Jesso sat down again. “What job, Gluck boy?”
“They want you to find a man. That’s all.”
“How much?”
“Twenty grand. For me, not for you.”
Gluck sat back, obviously hoping that Jesso would bust something. He watched as Jesso’s neck swelled and the eyebrows made a sudden line grow down the middle of the forehead. But Jesso didn’t do anything else.
“I won’t do you the favor, President. I won’t goof,” he said. “I’m a good little boy taking his licking.” He took a breath. “Who’s the outfit?”
“Here’s the card with the address.” Gluck handed it over. “Just an address, Jack boy, and it isn’t an outfit.”
“No name, even?”
“The name’s Kator,” Gluck said.
Jesso got up and went to the door. “I’m going to do you the favor, buddy boy,” he said. “I’m taking that job.”
Chapter Three
Kator had a suite in an uptown hotel and Jesso got there at eight in the morning. If Kator wasn’t out of bed yet, that would be fine too.
The tall guy opened the door. He took the card Jesso had brought, and that was all. He hardly nodded when Jesso wished him a good morning.
“Remember me, friend? The clothes tree.”
“This way, please.”
“How’s Porker, friend?”
“Mr. Kator is waiting.”
The next room wasn’t large, but Jesso didn’t see Kator right away. He sat hidden in a high-backed chair, his small hands folded in his lap. The thick neck was wedged into a stiff collar, and Jesso had to walk around the chair before he could see the man’s face. Then Kator was out of his chair with an easy movement.
“You are Mr. Jesso,” he said. He held out his hand. When Jesso took it he was surprised by the strength of the grip. “Now that you will be working for us temporarily, please be seated and listen closely.”