Chapter 11
Come,” a voice responded.
Great! Come in. Come in,” Raymond Davies answered.
A soft light from an overhead fixture lit the room. There was a fire in the grate and a big desk angled away from it. A couple of chairs faced the front of the desk. The walls were hung with filled bookshelves. Davies stood behind the desk smiling.
Thank god you were there, Bill,” Davies exclaimed. “Get in here and have a drink with me.”
This room looks bigger in the light,” Keaton stated and smiled at Davies.
The light pushes everything farther away,” Davies answered. “I like that dark intimacy better. But I trip over the carpet sometimes,” he laughed.
Rye?”
Rye would be great,” Keaton answered as he moved towards the chair nearest.
Hobson, you heard the man. A bottle of rye and two glasses,” Davies ordered.
Yes, sir,” Hobson answered and left closing the door behind him.
Please, sit,” Davies motioned to the chair.
Hobson is bringing them,” Davies answered. “Should I call for a third glass?”
No!” Ruth answered. “You should call the police.” She pointed at Keaton. “He killed three people!”
And saved your life. I think that’s a good trade. I am giving him a bonus.” Davies snapped back. “What good was your ‘Tristan’?” Davies paused, “And they were LDs. You can’t kill the dead.”
That’s what he said,” Ruth answered. “That doesn’t make any sense. And Tristan was just fine. He was scared just like the rest of us.”
Apparently, Bill wasn’t scared.” Davies said.
If he wasn’t it was because he had a gun,” Ruth retorted.
Whatever,” Davies smiled. “LDs don’t have any legal standing,” he responded.
So they don’t deserve to exist?” Looking at Keaton she demanded, “So we should kill all the LDs then?” Ruth demanded’
Well...” Davies started.
No!” Ruth shouted and ran out of the study.
Youth is wasted on the young,” Davies stated. “Isn’t that what they say?” he asked Keaton as he waved him down to take a seat.
I don’t know,” Keaton answered as he sat down. “I would not want to be young again. There’ve been too many hard knocks getting this far to start over.”
Very good, sir,” Hobson answered.
What?” Davies exclaimed. “I was told they were Harlequins.”
They were,” Keaton answered. “Not all Harlequins are LD. It’s a gang. Having a variety in its membership helps it get around.”
Really,” Davies replied sipping at his rye. “How could you tell them apart?”
LDs move different,” Keaton told him then he leaned forward and refilled his glass.
Fascinating,” Davies commented shaking his head slightly. He looked at Keaton and said, “Your experience is why I want to have you on a retainer. Ruth needs watching over. Detectives take retainers don’t they?”
I have heard that about children,” Keaton said.
So, no kids?” Davies asked.
No kids,” Keaton answered. “Just lots of wives.”
Of course. I’m sorry,” Davies quickly said. “I wasn’t thinking about things from your view. I was only thinking about my daughter.” He pulled a phone from his jacket, called Hobson and told him to have the car brought around.
Phillip will be out front by the time we get there,” Davies said standing up from the desk. “Bill, I want to thank you again for saving Ruth from those ghouls.”
You’re welcome,” Keaton answered as he stood up. “I am glad I was of use.”
I’ll have to think up something,” Keaton said with a smile. “But I won’t take the job unless your daughter wants me.”
She will. She will. Don’t worry about it and don’t be frugal!” Davies laughed and they stepped out into the hall.
That crazy old man had a gun, Boss. He didn’t look like he was packing,” Tristan spurted out. “He just slid out of the car and started shooting. It was like a movie.”
A damn expensive one!” Davies added. He stood up. “Well. It is what is. We’ll start over again and not underestimate anyone next time.”
Yes, sir,” Tristan answered.
Are you hungry, boy?” Davies asked.
I am always hungry,” Tristan answered.
Get to the kitchen. Chef has dinner waiting for you.”
Thank you, sir,” Tristan answered and headed out the door.
Nothing good happens before midnight,” Phillip stated. “Thank you for being there tonight. I’m not sure what would have happened.”
Kidnapped, ransomed, tortured or killed,” Keaton offered with a smile.
Glad I could help,” Keaton answered.
Chapter 12
You don’t put up much of a front, do you?”
Honest PIs don’t make much money,” Keaton answered.
Old PIs don’t make much money either, Ms. Davies,” Keaton answered. He pointed at the dish of red hots and said, “Care for some red hots?”
I would love some,” Ruth answered and crossed to the desk. She took a handful of red hots and tossed a few into her mouth.
That’s a good idea,” Ruth said and tossed some more red hots into her mouth.
You wearing your gun?” Ruth asked.
Should I be?” Keaton asked. “No. It’s fairly safe in my office.”
And eaten,” Keaton added. “There are still roving bands of LDs out where they’re hard to find. Not everyone has a wealthy father like you, Ms. Davies. Poor people can’t afford to hire someone to guard their bodies.
Your father is rich. He owns Synthmeat. Which means he is the only one standing between LDs eating LAs fulltime again. Maybe those goons wanted money. Maybe they wanted a processing plant. Maybe all his plants.”
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Ruth, please call me Ruth,” Ruth said.
Okay, Ruth,” Keaton answered.
Will you forgive me for all I said last night and help me?”
I would love to, Ruth,” Keaton answered.
Eat more red hots,” Keaton offered.
Beside that they taste good. They keep my breath fresh,” Keaton answered.
You don’t go anywhere by yourself. Don’t make any long-range plans. Do everything spur of the moment. Don’t use any of your father’s cars. People will know them. I’m not sure you should even hire a car to go somewhere. Maybe you should call me, and I’ll hire a car,”
You can drive? Or are you hiring a driver too?” Ruth laughed.
Well, I used to drive,” Keaton answered. “I guess I still can. But I’ll get a driver too.”
Basically, you want me to stay in the house and hide,” Ruth said.
Unless I’m with you,” Keaton stated. “I’m the only one I trust.”
How do I know I can trust you?” Ruth asked.
You can’t,” Keaton replied. “But Hobson did invite me into the mess. So maybe I am still not tainted by whatever the money mess, powers that be plots there are against you. Not yet.”
May I have some more red hots?” Ruth asked.
Sure. Sorry. I get caught up in hearing my own voice,” Keaton stated. “I don’t get much company.”
Well, you are my constant companion now,” Ruth said. “Is that restaurant downstairs any good. Do they serve Mexican food?”
Only the best,” Keaton answered. He checked the time. “And if we hurry, we can beat the lunch rush.”
None for me,” Keaton answered.
No thank you,” Ruth added.
That was really great,” Ruth repeated to Keaton. “You eat here all the time?”
When I eat,” Keaton said.
You should weigh two hundred kilos,” Ruth replied. “I would if I ate here every day.”
I don’t eat every day,” Keaton responded.
Well, you might see me here whenever you do eat,” Ruth laughed. “Just don’t tell Chef about it. He gets jealous.”
He won’t hear it from me,” Keaton answered. “Let me get you a ride home.”
You’re not driving me after all that talk about ‘being able to drive?”’ Ruth questioned.
No, Paul,” Keaton said. “Can you call Rafie and have him meet us out front? I need him to drive Ms. Ruth home.”
Of course, sir.” Paul turned to Ruth and nodded, “Ms. Ruth, my pleasure. Rafael will be honored.” Paul hurried back to the kitchen.
Rafie is Paul’s nephew,” Keaton explained. “I helped put him away for a few years. He was a getaway driver then. He delivers flowers now. But he is still a hell of a good driver.”
Thank you, Paul,” Ruth smiled. “Thank you so much.”
What do I owe you, Paul?” Keaton asked.
Nothing Mr. Keaton. I told Cook what Ms. Ruth said about her meal and he said everything is PAID,” Paul laughed.
He’s never done that for me,” Keaton answered.
You are not as charming nor as beautiful as Ms. Ruth,” Paul answered.
Well, that’s true,” Keaton acknowledged.
Thank you, Paul,” Keaton said as he stood up. He pulled some money from his wallet and set it on the table. “Tell Cook, ‘Thank you’ and spread this around the kitchen.”
Thank you, Mr. Keaton.”
Yes, Ms. Ruth. Please come again,” Paul answered. As Ruth and Keaton left the table Keaton said, “I think Paul’s in love.”
Chapter 13
Timmy, good to see you!” Tristan grinned standing up. He checked his wristwatch. “Right on time, like always. Sit down, sit down,” Tristan said motioning to the metal chair. “How have you been?”
Fine, Mr. Martin. Just fine,” Timmy answered crossing over to the offered chair. Tristan did not offer to shake hands. Timmy sat down and so did Tristan.
Mr. Taylor, are we keeping you busy?” Tristan asked.
Just local runs, right?” Tristan asked.
Yeah, Ft. Worth is still local,” Tristan laughed.
Yes, sir! That sounds great,” Timmy responded.
And because it’s out of town and a full day’s driving you’ll get double time. How’s that sound?”
Super!” Timmy answered.
Yes, sir. It’s outside.”
Good. Leave it here,” Tristan explained leaning back into his chair. “There’s a van parked outside you can drive. It’s marked up as a plumber’s van.”
I’m not picking up any kids then?” Timmy asked.
No. No kids. At least I don’t think so,” Tristan answered. “All I know is you’re to pick up some people and bring them back here.”
Back to the plant?” Timmy asked.
Okay,” Timmy answered. “Got cha.”
It’s got one phone number in its memory. I have that phone in my pocket,” Tristan explained. “You get two calls. That’s it. You call me once when you have the load and you’re on your way back. Okay?’
Okay,” Timmy answered.
If you have a problem on the way to the pickup or on the way back, call me. But you can’t have two problems, Timmy,” Tristan stated. “After that second call, I toss my phone. Do you understand?”
Good. You are great to work with Timmy,” Tristan laughed.
Thank you, sir,” Timmy replied with a grin.
Yes, sir.”
If you open up Maps, there on that phone, there’s a location saved. That’s where you are going. Don’t look at it until you get to McKinney. Do you know how to get to McKinney?” Tristan asked.
Yes, sir. Just take 75 north,” Timmy replied.
Super!” Tristan answered. “You need to start out tomorrow morning at 7AM. Don’t want you driving strange highways in the dark.”
Thanks,” Timmy answered. “Strange roads or in the dark, it’s all good.”
Great,” Tristan answered. “Leave the bus’s keys behind the visor and I think we are good.”
Great,” Timmy said and stood up.
I look forward to talking with you tomorrow Mr. Taylor. Maybe even twice,” Tristan laughed. Then he added, “And Timmy, don’t wear the suit and tie, okay? Dress like a plumber.”
Yes, sir,” Timmy laughed. He turned and walked to the door.
Chapter 14
This is Escobar,” she answered. “How can I help you?”
I’ll make note of the number, Mr. Keaton. And I always have time to talk to a taxpayer,” she said. “Are you getting ready to shoot some more LDs?”
Not right now,” Keaton answered. “But I might tomorrow. You never know what’ll come up. Do you?”
No,” Keaton said. “I was wondering if you have anything on that Tristan Martin character?”
So, he’s a character?” Escobar asked. “Should I have something on him?”
He is, is he? How do you know this?” Escobar asked.
He has their tat on his right hand between his thumb and index finger,” Keaton stated.
I didn’t see a tattoo there,” Escobar answered. “And I looked. There’s nothing in his very skinny file about it.”
It’s small and he’s had it inked over. Get a good image and enlarge it,” Keaton instructed.
Okay, so what? He was in a gang and now he’s out,” Escobar said.
The Tong, the Mafia, the Crips, MS-13, the Harlequins. Gangs don’t let you out. They let you go invisible until they need you again. Tristan has just been invisible,” Keaton riposted. “Were those LDs I shot Harlequin?”
I am not at liberty to discuss an ongoing case,” Escobar answered.
Then what have we been doing?” Keaton asked.
Just passing the time away,” Escobar answered. “You got anything else for me?
No, Detective,” Keaton replied. “Just trying to do my civic duty.”
Well, thank you for the hot tip, Mr. Keaton. Please leave the policing to the professionals. Goodbye, Mr. Keaton,” Escobar said.
Chapter 15
This the right place ma’am?” Rafie asked looking over his shoulder to the backseat.
Yes, Rafael. This is where I live,” Ruth answered. “Home, sweet home,” she laughed.
I should have brought the Caddie,” Rafie explained. “I thought they wanted some speed. You needed ‘Classy.’”
This is perfect, Rafael. Don’t worry,” Ruth answered. She leaned forward and said, “Stop there where that angry man is.”
He looks like a bad dude, Miss. I have a gun.”
He don’t look like no cupcake to me,” Rafie answered. “He don’t look like a ‘driver’ neither.”
Paul said, ‘free.’ So it’s free,” Rafie replied.
Can’t I give you something for your time?” Ruth asked.
You mean a race?” Ruth asked.
Yes, Miss.”
I’ll see what I can do,” Ruth laughed as Phillip got to the car.
Are you okay, Ms. Ruth?” he asked.
You got my number, Miss. Whenever you need a ride,” Rafie said to Phillip.
Yes. Thank you, Rafael,” Ruth said with a grin in Phillip’s direction. She stepped away from the Camry and Phillip slammed the rear door closed.
What are you doing riding with that kid, Ms. Ruth?” he asked. “You know it’s dangerous for you. You shouldn’t have sent me home. You should have called me.”
Yes, Ms. Everything is fine,” Phillip answered.
I believe he’s in the house,” Phillip answered.
It’s open,” Tristan called out.
I am so sorry,” Ruth repeated. “Please forgive me.”
You’re forgiven,” he said. “Just don’t ever ask me to go to another rugger game with you.”
You look like you’re going to a funeral,” Tristan said.
I’ve been to see that terrible Keaton man. He didn’t even notice I was dressed in mourning,” Ruth stated.
Maybe he just thought you were beautiful,” Tristan said moving a step back out of Ruth’s hug.
NO. He just thought I should stay away from you and Phillip. He doesn’t trust anyone,” Ruth said. “I don’t know why he thinks I should trust him.”
Don’t listen to him,” Tristan said. “After all, you are talking to me against his instructions.” Tristan laughed.
Maybe you can do something to help the LDs,” Tristan suggested.
That’s a great idea,” Ruth answered. “What can I do?”
Well, I don’t know. But we could reach out and find some activist in that area. Your father does pull some weight around town.”
Maybe we can drive around and meet some LDs. See how they live,” Ruth offered.
There you go. That’s a great place to start,” Tristan chimed in. “We can take my car and then we won’t have Phillip tagging along.”
Yes,” Ruth smiled. “Let’s do that. Do you have time to set up something?”
I’ll make time,” Tristan answered.