Free Playmates by Robert B. Parker Page B

was a rusty-colored marble counter and four booths by the big front window. The place looked as if it had originally been built to be a variety store and been converted, home style, by either B or D or maybe both.
    Gerry was in his booth, farthest from the door by the window. There was a thick guy with curly black hair sitting opposite him with his overcoat on.
    The first time I met Gerry he was still an undergraduate, selling coke and blackmailing women when he wasn't studying for midterms. Now he was about twenty-seven and looked younger. He had a soft face and a limp black mustache. He'd put on some weight, none of it sinew, and he hadn't adjusted his wardrobe, so that while he wore very expensive clothes they were a little tight everywhere.
    He spotted us when we came in and said something to the man across from him. The man across from him put one hand inside his coat as he turned and looked at us over his shoulder.
    "What do you want, creep?" Gerry said.
    "Gee, Gerry," I said, "getting porky hasn't improved your style any, has it?"
    The man across from him had twisted himself around in the booth with one leg resting in the seat, so that he was fully facing us. Hawk stepped up to the counter and ordered two coffees.
    "The gentleman there wants it on his tab," Hawk said. The counter woman nodded and shuffled after the coffee.
    "I asked you a question," Gerry said.
    "Commendable," I said. "So many people these days are always talking me, me, me, but you've developed listening skills. You're a sensitive guy, Ger."
    Hawk came over with a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup. I took it and had a small sip. Hawk went back and sat on a stool at the counter and leaned one elbow on the counter and watched.
    "Love a Styrofoam cup, don't you, Ger?"
    "Spenser, I know you think you're a fucking scream, but I don't, and I'm a busy man. You got something to say to me, say it. And get the fuck out of here."
    "I want to talk with you, Gerry. Unlike everybody else in the world."
    "Talk," Gerry said.
    "Tell your gunboat to beat it," I said. "It's just me and you."
    Gerry shrugged. He made a hand gesture at the counter.
    "Over there, Jojo," he said. "For a minute." Jojo slid out of the booth carefully, his hand still under his coat, his eyes flickering back and forth between me and Hawk. He took a stool beside Hawk.
    "How's it going," Hawk said pleasantly.
    Jojo shrugged. I slid into the booth across from Gerry.
    "Okay, what do you want?" Gerry said.
    "Bobby Deegan," I said.
    "Who's he?"
    It was a standard reaction for a guy like Gerry. If I'd said George Washington he'd have said the same thing. College hadn't helped Gerry all that much.
    "My question exactly," I said.
    "Why ask me?"
    "Because Bobby mentioned your name to my associate," I tipped my head toward Hawk, "and suggested you were a tight personal friend."
    Gerry raised both hands in front of him palm out.
    "Never heard of the guy," he said.
    "Bobby says he asked you to point him at a good hitter, and you sent him to Hawk." Gerry pushed out his lower lip and shook his head.
    "I was supposed to be the hittee," I said. There was a little movement in Gerry's eyes for a moment and then nothing.
    "Would I send a guy to Hawk if he wanted you hit?" Gerry said. "How stupid you think I am?"
    "Awful stupid," I said. "Bobby didn't tell you who he wanted hit."
    "Look, asshole," Gerry said. "I told you I don't know nothing about no Bobby Deegan. You unnerstand? Nothing."
    "Gerry," I said, "I've known you since you were a boy."
    "You're a pain in the ass. You been a pain in the ass to the old man and you're a pain in the ass to me. The old man let it slide. I don't know why. He does what he does. But I ain't going to let it slide. You hear me talking? You get in my way and you're going to sleep with the fishes." Gerry's voice was soft, but he leaned forward and his face was reddish-looking as he spoke.
    I turned toward the counter.
    "Hawk, you hear this conversation?" I said. Hawk shook his