“Templeton, I can’t go in there.”
“Might I ask why not?”
“Just look at this place. It’s full of diseased people.”
“Don’t tell me you’re a hypochondriac.”
“No, of course I’m not. But they’re drinking in there.”
“Certainly they are. It’s a tavern. Come on.”
“Wait. You haven’t told me what this is all about. I thought we were looking for a guy named Frank.”
“We are. This is his home away from home. Trust me. Now, after you, my dear and don’t be shy when some of the male derelicts pinch your sexy bottom.”
Templeton pointed Shanna straight to the bartender. He stacked clean glasses as he glared out meanness. “Name your poison, sweetheart.”
“Do you really serve poison here?”
“Christ, Sweet Nipples. You can’t stand at the bar and not drink. Yes, I keep a variety of poisons under the bar so I can spike the drinks of every wiseguy asshole that comes into my tavern and asks for a glass of milk.”
“In that case I’ll have a soft drink, please.”
“This isn’t a soda fountain, Sweet Nipples, and you’re too sensuously gorgeous for me to poison, which I don’t actually have. Now pay attention while I’m talking at you. The sign outside says Reilly’s Tavern. I’m Reilly. I serve beer, beer and only beer. Got it?”
“Two beers,” Templeton said. “Where’s Frank?”
The bartender gave Templeton a suspicious look. “Who wants to know?”
“I’m his parole officer. If he’s here, point him out. If he isn’t, where can I find him?”
Reilly slid two glasses of foamy beer across the bar. “Smart ass Frank is fingering his broads three tables down on your right. The broads are madly in love with the lucky so and so. How he does it I wish I knew. Makes me so envious I want to throw another beer bottle at him. Next time it’ll be a full jumbo sized one. Now get the hell away from my bar so I can make some real money. Two beers, Christ, are you sure you can afford it?”
Shanna and Templeton moved through the disorganized glut of people to where the mysterious Frank sat.
Shanna gasped at the three women with Frank. Tight, skimpy clothes, heavy makeup, green, orange and purple hair and bawdy words coming from lipstick red lips clinched around cigarettes. They were ladies of the night. Frank wasn’t much better. He wore what looked like an off the rack suit from a Value Village. It was a ghastly light green color and too small for him. His socks were white. His shoes were black and white. His hair was a thin gray and neatly combed. It complimented an oversized beer belly which no doubt kept him from seeing his toes in the morning. Shanna knew she’d landed on an alien planet.
Templeton walked like he was in his own front room. “Frank, it’s been a while,” he said in a voice you would use on an old acquaintance.
Frank looked through bloodshot eyes and snapped his fingers. His ladies left. “It hasn’t been long enough, Gordon. A private investigator like you should be out investigating privates, particularly the one with you now.”
Shanna smiled. “That’s what I keep wanting him to do. So far he hasn’t,” she said before she realized she’d actually said something to the mysterious Frank. There was something magnetic about him. Was it his handsome face? It was time worn but had a distinguished appearance. It openly told her the guy she was staring at really didn’t belong in the odorous environment of Reilly’s Tavern.
Frank looked Shanna up and down before he turned back to Templeton. “What’s the matter with you, shamus? Aren’t they making the stiffen pills anymore? This lady you’re with is gorgeous. She is the finest example of ultimate beauty I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot. So, for a slight nominal fee I’ll sell you some of my keep it straight stock.”
Templeton smiled. “Thanks, Frank. I don’t need any yet. By the looks of your three ladies you really shouldn’t sell any of your supply. The bartender is right about you. You are a lucky guy.”
Frank shrugged. “Hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
Templeton looked at Shanna. “Meet Frank, Shanna. He has a talent we need.”
Shanna extended her right hand. Frank blushed and shook it. “Hi, Frank. I’m glad to know you. How long have you and Templeton been friends?”
Frank sipped his beer and burped. “Zero time, honey, we aren’t exactly friends. I once said a few bad things in his direction. Unfortunately he might remember them.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re out of this world beautiful, but stupid. Is that it, honey face?”
Shanna held Templeton’s right arm. She felt it stiffen, get steel hard, then relax. Frank was needed. She looked hurt at Frank. He softened.
“I’m sorry, kid. I have a big flap of a mouth that goes off and says bad things. But most of the time I say only good things, and I really want you to believe that. I can also see you’re not like the ladies around here.” He motioned to Templeton. “Your guy here nabbed me when he was a cop. I got sent up because of him. It made me so crazy I threatened to kill him when I got out.”
“How come you didn’t?” Shanna asked.
Frank squinted through heavy eyelids. “Lots of things occurred while I was up the river. Gordon has had some bad breaks in life, along with a few other things I’m not supposed to know about that changed my mind. However it isn’t too late to carry out my threat. You want I should?”
Shanna laughed. Frank actually liked Templeton. “No, let’s keep my lovable hunk alive. I’d have to find somebody else if you decided to shorten up his life.”
Frank waved his hands. “I’m available, lovely eyes.”
“You tempt me. Frank.” Shanna replied. Lord, Frank made her feel playful.
Templeton gave a loud ahem to get Frank’s attention. “Hey, I forgot you were here, Philip Marlowe.”
“We’re here because we need you,” Templeton said.
“Aw-w-gee, I thought you came for my birthday. It’s today.”
“Well, happy birthday, Frank.” Shanna said.
Frank grinned at Templeton. “I like her. I’ll give you my three girls for her.”
Shanna laughed. Templeton didn’t. “Let’s be serious, Frank. I’d like you to do something.”
“Why?”
“Think for a moment, Frank. It might be like old times for you. Remember the excitement, the patriotism you felt in the service? You told me a lot when I caught you.”
Frank eyes telegraphed his memory. “How could I ever forget? Patriotism never leaves a guy. It’s always there. My wound’s healed. I’m good as new. I’ll answer the call whenever I’m needed. However, I’ll bet this isn’t a government job.”
“You’re right. It isn’t legal either.”
“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be here.” Frank laughed. “Well I’ll be a Sunday School Preacher. Mr. Untouchable himself is asking me to go crooked. What do you want?”
“I need bug devices.”
“I’m straight. My equipment was taken away from me.”
“Frank, come on now. It’s me.”
Frank watched Shanna make a sour face as she took a sip of her beer. It prompted him to say, “You don’t drink, do you, beautiful lady?”
“No. I drank with Templeton once. He got me drunk. That’s been my one and only time.”
Frank grinned at Templeton. “You are a dirty rat. Tell you what, Gordon. I like lovely eyes. I’ll do the job. Give me details.”
“We tailed a man who might know the whereabouts of somebody we want to locate. We need to bug the man’s residence for any phone calls he might receive? Are you game, Frank?”
“Well, that does narrow it down to several million people. All right, I’ll get my van and my ladies and borrow some equipment from a guy I know and we’ll be off, won’t we?”
“Frank,” interrupted Templeton. “We’re taking your ladies with us?”
“We certainly are. Why, I won’t even go to my own bathroom without them.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The ride in Frank’s van was one Shanna would never forget. He drove at a frighteningly fast speed that bothered her in spite of her racetrack nerve. His ladies chatted.
“What do you do, Honey?” the one named Violet asked.
“Do?”
Gladys joined in. “You know, Sweet. How do you excite your man? Do you use whips or chains? Maybe leather lingerie, or all of them?”
Shanna laughed. “I look at him, he becomes excited.”
Melody shrieked. “Oh, I’ll try that with Frank.”
* * * *
Dr. Tyler lived in an exclusive residential district. His home was a two story Tudor Brick on a quiet secluded street where a parked van would draw little attention.
“Who’s got this creep’s phone number?” Frank asked.
“I do,” said Shanna as she handed it over.
Frank pointed his instrument at Dr. Tyler’s house and pushed buttons.
“What are you doing, Frank?” Shanna asked.
“Little lady, you don’t want to know. This stuff isn’t on the up and up.”
Templeton interceded. “It’s best not to ask Frank any questions.”
“He’s right, lovely face. Remain ignorant to what I’m doing. It’s a safeguard for you in case we get nabbed. Now let’s have everybody quiet. Something’s coming in. I’ll set it up so we can all hear.”
A sound was heard. It was a familiar old tune to everybody, yet no one chose to name it except Frank.
“Bed springs. Somebody’s having a little fun.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun,” said Violet.
A phone rang.
“Christ! What a hell of a time for a phone call. Dear, if that’s your sister, so help me God, I’ll charge her for coitus interruption.”
A woman’s voice was heard. “Answer the goddamn phone. Keep your motion while you talk.”
“Hello.”
“Tyler, why are you at home?”
Shanna went numb. “It’s Hawk’s father.”
“O’Brien, I have to sleep once in a while,” remarked Dr. Tyler as the bed springs creaked.
“Not when you’re on my payroll. I want the Erika doll delivered to my hospital at once. You’ve got to prove to Hawk she’s only a doll, not a real person.”
“Bingo,” said Templeton.
“Is that all you wanted to know?” Frank asked. “Hell, I just got started.”
“Yes,” said Shanna. “Now we know where to find Hawk. But what’s wrong with him? And Erika’s a doll?”
“Okay,” replied Dr. Tyler. “I’ll be at your airport as soon as I can.”
“Make it sooner. I’ll have my plane ready for you.”
There was a click as the phone was cradled, then Dr. Tyler’s voice. “Why are rich sonofabitches always in a hurry?”
The bed springs protested. So did a female voice. “Come back here, Helmut, and finish what you started.”
“I think we have enough information,” said Templeton. “You can turn off your gadget, Frank.”
Frank did so. “What now?” he asked.
In the van’s darkness Templeton turned to face Shanna who was seated directly behind him. “I suspect you would like to investigate further.”
“Yes. However, it would be a long drive with bumper to bumper nighttime traffic. I wonder if we could hire a flight at the airport.”
Templeton turned to Frank. “Oh, I think that can be arranged. You’ve recently acquired an airplane through one of your deals, haven’t you, Frank?”
Frank’s voice echoed his surprise. “Now how in the name of all that’s holy did you find out about my latest acquisition? I just solidified everything last week.”
Shanna saw a flash of white teeth before Templeton spoke. “Your brother is a wealthy and generous medical doctor who has a passion for poker and flying. As to how I find out about certain things, let’s just say I’m here, I’m there, I’m absolutely everywhere. Now let’s talk some more about the plane, Frank.”
Frank shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, why not. I’m enjoying the hell out of this little adventure.” He punched one of his telephones. “Besides, I’m writing my memoirs, you know.”
* * * *
A fourth lady friend named Heather was the pilot. The plane was a Lear Jet. Shanna was baffled and said as much as they all climbed on board. “These things are expensive.”
“Not to me,” said Frank. “I won it in a craps game.” He looked quickly at Templeton. “Honest, I really did. From my brother who just happens to be a thoroughly rotten dice thrower. He blows on the dice for good luck and most of the time his luck comes up snake eyes. I taught him otherwise, but he just can’t seem to learn.”
“If you say so,” Templeton replied.
Heather took the plane into the air like Frank drove his van. He howled with laughter. “The lady gives you a real nosebleed, doesn’t she?” He looked at Shanna and Templeton as Gladys served drinks to everybody. “Does anybody want to fill me in on this scam?”
“I’m afraid we can’t, Frank. We’re still a little in the dark.”
Frank nodded. “Okay, I believe you. This Hawk guy, you’re trying to find. Is he a friend?”
“Yes,” replied Templeton.
“He was my date for a year, Frank. I want you to know we were never lovers.”
Frank glanced at Templeton then back to Shanna. “I knew that Shanna, without you saying so. However, some loyalty is still there.”