Ground Zero

But where to start?

Well, this was a hotel and hotels hired guys to know stuff or be able to look up stuff.

The concierge was a short Hispanic guy who reminded Jack a little of Julio, but only a little. Julio was Puerto Rican, this guy had a lot of Olmec in the family woodpile. His name tag said HECTOR.

Right off the bat Hector knew of three revival theaters in greater L.A., and the computer spat out three more. Jack took the list and checked out the addresses. He had no idea where any of these places were, but his car’s GPS would find them.

But not yet. Goren’s e-mails had mentioned the theater as a night job. The sun was still high, leaving Jack hours to kill. And besides, he had to make a stop before looking for anybody. He showed Hector an address on Hollywood Boulevard.

“That’s in the Hollywood and Highland Center,” he said without having to look it up. “A big mall next to the Chinese.”

“Chinatown?”

His smile was indulgent. “No, sir. Grauman’s Chinese Theater.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“You can’t miss it.” He pointed and gave directions.

“How far?”

“A couple of miles.”

Was that all? Hell, he’d walk it. And as a bonus he’d get to see Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Might as well be a tourist for the afternoon. Might never be back.

He remembered seeing Hollywood Boulevard on the revival list and took another look. Sure enough . . .

“Where’s this Egyptian Theater?”

“Keep walking past the Highland Center,” Hector said. “Cross Highland and you can’t miss it. It’s even older than the Chinese. The first Hollywood premiere was held at the Egyptian in 1922.”

“Yeah? What film?”

“Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks.”

Cool. Jack knew it well. He had a thing for silents. He’d be checking the place out even if it wasn’t on the list.

He stepped out of the lobby onto Sunset and took a left. He passed some interesting looking eateries and watering holes interspersed among Starbucks and McDonald’s. He came upon the Chateau Marmont, which did indeed look like a chateau. He strolled up the short, steep driveway. The lobby was small and elegant and the AC welcome after the heat of the street. He was tempted to ask if he could rent the bungalow where Belushi bought it but passed.

The environs became a little rundown as he continued east. Where was the glamour of Sunset Boulevard? Where was Erich von Stroheim driving Gloria Swanson’s limo? Where was the Whiskey a Go-Go? Maybe he was headed in the wrong direction for that sort of thing. He found Hollywood Boulevard and soon stood before Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

The famous red columns and huge circular forecourt were even more impressive than he’d expected. The place delivered on its reputation. He hung out for a while, checking out the footprints and handprints of the film industry’s icons—from Jack Be

For half an hour he took a vacation from reality and enjoyed himself. Then he moved on to the mall.

Abe’s instructions had been to find the Mailbox Centre at this address.

No problem there, but he didn’t go in right away. He hung out to see if anyone was watching the store. Overly cautious, maybe, but he had no schedule. Ten minutes of observation satisfied him.

He checked the combination Abe had given him: R10—L22—R13. He went to box 367, entered those numbers, and the door popped open. Inside he found a padded envelope. He slipped it out, closed the door, spun the combo dial, and headed back to the street.

A neat way to transfer merchandise: Abe’s contact rents the mailbox; when he needs to make a delivery, he opens the door, adjusts the combination to a prearranged number, then sticks the package in with the junk mail already present. The buyer opens the box, removes his purchase, and takes off. Completely anonymous.

If Abe’s contact was true to his word, the envelope should contain a Glock 27 loaded with .40-caliber Speer Gold Dot JHPs. The weight felt about right, but he’d have to wait before he knew for sure.

He continued east on Hollywood Boulevard, crossing Highland, until he came to a dramatic sandstone block façade. A side sign said “Egyptian” but “American Cinematheque” arched over the entrance in wrought iron. He strolled along the lines of stately palms, passing pharaoh heads and other Egyptian bric-a-brac. The sign over the i

Hokey as it was, Jack loved the place. Other than an exotic setting, what did ancient Egypt have to do with movies? But who cared? The place had a genuine wow factor. Back then they knew how to do these places up right. Better than the shoeboxes that passed for theaters today.

Gia’s recurring comment came back to him: You were born in the wrong generation. You don’t like anything modern.

Not quite. He hefted the package in his hand. He loved modern weaponry.

The Egyptian looked too legit to be paying off the books, but Jack had walked too far not to give it a shot. He asked to speak to the manager and soon found himself in the company of a slender man in his forties.

“Is Ernie working here tonight?”

Jack didn’t expect Goren to be using his surname, but he might have kept his first.

The manager frowned. “Ernie? We have no Ernie working here.”

“Older guy, sixtyish, gray hair. He’s the night manager.”

His head shake was emphatic. “No one like that working here, certainly not as night manager.”

Well, it had been worth a try, and he’d eliminated a stop from his list.

He had a bad thought as he headed back to the street. This was Goren’s daughter’s first night in from the east. Wouldn’t he want to spend it with her? Even if Jack found the right theater, he might not find Goren.

Swell.

6

Back in his room, he opened the package and found exactly what he’d ordered. He checked the chamber—empty. He’d leave it that way for now. Checked the magazine—maxed at ten rounds. The Glock 27 was a pocket carry, smaller than his 19, with a smaller magazine. But he figured the extra stopping power of the .40-caliber hollowpoints would compensate should things come to that. He hoped not. He’d do whatever he could to keep this a safe, quiet, peaceful trip.

He slipped it into his right front pocket and stood before the mirror. Even with his loose-fitting jeans, the pistol left a bulge. He untucked his T-shirt. There. Hidden.

No Mae West wisecracks tonight.

He checked his watch: just after four. Not quite Miller time in L.A. but hours past it in New York.

But first, a couple of calls. After all, it was already seven back there and he didn’t know when he’d have another chance tonight.

He checked in with Gia and gave her a rundown of all the pulse-pounding excitement so far. Then he called Weezy, and sensed the dismay in her tone when he told her about the problem at the airport.

“You lost them?”

“We knew all along that was a good possibility. I’m going to start making the rounds of the revival theaters in a little while. Meantime, how are things going with the Compendium?”

“Jack, it’s just incredible.” He could hear her spirits lifting. “Literally incredible. There’s so much here, and it’s all so . . . so . . .”

“Incredible?”

“Yes! I’m having a hard time believing what I’m reading, and an even harder time wrapping my mind around it.”

“How are you managing with the changing pages?”

”It doesn’t seem to matter. I can somehow remember the pages I’ve read and my brain puts them in sequence no matter what order I see them.”

Remembering his months of frustration trying to make sense of the book, he said, “I hate you.”