Strip. You have to showcase. You do what you have to do in this town.”
“Tummy tuck. Breasts enhanced.”
“Teeth capped. You name it and they do it in the name of Hollywood.”
“What about you?”
“No upgrades.”
I checked my watch. It was getting to be that time of night, the time when trouble woke up and took to the streets. Lisa’s bullyboys should be