Thats disgusting. Think of all those pathetic humans who lie, cheat and steal to pay for their drug habits.
Unfortunately, in California and elsewhere, plenty of folks with big bucks are dabbling in the hard stuff. They earn their money on Wall Street, or in occupations that are well thought of.
Like entertainment and sports, you mean?
To name two, yes.
Daphne spared him a sidelong glance. Ive lived on the fringes of Hollywood my whole life. I know rich-and-famous kids who spent more than their school lunch money to stay stoned out of their minds.
Did you know any dealers? Do you now?
No. I always figured it was better not to know. I didnt use, or run around with kids who did. She shrugged. I was never very popular.
Now that I find hard to believe.
She sent him a dirty look. As dirty, at least, as a clown with a painted-on smile could deliver.
Are they still on our bumper? he asked, not wanting to turn around.
Yes, she said, making a right turn and then a left. Dang, I thought that maneuver might confuse them. They seem acquainted with all our one-way streets. Shoot, Im afraid I really tipped them off.
Logan squinted into the sun to read the next street signs. Go up Linda Vista and join the Foothill Freeway. From there, see if you can disappear in heavy traffic. Then swerve onto the Glendale Freeway. Follow it all the way down to the Golden State. If theyre unaware the feds have a branch office here, it may throw them off the track long enough to let me slip out and double back. I just dont want to leave them following you. By the way, where do you live? And do you live alone or with familyor with a significant other?
Alone. She gave him the coordinating cross streets for her apartment. Why do you need to know where I live?
Because I may have to go home with you to make it look convincing to these jokers if theyre too persistent.
What? No way! I just told you I live alone.
How many people in your building know that?
A few. I dont see how thats relevant.
It is if our tails get nosy and start asking questions around here. If they werent suspicious of usof meI think theyd already be peeling off to look elsewhere. They know where I live. Im sure someones watching my condo.
I suppose you can come up for a little while. How do you plan to leave my apartment, thoughand when?
Ill think of something. I hate to ask a fellow agent to extract me, but if all else fails, I will. Those jerks behind us dont know your name. You didnt give it to Razor, did you? Logan leveled a serious look at Daphne.
I said we booked birthday parties as Bozo and Buzzy. I said I didnt have any business cards with me. Your friend wasnt interested. I pretended I thought he had a child and was checking the party because he might want to book us.
That was good thinking, he said somewhat unwillingly.
Thanks. Her response was dry.
No, I mean it. Have you considered going into police work yourself?
Are you kidding? With my work history? She laughed hilariously as she navigated up the ramp onto the first of the three freeways.
It couldnt be too bad. You arent that old.
Part-time jobs have been my downfall, she muttered with a grimace. I figured anyone could be a waitress. Ive certainly encountered some ditzy ones. But my first day on the job, I dumped Caesar salad in the lap of a really big movie star. I guess you could say I got blackballed from working at any local restaurants where therere decent tips.
So, your mistake was in assuming that waitressings easy.
On my next job, I tried lifeguarding at Santa Monica Beach.
Can you swim? Logan asked carefully.
Yes, dont be an idiot. I swim fine. I just couldnt rescue a two-hundred-and-fifty-pound doofus who almost drowned himself and me. He was drunk out of his gourd, and his buddies thought the way he fought me was really cute.
Well, jeez, what do you expect if the guy outweighs you? Cripes, you cant weigh more than a hundred and thirty.
A hundred and twelve to be exact. But the instructor who trained me insists its not a matter of weight but of leverage. So I still got fired.
Thats just two jobs. Its obvious you didnt give up.
No. I applied for and got a job as a dog walker. I screwed up at that, too. She sighed.
That job seems like a no-brainer if you dont mind my saying so. What happened?
You wont believe it, she responded glumly. My family still cant. The agency I signed up with had some high-toned clients. I was assigned to meet dog owners at the valet parking for Rodeo Drive. In a way it was my own fault. My first time out, I was to walk three chows. Youve seen chows? Theyre big and fluffy and red. This particular threesome turned out to be pampered and undisciplined as well. The owner, a star who shall remain nameless, neglected to tell me they had a hankering for a certain French poodle. Her owner operated a ritzy accessory shop on the Drive, where I was told to walk the dogs. I tried my best to hold the chows back when we passed this place. Suffice it to say that before the walk ended, wed wiped out the awnings of two elite establishments. My dad coughed up for the damages. I wont even tell you what he had to lay out in cold cash. I am going to pay him back, though.
What made you decide to try being a party clown, of all things? That seems like a job with built-in drawbacks. Kids bite, kick and spit. Mothers never believe their rug rats are at fault.
Oh, Im only doing this temporarily while I wait to hear on a job at one of the movie studios. My family talked me into giving college another stab after the last disaster. They werent overjoyed when I chose to become a makeup artist. But Im good at it, and I think itll be exciting and rewarding work. No two movies are ever alike. Plus, Ill meet a lot of interesting peopleincluding single men. But dont you dare ask about my history in that department. Ive spilled all of my life story youre going to hear, Agent Grant. Its your turn.
Well have to find a different subject, then. Damn, I see we havent lost our shadow. If Im not mistaken, the next off-ramp is the one you need to take.
So it is. Does this mean youre really coming to my apartment?
Im afraid so, Logan said slowly. He checked and re-checked the car following them without giving the appearance that he was doing so.
Then you can tell me all about Logan Grant. Must be a fascinating life you lead, what with criminals chasing you around, driving you into the back bedrooms of virtual strangers.
It was my sisters bedroom. Shes hardly a stranger. And that doesnt happen often. Agents arent supposed to talk about their private lives, he muttered. However, I will tell you that drugs arent all we suspect these men of trafficking. Dont worry, though, Im not planning to trouble you for long. Just until I call my office.
Daphne exited the freeway and took the surface streets three blocks west to her apartment. Spotting a sports car pulling out of a parking place, she zipped into it, causing Logan to bump his head against the curve of the windshield when she braked fast.
Sorry. This parking space is directly in front of my entrance. It means we only have to walk a few steps to get inside. I dont see any other opening. Your friends back there will either have to double-park or wait until someone leaves. This time of the afternoon, when everyones coming home from work, chances of that are slim to none.