Free La Brava (1983) by Elmore Leonard Page B

didn't say we were more than that."
    "Military Park, Melbourne, Hopkins, Shares, Palm Bay, Malabar," Maurice said, coming out of the bathroom, "Valkaria, Grant, Micco, Roseland, Sebastian... Comfort stop. Who's ready for another drink?... Nobody?"
    Jean Shaw said, "Maury, why didn't you tell me about the guy last night, looking for me? Richard Nobles."
    "What guy?"
    "He didn't see him," LaBrava said. "Maurice was with you the whole time."
    "Did he get rough? Threaten to punch anybody?"
    "Well, the girl in charge called the police... He calmed down. No, I just wondered if you were the one he came to get. I had a feeling."
    "What guy?"
    "Maury, sit down, rest your engine," Jean Shaw said. "We're talking about someone I met a few months ago, a security cop in Boca."
    Maurice said, "You're going with a security cop now?" He eased into the La-Z-Boy, his body stiff; he seemed swallowed by the chair's contour, laid his head on his shoulder to look at Jean past his pointy shoes. "What happened to the bartender and the guy works at Hialeah?"
    "I'm not going with anyone. I met him, I was nice to him... I mean I didn't tell him to get lost. But that might've been a mistake." She glanced at LaBrava.
    Maurice said, "Wait a minute. How do you know this guy?"
    "He works for the security service the building hired. I happened to meet him one night. I was out taking a walk. He was making his rounds." Choosing her words with care. "We started talking..."
    Maurice said, "Yeah?" Sounding suspicious.
    "You have to understand, first of all," Jean Shaw said, "he has a way about him. Very friendly, comes on with a certain country-boy charm. If you know the type I mean."
    "Looks up at the condos with his mouth open," Maurice said, "scratching his ass."
    "He looks you right in the eye, and he grins," Jean Shaw said. "He grins quite a lot. And he stands right on top of you when you're talking. He comes on like he's trying to be friendly, a nice guy, you know? But there's something intimidating about him. He's a little scary."
    Maurice said, "I never saw the guy in my life I can tell you what his game is, Christ."
    LaBrava listened.
    "All the rich broads that live down here, lonely, don't know what to do with themselves..."
    "Thanks a lot," Jean said.
    "Not you. But even you, you gotta be careful."
    "The ladies in the building think he's cute."
    "Yeah? You think he's cute?"
    "In a way, I suppose. He's attractive... He's awfully big though."
    LaBrava did not think Nobles was cute in any way, by any supposition or measurement. He believed Nobles was dangerous, that you could look at him funny and set him off. But he said nothing. He listened.
    "They come in all shapes and sizes looking for a score," Maurice said. "Find 'em in all the classier lounges."
    Jean Shaw said, "Maury, I think I can spot a snake faster than you can. Don't worry about it."
    "Then what're we talking about?"
    "I haven't said this guy's out for anything in particular." She paused. "Other than what they're usually out for."
    LaBrava saw her eyes come to him and hold for a moment as she sipped her drink. A familiar look from long ago, the calm dark eyes. A screen gesture... Or was it real?
    "So what's his game?" Maurice said.
    "He's a little too... familiar. That's all."
    "He call you? Want to go out?"
    "I did meet him a couple of times. Just for a drink."
    "Jesus Christ," Maurice said.
    "I didn't encourage him, I was being friendly. I'm not a snob."
    "I'll tell you something," Maurice said. "At times you're not very smart either. Guys you get mixed up with."
    She said, "Let's keep it simple, all right? I've never had trouble dealing with men, because I don't play games with them. I'm not a tease."
    LaBrava listened. He didn't like the sound of "dealing with men." For a moment, thinking of her with other men, he was uncomfortable.
    "But you happen to let this guy get too close," Maurice said. "That why you called me last week? You tell me you have a problem, then you don't want to talk