Jerry sighed. "I'm tempted."
"It's a deal," Duke agreed. "Make mine rare. And I add one thing: If there's a story, we get it first."
Rick looked pained. "Don't you always? But chances are, there never will be a story out of this."
"Government deal," Duke said. "It has to be. Okay, Rick. We'll go along. What's the second kind of help?"
Rick breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't doubted that Duke and Jerry would hold the story, but it was always hard to ask a favor without being able to give the reason. "There's a new barber in Vince Lardner's shop."
"Think we're chumps who don't keep up with the news?" Jerry asked, his expression disdainful. "Of course there's a new barber. What of it?"
"We need some information about him. If you'll just let me see your notes, that should do it."
Jerry hesitated and Scotty grinned. "Bet he doesn't have any notes."
Duke glared at Jerry. "See? You've embarrassed the Record. I told you to get the story on that barber this morning."
"Time enough later," Jerry retorted, unruffled. "We don't need the dope until tonight, and I'll have it. What kind of information do you want?"