Hit Man - Lawrence Block [104]
“All those years, and she thinks stamps and coins amount to the same thing. Well, what are you going to do, do you know what I mean?”
“Perfectly.”
“Other hand, where would we be without ’em? Women, I mean. Or coins, for that matter, but—” He brought himself up short. “Enough of that. What can I do for you?”
“I’m in town on business,” Keller said, “and I’ve got a little time to spare, and I thought I could look at some stamps.”
“I’d say you came to the right place. What do you collect, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Worldwide. Before 1952.”
“Oh, the good stuff,” Hildebrand said, with what sounded like appreciation and respect. “The classics. Well, I’ve got plenty of stuff for you to look at. Any particular countries you’d like to see?”
“How about Austria? That’s one of the checklists I happen to have with me.”
“Austria,” said Hildebrand. “You have a seat right here, why don’t you? I’ve got a nice stock, mint and used. Including some of those early semipostals that get tougher to find every time you look for them. Do they have to be Never Hinged?”
“No,” Keller said. “I hinge my stamps.”
“Man after my own heart. You just make yourself comfortable. Here’s a pair of tongs you can use, unless you brought your own?”
“I didn’t think to pack them.”
“What some folks do,” Hildebrand said, “is keep an extra pair in their suitcase, and that way they’ve always got tongs with ’em. Here’s a stock book—Austria—and here’s a box of glassines, also Austria. Enjoy yourself, and just give a holler if I can help you with anything.”
“Mr. Wickwire? My name is Sue Ellen? Sue Ellen Bates?”
“Yes?”
“I guess you don’t remember. In the restaurant? I brought you your cocktails, and you smiled at me?”
“Rings a bell,” Wickwire said.
“I said how I knew all along you were innocent, and next time I came to the table you gave me a slip of paper? With your name and number on it?”
“I did, did I? When was this, Sue Ellen?”
“Oh, it was a while ago. It took me this long to get up my courage, and then I was out of town for a while. I just got back, I’m staying at a motel until I get my own place.”
“Is that a fact?”
“And now you don’t even remember me. Shoot, I knew I should of called earlier!”
“Who says I don’t remember you? Refresh my memory, girl. What-all do you look like?”
“Well, I’m blond.”
“You know, I kind of thought you might be.”
“And I’m slim, except I’m what you call fullfigured.”
“I think I’m beginning to remember you, child.”
“And I’m twenty-four years old, and I stand five foot seven, and my eyes are blue.”
“Any tattoos or piercings I should know about?”
“No, I think they’re tacky. Plus my mom’d about kill me.”
“Well, you sound good enough to eat.”
“Why, Mr. Wickwire!”
“Just an expression. You know what’d be good? If I could meet you, that’d be the best way ever to refresh a man’s memory.”
“You want to meet me at a restaurant or something?”
“That’s a little public, Sue Ellen. And in my position . . .”
“Oh, I see what you mean.”
“Did you say you were staying at a motel, Sue Ellen? Where’s it at?”
“Hello, this is Sue Ellen Bates calling?”
“Come again?”
“My name is like Sue Ellen Bates? I’m blond, and my eyes are like blue?”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Dot said. “Keller, when are you going to grow up?”
“I’ve wondered that myself.”
“You’re using one of those telephone voice-changers, and I wish to God you’d disconnect it. You sound like a girl, and a stupid one at that.”
“I don’t know how you can say such a thing?”
“It’s making every sentence sound like a question that does it,” she said. “That’s a nice touch, I’ve got to give you that. It makes you sound just like one of those teenage morons at the mall who can’t remember where she parked her mother’s car.”
“Well,” Keller said, “he likes me.”
“Who? Oh, I get it.”
“I’m meeting him the day after tomorrow. At my place.”
“Not until then?”
“It’s tough for him to get away.”
“It’s going to get even tougher. Well, at least you’re in a town with plenty to do. You shouldn’t have trouble amusing yourself for the next couple of days.”
“You’re right about that,