Robert Randisi - It Was a Very Bad Year

Jerry drove us down the strip, past the marquees that announced Alan King was at the Riviera, Louie Prima was playing the Desert Inn. As we made the turn into the Sands I saw that Nat King Cole was at the Flamingo. The Sands’ marquee said ‘A Place in the Sun’ and announced Tony Bennett.

When we got out of the car Jerry said, ‘I’m gonna find Billy, and also go to my room for a shower. Let me know when you hear from the PI guy.’

‘I will.’

I went to my locker first and put the fresh clothes away. When I came back up I was walking through the lobby of the hotel when one of the girls behind the desk waved at me.

‘I’ve got some messages for you, Eddie,’ she said.

I didn’t remember her name, so I said, ‘Thanks, sweetie.’

She handed me the slips. She was new, a pretty brunette. I’d have to ask somebody her name, and then make a point of remembering it.

One slip was from Danny. It said he’d meet me in the Garden Room at noon. I checked my watch. It was just after ten.

The second message was from Barney Irwin, and only had a call back number on it. I could have gone to the desk to use the phone, but I decided to use a pay phone, instead. More privacy. I got into a booth, deposited a dime and dialed the number.

‘Irwin Studios.’

‘Barney? This is Eddie Gianelli.’

‘I got what you want, Gianelli,’ Irwin said, ‘but it’s gonna cost you.’

This was more like it.

‘I told you I’d pay,’ I said. ‘I’ll come and pick the photos up.’

‘Not here,’ Irwin said. ‘There’s a bar on Decatur called Clipper’s. Meet me there at six tonight.’

‘I’ll be there.’

‘Leave your big dog home,’ Irwin said, and hung up before I could respond.

I came out of the phone booth and walked smack dab into my boss, Jack Entratter.

‘There you are!’ he said. ‘I’ve been lookin’ for you.’

‘I’m early, Jack,’ I said. ‘My shift’s not till later.’

‘I mean I been lookin’ for you for days, Eddie,’ he said.

‘Yesterday was my day off.’

‘Always an excuse,’ he said. ‘Come up to my office with me.’

‘What’s it about?’

‘Let’s wait until we get upstairs.’

Obediently, I followed Entratter to the elevators, then to his office. When we walked in his girl was at her desk and gave me one of her looks of disdain. I had never gotten into it with her about why she disliked me. I guess it just wasn’t that important to me.

‘Close the door, Eddie.’

I closed it. Jack was behind his desk, so I went and sat across from him.

‘What’s up, Jack?’

‘I like to know what’s goin’ on in my place, Eddie.’

‘I know that.’

‘Your buddy Jerry Epstein is in town. In fact, he’s in this hotel.’

‘I know that, too.’

‘What’s he doin’ here?’

‘He brought his nephew to Vegas for his twenty-first birthday.’

‘What?’

I shrugged. ‘That’s it. It’s a family thing.’

‘What’s his nephew doin’?’

‘Playin’ craps,’ I said. ‘He’s got a system.’

Jack settled back in his chair. ‘God bless system players.’

‘I know, that’s what I told them. But he insists it’s gonna work.’

‘OK, so what’s Jerry gonna do while his nephew is gambling?’

‘Cousin,’ I corrected. Here was my chance to tell Jack what I was doing for Abby Dalton, except she didn’t want it to be generally known. Jack had always told me he wanted the guys to be happy when they were here. That usually meant Frank and Dino, but I extended it to mean Sammy and Joey, too. (Peter Lawford could fend for himself. I never liked Lawford, and now he was on the outs with Frank.)

‘I guess he’s gonna play the ponies and eat.’

‘That’s it?’

‘No,’ I said, ‘I’ll probably have some meals with him. After all, we’re friends.’

‘Yeah, well. . OK.’

‘That’s it?’

‘No,’ Entratter said, ‘I wanna talk to you about some of the new dealers. You got time?’

‘Sure, I got time, Jack,’ I said, even though I was chafing at the bit to get out of there and call Abby. ‘That’s my job.’

‘OK, then,’ he said. ‘You want coffee. I’ll have my girl bring it in.’

‘Yeah, but don’t tell her it’s for me,’ I said. ‘She’ll spit in it.’

‘She ain’t gonna spit in it, Eddie,’ he said. ‘She knows I gotta drink it, too.’

‘Yeah, well. .’

He buzzed her and said into the intercom, ‘Coffee, please, and two cups.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘OK, Eddie,’ Entratter said, ‘let’s talk about that kid — what’s his name. .?’

I spent an hour and a half with Entratter, and in that time I saved three jobs, and got two guys fired. Tough luck. As dealers, they sucked.

‘OK,’ Jack finally said, ‘that’s it, then.’

‘I’ll see you later, Jack. I got some things to do before my shift.’

I got up and headed for the door.

‘Eddie.’

‘Yeah?’ I turned at the door.

‘Keep an eye on your big buddy, huh? Trouble follows him.’

‘I don’t think that’s fair, Jack,’ I said. ‘But I’ll keep an eye on him.’

‘OK, thanks.’

He grabbed some papers from his desk as I went out the door. His girl and I avoided each other’s eyes as I walked out into the hall.

I took the elevator down to the lobby, then went over to the house phones.

I called Abby, who was very anxious to hear from me.

‘I saw Irwin yesterday, and have an appointment with him tonight to buy some photos.’

‘You mean. . the photos?’

‘I hope so,’ I said. ‘He didn’t mention specifics yesterday, or this morning when I spoke to him. I guess I’ll find out when I get there.’

‘I have some cash,’ she said. ‘I took it out of the bank after we spoke. Do you want to come up and get it?’

I almost said yes, then remembered Danny was waiting for me in the Garden Room.

‘Why don’t you meet me down here in the Garden Room at noon?’ I asked. ‘I want you to meet someone who’s helping us out.’

‘You told someone else?’ she asked.

‘Only someone I trust completely,’ I said. Now it struck me I better not tell her about Jerry. ‘Don’t worry.’

‘All right. I’ll meet you there.’

‘Good. I’ll see you in a little while.’

‘Thank you, Eddie.’

‘Thank me when we get this whole thing settled.’

‘I’m thanking you just for trying to help,’ she said.

‘You’re welcome, Abby. See you soon.’

I hung up, checked my watch. It was eleven forty-five. Just enough time for Abby to get herself together and come down.

I went directly to the Garden Room.

I got there first, grabbed a booth, had coffee waiting on the table by the time Danny got there at five minutes to noon.

‘Thanks,’ Danny said gratefully, when I filled a mug for him. He sat opposite me, with his back to the door.

‘Tried to call you a few times,’ I said.

‘Been out,’ Danny said. ‘I followed your man home last night, then had some work to do on another case.’ He leaned forward and added, ‘A paying case.’

‘Hey,’ I said, sounding wounded, ‘I’m gonna pay.’

‘Oh yeah? When?’

Abby walked in at that moment, so I said, ‘Right now,’ and stood up.

She came alongside the table and I said, ‘Abby Dalton, I’d like you to meet Danny Bardini.’

Danny jumped to his feet, almost upsetting the table. He grabbed it to keep it from falling over, then stood up straight and stared.

‘I’m glad to meet you Mr Bardini.’

‘Um, me, too, Miss Dalton.’

‘Have a seat,’ I said, and Abby slid in so she could sit next to me. She was wearing a tight sweater, a skirt and high heels. Her hair was piled on top of her head, leaving her long, graceful neck bare.