The Way You Die Tonight by Robert Randisi Read Free Book Online Page B

right.’
    â€˜Well, come in,’ she said, backing up a bit. ‘Mr Robinson is waiting for you.’
    â€˜Sorry if I’m late,’ I said, entering. I closed the door behind me. Robinson had the same kind of suite the Sands supplied for their top performers.
    She stuck her hand out for me to shake. I guessed her to be about twenty-eight.
    â€˜My name is Gloria Benjamin,’ she said. ‘I work for the studio.’
    â€˜Hello. Are you a … chaperone?’
    â€˜I hardly think Mr Robinson needs a chaperone,’ she said. ‘He’s a lovely old gentleman.’ She suddenly turned and looked behind her, as if to be sure he hadn’t heard her description of him.
    â€˜Don’t worry,’ I said, ‘he’s not there.’
    â€˜He’s in the bedroom, unpacking,’ she said. ‘He insists on doing his own unpacking.’
    She was a very serious young woman, probably charged with seeing that the movie star stayed happy.
    At that moment the man himself came walking into the room, wiping his hands on a towel. He was in shirtsleeves and grey suit pants.
    â€˜Well, hello,’ he said. ‘Are you the famous Eddie G.?’
    â€˜I’m Eddie G.,’ I said, ‘but in your presence, Mr Robinson I’d hardly call myself famous.’
    He finished drying his hands and then extended his right to me. I shook it. I knew he was over seventy, but he had a nice firm grip.
    â€˜Honey, can you give me and Eddie G., here, some time together? Go check out your room.’
    â€˜All right, sir, but you have that interview later today …’
    â€˜I’ll be ready,’ he said. ‘You come and get me and I’ll be ready.’
    â€˜All right, Mr Robinson.’ She turned to me. ‘Goodbye, Mr Gianelli.’
    â€˜Goodbye, Miss Benjamin,’ I said. ‘I hope I see you again.’
    Robinson opened the door for her and then closed it behind her.
    â€˜A lovely girl,’ he said, ‘she’s just a bit …’
    â€˜Intense?’
    â€˜Yes,’ he said. ‘Intense. How about a drink?’ he asked.
    â€˜It’s a little early for me.’
    â€˜Me, too,’ he said. ‘Can we get some coffee sent up?’
    â€˜Sure, I’ll take care of it.’
    â€˜I’ll just finish cleaning up,’ he said. He started for the bedroom, then turned and said, ‘We’re going to have to come up with something to call each other, since we’re both Eddie.’
    â€˜And we’re both Eddie G.,’ I added.
    He laughed and went into the bedroom. I called for the coffee and told them to rush it. It was there by the time Robinson came out. He’d changed into a fresh shirt and pair of pants. He had chin whiskers, but I wasn’t sure if he was growing some kind of beard or just hadn’t had a shave.
    â€˜Wow,’ he said, ‘I’ve never gotten room service that fast before.’
    â€˜You’ve never stayed at the Sands before.’
    The tray with coffee and cups was on the table in front of the sofa. We both sat in front of it and I poured out two cups.
    â€˜I wasn’t sure if you were hungry,’ I said.
    â€˜I am,’ he admitted, ‘but I’d rather go out and eat. Can we arrange that?’
    â€˜We can.’
    â€˜Without the intense Miss Benjamin?’
    â€˜I’ll bet we can sneak out.’
    â€˜Frank told you why I’m here?’
    â€˜I heard from Jack Entratter,’ I said. ‘Frank will be here later today.’
    â€˜I’m supposed to play this legendary poker player opposite Steve McQueen in the film
The Cincinnati Kid
. Those are the kind of roles I get now … old.’ He touched his chin. ‘I’m trying to grow a goatee to see if it makes me look rakish.’
    â€˜I’m sure it will, sir.’
    â€˜Oh, no, don’t call me sir, Eddie,’ he said. ‘Say, why don’t you just call me