The Referral Game

never knew,” she replied. “When I discovered that I was pregnant I asked Edgar for a place of our own, I thought that the child would complete us and we would be a real family. But when I saw that he would be unable to pull away I decided to keep the baby a secret and leave. I knew that if Edgar’s mother discovered that I was going to have a child that she would insist that I either stay or give up custody. With my past, and their family money and influence, it was a foregone conclusion that I would lose a custody case. I couldn’t stay and raise the baby there and I couldn’t strike out on my own and leave my child behind. So when Silas came along with his dirty little offer I took it and gladly. It fit in nicely with my own plans plus it gave me some seed money to start over on.”
    “So Edgar has a child.” This could really upset all of Edgar’s plans to settle things and have nothing further on his conscious.
    No Mr. Randall,” she said sadly.
    I would have given an arm if she would call me Frank just once.
    “I had a miscarriage and lost the baby.”
    “I’m sorry.” It sounded terribly inadequate, but it was all I could think to say.
    She nodded her head in acceptance.
    “We don’t have to let that go any further,” I said. I couldn’t believe that came out of my mouth. Pomeroy was a paying client and a well paying client at that. Anything I dug up, outside the deal we made on meeting Paula, was his. It was his money that I had spent finding it. I wasn’t making good decisions today. Maybe she would tell him herself.
    We sat in silence for a few minutes.
    “It’s still early,” I said. “And Edgar was very anxious to get this done. Could I call him and set it up for tonight?”
    “Of course, there’s a phone in the hall. Please get in touch with him.”
    I walked into the hall, spotted the phone, fished a dime out of my pocket and called the number that Pomeroy had given me. He answered on the second ring.
    “Hello.”
    “Mr. Pomeroy?”
    “Yes. Is that you Randall? Do you have something to report?
    “It’s good news. I found her.”
    “That’s outstanding Randall. Have you set a meeting?”
    “That’s what I’m calling about. She’s willing to meet as early as tonight if you wish.”
    “Splendid! You’ve done a fine job. There will be a bonus in this for you my boy.”
    I hoped I would still be on such good terms with him when all the details came out.
    “Thanks,” I said. “How about my office in an hour? It will probably take awhile to tie up loose ends and get out of here.”
    “Where are you,” he said with a worried tone.
    “I’d rather you get all the details at once and in person.”
    “Of course, of course, I understand.” He didn’t sound like he understood at all.
    “Would you like to speak to Paula?” I asked trying to allay any fears that he might have. “She’s in the next room.”
    “No,” he said slowly. “Perhaps it’s best that this is all done face to face. I’ll be in your office in one hour. Then I want to hear all the details. I’m sure you have an interesting tale.”
    We rang off. I turned around to go back to the dressing room and almost bumped into Martinez standing behind me. I was getting tired of people sneaking up behind me.
    “It’s not nice to eavesdrop Rudy.” He must have heard every word I said.
    “I would never dream of such a such a thing,” he replied. But I could see the wheels turning in his head. I wondered how much he could have doped out from my end of the conversation. I was spreading Pomeroy’s name around way too much in a joint like this where everyone was a grifter out to make a quick buck. Rudy already had nicked me for two hundred and had me down as an easy mark. I couldn’t blame him; tonight that’s just what I had been.
    “I’m having a bad day Rudy. Don’t push me. I’d hate to think what might happen if I found out that you were telling people my private conversations. Let’s just keep out of each other’s way. Okay?”
    He nodded and stepped aside. There were daggers in his eyes. I was reminded of the saying about if looks could kill.
    Paula was seated when I came back. She looked up with expectant eyes.
    “It’s set,” I said. “He’ll meet us in my office in an hour.
    “I wonder if he’s changed much?”
    “I wouldn’t know I only met him today.”
    “Will you tell me one thing?”
    “If I can.”
    “No, it’s silly.”
    “Come on, what is it?”
    “Well…does he