“Take me to Joe's house. I'm going to get my gun and kill myself.”
“It just needs to be a little mussed,” Sally said. He reached over. “Let me fix it up for you. I'm good at this.”
I looked in the mirror when he was done. “Eeeeek!” I looked like Sally.
“See,” he said. “I know just how to do it. I have naturally curly hair, too.”
I took another look. I guessed it was better than the dog turds.
“Maybe we should cruise over to north Trenton,” I said. “Check out Eddie Kuntz. Make sure he isn't sitting in his kitchen having lunch.”
Sally stepped on the gas, and my head snapped back.
“Jackrabbit start,” he said.
“How long have you had this car?”
“Three weeks.”
My radar was tingling. “You have a license?”
“Used to.”
Oh boy.
* * * * *
THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR was in front of the Glick half of the house. Of course, Kuntz's half was without car.
“This doesn't feel good,” I said to Sally.
“Like maybe ol' Eddie Kuntz is fish food.”
I imagined, now that Eddie's car had been found abandoned, his aunt and uncle would be wringing their hands. Maybe they'd be distraught enough to let me into Eddie's apartment to snoop around.
Leo Glick opened his front door before I had a chance to knock.
“Saw you drive up,” he said. “What kind of cockamammy car is that anyway? Looks like a big silver egg.”
“It's a Porsche,” Sally said.
Leo squinted at him. “What's with the earrings?”
“I felt like being pretty today, man,” Sally said, shaking his head to give Leo the full effect. “See how they sparkle in the sun? Fucking awesome, huh?”
Leo backed up a step, as if Sally might be dangerous. “What do you want?” he asked me.
“I don't suppose you've heard from Eddie?”
“Don't suppose I have. And I gotta tell you I'm getting sick of people asking about him. First the cops come this morning to tell us about his car. Big deal. He left his car somewhere. Then some bimbo comes around asking about him. And now here you are on my doorstep with Miss America.”
“What kind of bimbo? Do you remember her name?”
“Joyce.”
Great. Just what I need. More Joyce.
“Who is it?” Betty called from inside the house. She looked around Leo's shoulder. “Oh, it's you. Why do you keep bothering us? Why don't you just mind your own business?”