'He's in Biloxi. Bail bonds conference. And I hate to bring this up, but you need to bring in a couple of the high bonds. We need Lonnie Johnson and Leon James.'
'I made some phone calls last night, and I couldn't get anything on Johnson. Someone a lot scarier than I am is after him, and he's on the run. I'll try Leon James today.'
'I'll go with you,' Lula said. 'Only I gotta be careful because I just got my nails done, and I don't want to ruin them. This is my big night. I'm making my debut with the What tonight. We're gonna be at that bar on Third Street. The Hole.'
'That's a pretty rough bar. I didn't know they had bands,' I said to Lula.
'We're the first. They're trying something new. They said they wanted to e
xpand their clientele.'
'I hope Sally isn't going in drag to that bar.'
'He's got a dress that's like mine only his is in red on account of he don't look good in gold. People be disappointed if Sally wasn't in drag. That's his thing. He's famous for his accessorizing.'
Salvatore Sweet is a good friend in a constant state of reinvention. He's played lead guitar with a bunch of bands. The Funky Butts, the Pitts, Beggar Boys, and Howling Dogs. When I met him he was playing in drag for the first time with the Lovelies, and that was where he hit the jackpot. Actually, it was just a local jackpot, but it was more success than he'd ever seen. When the band broke up Sally continued to perform in drag. He's currently driving a school bus days and playing guitar nights. His bands are always a collection of misfits. Good musicians most of the time who for one reason or another don't fit in anywhere else. In a bizarre way, Lula would be a perfect addition.
'If he goes in drag to the Hole he's going to be accessorizing in the hospital,' Connie said.
'Something to think about,' Lula said.
I glanced out the front window at the SUV. 'Does she ever get out?' I asked Connie. 'Just to stretch? Walk around?'
'I haven't seen her out since that first time when she came into the office looking for you.'
'I have a sick stomach over this Ranger thing,' I told Connie. 'I think we should get some background on Julie Martine's mother and stepfather. And maybe you could poke around in Arlington. I'd like to know more about Ranger's business there.'
Ten minutes later, we were in Lula's car, on the way to Leon James's last known address, and I was on the phone with Morelli.
'I need some help,' I told him. 'I'd like to know the captures Ranger made through his Virginia office. And it would be helpful if I could get a photograph of the Virginia Ranger.'
'The captures I should be able to get for you. The photo will only happen if he has a mug shot or a Virginia driver's license.'
'Good enough. And remember, it's Friday, and we're expected for dinner at my parents' house.'
'I'll be there,' Morelli said.
Lula parked in front of a two-story brick row house in a neighborhood adjacent to the Burg. 'Here it is,' she said. 'This is the address on the file.'
Leon James had listed the house as his residence and had also used it to secure the bond. He was a penny-ante hitman, selling his services to anyone with a grudge. Usually evidence is scarce against him. And witnesses have been known to recant stories and occasionally to disappear. He was wanted for arson and attempted murder. He was a third-time offender, and this was going to be an ugly capture.
'How are we going to do this?' Lula wanted to know. 'This isn't a nice guy. He kills people and burns down houses.'
'I think we'll have to be tricky.'
'Yeah, tricky. I like the sound of that.'
'First thing, we need to get him out of his house and into someplace public. Then we need to distract him until we can get him cuffed.'
'Okay,' Lula said. 'I'm with you.'
'That's it. That's all I've got.'
'That's not much,' Lula said.
'Suppose one of us calls him and says she wants to hire him to do a job. And then she could set up a meeting.'
'Good thinking. That's going to be you doing the calling, right? You're a way better liar than I am.'