Free You Make Me Feel So Dead by Robert Randisi Page B

said, ‘I want somethin’ to eat. Gettin’ grilled makes me hungry.’ He had no idea he’d made a joke.
    â€˜OK,’ I said. ‘We can get something downstairs.’
    â€˜I wanna take a quick shower and change first.’
    â€˜Take your time,’ I said. ‘I’ll make a call.’
    â€˜To the Dick?’
    â€˜Yeah.’
    â€˜Know what you’re gonna tell ’im yet?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Good luck.’
    He went into the bedroom and in moments I heard the shower running. I sat on the sofa, moved the phone from the end table to the coffee table, and dialed Danny’s number.
    â€˜Eddie,’ he said when he realized it was me, ‘you got somethin’ for me?’
    â€˜I’ve got some things,’ I said, ‘but I don’t know how much to tell you.’
    â€˜What?’ he said. ‘Why wouldn’t you tell me everything you’ve found out, Eddie?’
    â€˜I guess I should,’ I said, ‘but not right now, Danny. Let’s have breakfast tomorrow.’
    â€˜Did something happen?’ he asked. ‘Is Penny OK?’
    â€˜Penny’s fine,’ I said.
    â€˜Then what’s goin’ on?’
    â€˜Danny—’
    â€˜Never mind breakfast,’ he said. ‘I’m comin’ over there – as soon as you tell me where you are. Where are you? The Sands?’
    â€˜Yeah,’ I said. ‘OK, look, Jerry and I will be in the Garden Room. Meet us there.’
    â€˜OK,’ he said. ‘I’m on my way.’
    â€˜See you soon.’
    I hung up and jumped when Jerry came into the room.
    â€˜That was a quick shower,’ I said.
    â€˜That’s what I said it was gonna be, Mr G.,’ he said. ‘Who you gonna see soon?’
    â€˜Danny,’ I said. ‘He’s gonna meet us downstairs.’
    â€˜You gonna tell him now?’
    â€˜I couldn’t put him off,’ I said, ‘and you’re right. He deserves to know everything.’
    â€˜I like bein’ right.’
    â€˜Yeah, well,’ I said, ‘don’t make a habit of it. You ready?’
    â€˜Ready and hungry.’
    â€˜Yeah,’ I said, surprising myself, ‘me, too.’

TWENTY-THREE
    J erry and I had plates in front of us when Danny showed up.
    â€˜I’ll have the same,’ he told the waitress, as he took a chair at the table. Sitting in a booth with Jerry was just too confining. I didn’t have much of a choice at the Horseshoe, but the Garden Room had tables as well as booths.
    He flipped over the cup on the table in front of him and poured some coffee from the pot next to it.
    â€˜OK, guys,’ he said, ‘what’s up?’
    â€˜Danny,’ I said, ‘Penny’s OK, but she could end up in trouble.’
    â€˜What kind of trouble?’ he asked. ‘Was she seein’ somebody?’
    â€˜There was an old boyfriend,’ I said, ‘but she wasn’t seein’ him. Not the way you think.’
    â€˜Then what?’ he asked. ‘In what way was she seein’ him? Who is he?’
    â€˜OK,’ I said, ‘I know this’ll be hard for you, but just relax and listen.’
    I explained about Penny’s old boyfriend showing up, and the demands he was making on her. Then I told him about Jerry following her, and about the boyfriend being found dead. Finally, Jerry’s arrest while Penny had gone home and stayed there. During that time the waitress brought Danny his food. Jerry attacked, I picked and Danny just kind of played with his.
    â€˜I’m sorry you got nabbed, big guy,’ he said, ‘but thanks for coverin’ for her.’
    â€˜Forget it,’ Jerry said. ‘They had nothin’ on me.’
    â€˜OK,’ Danny said to me. ‘I listened. Why didn’t she come
to me?’
    â€˜She said if she told you about Reynolds you would’ve killed him.’
    â€˜I probably