Read Online Les Norton and the Case of the Talking Pie Crust by Robert G. Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

Galese came around with the biggest bag of money I’ve ever seen. And gave everyone a thousand dollars.’
    ‘A thousand bucks?’ said Les.
    ‘Yes. Cash,’ said Jenny. ‘Fifties and hundreds.’
    ‘Shit,’ groaned Les. ‘And I have to take the night off.’
    ‘I’ve had my eye on this dress up in Bondi Junction for months,’ said Louise. ‘It’ll be in my wardrobe tomorrow morning. With a matching handbag and shoes.’
    ‘What a boss,’ said Jenny, taking a sip of her flat white. ‘Honestly. He’s a saint.’
    ‘He’s a knight,’ smiled Les. ‘I can verify that.’
    The girls were in a great mood as they all chit-chatted away over their coffees about work and other things. He also agreed with the girls that Billy’s cousin Royce was a bit of a spunk and Eddie always looked sinister when he wore his black leather jacket. The conversation swung round to movies and Les was telling them about Walk the Line when his phone rang.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Is that Les Norton?’
    ‘Yeah. Who’s this?’
    ‘You don’t know me,’ said the voice. ‘But I’m a friend of Bodene Menjou’s.’
    ‘Hang on.’ Les turned to the girls. ‘I’ll be back in a sec,’ he said, then stood up and took his phone out onto the footpath. ‘Now what did you just say? You’re a friend of Bodene Menjou’s.’
    ‘That is right, my friend.’ The voice was guttural and sounded foreign.
    ‘So what are you ringing me for? And how did you get my phone number?’
    ‘Through a mutual aquaintance.’
    ‘All right,’ said Les carefully.
    ‘I hear you’re looking for a film script. In a green bag with an eagle on the side.’
    This took Les back a little. ‘I could be,’ he answered. ‘What’s it to you?’
    ‘I might be able to help you,’ said the voice.
    ‘Oh? And what’s your end?’
    ‘Satisfaction. That’s all.’
    ‘Okay,’ said Les, somewhat mystified.
    A sudden sneeze sounded at the end of the line, before the voice asked. ‘What are you doing today?’
    ‘Not much. Having a coffee. Kicking back.’
    ‘Go down to the Bondi Markets. Check out the stalls. And ask the woman who does the tarot reads. You might find what you’re looking for.’
    ‘The Bondi Markets?’ said Les.
    ‘That’s right,’ said the voice. ‘I’ll ring you back later.’
    ‘Hang on. What…?’ The voice hung up. Les thought for a moment, then put his phone back in his top and went in to rejoin the others.
    They ordered more coffees and talked for a while before they were all caffeined out and ready to go their separate ways. ‘So what are you girls doing now?’ asked Les.
    Louise shook her head. ‘I’ve got a stack of housework to do. Starting with a pile of washing.’
    ‘I’m going to Bondi Junction and check out the specials,’ smiled Jenny. ‘What about you, Les?’
    ‘Me,’ replied Les. ‘I might go down and check out the Bondi Markets.’
    ‘Not a bad way to spend Sunday afternoon,’ said Louise. ‘I wish I was going with you.’
    They paid the bill then stepped outside and went their separate ways. The girls walked up to Six Ways, where Louise had left her car. Les strolled down Hall Street towards Campbell Parade.
    Well, that’s a funny one, thought Les, as he neared the Post Office. Some rooster ringing me up out of the blue, telling me where to look for Menny’s script. Whoever it is, they know what they’re talking about. I wonder if it was Lasjoz? He could have got my number off Menny and the voice had a gravelly, European sound. Deep Throat, smiled Les. That’s what I’ve found myself. A Deep Throat. Yeah. Between Irish John and Deep Throat, you can bet I’ll finish up in more deep shit. Les joined the Sunday push along Campbell Parade and walked down to Bondi Beach Public School.
    For a cloudy day, the markets were in full swing, with no shortage of casually dressed punters looking for bargains. Les tended toavoid the place because of the crowds. But now and again he’d pop in to buy a T-shirt,