Nothing Lasts Forever

Kat was awakened by the ring of the telephone. Without opening her eyes, she reached out for it and put the receiver to her ear.

"H'lo?"

"Kat? It's Mike."

She sat up, her heart suddenly pounding. "Mike, are you all right?" She heard him laugh.

"Never better, sis. Thanks to you and your friend."

"My friend?"

"Mr. Dinetto."

"Who?" Kat tried to concentrate, groggy with sleep.

"Mr. Dinetto. He really saved my life."

Kat had no idea what he was talking about. " Mike..."

"You know the fellows I owed money to? Mr. Dinetto got them off my back. He's a real gentleman. And he thinks the world of you, Kat."

Kat had forgotten the incident with Dinetto, but now it suddenly flashed into her mind: Lady, you don't know who you're talking to. You better do what the man says. This is Mr. Lou Dinetto.

Mike was going on. "I'm sending you some cash, Kat. Your friend arranged for me to get a job. It pays real good money."

Your friend. Kat was nervous.. "Mike, listen to me. I want you to be careful."

She heard him laugh again.

"Don't worry about me. Didn't I tell you everything would be coming up roses? Well, I was right."

"Take care of yourself, Mike. Don't - "

The connection was broken.

Kat was unable to go back to sleep. Dinetto! How did he find out about Mike, and why is he helping him?

The following night, when Kat left the hospital, a black limousine was waiting for her at the curb. The Shadow and Rhino were standing beside it.

As Kat started to pass, Rhino said, "Get in, doctor. Mr. Dinetto wants to see you."

She studied the man for a moment. Rhino was ominous-looking, but it was the Shadow who frightened Kat. There was something deadly about his stillness. Under other circumstances, Kat would never have gotten into the car, but Mike's telephone call had puzzled her. And worried her.

She was driven to a small apartment on the outskirts of the city, and when she arrived, Dinetto was waiting for her.

"Thanks for coming, Dr. Hunter," he said. "I appreciate it. A friend of mine had a little accident. I want you to take a look at him."

"What are you doing with Mike?" Kat demanded.

"Nothing," he said innocently. "I heard he was in a little trouble, and I got it taken care of."

"How did ... how did you find out about him? I mean, that he was my brother and ..."

Dinetto smiled. "In my business, we're all friends. We help each other. Mike got mixed up with some bad boys, so I helped him out. You should be grateful."

"I am," Kat said. "I really am."

"Good! You know the saying 'One hand washes the other'?"

Kat shook her head. "I won't do anything illegal."

"Illegal?" Dinetto said. He seemed hurt. "I wouldn't ask you to do anything like that. This friend of mine was in a little accident and he hates hospitals. Would you take a look at him?"

What am I letting myself in for? Kat wondered. "Very well."

"He's in the bedroom."

Dinetto's friend had been badly beaten up. He was lying in bed, unconscious.

"What happened to him?" Kat asked.

Dinetto looked at her and said, "He fell down a flight of stairs."

"He should be in a hospital."

"I told you, he doesn't like hospitals. I can get you whatever hospital equipment you need. I had another doctor who took care of my friends, but he had an accident."

The words sent a chill through Kat. She wanted nothing more than to run out of the place and go home, and never hear Dinetto's name again, but nothing in life was free. Quid pro quo. Kat took off her coat and went to work.