Two-Trick Pony (The Drifter Detective Book 8) by Elliott Garnett

Author:Elliott, Garnett [Elliott, Garnett]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General
Publisher: BEAT to a PULP
Published: 2016-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

"When you're in America," Jack said, daubing at his stained shirt with a cocktail napkin, "you're supposed to fight American. Did you see how that little guy threw me?" Bernie had found them a quiet spot in the club's coatroom. Over cups of black coffee, they were setting up chess pieces on an old enameled board. A couple pawns were missing, so they had to substitute pennies.

"Jujutsu," Bernie said. "Our man probably served in the Pacific Theater."

Jack messaged his sore shoulder. "Well, it isn't fair. And what's Dix Stricklin doing here, anyway?"

"His new girlfriend's dancing tonight, so he brought his entourage over for poker."

"His girlfriend wouldn't happen to be Siti Exotique, would it?"

Bernie's deadpan told him it was.

"He had a doctor there, too. Tall drink of water in a gray suit."

"Doctor Kind. Dix's got some health problems, but everyone's hush-hush about it. Whole thing's pretty hush-hush, so don't go blabbing this around, okay? The Carousel likes to keep things private."

"Don't worry." Jack finished straightening his back row pieces.

"Anyways, their hotel is across the street. The Adolphus. Pretty swanky, so Dix must still have some money left. You'd figure all the divorces would've cleaned him out by now."

"Or the lawsuits," Jack said. During his heyday, Dix couldn't seem to keep his hands off underage southern belles. "I think that was one of his ex-wives who tried to rush the stage."

Bernie whistled. "She sure had a hard-on for Siti. The guy, too."

Jack kept his face still. "You know much about her? Siti, I mean."

"Not much. She's got a contract with us and the Montmartre. Circuit dancer. Wouldn't mind finding her under the duvet, I'll tell you that."

Jack opted not to enlighten him. Rosie/Siti must've fallen on hard times if she'd gone back to dancing. "Any particular reason Dix would be stomping around Dallas? I always thought he was the Nashville type."

"Washed up stars got to drink somewhere, I guess." He waved at the board with a flourish. "All set. I'm going to let you go first, seeing as how you're in a compromised state."

"Go to hell, Bernie."

"Already have," he said, cheerful. "It's in the South Pacific."

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.