“Just look over the contract,” he said, “and then we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
He smiled, waved, and walked out. I had never seen him smile that much, leave that abruptly, or delay things for later.
I nodded at Stonewall and walked after Lippit. At the last moment, I thought, Stonewall looked as if he wanted to talk some more, which was no wonder, seeing how he had been left up in the air. I could appreciate that, because I felt the same way.
Chapter 2
He was waiting for me by his car which was built so long and low that when he leaned up against it he practically sat on the roof. He leaned like that and was clicking one thumbnail against his front teeth.
“That was the real touch of class,” he said, “you walking in there with that monkey suit on.”
“I notice how it helped.”
“Maybe blue jeans tomorrow,” he said, which was the sort of no-account comment he sometimes made, making you wonder about his humor and his intelligence.
“Ever hear of him before?” was the next thing he said.
“Huh?”
“Benotti.”
I had, of course, heard of Benotti before, the four times he had done outside repairs and that other time, which had nothing to do with Lippit.
“Yes,” I said. “Four jobs,” and told him about Morry having called for this outside repair man.
“He still sound like a repair man to you?”
“Mostly. Plus trying to place some machines of his own.”
“I’m sure he’s new in town,” said Lippit, “though that don’t mean he hasn’t heard about me.”
“Maybe Benotti’s just stupid.”
“Yes,” said Lippit. “That would be nice.”
Then he got into his long, low car, which put his head at about the level of my knees, and when he had the motor going he looked up at me and said, “Before the party, Jack, run on over to Louie’s.”