out of sight.
I had come down early, hoping to have a chance to talk
with J.R., but between my room and the front door I had
been stopped by two bellhops and the desk clerk, all of
whom knew that I had been in a fight the night before. Of
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142
course, they each expressed their sympathies … in varying
degrees. As I recall, the desk clerk’s sympathy went some-
thing like “You’re, welcome to use the hotel safe for your
valuables, sir … but we can’t accept responsibility for any
losses.”
Terrific!!
I had rapidly discovered that I wasn’t wild about the idea
of my escapade being discussed by the general populace.
Especially not since it ended with a session with the police.
Even though he had noted my displeasure at discussing
the prior night’s incident, Edvick seemed determined not to
let the subject die as we started on our way.
“I told you you should have gotten a bodyguard,” he
lectured. “Carrying that kind of cash around is just askin’
for trouble.”
“Funny, the police said the same thing . . . about the
cash, I mean.”
“Well they’re right… for a change. Things are danger-
ous enough around here without drawing unnecessary atten-
tion to yourself.”
I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes. I hadn’t
slept well, but the brief time I had spent in a horizontal
position had allowed my muscles to tighten, and I ached all
over.
“So, I discovered,” I said. “Oh well, it’s over now.
Besides, I didn’t do such a bad job of taking care of myself.”
“The way I heard it, someone showed up to help bail
you out,” Edvick pointed out bluntly, “and even then it