Read Online The Way You Die Tonight by Robert Randisi - Free Book Online

Eddie.’
    Once again she flounced away, fully aware that I was watching. But I couldn’t watch for long, because I had things to do. Frank was coming in, Jerry would probably be in tomorrow, and I had to find out if Danny had learned anything.

EIGHTEEN
    A s I got out of the elevator on Frank’s floor I saw him come out of his suite and turn my way.
    â€˜Frank—’
    â€˜Eddie, baby,’ he said, spreading his arms expansively. The famous smile lit up his face. ‘Come on, we gotta go.’
    â€˜Go? Where?’
    â€˜I was just comin’ to find you,’ he said. ‘We’re goin’ to the Sahara.’
    â€˜Frank, if you wanna eat—’
    â€˜I do, but not here,’ he said, hustling me down the hall. ‘You got your Caddy?’
    â€˜Yeah, but—’
    â€˜Never mind,’ he said, as the elevator doors closed. ‘It’s stupid to drive your car to the Sahara. We could walk there.’
    â€˜Yeah, but Frank—’
    â€˜I know, I’ll be recognized. But you can get us a limo, right?’
    â€˜Well, yeah, right, but—’
    â€˜Then let’s do it, pally!’ he said. ‘We can talk on the way.’
    In the lobby I grabbed a valet named Tommy and told him I needed a limo fast.
    â€˜Sure, Eddie,’ he said. ‘Comin’ up.’
    â€˜Are we running from somebody, Frank?’ I asked.
    â€˜No, no,’ he said, ‘nothing like that. Did Eddie get in? Hey, that’s right, he’s Eddie and so are you. And Eddie G.—’
    â€˜He and I went through that already,’ I said. ‘Yeah, he’s here and we got acquainted over lunch.’
    â€˜Good, good,’ he said. ‘What’s the plan?’
    â€˜Dinner tonight, the three of us,’ I said. ‘Somewhere on the strip.’
    â€˜OK, good,’ Frank said. ‘I’ll let you set it up.’
    â€˜Only not the Sahara, if we’re going there now.’
    â€˜Right, right, not the Sahara. Man, I need a drink.’
    â€˜What’s going on, Frank?’
    â€˜Nothin’, nothin’,’ he said. ‘Take it easy. All is well.’
    I knew Frank had his manic moments – probably more so since last year, when Frank Jr had been kidnapped and JFK killed – but since I wasn’t a doctor I didn’t know if this was an example of a high, or if it was actually a low.
    â€˜Car’s out front, Eddie,’ the valet said.
    â€˜Thanks, Tommy.’
    â€˜Let’s go, kid,’ Frank said.
    He hurried across the lobby with me running after him …
    When we got to the Sahara we were let off in the back, in front of the restaurant. There was a well-cared for lawn there ringed by over 200 motel rooms.
    We went in and were immediately shown to Frank’s table, which was always held for him.
    Once we were seated, Frank ordered a martini, and I had a beer. After he sipped the drink he seemed to settle down a bit.
    â€˜What’s goin’ on, Frank?’ I asked again.
    â€˜Nothin’, Eddie,’ he said. ‘I’ve been on edge a little lately, that’s all.’
    â€˜You want something to eat?’
    â€˜Maybe an appetizer,’ he said, ‘nothing much. We’re gonna have dinner with Eddie.’ He waved to the waiter and ordered an antipasto.
    Then he sat back and took a deep breath before lighting a cigarette and taking another sip of his martini. Suddenly, he seemed calm.
    â€˜So what’s goin’ on with you?’
    I told Frank about my lunch with Robinson.
    â€˜I like him,’ I ended with. ‘He seems like a cool old guy.’
    â€˜He’s a legend in this business, Eddie,’ Frank said. ‘I’m proud that I got to do two movies with him, especially
Hole in the Head
. That was some experience.’
    Our antipasto came and we began to pick at it, after ordering two more drinks.
    â€˜You gonna get in trouble for