We decided to proceed as if somebody hadn’t tried to kill us. It wasn’t easy, but there was nothing we could do about that. The police were investigating on our end, and Danny was doing his best in Vegas. We had to go back to doing what we were supposed to be doing: trying to help Judy Garland.
We picked up another cab outside the diner. It was a conscious decision on our part to use a different one each time, and not keep the meter running on the same car all the way. It was safer for the driver and cheaper for us.
We went back to Mark Herron’s apartment, this time without announcing ourselves ahead of time. When I knocked, the door was opened by a man who was not Mark Herron. He was handsome, in his early fifties. I was about to ask who he was when Jerry spoke first.
‘Hey, Gator Joe!’ he said.
‘What?’
Jerry pointed and said, ‘This guy played Gator Joe on an episode of Bourbon Street Beat.’
‘You saw that, huh?’ the man asked, with a smile.
‘Sure did.’
‘What can I do for you fellas?’
‘Is Mark here?’ I asked.
‘Not right now,’ he said. ‘I’m Henry, Henry Brandon. Are you guys … producers?’
I had to admit, the guy did look familiar, like somebody I might have seen in a movie … maybe Vera Cruz?
‘No,’ I said.
‘Well, he’s working today.’
‘Workin’?’
‘On a commercial, actually. You know, making ends meet?’
He had a slight accent, maybe German.
‘Can we come in?’ I asked. ‘Maybe you can help us.’
‘What’s it about?’
‘Judy Garland.’
Suddenly, his face changed. ‘Oh,’ he said, ‘her.’
‘Yes, her.’
‘You must be the fellas he talked to yesterday.’
‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘I’m Eddie Gianelli; this is Jerry Epstein.’
‘All right,’ he said, ‘I suppose you should come in.’
He backed away, then turned and moved into the apartment. We followed and Jerry closed the door behind us.
‘Do you live here?’ I asked. ‘With Mark?’
‘We’re roommates, yes,’ he said. ‘It’s rather hard paying rent when you’re not working steadily.’
‘I’m sure it is.’
‘I have some coffee on the stove,’ Brandon said. ‘Would either of you care for a cup?’
‘No, thanks,’ I said. Jerry just shook his head.
‘What can I do for you, then?’
‘To tell you the truth, I’m not sure,’ I said. ‘Did Mark talk to you about his recent trip with Judy?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ Brandon said, ‘he talked about it a lot. “Judy this, and Judy that” … ad nauseam.’
He walked to the kitchen stove and poured himself a cup of coffee.
‘Just what was the “this and that” he talked about, Mr Brandon?’ I asked.
He looked as if he was about to answer, but then stopped himself.
‘I don’t think I should say,’ he said, finally. ‘I might paint an unkind picture of Mark’s blushing bride.’
‘Do you have a problem with Mark marrying Judy Garland?’ Jerry asked.
Brandon looked at Jerry and said, ‘You’re quite something, aren’t you?’
‘Huh?’
‘I’ll bet you could have a career in Hollywood if you stuck around.’
‘Me?’ Jerry said. ‘In the movies?’
‘Or TV.’
‘Like maybe Sunset Strip?’
‘When it was on, yes,’ Brandon said. ‘It’s too bad all those great Warner Brothers private eye shows have been canceled. You would have made a great hood.’
‘Jerry – a hood?’ I asked. ‘Whatever makes you think that?’
‘Well, look at him,’ Brandon said. ‘He’s magnificent.’
‘You better cut that out or you’ll give him a swelled head,’ I warned. ‘And you haven’t answered my question.’
‘About Judy Garland?’ Brandon said. ‘I prefer not to say anything unkind.’
‘So I’m assuming you won’t be attending the wedding?’ I asked.
‘Hardly.’
‘Well, then, just tell me if Mark mentioned anybody who may have been … stalking Judy on the trip.’
‘That story?’ Brandon asked. ‘Is she still telling that one?’
‘She is.’
‘It’s her imagination,’ Brandon said. ‘Even Mark thinks so.’
‘Any idea when he’ll be back?’
‘Not till late this afternoon,’ Brandon said. ‘You can try again then.’
‘Maybe we will,’ I said. ‘Thanks for your time.’
‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay for a while?’ Brandon asked. ‘That leg looks painful. Some sort of … old wound?’
‘Some sort of new one, I’m afraid,’ I said. ‘No, thanks. We have to be going.’
‘How about you, Big Boy?’ Brandon asked.
‘Sorry,’ Jerry said. ‘I got to go with Mr G.’
‘Pity.’
We headed for the door, and then I turned back.
‘Did I see you in Vera Cruz?’
He brightened. ‘Yes, I played a French Army Captain in that. I also did The Searchers with John Wayne. But of late I’m doing a lot of television. In addition to Bourbon Street Beat, I’ve done a couple of Sunset Strips, a couple of episodes of Lawman, one of Maverick—’
‘Hey,’ Jerry said, ‘I saw you on Wagon Train.’
He didn’t seem as happy about that. ‘Yes, six times, all playing Indians.’
‘Yeah, but usually a chief,’ Jerry pointed out.
Brandon straightened his back and said, ‘Well, yes, you have a point there.’