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"I said I'd call either way," I told her "I don't think I'ht Maybe to i about before If you could find out some more on that subject I'd make it worth your while"

"I don't know," she said "I don't want to stick my neck out I like to keep what they call a low profile I do e"

"Real estate, isn't it?"

"Uh-huh Apartment houses in Queens"

"Hard to see you as a landlady"

"The tenants never set eyes on uy who handles it forrich?"

"Doing okay I' to be one of those old Broadway ladies with a dollar a day to feed themselves on No way"

"Well, you could ask a few questions and make a few dollars If you're interested"

"I suppose I could try You'll keep ht? You just want "

"That's right"

"Well, I could see what happens"

"Do that, Elaine I'll drop by tomorrow"

"Call first"

I went upstairs, kicked off my shoes, stretched out on the bed I closed e of sleep when I forced myself to sit up The bourbon bottle on the bedside table was empty I dropped it into the wastebasket and checked the closet shelf There was an unopened pint of Ji for me I cracked it and took a short pull froet the job done

Eddie Koehler wanted me to call him but I couldn't see any reason why that conversation couldn't wait a day or two I could guess what he was going to tellI wanted to hear

It ht when I picked up the phone and called Anita

We didn't have too much to say to each other She told me the bills had been heavy lately, she'd had so everything at once, and if I could spare a couple of bucks it would be welcoet a

"That would be a big help, Matt But the reason I kept leaving es for you, the boys wanted to talk to you"

"Sure"

I talked to Mickey first He didn't really saywas okay- the usual patter, automatic and mindless Then he put his older brother on the line

"Dad? They got this thing in Scouts, like for the Nets' hoainst the Squires? And it's supposed to be a father-son deal, you know? They're getting the tickets through the troop, so everybody'll be sitting together"

"And you and Mickey would like to go?"

"Well, could we? Me and Mick are both Nets fans, and they ought to be good this year"

"Jennifer and I"

"Huh?"

"Nothing"

"The only thing, it's kind of expensive"

"How much is it?"

"Well, it's fifteen dollars a person, but that includes the dinner first and the bus ride out to the Coliseum"

"How much extra do you have to pay if you don't have the dinner?"

"Huh? I don't- oh" He started to giggle "Hey, that's really neat," he said "Let me tell Mick Dad wants to kno much extra you have to pay if you don't have the dinner Don't you get it, stupid? Dad? How much extra if you don't ride on the bus?"

"That's the idea"

"I bet the dinner's chicken a la king"

"It's always chicken a la king Look, the cost's no problem, and if the seats are halfway decent it doesn't sound like too bad a deal When is it?"

"Well, it's a week froht"

"That could be a problem It's pretty short notice"

"They just told us at the last ot a case and I don't kno long it'll run Or if I can steal a few hours in the uess it's a pretty i to help is charged with murder"

"Did he do it?"

"I don't think so, but that's not the sa how to prove it"

"Can't the police investigate and work it out?"

Not when they don't want to, I thought I said, "Well, they thinkto look any further That's why he hasfor hi to throb "Look, here's hoe'll do it Why don't you go ahead andyour mother some money tomorrow and I'll send an extra forty-five bucks for the tickets If I can't ive one ticket away and tag along with somebody else How does that sound?"

There was a pause "The thing is, Jack said he would take us if you couldn't"

"Jack?"

"He's Mom's friend"

"Uh-huh"

"But you know, it's supposed to be a father-son thing, and he's not our father"

"Right Hang on a second, will you?" I didn't actually need a drink, but I couldn't see hoould hurtwith Jack?"

"Oh, he's okay"

"That's good Well, see how this sounds I'll take you if I possibly can If not, you can use my ticket and take Jack Okay?"

That's hoe left it