The Way You Die Tonight by Robert Randisi

Maheu?’
    â€˜That’s fine.’
    We started for the door, Jerry with us. Maheu stopped and looked pointedly at the big man.
    â€˜Oh, don’t worry,’ I said to Maheu, ‘anything you have to say to me you can say in front of Jerry.’
    Maheu looked at Jerry again, who said, ‘I know how to keep my mouth shut.’
    â€˜I see,’ Maheu said.
    â€˜So, we’re still going?’ I asked.
    â€˜Um, yes,’ Maheu said, slightly unsure, ‘to the Flamingo.’
    Maheu went out the door and Jerry gave me a look behind his back.

TWENTY-SEVEN
    W e got a table in the Driftwood Lounge. Since Morris Landsburgh sold the Flamingo in 1960 – a deal brokered by his friend Meyer Lansky – they had added 200 hotel rooms, and pretty much become a jazz destination. At any time you might find Lionel Hampton, Della Reese, Harry James, Fats Domino or Sarah Vaughan playing the lounge. (That said, don’t ask me why Robert Goulet made his Vegas debut in 1963 at The Flamingo, right from his Broadway stint in ‘Camelot.’). Just the previous year, much of the Elvis film
Viva Las Vegas
had been shot at the Flamingo, mostly exterior shots.
    We settled in and ordered drinks from a waitress. At that hour the lounge stage was empty, and it was fairly quiet.
    â€˜What’s on your mind, Mr Maheu?’ I asked.
    â€˜Mr Hughes was wondering what you had decided?’
    â€˜Well, to tell the truth, I’ve been a little busy,’ I said. ‘We had an employee murdered at the Sands.’
    â€˜Yes, I heard about that. Terrible thing. But I thought the woman hanged herself?’
    â€˜The police may think that,’ I said, ‘but those of us who knew her doubt it.’ That was pushing it, but I figured I might as well let Maheu think we were all family at the Sands.
    â€˜Well,’ Maheu said, looking around, ‘I thought perhaps you had brought me here because you were going to recommend it to Mr Hughes as a place to purchase.’
    â€˜I doubt this would be available,’ I said. ‘It was bought only four years ago.’
    â€˜Then you have no suggestions as yet?’
    â€˜To tell you the truth, Mr Maheu,’ I said, ‘I don’t think I’d be comfortable working for Mr Hughes.’
    â€˜And why is that?’
    â€˜Well, like I told you, I’m pretty busy. And, as part of the Vegas community, I’d feel pretty disloyal helping Hughes pick a place to take over.’
    â€˜Take over?’
    â€˜Isn’t that what he does?’ I asked.
    â€˜Sometimes,’ Maheu said, ‘but here in Vegas he’s simply looking to make a reasonable offer to someone.’
    I’d already learned from talking with Hughes that he wasn’t quite what his reputation made him out to be, but still, it didn’t seem to me he made reasonable purchases. I thought he was pretty ruthless when it came to getting what he wanted.
    â€˜Please pass along my regrets to Mr Hughes,’ I said to Maheu.
    â€˜Are you sure?’ he asked.
    â€˜Very sure.’
    Maheu sat back.
    â€˜I don’t think Mr Hughes will be very happy with that answer.’
    â€˜As I said,’ I repeated, ‘apologize for me.’
    â€˜I’m afraid that might be something you’ll have to do yourself.’
    â€˜Well,’ I said, ‘I don’t really have time—’
    He cut me off by standing, doing up one button of his jacket, and saying, ‘Good day.’
    â€˜I don’t like that guy,’ Jerry said, watching Maheu walk away.
    â€˜He used to work for the Feds.’
    â€˜That explains it, then. You really gonna turn down Howard Hughes?’
    â€˜I think I just did.’
    â€˜Didn’t he offer you a buttload of money?’
    â€˜We didn’t talk specifics,’ I said, ‘but I think a “buttload” was implied.’
    â€˜I gotta give you credit, Mr G.,’ Jerry said.