Title: Playmates
Author(s): Robert B. Parker
Publisher(s): Berkley
Pages: 136
Year: 1990
Format: MOBY
Language: English
**************************************************************************************
Download
The random article:
Gerry was a second generation thug, been to college, graduated into the old man$prime;s business. He spent every morning in a coffee shop near Oak Square in Brighton. He$prime;d have breakfast, read the paper, drink some coffee, make a few phone calls, receive a few visitors. Joe still ran things, but Gerry was the crown prince.
«Joe$prime;s garbage,» Hawk said as we were walking across Washington Street toward the B&D Coffee Shop. «And Gerry$prime;s nowhere near the man Joe is.»
«I know,» I said. «Cops will be glad when Gerry takes over. They figure the organization will turn into pot shards in about a year.»
«Pot shards,» Hawk said.
We opened the door to the coffee shop and went in. The air was steamy with the scent of coffee and bacon and cigarette smoke. There was a rusty-colored marble counter and four booths by the big front window. The place looked as if it had originally been built to be a variety store and been converted, home style, by either B or D or maybe both.
Gerry was in his booth, farthest from the door by the window. There was a thick guy with curly black hair sitting opposite him with his overcoat on.
The first time I met Gerry he was still an undergraduate, selling coke and blackmailing women when he wasn$prime;t studying for midterms. Now he was about twenty-seven and looked younger. He had a soft face and a limp black mustache. He$prime;d put on some weight, none of it sinew, and he hadn$prime;t adjusted his wardrobe, so that while he wore very expensive clothes they were a little tight everywhere.
He spotted us when we came in and said something to the man across from him. The man across from him put one hand inside his coat as he turned and looked at us over his shoulder.
«What do you want, creep?» Gerry said.
«Gee, Gerry,» I said, «getting porky hasn$prime;t improved your style any, has it?»
The man across from him had twisted himself around in the booth with one leg resting in the seat, so that he was fully facing us. Hawk stepped up to the counter and ordered two coffees.
«The gentleman there wants it on his tab,» Hawk said. The counter woman nodded and shuffled after the coffee.
«I asked you a question,» Gerry said.
«Commendable,» I said. «So many people these days are always talking me, me, me, but you$prime;ve developed listening skills. You$prime;re a sensitive guy, Ger.»
Hawk came over with a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup. I took it and had a small sip. Hawk went back and sat on a stool at the counter and leaned one elbow on the counter and watched.