Brown's Requiem - James Ellroy [39]
“First, some questions. Have there been any strange occurrences lately around your house? Strange phone calls? Someone calling, then hanging up when you answer? Any prowlers?”
“Nothing like that, but there has been something evil going on in the neighborhood, though I never connected it with Freddy. About a month ago there was a rash of animal poisonings. Someone was tossing poisoned hamburger into back yards. Four or five dogs and cats ate it and died. Our gardener’s dog ate some and got very sick, but lived. We called the police but nothing came of it. Do you think it could have been Freddy?”
“Maybe. Did your brother ever mention specifically where in Mexico he wanted to settle down?”
“Yes. Somewhere near Tijuana or Ensenada. Baja California. Not the real Mexico.”
“Did he ever mention a rich and powerful man that he was going to team up with? Maybe work for?”
“Yes. In his letters he was always mentioning a rich man who shared his anti-Semitic views. He was going to be this man’s partner. I put if off as pure fantasy.”
“Have you saved any of these letters?”
“I might be able to dig a few of them out of my wastebasket, if it hasn’t been emptied.”
“Will you try to find them for me?”
Jane put out her cigarette on the ground. “Yes,” she said.
“Good. I have to see Kupferman as soon as possible. Will you arrange a meeting?”
Jane was already shaking her head “no” vehemently. “That’s impossible, absolutely impossible, I can’t have him worried about what you’ve told me, at least not yet. The loss of the warehouse has worried him terribly. He’s not a young man, and he had a heart attack once. I’m afraid all of this will only …”
“It’s for his own safety. I just want to see if he can tie a few things together for me.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t allow it. Please back off on this for now. Sol has a bodyguard with him now, keeping watch on him and the house. I’m sure we’ll both be safe.”
It was a big setback, but I decided not to press the issue. I changed the subject slightly. “Has the fire hurt Sol financially?”
“Not terribly. His insurance covered everything. He’s still a very wealthy man. He has lots of other holdings, stocks and real estate. But the fire has hurt him emotionally. He loved his business and his customers and the people who worked for him. It will take a year to get it set up again. Sol is such a conscientious man. He cares so deeply. What a mess!”
We were silent for a few moments. Jane fingered the rich wood of her cello. “How do you feel, Jane?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. I believe what you’ve told me, but another part of me is standing outside of it all, saying it can’t be happening. Do you think Freddy is in Los Angeles?”
“No, I think he’s run to Mexico. I’m going down there in a day or so to bring him back.”
“Be careful.”
“I will be. Look, what are your plans for the next few days?”
“I don’t know. Practice, of course. Keep an eye on Sol, see that he doesn’t fret too much about the insurance negotiations. I know he’ll be spending lots of time with the claims people. Why?”
“I don’t know, I was just thinking aloud. Would you like to go to the Hollywood Bowl tonight? I’ve got a box of four seats, practically right on stage. It might help keep your mind off this. It’s the Brahms First Symphony and Violin Concerto with Perlman. What do you think?”
“Are you asking me for a date?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I don’t know.”
I fished the photostat of my P.I.’s license out of my billfold and handed it to Jane. “See,” I said, “the State Department of Vocational Standards says I’m a good guy, and if you want to check me out for a reference you can call Lieutenant Arthur Holland of the L.A.P.D. at the Wilshire Station. He’ll tell you I’m a sterling character. What do you say?”
Jane Baker sighed and smiled. “All right, Fritz. You’ve convinced me.”
“Great. We can