Chat - Archer Mayor [41]
Benny palmed it and slipped it into his pocket. “Thanks.”
“No sweat. You help me; I help you. Tell me about the bald man.”
“Not much to tell. He came in one night about a week ago and paid cash for a room. One night.”
“Any car or luggage?”
“An overnight bag. Small. He told me he came in on the bus, so no car.”
“How many key cards did he ask for?”
Benny smiled slightly. “Two. That happens a lot.”
“Did you ever see the other party?”
Benny shook his head. “Nope. And that was it. I took the money, had him fill out the form, and gave him the keys. Never saw him again till that picture was in the paper.”
“What was his name?”
“I don’t remember.” His eyes widened at Willy’s instantaneous reaction. “Honest,” he added urgently.
Willy softened his expression again. “He say where that bus came from?”
“No.”
Willy kept his voice conversational. “Why didn’t you call us?”
Benny looked embarrassed. “I was going to. That’s what I told Scott when he said we could get paid for it.”
“You know he’s a schmuck, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m sorry.”
Willy shook it off. “Don’t worry about it. Tell me your full name, your date of birth, where you live, and your phone number.”
Benny did as he was told, Willy listened intently, memorizing the details until he could write them down later—a trick he’d developed from not always having a free hand.
“Okay. You wait here while I have a few words with Scott. You did good, by the way. Next time come to me direct. You can still get paid and you don’t have to get fouled up. Right?”
“Yes, sir.”
Willy left him there and tramped back to the car, leaning once more into Scott’s face. “Twenty out of the fifty you’re screwin’ me for?”
Scott grimaced. “I’m just trying to make ends meet.”
“And he’s not?”
“He’s got a job,” Scott complained.
Willy pulled the money out of his pocket and dropped it on the other man’s lap. “Fifty-fifty. Be a man. I take care of you for doing nothing. You take care of him for making you twenty-five bucks. Plus, I don’t tell him you were about to fuck him over.”
Scott opened his mouth to protest, but Willy silenced him with a quickly raised hand. “You did tell him you’d split even money, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” Scott admitted sullenly.
Willy straightened, still looking down at him. “Then do the right thing, like I said. For once in your life.”
Scott nodded, already leafing through the bills, dividing them.
Willy whistled at Benny and gestured him over. “We’ll probably be back in touch, Mr. Grosbeak. Don’t go on any trips without letting me know, okay?”
Benny nodded and got back into the car.
Willy stepped back, his hand still holding Scott’s door open. “Twenty-five bucks for each of you—not too bad. Don’t forget your seat belts.”
Scott gave him a sour look as he started the engine. “Yeah—whatever.”
Willy laughed and let them drive off.
CanadaBoi: so who’s all home with you right now ?
Becky: younger step brother
CanadaBoi: oh wheres ur parents ?
Becky: working
CanadaBoi: and your stuck babysitting
CanadaBoi: that must suck
Becky: only until 5
CanadaBoi: what time is it now ?
Becky: 415
CanadaBoi: oh its 3:17 here
Becky: were r u again
CanadaBoi: im in canada
Becky: i thought u were in california
CanadaBoi: oh no
Becky: how far is that from vt
CanadaBoi: to far if ya ask me
Becky: lol
CanadaBoi: sarah baby what are you wearing right now
Becky: clothes
Becky: lol
CanadaBoi: lol
CanadaBoi: im wearing black silk boxers and a rad shirt
CanadaBoi: red**
Becky: i got to run bye
CanadaBoi: ok
Becky: chat later
CanadaBoi: im gonna add you
Becky: k
CanadaBoi: later baby
Chapter 10
Barrie McNeil looked as if Rob Barrows had just spoken in Chinese. “What?”
“This is a search warrant,” Rob repeated, shouldering him out of the way to enter the garage and allow access to Joe and four more deputies. “Look, it’s not really your problem. This is your copy. Call the boss or whatever lawyer you have on tap. They’ll know what it is. Meantime, we’ll get to work.” Barrows paused to add, “Unless