The Secrets of Harry Bright (1985) by Wambaugh Joseph

Author:Wambaugh, Joseph [Joseph, Wambaugh,]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-12-23T23:20:57.609000+00:00

Chapter 11

GARGOYLES

BY THE TIME THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE hotel Otto felt like he needed a pina colada and a soak in the spa and maybe a nap before contemplating the recent disaster.

"Sure was a beautiful place," Sidney Blackpool said, trying to make conversation.

"I don't wanna talk about golf."

"Otto, it was you that said I take golf too .. 77 "I don't wanna talk about it."

"It's only a game, Otto."

"Like firewalking's a game. Or playing chicken with Andrei Gromyko. Like a game of twenty questions in an Iranian jail."

"At least we met somebody."

"I like Archie fine. The people treated us nice. The country club's beautiful. Now pull over to the curb and park."

"What for?"

"I wanna toss my sticks down the sewer."

"So you were a slight failure at golf."

"Like Charlie Manson was a slight failure at parole."

"Wait till we get back and have a couple drinks. You'll feel different."

"I feel like a brain tumor. They should stick me in a jar for study by future generations."

Maybe you should get a massage."

"What's s the use. I probably couldn't even hit the massage table with my ass."

"Have it on the floor. Call a masseuse up to the suite.

"That don't sound like too bad an idea," Otto had to admit.

When they got back to the suite the message light on the phone was blinking, so Sidney Blackpool called the operator. The message was from Harlan Penrod.

"Probably wants another date tonight," Otto said. "He's more ready for adoption than Oliver Twist."

Harlan Penrod answered by saying, -Hell00000. The Watson residence. May I help you?"

"This is Sidney Blackpool, Harlan."

"My favorite sergeant since Gary Cooper!" Harlan twittered. "Do I have some news for you!"

"What is it?"

"I rummaged through all of Jack's things and found something stuck in a textbook with school papers and other junk. I don't imagine the police saw it."

"What was it?"

"A picture of Jack and a girl."

"So?"

"The background's a swimming pool here in Palm Springs! I recognize it because I used to have a friend who stayed there when he was in town. The reason I know that stupid pool is because one night we got in a fight and he tossed me in and I banged my head on the handrail that's in the picture. I lost all my clothes and a new pair of shoes and a wristwatch."

"Is that all? I mean, a picture of Jack in a hotel pool with a girl?"

"Well, isn't that something?" "Yeah, it's worth a look."

"Maybe she was some girl from college, maybe not. At least we can check it out."

"Okay, Harlan. You gonna be home this evening?"

"You bet!" Harlan cried. "Do I dress casual or do we try to fit in with the hotel guests? Lots of Vegas hotel workers use that place. Shall I go more for the dated disco king, or trash Vegas flash?"

"Use your own judgment," Sidney Blackpool said. "We'll be by in a couple a hours."

When he hung up, Sidney Blackpool said to Otto, "Can you put off the massage for a while? Harlan's got a picture of Jack Watson and a girl.

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