“What a putz. My guess? Mrs. Oppenheimer’s late husband, ‘Slick Opie’ Oppenheimer, handled the judge’s investment portfolio back when Guarnery was just a schmuck lawyer, which he was, believe you me. I wouldn’t be surprised if the dearly departed Arthur Oppenheimer bankrolled Kenny Boy’s first run for the bench. My gut tells me the judge owed Mrs. Oppenheimer, big time. Why else would the yutz sign this thing? Okay. Now you two boys in blue need to leave. My client and I have to talk. In private.”
After Christine finishes up with her lawyer, we shuttle her back to Beach Lane.
“Do you need to be anywhere right now?” Ceepak asks, once Christine is back inside the house with Dr. Rosen.
“Nope,” I say.
Yes, it’s Saturday, around 5 P.M. and, once again, I have no date. Maybe, once this restraining order dealio is done, I should follow up on Mrs. Ceepak’s advice. Ask Christine out.
“Rita is working the Early Bird dinner shift at Morgan’s Surf and Turf,” says Ceepak, explaining why he isn’t rushing home. “I’d like to swing by the boardwalk. Check out the Free Fall. Make certain they are obeying our shutdown order.”
So we head back to Pier Two.
When we walk up to the towering ride, it’s still idle.
But there is a new sign dangling off that chain barrier: “Opening next weekend!”
Bob, the manager guy, comes strolling over when he sees us checking out the ride.
“Howdy, guys. Been meaning to call you two. We’ve hired an operator who fulfills all your requirements. He’s a carnie from up north. He’ll be here next weekend.”
“Has he been trained and certified by the manufacturer?”
“Yep. Trained at their factory in Sandusky, Ohio. He faxed us a copy of his license and the factory certification.”
“We’ll need a copy of it.”
“Sure. I’ll fax it over first thing Monday. You’ll get a kick out of it, too.”
“How so?”
“Guy has the same last name as you.”
“Come again?”
“Our new operator. His name is Joseph Ceepak. Any relation?”
Ceepak’s face goes ghostly white.
“Yes. He is my father.”
Ceepak spends every free hour the next week preparing for “the imminent invasion” of Joseph Ceepak.