Monday morning, armed with a Virginia Slim, a handful of dimes, and a cardboard cup of coffee that set her back thirty-five cents, Colleen made her calls standing at a pay phone by the forecourt of a Shell station at Sixth and Mission. A panhandler offering to wash customers’ windshields at the mini serve island was eyeing her Torino parked under the billboard advertising Dallas, a new prime-time drama from CBS.
“Millard Drake, please,” she asked the receptionist at the San Francisco County Examiner’s office.
“Mr. Drake retired last year, miss.”
Colleen asked for his address.
“I’m sorry but I can’t give that information out.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I was hoping to get his check in the mail today. It’s the first payment on his annual annuity. I’ll make some calls. Thank you very much for your help.”
“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “Who did you say you were with?”
“Wells Fargo Annuities Department. The check was returned. Wrong address.”
“I suspect it wouldn’t be any harm, in that case.”
Colleen had her pencil ready, poised over her penny notebook on top of the pay phone next to her coffee.
The second call was to the Copeland residence in Half Moon Bay. Harold the butler answered. Alex was home. He put her through.
“I was just thinking about you, Coll,” Alex said.
That was nice to hear.
“Any news?” Alex asked.
“Actually, yes,” Colleen said. “But I’m going to need a little more time.”
“It’s Monday morning. Didn’t Father give you the weekend to finish?”
“Christian and I agreed until midweek to complete the paperwork.”
“You’re like one of those Gila monsters.”
“That doesn’t ever let go once it latches on?” Colleen smoked and tapped ash into the air. “In some ways. How’s your father?”
“With the doctor, as we speak. On oxygen twenty-four seven. Soon as I’m done talking to you, I need to call the supplier, refill our order.”
“Any plans to move him into a hospital?”
“A good idea but not in his wishes in the least. My other chore—and I shouldn’t use that word—is to hire full-time nurses. As soon as possible. You don’t know anybody, do you?”
“I wish I did.” And she did.
“Well, it’s good to speak to you all the same,” Alex said. “That wasn’t too risqué, was it?” she said with a playful edge. “I wasn’t being too forward, I hope?”
Colleen laughed, the first laugh in days. “No. But you might not think it’s so nice when you learn the reason I called.”
“What is it—your mysterious reason?”
Colleen took a deep breath. “I need to borrow some money. Before a check bounces.”
“Oh, is that all? And here I thought it was something serious.”
How nice it must be not to have to worry about cold hard cash all the time. “I ran into an unexpected expense with your sister’s case. I know I’m not technically employed anymore but I’d like to keep my head above water until I see it through. There shouldn’t be anything else. And I’m willing to cover it myself, once I get reimbursed by H&M Paint.”
“Don’t be so damn ridiculous, darling. How much do you need?”
“Five hundred would get me out of the jam I’m in today. Another couple hundred would cover me until the ghosts at H&M finally decide to pay me.”
“Well, unfortunately, I don’t keep that much cash on hand. I’m sure you’re shocked. But I’ve got to run some errands later and will run to the bank as well. I can meet you tonight.”
Colleen let out a sigh of relief. “You just saved my bacon.”
“Should I bring it over later?” she said in a low voice. “Your place? Hmm?”
“Not a good idea.”
“I see,” Alex said coolly. “You just want my money.”
“It’s not that,” Colleen said. “I’m worried it’s getting a little dangerous around there.”
“Harold did say you called to warn me about someone possibly following.”
“Please take it seriously. I can come down there. Maybe catch a glass of that knockout Chardonnay Harold serves.”
“I need to be up in the city later anyway. Met me at Peg’s Place.”
“Peg’s Place being a bar, I take it.”
“Not just any bar.”
“What time?”
“Ten-ish?”
Colleen wouldn’t get her money into the bank until tomorrow. It would have to do.
“I’ll be there,” she said. “And thanks again.”
“Just don’t think you’re gonna get lucky,” Alex said with a laugh, then hung up.