The Most Dangerous Dame

He eyes widened when he looked up. “But I’m just the handler. I can’t lose those roofies, Mick. You know what’ll happen if I do.”

“Not my problem, Johnny. I got a motto I go by. Wanna hear it? Here it goes: live by your choices or die by your mistakes. Know what that means?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know what it means. You’re not gonna do squat to help me.” He leaped up with a wild look on his face. I took a step back and reached for the heat inside my flogger. But Johnny turned and hurled the detonator into the fog as hard as he could. A few seconds later we heard the splash as it cleared the gangplanks and hit the West River.

He took a few steps between us and put up his cement block fists. “No way I can let you just blow up that payday, Mick. I can’t go out like that.”

I shrugged. “Why not? You already went out the window. But you got me, Johnny. Guess we’re at a stalemate. Sure I could let Poddar reintroduce you to the bottom of his shoes again, but that wouldn’t do us any good. Except the satisfaction of watching a big lug like you get broke down by a Prince like Poddar, that is. So why don’t you just roll and give up the name of your supplier? Give me a bigger fish to fry, and I take care of the axe over your head.”

He paused and lowered his fists. “You want me to squeal on my boss? I’m no snitch, Mick.”

I gave him my most understanding smile. “That’s why it’ll stay between us. You know my word is good, Johnny. Plus you’re running outta choices as I see it. I’m here for a reason. If you think it’s for the stimulating conversation, you’d better guess again.”

He mulled it over for a moment before nodding. Like I said, pretty smart for a goon.

“Ok, Mick. All right. You heard of Luther Vitto?”

“Not too many people I haven’t heard of. Big shot bank investor. Sharks loans to unqualified borrowers on the side. You saying he’s dipping in the narcotics trade too?”

“Not directly. But I overheard his name when I picked the shipment up. He’s setting this up through third parties to keep his mitts clean.”

“Right. So when the chips fall, lugs like you get put in bracelets or catch the slugs. Not exactly a bright career move, Johnny boy.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Hey, I needed the dough. It was just this one job, then I was out.”

I grinned. “Yeah it always is. See you around, Johnny.”

I turned to leave. Poddar stared at me.

“Are you serious?”

“About what?”

He jerked a thumb at Johnny Knuckles. “We’re just letting this guy walk?”

I gave Poddar my patient face. “That’s the way these things work. Favors are the main currency in this town. It’s not always fair and it’s not always satisfying, but it’s how the cogs turn. Mutual back scratching and all that.”

I took a look around. “Let’s beat it. It isn’t getting any drier, and I got a stop or two to make before I hang my Bogart.”

Poddar grumbled, but I knew he wouldn’t make a scene. He was too much a gentleman to try to argue his point in front of other people, even a skid rogue like Johnny Knuckles. We left the lug looking dazed in the downpour as we made our way to the parking lot. The lane lines had faded away a long time ago, so the battered and rusty wheelers were haphazardly parked. I walked to dirtiest, most weather-beaten piece of junk in the lot.

“You can lose the camouflage mode, Maxine.”

“As you wish, Mr. Trubble.” The synthetic voice was almost as sexy as the ride itself as my Duesenberg Ghost-inspired wheeler altered her holographic façade and revealed her beetle-black glimmering curves. The doors slid open.

Poddar walked over to the passenger side. “Why bother with camouflage mode at all? I thought you equipped her with an auto defense system.”

“That’s true, Ace. But the point is not allowing the temptation in the first place. She’s sure to attract attention in this neighborhood and I might trip over all the stiffs she’d have to put down.” I slid into the driver’s seat. “Head over to Johnson Arms, Maxine.”

“Finding the quickest route.” Her fusion motors hummed to life and we peeled out the parking lot.

Poddar gave me a sideways glance. “You all right, Mick?”

“Right as rain on a weathervane, Ace. Why the concern?”

“You just seem… distracted. More than usual, I mean.”

I sighed. “You ever meet a ghost, Poddar?”

Surprisingly, he nodded after second’s thought. “Yes.”

“What… seriously?”

“You asked a question, Mick. Your interpretation of a ghost might be different from mine.”

I’d forgotten how twisted conversations with Poddar could get. I shook my head. “I ran into one last night. A dame I haven’t thought of in a long time. Didn’t have time to even catch up on things before she vanished like harbor mist.”

His face softened a bit. “Did you… love her?”

I considered the notion for a moment. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll ever understand that word, Poddar.”

“First you must understand it is more than just a word. Then you will begin to appreciate its significance.”