The Passenger (The Passenger, #1)(110)
Somebody you’re going to miss.
Yes.
You got some more mail here. These dudes dont believe me when I tell them I dont know where you are. They always ask. But it’s just by way of saying that I dont want to know. I dont want them throwing my ass in jail for harboring a fugitive.
You could adopt me.
Adopt you.
Yes. Then I’d be an immediate relative and you wouldnt be required by law to rat my ass out.
You’re shitting me.
I dont know. It varies by States. Hand me the phone.
She swung the phone over and set it on the bar and he picked up the receiver and dialed Kline’s number. No answer. He put the receiver back. Then he picked it up again and dialed Debussy.
Hi Darling.
How did you know it was me?
I have this fancy new phone that tells you who’s calling.
What are you doing tonight?
I’m working.
What time do you get off?
One. You’re asking me out.
I want you to do something for me.
All right. Is it a girl thing?
I want you to read a letter from my sister and then tell me about it.
All right.
You dont want to know why or anything like that?
No.
So you can meet me tonight?
Somehow I thought we’d already made a date.
One thirty?
I cant get there by one thirty. Makeup takes longer to get off than to put on. I could do two.
Okay. Where?
You say.
How about the Absinthe House?
Okay.
We can get something to eat if you like.
I know. Are you okay?
I’m all right. I’ll see you at two?
Yes.
Thanks Debbie.
He hung up the phone and went upstairs to the hall bathroom and locked the door and lifted down the medicine cabinet.
* * *
—
He got to the Absinthe House early and stood outside waiting for her. He knew that she hated walking through a door unescorted but he neednt have worried. She was coming across Bienville Street on the arm of a grayhaired gentleman in a suit. The man shook hands briefly with Western and kissed her on both cheeks and turned and went back across the street. Western and Debussy went in. The place was full, taken over largely by British paratroopers.
Mercy, she said.
Maybe this wasnt such a good idea.
She took his arm and looked out down the bar. We’ll be fine. Come on.
A waiter was making his way toward them. The troopers whistled and catcalled. And look at the lucky charlie that’s with her. The waiter reached them and herded them to the rear.
Thanks, Alex.
I’m going to put you back here. We can close the door.
Thank you, Darling. Alex this is Bobby. Bobby Alex.
We should have called.
It’s not a problem, Sir. What can I bring you?
I’ll just have what she’s having.
You know she doesnt drink.
That’s fine.
You got it.
He vanished into the smoke and noise and pulled the door shut.
I meant to ask him for a bar menu.
That’s all right. I’m okay if you are. Although I may change my mind about that drink.
Did you want to go somewhere else?
No. Anyway, noise is the enemy of surveillance.
Are we being surveilled? Is that a word?
Yes. So tell me your news. I dont want to hear something horrible.
There’s a lot of stuff I havent told you.
I know.
How do you know?
You’re kidding.
All right. I think I’m about to become someone else.
It’s about time.
Western smiled.
The waiter brought their drinks. Tall glasses of soda slightly colored with triple sec. Then bitters, and a twist. Western looked up. I’ve changed my mind, he said.
The waiter took one of the glasses and put it back on the tray. Western reached and took it back. Just bring me a double gin.
Neat.
Yes.
Debussy sipped her drink. You need support.
I dont know what I need.
Just jump in.
Okay.
He took the letter out of his shirt and laid it on the table. This is the letter. I’ve never opened it. I have a number of her letters and part of her diary for 1972 and I may ask you to keep them for me.
All right. Although I have to say it makes me a bit nervous.
You dont have to.
Who is it that’s after you?
I dont know. I dont know that it makes any difference.
How can it not make any difference?
Because no matter who they are the only option you have is to run.
Are you going to run?
Yes.
I wont see you again.
That’s another question. We’ll work on it.
I dont want to lose your friendship.
You’ll never lose my friendship.
She got out her cigarette case. I have your word on that.
Yes.
Do you want me to open the letter?
Wait a minute till my drink gets here. I’ll take it out to the bar. I’d like for you to see if there’s any mention of her violin. Where it might be. That and where she might have had a bank account.
All right. I can do that.
The waiter set the glass of gin on the table and Western took a sip out of the tall glass and poured in the gin and stirred it with a straw. Take your time. I’ve no idea what’s in there.