Til Death by Ed McBain Read Free Book Online Page A

lousy. I don’t imagine he’s got much love in his heart for you.”
    A knock sounded at the front door. Tommy looked up and then slipped his suspenders over his shoulders. “Steve, would you get that, please? It’s probably Jonesy.”
    Carella went to the front door and opened it. The boy standing there was about Tommy’s age, twenty-six or twenty-seven. He wore his brown hair short. His gray eyes were alight with excitement. He looked very handsome in his tuxedo and his white starched shirt-front. Seeing Carella’s similar uniform, he extended his hand and said, “Hi. Usher?”
    “Nope. Relative,” Carella said. He took the hand. “Steve Carella. Brother of the bride.”
    “Sam Jones. Best man. Call me Jonesy.”
    “Okay.”
    “How’s our groom?”
    “Nervous.”
    “Who isn’t? I had to get out for a walk or I’d lose my mind.” They went through the house into the bedroom. “You okay, Tommy?” Jonesy asked.
    “I’m fine. I was ready to walk out of here without my pants, how do you like that?”
    “Par for the course,” Jonesy said.
    “You’ve got dirt on your knees,” Tommy said, looking down at his best man’s trousers.
    “What?” Jonesy followed his glance. “Oh, hell, I knew it. I tripped on the front step going out. Damn it!” He began brushing vigorously at his trousers.
    “Do you have the ring?”
    “Yep.”
    “Check.”
    “I’ve got it.”
    “Check anyway.”
    Jonesy stopped brushing his pants and stuck his forefinger into his vest pocket. “It’s there. Ready for delivery. Jones to Giordano.”
    “Jonesy used to pitch on our team,” Tommy said. “I caught. I already told you that, didn’t I?”
    “Jones to Giordano,” Jonesy said again. “He was a damn good catcher.”
    “You did all the work,” Tommy said, zipping up his fly. “There. Now for the jacket. Have I got my shoes on?” He looked down at his feet.
    “He was like this before every game,” Jonesy said, grinning. “I know this guy since he was three years old, would you believe it?”
    “We used to get walked around the park together,” Tommy said. “Jonesy missed the Korean bit because he’s got a trick knee. Otherwise we’d have been in that together, too.”
    “He’s the meanest bastard ever walked the earth,” Jonesy said playfully. “I don’t know why I like him.”
    “Yok-yok,” Tommy said. “We’ve got mutual wills, Steve, did you know that?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Had them drawn up when I got out of the service. Birnbaum’s son made them out for us. Birnbaum and his wife witnessed them. Remember, Jonesy?”
    “Sure. But you’d better have yours changed now. You’re gonna be a married man in a few hours.”
    “That’s right,” Tommy said.
    “What do you mean, mutual wills?” Carella asked.
    “Our wills. They’re identical. Jonesy gets everything I own if I die, and I get everything he owns if he dies.”
    Jonesy shrugged. “You’ll have to change that now,” he said.
    “Sure, I will. When we get back from the honeymoon. But I never regretted the wills, did you?”
    “No, sir.”
    “Birnbaum thought we were both nuts, remember? Wanted to know why two such young fellows were making out wills. His wife—may she rest in peace—kept clucking her tongue all the while she signed. What ever happened to that lawyer son of his, anyway?”
    “He’s out West now. Denver or someplace. He’s got a big practice out there.”
    “Poor Birnbaum. All alone here in the city.” Tommy stood at attention, ready for inspection. “Pants on, tie tied, shoes shined. Am I okay now?”
    “You’re beautiful,” Jonesy said.
    “Then let’s go. Ooops, cigarettes.” He snatched a package from the dresser. “Have you got the ring?”
    “I’ve got it.”
    “Check again.”
    Jonesy checked again. “It’s still there.”
    “Okay, let’s go. What time is it?”
    “Two-twenty,” Carella said.
    “Good. We’ll be a little early, but that’s good. Let’s go.”
    They went