The Lessons We Learn by Liz Milliron

The Lessons We Learn by Liz Milliron

Author:Liz Milliron [Liz Milliron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2022-01-23T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter Twenty-Four

Sam let go of my hand once we were outside. He holstered his gun, which he’d retrieved from the doorman. “For God’s sake, Betty. Warn me next time.” He put on his fedora and tugged down the brim.

“Sorry, it sorta came over me.” I tapped out a Lucky and lit it. My hand shook a bit. Had I just challenged a major player in the Buffalo numbers racket? “I wanted to see his reaction. Are you mad?”

“That’s not it. When you work with a partner, you have to coordinate.” He glanced back at the door. “It was a good play. But for a moment, I thought he was going to have his goons take us out back.”

“The thought crossed my mind.” I blew out a long stream of smoke. “You didn’t stop to question Frances.”

“It would have been a waste of time.” He walked down Abbott toward his car. “She wouldn’t say anything with her sugar-daddy sitting ten feet away.”

“But Mr. Thomas’s crack about fingers. He wasn’t just talkin’ about money, was he?”

“If Frances wasn’t the woman on the docks that night, I’m a monkey’s uncle.” He opened the car door for me. “I’ll take you home. Your folks will want you back for dinner.”

“Don’t bother. They know I’ll be out late tonight. I cleared it with Pop.” I got in and wished I could tie myself to the seat.

Sam followed and started the car. “Then how about we get some grub? My treat.”

Hopefully, his driving would be better when we weren’t racing to question a suspect. “I never pass up free food.”

The diner was also on Abbott, but a couple blocks away, down toward Ridge Road. It was clean and well-lit, with a delicious smell of fresh apple pie mingling with the fried grease coming from the grill. As usual, Sam grabbed an empty booth near the back, where he could watch all the comings and goings. He handed me a menu. “I highly recommend the meatloaf.”

I ran my gaze down the listings. Holy smokes. Did Sam eat like this all the time? “I just need a fried baloney sandwich and a glass of water.”

Sam stared, then cracked a grin. “If you’re going to be a professional, you need to keep up your energy. How long has it been since you ate lunch?”

Had I eaten at noon? My stomach rumbled, reminding me I had not.

He must have heard the noise, ’cause his smile widened. “I thought so. Get the meatloaf, potatoes, and gravy, with a slice of apple pie for dessert. This one’s on me.”

“Sam, I can’t.”

He waved me off. “If you’re half as successful as I think you’re going to be at this job, you’ll be paying me back before you know it.”

We placed our orders with a gum-snapping waitress. I added a Coke to mine, instead of the water. After she left, I took out my notebook. “We need to figure out how to question Frances on her own. You’re right, I don’t think we’ll get anything outta her in front of Mr.



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