Barely Legal

“Mario Payday’s?”

“Taperelli’s.”

“Right. Mario’s men are down.”

“So is he. Took two shots in the head. Does that ring any bells?”

“Melanie?”

“She’s fine,” Stone said. “She doesn’t have a bullet in her. She’s the only one who didn’t.”

“Why’d you go cowboy on us?” Dino said.

“Give me a break. They’d have killed her had I gotten the police involved. With a dirty cop in Taperelli’s pocket, who can you trust?”

“Me,” Dino said. “You don’t think I can be discreet?”

“You’d have stopped me.”

“You’re damn right I would. You know how long you were on the operating table? That bullet lodged pretty close to your heart.”

“It was her only chance.”

“Getting yourself shot?”

“Bringing in Mario Payday. That made it a mob thing, not a cop thing. It confused the situation enough that they didn’t have a chance to kill the girl.”

“See, Dino,” Stone said, “I told you. He didn’t think you could do it.”

“He’s loopy on pain pills. He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

Melanie burst into the room. “They told me you woke up!” She started to throw herself into his arms, and stopped. “They said not to agitate you.”

Stone and Dino exchanged glances.

“Are you okay?” Herbie asked.

“Am I okay? You’re the one who got shot.”

Herbie smiled gamely. “Hadn’t noticed.”

David Ross and his father pushed in next.

“They said you woke up,” David said. “How do you feel?”

“Like I missed a court date,” Herbie said. “Did we get a continuance?”

Councilman Ross smiled. “You’ve been out longer than you think. Detective Kelly’s under investigation. All charges against David have been dropped.”

“Really?” Herbie said.

“The goon we picked up fleeing was Taperelli’s man at the courthouse,” Dino said. “He knew the whole setup. He’s giving us anything he can think of.”

“How come?”

“You don’t rat on Taperelli and live. The guy’s only hope is Taperelli takes a long fall. He’ll do anything he can to make that happen.”

There was too much going on for Herbie, and too many people in the room. He needed some of them to leave. No one seemed about to, so he tuned them out in his head.

“So, Melanie...” he began.

A young man pushed his way into the room. He was well-dressed, handsome, and amiable. “I finally parked the car.” He saw Herbie and said, “There he is. The man of the hour, Melanie’s savior, and our hero.” He walked over to the bed, put his arm around Melanie, and held her close. “We can’t thank you enough.”

“Herbie,” Melanie said, “this is Arthur, my fiancé. He flew in from the coast when he heard.”

Herbie forced a smile. “You’re a lucky man.”

“Lucky you were there. I can’t imagine what might have happened.”

“I could, every day,” Melanie said. “But it’s over now.”

“Let’s leave Herbie to get some rest,” the councilman said. He herded the others out of the room, leaving only Stone and Dino.

Stone watched them go. “Tough break,” he said.

“What do you mean?” Herbie said.

“You know what I mean. Nice girl.”

The phone rang.

Dino scooped it up. “Hello?... Oh, hi.” He covered the phone. “Bill Eggers.”

Herbie winced. “I’m too groggy to talk. Take a message.”

Dino relayed the information. It didn’t go over well. He got an earful. Eventually he hung up the phone.

“What’s that all about?” Herbie said.

“As long as you’re going to live, he wants you back at work. Something about a corporate merger.”

Herbie groaned. He shook his head and chuckled. “Want to stop his heart? Call him back and tell him now that I’ve had a taste of it, I prefer trial work.”

Stone nodded approvingly. “You’re a cruel man. I like that.”

Herbie grinned. “Wait! I’ve got a better idea.”

“Oh?”

“Fair is fair.” Herbie cocked his head. “Tell him to give it to James Glick.”