“Hey Marcus,” I said.
Marcus said, “What’s the game plan for today?”
Hondo said, “Checking out the area near Sunset and Laurel Canyon.”
Marcus said, “And try to figure out what she’s doing?”
I said, “You want a job sleuthing? We can’t pay you but you’ll get some spiffy business cards.”
Marcus grinned, “I’ll keep it in mind. So, we ready?”
“Yeah,” Hondo said.
I said, “And then we’re going to find a good place for brunch.”
Marcus said, “I already ate.”
I said, “Stick with me, I’ll make you and Hondo healthier.”
Hondo said, “He’s got a tapeworm. A big one.”
Marcus said, “He does?”
“I do not!”
Hondo said, “He’s embarrassed about it.”
Marcus said, “I would be, too.”
“Don’t force me to take you both down and gag your mouths shut. Well I would, but I’m too weak right now. I need brunch.”
Hondo said, “I give up. We’ll find you some food after we look over the area.”
“Deal,” I said.
CHAPTER 8
We took a right off the Sunset Strip onto Laurel and one block later found a small parking lot, and wonder of wonders, an empty space. We got out and locked the car, then walked down to the Sunset Strip.
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I said, “Go together or go separate?”
Hondo said, “Separate. I go west, you go east.”
Marcus said, “I can’t follow you both.”
“You can follow Hondo,” I said, “He needs the screen time.”
“Har har,” Hondo said. “You think twenty minutes? Ten down and ten back, and meet here?”
“Sure,” I said, “If we don’t find something by then…”
Marcus said, “Then there’s nothing to find anyway.”
I said, “You sure you don’t want to join up? I’ve got a really neat Junior G-Man badge you can borrow to impress the girls.”
“Come on,” Hondo said. Marcus grinned and shot me the finger as he followed Hondo down the street.