He walked into the Polo Lounge and looked around, seeing nobody who fit the name of Brandy Garcia. The headwaiter approached.
"May I help you, sir?"
"I'm to meet a Mr. Garcia here," Stone said.
"Mr. Barrington?"
"Yes."
"Come this way, please." He led Stone through the restaurant, out into the garden, and to a table in a shady spot near the rear hedge. A man stood up to greet him.
"Brandy Garcia," he said, extending a hand.
"Stone Barrington," Stone replied, shaking it. Garcia was slightly flashily dressed, in the California style, and perfectly barbered, with a well-trimmed moustache. He bore a striking resemblance to the old-time Mexican movie actor Gilbert Roland.
Garcia indicated a seat. "Please," he said.
"I don't think I'll have time for lunch," Stone said.
Garcia shrugged. "Have a drink, then; I'll have lunch."
They both sat down. There was a large snifter of cognac already before Garcia. "So you're a friend of Rick's?" Garcia asked.
"Yes."
"I've known Rick a long time; good guy. Rick was the first person to tell me I look like Gilbert Roland." He appeared to be cultivating the resemblance.
"Oh," Stone said.
"You think I look like him?"
"Yes, I think you do."
This seemed to please Garcia. The waiter brought them a menu. "Please. Order something. It would please me."
Stone suppressed a sigh. "All right. I'll have the lobster salad and a glass of the house Chardonnay."
"Same here," Garcia said, ogling two good-looking women as they were seated at the next table, "but I'll stick with brandy."
"So," he said, finally, "Rick says you're looking for somebody."
"Yes, I am."
"What is his name?"
"Felipe Cordova."
Garcia shook his head slowly. "I don't know him," he said, as if this were surprising.
"I'm told he's from Tijuana," Stone said.
"My hometown!" Garcia said, looking pleased.
"He was working as a gardener in Los Angeles until recendy." Stone tore a page from his notebook. "He was living with his sister; this is her name and address. He suddenly left LA. on a Saturday night, the same night a murder was committed."
Garcia's eyebrows went up. "The Vance Calder murder?"
"Yes," Stone admitted. He had not wanted to share this information.