“It narrows the field. I haven’t heard anything about a price on your head and, as you say, this was amateur hour. Anyone who put a paper out on you would be sure to hire more professional staff. If I were you, I’d be rather offended that someone might think you could be dealt with in such an uncouth fashion.”
“Yeah, I’m all torn up. Speaking of which, I hope you sent flowers for Billy Boy.”
Gabriel nodded sympathetically. “It wasn’t entirely unexpected. His illness was quite advanced. Radical surgery was called for. It appears somebody took it upon himself to offer it.”
“I’m sure he would have liked a second opinion.”
“He got the best treatment available. The end, when it came, was quite swift.”
“Blissful, even.”
A spasm of unease animated Gabriel’s face.
“I should have been told,” said Louis.
“What have you heard?”
“Rumors, that’s all.”
“It’s been a long time since anyone encountered him. It had been suggested that he was dead.”
“Wishful thinking.”
“Does he frighten you?” asked Gabriel slyly, calm now returning to his face.
“Do I have reason to be frightened?”
“None of which I’m aware. But in the case of the gentleman to whom you’re referring, I wouldn’t be privy to that kind of information. He’s been off the radar for a long time, but you two do have a history. If he did return, he might be in the mood to renew old acquaintances.”
“Not very reassuring for me. Maybe not very reassuring for you either.”
“I’m an old man.”
“He’s killed old men before.”
“I am different.”
Louis conceded the point.
“Still, you and your partner handled today’s upsets rather well. I imagine that you’d present quite a challenge to him, even after all these years. What did you do with the trash?”
“I had it taken away. Landfill.”
“And the old lady?”
“We bought her chocolate cake.”
“Would that everyone were so easily mollified. How are your friends from the auto shop?”
“Shaken. I told them to close up for a few days. They’re staying at a hotel.”
Gabriel finished his lemonade and stood, picking up the newspaper as he did so and sliding it into his coat pocket.
“I should have something for you in a day or two,” he said.
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Well, it’s not good to have this kind of thing going on. It makes everyone look bad.”
“And we can’t have that.”
“Indeed not. Walk safely.”
And with that, Gabriel was gone.