It Was a Very Bad Year by Robert J. Randisi

Author:Robert J. Randisi [Randisi, Robert J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
Published: 2012-07-12T04:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-SEVEN

I went to my room and called Jerry. He didn’t answer. Damn, if I was going to use him as back-up he’d have to catch a plane fast. I’d need to talk to Frank about what was bound to be a heavy airfare on account of the short notice. I was sure he’d cover it.

Since Jack had brought up Jerry I realized I’d automatically agreed to make the drop for Frank without even considering what I was agreeing to. Drops of this kind don’t always go smoothly. The kidnappers could kill me and take the money. I needed somebody to back me up and keep me alive, and if it couldn’t be Danny, it had to be Jerry. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else.

I decided to go ahead to Frank’s room and see what was happening. I’d try Jerry again.

I walked down the hall under the scrutiny of the two FBI men. I wondered how long it was going to take for the kidnappers to call Frank and make their demand. Where was Frankie being held and how was he doing? And I wondered who would be crazy enough to do this, because there was no way Frank would rest until he found them, regardless of whether or not Frankie was returned.

‘They’re all in there,’ one of the men said, as he opened the door for me.

‘Thanks.’

As I entered, Frank was saying, ‘. . . don’t feel like it, right now.’

‘Frank,’ Mickey Rudin said, ‘you’ve got to eat something. You’re not gonna do Frankie any good if you pass out from hunger.’

Frank, still seated on the bed by the phone, said, ‘Yeah, OK. Have them bring up a table and spaghetti for four. My friends are gonna eat with me.’

‘Your friends?’ Rudin asked.

‘Jack, Eddie and Jilly,’ Frank said, ‘The rest of you can fend for yourselves.’

The lawyer, who probably considered himself a friend of Frank’s, looked a little wounded, but he said, ‘OK, I’ll take care of it.’

‘I’m going to make a few calls,’ the DA said. ‘I’ll check in with you later. If you get a call—’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Frank said, ‘the FBI’s right outside the door. I get it.’

Raggio, Rudin and the FBI left the room. I heard Jack go to the door with them and whisper, ‘Make sure there’s meatballs.’

When the door closed, Jilly asked Frank, ‘You want a drink, Frank?’

‘No, I don’t want no booze,’ Frank said. ‘I gotta keep a clear head.’

‘Frank, whatever they ask for,’ Jack said, ‘no matter how much, the Sands will front it.’

‘I appreciate that Jack,’ Frank said, ‘but I got it covered.’

‘Frank,’ I said, ‘I’d like to talk to you about Jerry.’

‘Who?’

‘Jerry Epstein?’

He frowned at me, almost annoyed, then his face brightened and he said, ‘The Brooklyn kid?’

‘That’s right. I think I’ll need him, to back me up on this drop.’

‘No problem. Use him.’

‘I’ll need to get him here – or wherever the drop is supposed to be.’

‘Once we get the call and find out, I’ll have my plane pick him up.

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