Swann's Last Song by Charles Salzberg

Author:Charles Salzberg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Down & Out Books

MEXICO 3

Montezuma’s Revenge

Before being sent to my room for the night, I asked to make one phone call. I told Egeleise I wanted to check in with my family. I don’t know why I lied, I just did. Sometimes I do that, just to keep in practice. Lies are part of my business—sometimes, you have to lie a little to get to the truth, whatever the hell that is.

I was directed to the upstairs phone, where I was assured I’d have privacy. I didn’t believe him. I lied, why couldn’t he? But it didn’t matter. I called Sally Janus. The first question out of her mouth was, “Where are you?”

“Outside Acapulco.”

“Enjoying yourself, I hope.”

“Hardly.”

“Well, I hate to mention this, Swann, but the meter is running, even as we speak.”

“Want to call it off?”

“Not if you’re making progress.”

“I guess you could call it that.”

“Tell me something.”

“Your husband was down here, all right. For some time, as a matter of fact. I could tell more, but now is not the time. How do you feel about rock and roll?”

“I’m sure that’s supposed to mean something, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what.”

“Ever hear of a group called ‘Jason and the Argonauts?’”

“No. Why?

“They were very big.”

“When, for God sakes?”

“Early eighties.”

“I was listening to disco.”

“Who wasn’t? Ever hear of a song called, ‘Stomp Out the Fires of My Heart?’”

“Could you hum a bar or two?”

“Very funny.”

“Why are you asking?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you. You know, to change the subject, I was sitting here thinking to myself, ‘Swann, what are you doing here? Why are you in a strange country trying to piece together a man’s life, a man you never even knew, a man that maybe no one ever really knew? Are you some kind of kinky biographer?’ This is what I’ve been asking myself, because tomorrow morning I’m about to take a trip into the great unknown. I want some reassurance. I want to know why I’m here and not someplace else. Can you help me with this?”

She was silent. I tapped nervously on a table in front of me. Finally, she answered. “You’re doing this because I’m paying you. I don’t want you to get hurt, Swann, I really don’t, but if you’re as close as you think, then keep in mind the money. It’s not an inconsiderable amount. There might even be a bonus in it for you.”

Ah, money. The duck had descended and that was the secret word. Looking around, I couldn’t help but get a taste of what the secret word could buy. I was impressed, but the truth was, and I certainly wouldn’t tell her this, I would have stayed on the case no matter what. Now, it was more than a matter of money; it was wanting to finish something I’d started, and it was wanting to put the world back in order by finding Harry Janus’s killer. But that wasn’t something I wanted her to know. Instead, let her think that I was motivated solely by cold, hard cash.

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