Max Trueblood and the Jersey Desperado by Teri White

Author:Teri White
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Head of Zeus Ltd

4

Max turned the Charlie Parker over and started the music again. The Bird could always relax him. He poured a Taddy Porter and sat at the table once more to finish cleaning and assembling the gun. He liked to get to know a weapon, even if it was only going to be used once. And when he bought a gun for a specific job, it was only used once.

When he heard the knock at the door, he carefully placed the gun into the case and shut it before going to see who it was. He opened the door and stood there, looking Jeremiah up and down. “Run into a wall, did you, Donahue?” he asked, trying not to feel a twinge of satisfaction as he took note of the bloody nose.

Jeremiah leaned against the wall. “I fucked up, Max. A couple of Costa’s boys spotted me, and they weren’t happy.” He wiped away some blood and looked at him. “Did I screw everything up, Max?”

“Get in here.” When he was inside, Max shut and locked the door. “No, I don’t think you blew it for us. My bet is, they didn’t suspect anything but just pummeled on you for the fun of it.”

“Some fun.”

“Depends on your taste.” Max took a closer look. “Didn’t I tell you to keep your goddamned right up?”

“I didn’t get the chance.”

“Too bad.” He went into the bathroom, stuck a towel under the cold water faucet, then squeezed out the excess water and walked back into the living room. “Sit down and wipe your face,” he said, handing the damp towel to Jeremiah.

Donahue slumped onto the couch and tried to clean away the blood. There wasn’t much that could be done for the shirt.

Max went into the kitchen for some aspirin and orange juice. “Swallow these. You’re going to be sore as hell in the morning.”

Jeremiah snorted. “Fuck the morning. I’m sore as hell now.”

Max used one hand to tip his head back and study the damage to his face. “You’ll be okay. Does it hurt to breathe?”

“No, but laughing is a real effort.”

Max smiled faintly. “You’ll do.”

“So we’re still a go for tomorrow?”

“Bright and early, sonny boy, bright and early. Which means you better get some sleep. The couch isn’t bad.” He went to get an extra blanket and pillow, tossing them down next to Jeremiah.

“Thanks.”

“Sweet dreams,” Max replied. “Charlie can be your lullaby.”

“Charlie?”

“Parker. That’s music, in case you didn’t recognize it.”

Jeremiah shrugged.

Max went into his bedroom. He undressed and sat on the bed for a last cigarette. Well, it was just about time. Pretty soon the world would know if Max Trueblood still had it or if he should go stake out a park bench someplace. Adopt a couple of pigeons.

Everything should go smoothly.

Of course, a lot depended on the wild card in the next room. Max wondered when the hell Donahue was going to make his move.

He crushed out the cigarette and stretched out on the bed. He was asleep almost immediately.

Jeremiah rolled over and read the clock by the moonlight.

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