I guess Bulldog thought it would be kinda funny to have me be a bouncer at Nastys. To tell you the truth, it gets pretty boring. Everyone thinks it sounds really cool, but it isnt. Most of the girls there are okay, but they arent really interested in me. The other bouncers, I think Bulldog told them to give me a hard time, hes kind of a p.r.i.c.k to tell you the truth.

No surprise there.

Anyway, it doesnt really start to get busy until a little after five so Im the only guy bouncing there in the afternoon. Bulldog called my cell this afternoon and yelled at me to get my a.s.s upstairs to Van Dorns office. I guess Jackie was the one who called Bulldog and told him you were there.

Van Dorn called Bulldog?

Yeah, least thats what I was told. But he must have, cause Bulldog was out making collections at the time so he wasnt even there.

Collections?

Yeah, its a pretty neat deal. A bunch of places pay Bulldog to kind of watch their business, you know so they dont get robbed and stuff.

A protection racket?

I dont know about that, Freddy said looking completely oblivious. He just makes sure no one ha.s.sles them, you know.

And what happens if they dont pay?

I dont know, I dont think that ever happens.

Howd you like to make a hundred bucks, Freddy?

Maybe. What do I gotta do? he sounded very cautious.

Id just like to have you take me around, see what the businesses are. You know get some ideas for myself.

See what the businesses are? They aint fancy, theyre just little joints.

Id still like to see them, and its a hundred bucks.

Would we have to go inside?

No, just drive by, in fact if you want we could take my car. It blends in, no one would know youre even there.

I dont think Bulldog would be too happy about that if he found out.

So dont tell him. Hundred bucks, Freddy just driving around for maybe an hour tops. Its not like Im gonna go in and talk to the people and Im certainly not gonna tell Bulldog. I could pick you up, or better yet, we could just meet somewhere, early tomorrow morning. Get it done before anyone is even out of bed.

I spose.

How about this, you know where my office is, right?

Freddy nodded.

You park on the next street over. Anyone sees your car you can just say you were watching me. Ill drive you around, you can point out the places. All well do is just drive past.

Think maybe I should wear a disguise? Freddy asked sort of warming to my offer.

If you want to do that, think it would help, sure, go ahead.

He nodded and suddenly looked excited.

We finished our beers and Freddy left by the back door. He went back out the side gate, limped through the neighbors yard and then up the block. I tossed the clip from his pistol into a kitchen drawer.

Chapter Fourteen.

I was parked on the side street next to my office reading the paper in my car while I waited for Freddy. He was already twenty minutes late and I was beginning to worry he had blown off our get together and wouldnt show.

I spotted him in my rear view mirror, limping down the street toward my car. The gauze over his ear was covered up by what looked like a five dollar black wig hanging down to his shoulders. I set the newspaper down to cover the .38 resting on my lap then watched him approach. Despite our little conversation and sharing a couple of beers last night, I didnt trust the guy any further than I could throw him.

He knocked on the pa.s.senger window then opened the door and climbed in. What do you think? he asked then raised his eyes toward the top of his head to indicate the cheap wig. It looked like it was nylon or rayon or something, you could see an elastic band running across his forehead and there were a number of wispy strands statically clinging to his face. He exhaled sharply up toward his forehead in an effort to move the strands, but it only served to make more of them attach to his face.

I think its perfect, and it covers your ear, good thinking.

He smiled at that.

You carrying, Freddy? I asked.

Well, yeah sort of.

Sort of? I said.

I got my pistol, but you took the clip last night and I dont have another, so it aint really loaded.

Heres that hundred bucks, maybe go and get yourself a new clip. I said and handed him five crisp twenties.

Actually, I was thinking of getting two and theyre like sixty bucks apiece, he said then nodded and looked hopeful.

I ignored his price quote and said, Lets get a move on, wheres the first place?

It turned out they were all over on the East side of town, a total of sixteen different commercial businesses, just little storefront, mom and pop type of operations. There were three places that did nails, a grungy coffee shop, a diner sort of joint, two convenience stores and a little hardware store. On and on it went, most of the businesses had bilingual signs posted in the front window, some in Spanish, some Asian, and one or two looked to be African.

The pattern was developing, people maybe not all that familiar with laws and rights we take for granted. Coming from societies where this sort of intimidation may have been the norm.

As he pointed out the various locations Freddy would make an off-handed comment regarding the payments. Thats a hundred bucks, one-fifty there, those folks pony up close to two hundred a week.

Over all, doing a rough calculation I figured the little protection racket brought in close to three grand a week, round it up to a hundred-and-fifty-grand a year paid out just to keep Bulldog from wrecking the place. And that was just the places Fat Freddy knew about. It wasnt that big of a leap of faith to think a jerk like Bulldog would start out every day strong-arming people.

And this all goes to Tubby?

Tubby? I dont know anything about that. Ive just been with Bulldog. Course these are just the places Ive been to, Im sure they got more, maybe lots more, he said that like it was a given, after all everyone did it, didnt they?

So back up a minute, Freddy. Bulldog never mentioned Tubby?

Hunh?

I asked you if all that money went to Tubby and you said you didnt know.

I guess I never thought about it like that. Bulldog kinda pockets some cash, maybe, sometimes, then puts the rest in this black leather case he carries. Freddy looked out the pa.s.senger window and sort of squirmed He takes some cash?

Well, maybe he skims a little off the top, I guess, kind of.

Think Tubby knows?

I dont think so and no one is dumb enough to tell him.

Why not?

You kidding? First of all he wouldnt believe it and even if he did, he would probably go right to Bulldog and ask him. Of course, Bulldog would say no and then hed be wise someone told on him and then that guy would be dead.

It sounded like a pretty black and white operating structure; Tell the boss and Ill kill you, simple as that.

What if Tubby did believe, what if you had proof?

Proof? Like what? A video or something? That wouldnt cut it and anyway by the time Tubby was convinced, well, Bulldog would have already killed you so it still wouldnt work. It just seems to be best if I shut up. The last thing I need is that big p.r.i.c.k Bulldog riding my a.s.s more than he already is.

Hes pretty tough on you?

Lets just say he doesnt make it very easy and leave it at that.

I wasnt sure what, but I could sense the germ of an idea just beginning to percolate.

Chapter Fifteen.

It was the fourth night Id been sleeping at Caseys, and great as it was, I was beginning to get tired of my own company. I called Maureen to see if shed like to come over and eat what was left of Dermots funeral food.

h.e.l.lo, she always sort of drew that word out in a s.e.xy sort of way, saying h.e.l.l-lo like she was singing. It sounded happy, positive, up beat, and indicative of good things to come.

Hi, Maureen, Dev Haskell.

I told you, I dont want you calling me.

What?

You heard me. What part of dont ever call me again dont you understand?

I thought you were kidding. I mean come on, it wasnt that big a deal, was it, really?

Yeah, Dev, it was to me. Not showing up for my Mothers birthday, telling me you had to work out of town.

I was out of town.

Yeah, thats right, you were, shacked up with some floozy if I recall.

That might be a little harsh, I Hey, Dev, listen to this, she said and hung up.

I called Karen and left a message. She sent a text message back that said she was blocking my number. I was losing interest fast so I phoned Heidi.

Hi, Heidi.

Stop right there, if you are calling with a problem, need a ride or bail money, Do. Not. Even. Ask. Because Im going to hang up.

Gee, nice way to start out. Are we having a bad day?

No, at least not up to this point. Im just telling you, Dev, so dont go there.

All right, apparently thats what I get for wanting to ask you out. I guess Ill just entertain myself if thats the way youre going to be.

You dont want anything?

Maybe just a kiss and a hug, I sort of thought being in your company might be a nice way to spend the evening. G.o.d, sorry, my mistake.

Okay, okay, its just, well you know the last couple of times weve been together you always had an ulterior motive.

You cant blame me for being attracted, Heidi. G.o.d, sorry I happen to think youre beautiful and s.e.xy.

Thanks, thats sweet, but thats not what Im talking about. There was the bail I had to post last winter. The ride I had to give you when your car broke down.

That wasnt my fault, those guys set my car on fire.

Yeah, and then I had to drive ninety miles to go get you and bring you back. Then the time you left me in the car when you got arrested and I ended up having to call a friend.

Because you took a selfie with the cop looking in the car window then laughed about it. He got really p.i.s.sed off and Im the guy who got hauled in.

Yeah and left me there in the middle of the night with no way to get home.

So are we going to go through every little mistake Ive made or would you like to go out? Ive got something you might like.

Im not doing tequila shots again.

Not that, look remember my friends Dermot and Casey?

The guy who was murdered?

Yeah, Im staying in their home, I just thought you might like to see it, youre sort of into all that decorating stuff and its an 1890s Victorian place. A lot of fancy woodwork, stained gla.s.s, antiques and that kind of junk. I figured you might find it interesting. Theyve got all sorts of s.h.i.t.