Manhattan Is My Beat (Rune 1)

"No," Rune said abruptly. The man blinked. Got a rise out of him there. She tried on her adult persona again. "But I will for two thousand."

Which got an even bigger rise and he actually gave her a smile. It was--naturally--neutral but it was a smile nonetheless. He said, "Fifteen hundred."

"Deal." She started to extend her hand to shake but apparently this wasn't done in matters of this sort.

He pulled a pad toward him. "Where should I send the check?"

"Here." Rune held her hand forward, palm out.

Another smile. Irritated, less neutral this time. She was supposed to be stupid and intimidated. But here she was, staring back into his eyes, looking, more or less, adult. Finally he rose. "I'll just be a minute. Payable to cash, I assume?"

"That'll work."

He walked silently out of the office, buttoning his jacket as he left. He was gone longer than Rune thought he'd be--thinking he'd just tell his secretary to cut a check--but no, he was gone for a full five minutes.

Which was more than enough time for Rune to lean forward and flip through Stein's Rolodex and find Victor Symington's card. The address had been crossed out several times and a new one written in.

In Brooklyn. The address was in Brooklyn. She recited it several times softly out loud. Closed her eyes. She tested herself and found she'd memorized it. She flipped the Rolodex back to where it had been.

Rune fell back into her slouch in the chair and looked at the lawyer's wall, wondering if there were some special kinds of frames you were supposed to use for diplomas. Mr. Go-to-School-and-Lead-a-Productive-Life Richard didn't have any goddamn diplomas on his ugly beige suburban walls.

Phillip Dixon, the U.S. marshal, hadn't even gone to college, she bet. He seemed perfectly happy. But before she could play her game of making up an elaborate life for him, starting with his partner being tragically gunned and dying in his amrs, Lawyer Stein returned.

He had an envelope and a sheet of paper. Handed her both. She scanned the document quickly but it was full of whereases and words like indemnity and waiver. She gave up after the first paragraph.

"That's a receipt for the money. You agree that if you don't keep your bargain we can sue you for all this money back plus costs and attorney's fees, and ..."

Rune was staring at the check.

"... punitive damages."

Whatever.

Rune signed the paper, put the check in her bag.

"So Mr. Symington doesn't exist, right?"

"Mr. who?"

CHAPTER TWENTY

"So how was the date?" Stephanie asked.

"With Richard?" Rune responded.

&n

bsp; "Who else?" the redhead replied.

Rune considered the question for a moment. Then asked. "You ever see Rodan?"

They were at the counter of Washington Square Video.

"You mean his sculpture?"

Who? This was like Stallone's poetry. "No, I mean the flying dinosaur that destroyed Tokyo. Or maybe New York. Or someplace. A movie from the fifties."

"Missed that."