Chapter 36
Earlier that day, with Belsky gone to Columbus to fire the manager of a Caspian owned taxi and limousine service, Boni called the Bikini Beach Club in Fayetteville and asked for Earl Duggan. After a brief wait, Earl came to the phone.
“I’m busy, Boni, what is it?”
“Yeah, good to talk to you too, Earl.”
“Cut the bullshit. What do you want?”
“Listen, Earl, I know you’re into all kinds of stuff. If you’re interested, I have a deal I think can make us both a ton of money.”
“So tell me what it is and I’ll tell you if I’m interested.”
“Okay, but I’ve got to make this quick. I’m calling from a pay phone and he’ll be back from Columbus soon. I want to be in the house when he gets there.”
“Okay, so tell me quick then.”
She related what Belsky had told her about the Russian money distribution.
“So, what do you think, Earl?”
“I think the son of a bitch is laundering money and taking care of the commies’ secret payroll. I also think he’s totally full of crap. I’d be willing to bet the money is being used to pay their spies.”
“So?”
“So, you’re right. It looks like maybe we got ourselves a real winner here. I figure he should be willing to part with some long green to keep his little secret. How about I fly out to Cincinnati early tomorrow and we work out a game plan? Can you get away for a few hours without making the Russian suspicious?”
“No problem. I’ll tell him I’m going downtown to do some shopping and have lunch with a friend from the club. He’ll buy that. Rent a car and meet me at the Windmill Restaurant. It’s on the river in Covington, Kentucky. I’ll call you later and you can let me know what time you’ll be there.”
“Can do, little lady.”
“And Earl, try not to be so goddamn grumpy when you get here.”
Magda tossed fitfully in her bed, unable to sleep. She was always nervous when Arpad was making a fire, but tonight her spirit was buoyed by the thought of their planned return to Hungary. After so many wasted years, they were going home at last.