THIRTY-SIX

The next morning the hotel was gearing up because Frank Sinatra was coming in. The steam room in the basement had to be ready. It pretty much belonged to Frank, and while any of the group – Dean, Sammy, Peter or Joey – was free to use it, nobody ever did unless Frank was there.

When I drove in from home I could see the hustle and bustle Frank’s imminent arrival always caused.

I had gone home the night before, despite the fact Philip Arnold could have shown up with his two boyfriends at any time. Jerry offered to go home with me and sleep on the couch – ‘like the old days’ – but I refused.

‘I don’t think he’s that dangerous,’ I said.

‘Well, if he does bother you,’ Jerry said, ‘remember, don’t fight fair.’

I didn’t have to worry about fighting fair or foul, since he never showed up.

As I crossed the lobby somebody called my name from the front desk. I headed over there. It was Charlie Slater, one of the concierges.

‘Glad I spotted you,’ he said. ‘Somebody came in lookin’ for ya this morning.’

‘Who?’

‘Cops.’

‘Where are they now?’

‘Mr Entratter’s office. He told me to watch out for you.’

‘To tell me to go up and see him, or to warn me off?’ I asked.

Charlie shrugged.

‘You know who they were?’

‘A couple of detectives,’ Charlie said. ‘I got no names, though.’

‘Were they lookin’ for anybody else?’

‘Mr Entratter said they wanted to talk to Jerry, and to Mr Crosby.’

‘And are either one of them up there?’

‘I think Mr Crosby.’

‘Have you seen Jerry?’

‘He’s that big guy that’s friends with you, right?’ Charlie asked.

‘That’s right.’

‘I ain’t seen him this mornin’.’

‘OK, Charlie, thanks.’

I went to the house phone and dialed Jerry’s suite. No answer. Next I dialed Jack’s number. He answered.

‘Are we in trouble?’

‘No,’ Entratter said, ‘I said I didn’t want to be disturbed. I’ve got Bing Crosby with me.’

‘I get it,’ I said. ‘Is one of the detectives in your office; Hargrove?’

‘That’s right.’

‘What the hell does he want? We haven’t done anything.’

‘I don’t have all the answers.’

‘All right, Jack,’ I said, ‘I might as well just come up.’

‘And your friend?’

‘I don’t know where Jerry is,’ I said. ‘So for now, I’ll come up alone.’

‘OK, you do that.’

We hung up. I walked to the elevator and took one up to the second floor. Jack’s girl just waved me in without saying a word.