The Big Enchilada

not—but because it happens to be worth my while to do so.”
    Gratitude.
    “Now listen close. Everything’s going to come down in a crash. I don’t know if there’ll be any survivors, but if there are, you can be damn sure you won’t be one of them.” Paine.
    “You are in deep shit. I can get you out, but you have to cooperate. If you do, you’ll get a stake so you can clear out. What you do after you leave is your business.”
    “What do you want me to do?” His throat sounded dry and his voice was a barely audible croak.
    “You’ll talk to someone, tell him what you told me.”
    “Cop?”
    “Reporter.”
    “Jesus Christ, Hunter!”
    “And you’ll turn over all your pictures.”
    “They’ll kill me!”
    “You’re already dead. This is your only chance.”
    He swallowed hard a couple of times. “Okay.”
    “Be available tomorrow afternoon.”
    He nodded miserably. His face looked like a death’s-head. “And lighten up or you’ll blow everything. In twenty-four ..ours you’ll be clear.”
    He shook his head. “What are you going to do now?”
    “I’m going to goose Lascar and see how high he jumps.” Faro groaned and shuffled off, a bent beanpole.
    I went down the corridor and opened the door to Lascar’s office without knocking. He was sitting behind his desk, motionless, staring into space. He seemed somewhat the worse for wear from the previous evening. He was still dressed all in black, and, while he was still immaculate, the impression was that he was covered with a fine layer of dust and dandruff. He jumped when I came in.
    “Who!— Oh!— What do you want?”
    “I wanted to find out how our deal was coming.”
    “I don’t know who you are or what you’re trying to do, but you’re not wanted here.”
    “Does that mean the deal is off?”
    “You’re funny.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me the girl I wanted had been in the club?”
    “She wasn’t. Who says?” His head started twisting and jerking on his neck.
    “I hear things around. She was seen.”
    “You been talking to your friend Faro? If he doesn’t watch it, he’s going to end up a grease spot in somebody’s garage.”
    “It wasn’t Faro. Other people saw her. What happened to her?”
    “Nothing happened to her ’cause she wasn’t here. Understand? Never here. That’s where I want you to be—never here. Now get out or you’ll leave carrying your ass in a sling.”
    “That’s no way to talk to someone who’s here to do you a favor.”
    “The only favor you can do me is to leave. Now.”
    “You’ve got trouble.”
    “You’re my only trouble, but you won’t be in about thirty seconds.”
    “You poor sucker,” I said, shaking my head.
    “What do you mean?” he said between twists of his head. “They’re setting you up.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Jesus, you really don’t know, do you?”
    “You got something to say, say it.”
    “The whole thing’s coming down. The club—everything. It’s going belly up, and you’re going to be left holding your cock and pissing into the wind.”
    “You’re full if it.” He didn’t sound too confident.
    “No. You’re going to be closed up.”
    “Can’t happen. We’re safe.”
    “You were safe. Ratchitt’s cutting you loose. Things are getting too hot.”
    “You’re lying.”
    “And Domingo’s clearing out as well.”
    “Now I know you’re crazy.” His head was twisting so hard t was pulling his body around.
    “You keep saying that up until the time they throw you in the joint. Domingo’s not stupid. He knows what’s coming, and he’s getting out, clean and healthy. You’re being left to take the fall. And it’s a good one. Shit! Is it ever! Prostitution, running a bawdy house, use of minors for immoral purposes, corruption of minors, white slavery, probably Mann Act violations, blackmail, bribery of law enforcement officers, possession and distribution of pornography. And there are a dozen or two more charges they can throw at you if they want. And you’re going to be the only one left around to pin it on.” “Where do you hear all this?”
    “It’s all around. Man, you must be the only one who doesn’t know. It’ll probably be in the papers tomorrow.” “Yeah? Now listen to me. That was a good number you just ran by me, but I been told about you. I been told you’re full of shit, and that I should deal with you like any other piece of garbage I find.” His finger pressed a button on his