Chapter 5 … the big man …

 

Lagusta moved with elephantine grace. There was an efficiency about the man that was belied by his liaisons with beautiful women, usually European actresses starring in movies Lagusta backed. He was an investor—in anything—and a real estate wheeler-dealer. The nation’s leading charities received sizeable—and well-publicized—contributions from him. The great and near great knocked themselves over trying to get invitations to his fabulous parties in penthouse apartments in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, or in a villa on the French Riviera, a chalet in the Swiss Alps, or aboard his yacht just about anywhere in the world. Most newspapers were extremely careful about how they handled Lagusta—even the papers that carried a running crusade against the Mafia, despite the fact that it was an open secret that Lagusta was involved with the Syndicate. The extent of this involvement was often the subject of off-the-record debate. Some thought that the Mafia had backed him in the beginning and now he had to kick back a large part of his income. Others claimed he was front man for some of the Syndicate’s biggest deals. Not many of us knew the truth—that Lagusta was a member of the seven-man board that directed all U.S. Mafia operations.

He stopped before me, his broad round face creased in a smile. He had a rather pleasant face. Your first impression might be that he’d be handsome if he dropped some weight, but then you’d probably come to the conclusion that his charm would disappear if he lost his fleshed-out look—that loss of weight would give him the appearance of a cadaver.

Nice to see you again, Mr. Kent.”

I smiled back at him. “You’ll pardon me if I don’t share your sentiments, Mr. Lagusta.”

His carefully plucked eyebrows went up. “What’s wrong? I hope these gentlemen haven’t been too rough with you.”

I nodded towards my .45 and derringer on the table near the man in brown. “They de-fanged me.”

He chuckled. “Please try to understand, Mr. Kent. Their job is to protect me. I assure you, there’s nothing personal in it.”

I laughed.

Lagusta’s eyebrows climbed again. “Did I say something humorous?”

It’s just that a cop said the same thing, not thirty minutes ago.”

His dark little eyes crinkled at the corners. “That is very subtle, Mr. Kent. You think you may be in danger, so you throw up a defensive screen by mentioning the police. But, really, there is no need for it. If there were, you don’t think your reference to the police would frighten me, do you?”

This wasn’t just any cop. This was Inspector Coates.”

Something happened to Lagusta’s face. There was respect in it, and maybe a little anger and annoyance. But then the smile returned.

A good man, the inspector.”

The best. Dedicated, incorruptible. But I guess you know that.”

Lagusta shot his cuff links. “I admire the inspector. He has a fine record.”

He’s the complete cop.”

Granted. Now, if you don’t mind—”

I do, Mr. Lagusta. There was something the inspector told me that I’d like to talk about.”

He heaved a small sigh. “Go on.”

He said he thinks I may be back on your list.”

His eyebrows went into their act. “List?”

Kill list. Assassinations in alphabetical order.”

Lagusta laughed. “Come now, Mr. Kent.”

Oh, I don’t expect you to admit it. I don’t even expect you to admit there’s such a thing as the Mafia.”

His face went serious. “That is where you’re wrong. I’m not here to insult your intelligence. I’m aware of what you know. However, I ask you to use your usually astute powers of reasoning. If there was a list and your name was on it, would I be likely to make an appearance here?”

I thought about it. “I guess not.”

Then I suggest we concentrate now on the object of my visit.”

Fine.”

He brushed something from the sleeve of his black coat jacket. Black makes a fat man look slimmer, and he had a good tailor to boot. The clever cut of the coat camouflaged his enormous paunch, gave him a boxy look.

Mr. Kent, I wish to hire your services.”

What?”

Is it so astounding that I might need the services of a private detective?”

That isn’t the astounding thing. You see, I don’t usually do business with organizations like yours.”

You’d be acting for me personally.”

Doing what?”

There’s someone I’d like you to locate for me.”

Who?”

She calls herself Eleanor Gesualdi.”

I covered my surprise by reaching into my breast pocket. Lagusta’s men knew I had no hardware on me, but they pushed their guns forward anyhow. I lifted out my Camels, shook one loose. Lagusta took a gold lighter from his pocket, flicked it to flame and touched the yellow jet to the end of my cigarette.

Thanks.” I blew smoke. “I seem to remember reading that you don’t use tobacco.”

I don’t.” He returned the lighter to his pocket. “But some of my friends do.” The inflection he gave “friends” made it obvious that he was referring mainly to the female variety.

I said, “Eleanor Gesualdi, eh? You know, Mr. Lagusta, maybe you’re the smart one.”

He gave me the eyebrow bit. “I beg your pardon?”

You must know she’s a friend of mine.”

Must I?”

Through Trillo.”

And who might he be?”

Ernie Trillo, Mafia man out of Milwaukee. He probably told you I was at Eleanor’s apartment. It could be that you’re trying to cover yourself with this search-and-find proposition.”

You’ll have to explain that, Mr. Kent.”

Sure. I don’t mind at all.” I was surprised that my voice was calm and level because I was churning inside. “The other day Eleanor told me that an attempt had been made on her life. This was in a phone conversation. Suddenly she was cut off. She hasn’t been in her apartment since. But you know that or you wouldn’t be asking me to find her ... not that I believe you really want me to find her ...”

Lagusta’s face was bland. “I’m afraid I still don’t follow you.”

Oh, it’s simple. Maybe you know what’s happened to Eleanor ... and you don’t want me to think you do.”

I see.” His face moved into the shape of a smile that didn’t quite go with the snap in his dark eyes. “You apparently think I have reason to be afraid of you.”

I guess that’s close enough to what I think, Mr. Lagusta.” His head went back and he laughed. His men exchanged surprised glances. Then his laughter stopped, cut short, like a badly cut tape.

If I were afraid of you, Mr. Kent, getting rid of you wouldn’t present too much of a problem.”

You’d have to get a majority vote of the board.”

Silence for a while. Darting eyes in the faces of the two men. Lagusta’s eyes, narrowed, burning hard, staring into mine. Finally Lagusta spoke:

What do you know about the—er—board?”

Enough. There are seven of you. Another member is Paul Carlotta, Chicago. One more is Carlo Esposito, Miami.”

And the others?”

I don’t know everything, Mr. Lagusta.”

You know nothing. You merely have ... theories.”

If you mean I can’t prove that you, Carlotta and Esposito are members of the board, that’s right. I can’t prove there’s a sun in the sky either. But it’s a fact that I was on the Syndicate’s kill list about a year ago. Everybody knows it—it was in all the papers—and that’s why I was finally taken off the list. The vote was five to two in my favor. This information leaked out through an FBI man who infiltrated your organization. So, if I’m going to be killed, Mr. Lagusta, you’re going to have to arrange for another meeting of the board.”

This brought an odd expression to Lagusta’s face, a kind of sardonic amusement. Then he said, “Enjoy your fantasies as much as you like. I don’t mind listening to them. In fact, they’re quite amusing. However, there’s still the matter of finding the woman. I’m prepared …” He reached into his breast pocket. “... to pay well.” He flipped something to me.

A sheaf of banknotes landed on my lap. I saw a 100-dollar bill on top.

Two thousand dollars,” Lagusta said. “Call it a retainer if you like. I prefer to consider it a contract binder.”

Contract? That can be an ugly word, Mr. Lagusta. A year ago I met a man who had a Mafia contract. My name was on it—figuratively speaking—so I had to put a bullet in his head before he could put one in mine.”

I could see that Lagusta was fighting to keep himself under control. The appearance of his famous smile indicated that he’d shortened rein on his temper.

Let’s stay with the subject, Mr. Kent.”

All right. You want me to find Eleanor. Why?”

Because I wish to have a talk with her.” He added quickly, “On a private matter.”

Before I accept a client, I expect him to answer my questions.”

Ah, but I’m not the usual sort of client.”

That’s for certain. Where does Brink fit into this?”

Brink?”

You know who I mean. Eleanor’s husband. That is, her husband until her final divorce papers come through.”

Lagusta regarded me soberly for a few seconds before saying, “I can appreciate your interest in having pertinent questions answered. However, there are certain reasons why I can’t accommodate you. So, in lieu of information, I’m prepared to pay a large bonus if you succeed in finding the woman, or if you can produce evidence that will lead me to her.”

How large a bonus?”

Fifteen thousand dollars.”

You must want to talk to her real bad.”

You could say that.”

I screwed out my cigarette in an ashtray. “Who tried to kill her, Mr. Lagusta?”

I have no idea. In fact, this is the first I’ve heard of an attempt on her life.”

Who cut that phone call short?”

He shrugged. “If such a thing happened—”

It did!” The words came out of me sharply. I was beginning to let my emotions show and I didn’t give a damn. “Don’t call me a liar, Mr. Lagusta. I don’t like it.”

He stared back at me for a moment. His men shuffled their feet; I knew they were tense now, ready to move on Lagusta’s order. But he relaxed and said:

It’s apparent that you’re fond of this woman. Well, that’s a definite plus value to my way of thinking. It gives you a greater incentive to find her. I—er—I wonder how much you know about her ...”

If you mean, have I rolled in the hay with her, the answer is no.”

I’m not particularly interested in the details of your relationship with the woman. I was wondering how much you know about her background.”

Inspector Coates had been wondering about the same thing. I said, “Is there something in her background that I should know about?”

This earned me a faint smile. “You have a disconcerting way of responding to a question with another question.”

At least I respond.” I snapped the sheaf of banknotes against an arm of the chair. “I’ll tell you something, Mr. Lagusta. I don’t think you’re interested in finding Eleanor.”

You’re wrong about that.”

I think you came here to pump me.”

His eyes crinkled. “I can’t say you’re wrong about that.”

I snapped the 2,000 dollars again, this time against the back of my left hand. “I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll accept you as a client if you’ll tell me why you’re interested in finding Eleanor.”

His answer came without hesitation. “I can’t do that.”

Then it’s no deal. Oh, I’ll keep looking for her—but on my own.”

And if you find her?”

I’ll ask her about you. If she doesn’t want you around and you try to get close ...” I paused for effect. “I’ll flatten Mr. Lagusta.”

The man in the brown suit sucked in his breath. The other fellow pushed his gun a foot closer to me. Lagusta just smiled—but not with his eyes.

You’re a brave man, Mr. Kent ... and a foolish one.” Now his eyes joined the smile. “However, I’m not without understanding. You’re—er—fond of this woman, and you’re naturally upset over her disappearance. Well, I can appreciate that.”

Nice of you.”

So—”

I was waiting for a ‘so’, or maybe another ‘however’.”

His eyes narrowed, flashed. “I’m trying to give you a chance.”

I don’t accept favors from the Mafia, Lagusta!”

That did it. There was silence in the room. The man in the gray suit shifted his position and I could hear a knee creak.

Well,” Lagusta said after what seemed a long time. “Well, Mr. Kent, you’re not nearly as intelligent as I thought.”

I got to my feet. “Get out of here.”

His two men moved closer.

Call them off,” I said.

Lagusta was smiling again. “I think not, Mr. Kent. I think you need a lesson.”

That was tried before.”

But not by experts like my men.”

It won’t work, Lagusta. The only way you can stop me is to kill me—and that’ll put Coates on your tail. He’s no ordinary cop. He probably knows you’re here in my apartment at this minute.”

Having a talk with you. There’s no law against that.”

The two men stopped within a few paces of me.

I’ll put up a fight,” I said. “If they’re forced to kill me, you’ve had it.”

His eyes threw a signal. I moved fast, chopped down on the wrist of the man in the brown suit. His revolver clattered to the carpet—then pain exploded at the back of my neck and there was no feeling in the rest of me. I would have gone down, but the man in the gray suit grabbed my arms from behind and held me up by shoving a knee in the small of my back. The man in the brown suit picked up his gun and placed it on the table.

Don’t get carried away,” Lagusta cautioned. “No marks.”

No marks,” the man in the brown suit hissed “Just pain.” Feeling came back to my body. I tried to squirm loose but the knee was shoved harder against my back and I was helpless. I watched the man in the brown suit take a dark leather glove from his pocket, place it on his right hand. The knuckle part of the glove was heavily padded.

You’re going to feel pain for a long time,” Lagusta promised, “but there will be nothing to show the police.”

Brown Suit looked in Lagusta’s direction. I couldn’t see the fat man so I looked into Brown Suit’s eyes. He was good. He got the signal and didn’t give me a clue. I knew he’d got the signal because he threw a hooking punch without even glancing at me. The padded glove caught me just above the groin. I couldn’t even double up with pain because Gray Suit kept his knee in my back.

He took that rather well,” Lagusta said.

He’ll cave in,” Brown Suit said.

Like hell I will,” I gritted out.

We’ll see,” Lagusta said.

The next punch got me on the left arm, near the shoulder. I had steeled my body against the blow. The surprise of being hit on the arm made me mad enough to tell Brown Suit that I doubted he had a father. He threw a piston-like punch to my midsection. Air came out of me and pain was like a clawing animal in my stomach.

He still hasn’t made a sound,” Lagusta said.

He will,” Brown Suit said.

I don’t know. He did some work for the government. They taught him all the tricks of withstanding pain.”

It’s easy,” I said. “I just think of getting you alone, fatso. That’ll make all of this worthwhile.”

You better plan it well in the future,” Brown Suit said. “You aren’t gonna feel like gettin’ out in society for a while.”

I’ll crawl after him if I have to,” I said. And spat in Brown Suit’s face.

He let out a cry of rage and started a punch for my face. I saw the weighted glove getting bigger and bigger. I even held my chin out for it. One punch and oblivion. But Lagusta moved fast. Suddenly he was between Brown Suit and me. His arm went out, hit the gloved hand. I felt the wind of the glove as it went by. Brown Suit went down on one knee. Lagusta managed to keep his balance. He glared down at his man.

Don’t you know what he was trying to do? Besides, I said no marks.”

Sorry,” Brown Suit said, glancing away.

All right. Get on with the business.”

Brown Suit pushed himself erect, hit the padded glove into his left palm. Pat, pat, pat, pat. When the rhythm stopped I’d get it again. Pat, pat, pat—then another sound. The door buzzer!

Brown Suit froze with the padded glove inches from his left palm. But Gray Suit’s knee dug harder against my back. Lagusta stuck his face close to mine.

Quiet,” he whispered.

The door buzzer kept working. I parted my lips and Brown Suit shoved his gun almost into my mouth.

Careful,” Lagusta said—to Brown Suit, not to me.

And an insistent finger kept pushing at the door button. Finally the buzzing stopped and a voice from the other side of the door said:

Open up, Kent.”

Paul Bagley!

That’s Inspector Coates’ man,” I said.

Just be quiet,” Lagusta breathed.

I know you’re in there,” Bagley said. “I heard talking a while ago.”

Just a minute!” I called quickly.

You dirty—!” Brown Suit brought back the gun like he was going to swipe the barrel across my teeth.

No!” Lagusta said sharply.

Brown Suit froze.

Put it away,” Lagusta ordered.

The gun disappeared. Gray Suit’s knee left my back. Brown Suit peeled off the glove and stuck it in his pocket. Lagusta sat down, jerked his hand and his men dropped onto chairs.

Are you going to open up?” Bagley demanded.

On my way,” I said, walking to the door. I twisted the butterfly lock and pulled open the door.

Bagley entered the apartment, stopped short, his eyes on Lagusta. I closed the door.

You won’t believe this, Bagley,” I said, “but I’m glad to see you. Have you met Mr. Raphael Lagusta?”

Lagusta nodded to Bagley, who nodded back.

I’ve heard of Mr. Lagusta,” Bagley said.

I was certain you had. Mr. Lagusta came here to hire my services. He wants me to Locate Eleanor Gesualdi.”

Lagusta got to his feet, executed his big smile. “It seems that Mr. Kent is too busy to accept me as a client.”

His two hoods,” I said, “are carrying guns.”

Bagley threw back his coat, put his hand on the butt of his hip gun.

I doubt that they’ll try to use them,” I went on.

Of course my men have guns,” Lagusta said. “I often carry large sums of cash. The police know about this. In fact, they were glad to issue my men with licenses.”

Licenses don’t cover silencers,” I said.

Lagusta’s eyebrows shot up. “I wasn’t aware that there was a law against silencer-equipped guns, Mr. Bagley.”

There isn’t,” Bagley said.

There should be,” I said. “There should also be a law against a lead-weighted glove. Mr. Brown Suit over there has one in his pocket.”

Lagusta said, “It’s merely another weapon Mr. Garden employs in my defense. The glove is advertised in hundreds of magazines and newspapers. Anyone with seven dollars can buy it.”

Bagley lifted his hand from the butt of his gun. His eyes moved from Lagusta to me. “I’d like to know what’s going on here.”

I came here because I’m a great admirer of Mr. Kent,” Lagusta said.

It’s not mutual,” I said. “And don’t try to kid Bagley—he works for Inspector Coates, remember?”

Another man I admire greatly,” Lagusta said smoothly. He smiled at me. “I knew you weren’t noted for your diplomacy, Mr. Kent, but I didn’t think you’d be quite so ill-mannered.”

I moved fast. There was a lot of pain in me and all of it went into the short right I threw into Lagusta’s middle. He let out air and his eyes popped. He staggered back, holding his stomach.

Hold it!” Bagley said—and Brown Suit imitated Napoleon, hand under his coat, over his heart.

I turned. Gray Suit was poised on the balls of his feet, eyes darting about, face stupid. Bagley had his .38 Police Special out and was moving it around. His eyes found mine.

What the hell is this all about, Kent?”

I just punched Lagusta in the belly, that’s all, Mr. Bagley. The idea suddenly came to me and I thought it was a good one.”

You will ...” Lagusta coughed. “You will have second thoughts ...” He coughed again “... about that, Mr. Kent, I promise you.”

And third and fourth,” I said. “As a matter of fact, I’ll think about it a lot.”

Bagley looked at Lagusta. “Do you want to file a charge of assault against Kent?”

I’d rather not give him the publicity,” Lagusta said.

I said, “Translation: Lagusta doesn’t want to lose face in the eyes of his Mafia colleagues.”

Mr. Kent has fantasies,” Lagusta said. “He’s not a well man, Mr. Bagley. He should see a psychiatrist.”

Maybe I should.” I bent, picked up the money from the floor. “I could have stuck this in my pocket. All I had to do to earn it was sell a piece of my soul.”

I tossed the money to Lagusta, but he didn’t make a move to catch it. The sheaf of bills hit him on the arm, fell to the floor.

Is that your money?” Bagley asked.

Lagusta hesitated. “Yes.”

Please take it with you.”

Lagusta glanced at Brown Suit, who walked over, bent and picked up the money and handed it to him. Lagusta looked at me.

I’ll probably be seeing you again, Mr. Kent.”

I’ll keep my eye out for you, chubby.”

Lagusta spun on his heel and walked towards the front door. Gray Suit got there first, opened the door. It was perfectly timed; Lagusta didn’t have to change stride. Brown Suit was the last to leave He stared at me through narrow, hot eyes for about two seconds before slamming the door.

If looks could kill,” Bagley said, “you’d be getting your next shave and haircut from a funeral director.”

They’re real charmers,” I said. “By the way, thanks for the cavalry charge.”

Was that as serious as it looked?”

Well, I don’t think they were going to kill me. They just wanted to hurt me so much I’d wish I was dead.” I lifted my shirt and undershirt from under my trousers, showed Bagley the red splotch just above my kidneys. I said, “An hour or so from now there’d be no mark, just pain.”

The weighted glove you mentioned,” Bagley said, nodding.

That’s right. I turned Lagusta down, so he was teaching me better manners.”

I think you’d better tell all that to Inspector Coates,” Bagley said. “He wants to see you again. Something came up just after you left the office.”

I picked up my .45 from the table, holstered it. The two-shot derringer wasn’t worth taking now that Lagusta knew about the wrist gun. It’s a surprise weapon for extreme close range work; with the element of surprise gone it wasn’t worth a damn.

Bagley and I went downstairs, where an unmarked police car was waiting at the curb. We got in the back. I leaned against the cushion and closed my eyes. I hurt at both ends and I was weary. I drifted off ...

 

Wake up, Kent. Come on, rise and shine.”

Bagley had me by the arm and was shaking me. “Sure,” I said. “Sure.” I slid along the seat and followed Bagley out.

But we weren’t at Central Headquarters.

We were at the City Morgue.