After we had chit-chatted a while, and had worked through some more of the bourbon, Speratza said he guessed I was about set to enjoy myself, and how about a girl?
“Well, how about her?” I said.
“I’ve asked Miss Wonderly to look after you,” he told me, showing his big white teeth in a knowing smile. “I’ll have her come over. If she’s not quite your type, say so, and I’ll introduce you to some of the others. We have a lot of girls working for us, but Miss Wonderly rates high with us.”
I said I hoped Miss Wonderly would rate high with me.
“I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t,” he returned, and with another smile of goodwill, he set off across the restaurant.
I looked after him and wondered how much longer it would be before he or whoever it was behind this civic welcome would demand payment. I was as sure as I could be that someone was sweetening me for a shake-down of some description.
A tall, distinguished man with white hair and a dark strong face had been looking at me. He was standing alone at the far end of the bar. He looked like a judge or a doctor or a lawyer, and his tuxedo looked like it had been cut by an angel.
I saw him beckon to the barman and say something to him. The barman gave me a quick look, nodded and turned away The white-headed man came over to me.
“I understand you are Chester Cain,” he said curtly.
“Sure,” I said.