Pagan Babies

23

THE MUTT CAME IN AT noon. He stuck his head in Randy's office, said, "It's all set for tonight," and started away.

"Wait a minute--Mutt? What's all set?"

The Mutt appeared in the doorway again. "I'm go

"Where?"

"I don't know yet. I'm waiting to find out where to meet him. You know, so he can gimme the gun and my money."

Randy was standing at the desk in his shirt sleeves, dark shirt, light-colored tie. He sat down. "You don't have a gun?"

"I guess I didn't tell you. Mr. Moraco's giving me twenty-five to do the priest and he'll furnish the gun. That's the deal. So I'll have me one by then."

Randy said, "To do Vincent."

"Yeah, once he gives it to me."

Randy took his time. "You're go

"I may as well, huh?" And said, "Well, I'll see you" as he started OUt.

"Wait."

The man's simplicity was overwhelming: this little Hoosier, bless his heart, standing there with his muscles and scar tissue waiting now to be dismissed, hat in hand-Randy was thinking-if he had a hat.

Randy said to him, "Mutt? Be careful."

Midafternoon Joh

The Mutt had called saying he wanted to talk to him. Joh

Joh

She was so good it was quick anyway. He could always go back; but why not try another one of the whoers and go for the mob discount? That's what he thought this was about.

The Mutt walked up to him and said, "I'm go

Joh

"You offered to drive for me."

Joh

Look at the guy. It didn't seem likely.

"You're saying to me you have a contract to make a hit and you want me to drive the car."

"Two," the Mutt said.

"Two what?"

"I got two contracts, both for tonight."

Joh

"Don't the driver supply the car?"

"You think I'm go

"All right, I'll get a car," the Mutt said.

Now Joh

The Mutt took a cocktail napkin from his shirt pocket, unfolded it and looked at his handwriting. "Franklin Street between St. Aubin and Dubois. You know where that's at?"

"Yeah, but there ain't nothing there, it's all warehouses and old empty buildings. Let's see, outside of some bars, the Soup Kitchen's close by there."

"He said that, the Soup Kitchen was on a corner down there, not too far."

"What's the guy go

But the Mutt said, "I guess."

"What time?"

"Eight o'clock. He said sharp."

"The guy that gave you the contract."

"Yeah. You want to drive me?"

Joh

"Well, I'm not sure, tell you the truth."

This guy had no idea what he was doing. Still, it didn't sound like he was making it up, so Joh

"They're paying twenty-five each-"

"That's right, you got two contracts."

"Twenty-five hu

Joh

"You get half down?"

"The twenty-five hu

But I haven't got none of the other one, the big one."

Joh

The Mutt said, "Okay then."

Joh

"I don't know yet."

"Mutt, I hate to say it, but you don't sound like you know shit what you're doing."

"I need to find out where to go, that's all."

Jesus Christ. Joh

Mutt squinted, like he was trying to picture the place.

"The gambling casino, Mutt, you can't fuckin miss it, over by the Lodge freeway? That'll be your test, to find it. You pull up to the main entrance there at half past seven with five grand in your hand, slide over, you got yourself a driver."

"I'll be there," the Mutt said.

The guy was an idiot, but so what? He'd have the five or he wouldn't.

Randy looked up from his desk to see the Mutt back again, the Mutt saying he forgot to mention he was supposed to get half the money down on the contract and could he have it now. But not sounding convinced that he should, still hat in hand.

"You want to make sure you're paid," Randy said. "I can understand that, but you're a little late for it to do you any good today."

"Why's that?"

"The banks are closed. You won't be able to deposit the check until tomorrow anyway. Why not wait and get the full amount, twentyfive big ones paid to the order of Searcy J. Bragg, Jr."

"I also forgot to tell you," the Mutt said, "I want it in cash, twelve thousand and five hu

"Well, now, that's not possible."

"Cash, or no deal."

Randy stood up and pulled the pockets out of his pants. He saw the Mutt grin and told him, "You have me at a disadvantage. Where'm I supposed to get it if the banks close at four?"

"You lock your door," the Mutt said, "it's a woman or it's money business."

"And what's that, a Hoosierism?"

"Heidi or some woman's in here with you or you're getting money out of the secret place you keep it. You pay my wages in cash, you pay Mr. Moraco his end in cash, and you said when you gimme the job, you said cash or check."