Stalking the Angel (30 page)

Pat said, “Peter and I spoke about Elvis at length. He sounded agreeable to me.”

Donnie gestured at me. “But this guy’s saying he won’t play along. You know how Peter is. He can be a monster.” He made the nervous glance again, checking the door and the windows for ears. “Hey, I love him like a brother.”

Pat said, “He’s expecting us in five minutes.”

Donnie said, “Holy shit.” I think he was starting to hyperventilate.

I said, “Donnie. Relax. Breathe into a bag.”

Donnie said, “
You
relax. I got forty million bucks riding on Peter Alan Nelsen and you won’t play along. This is Hollywood. Everybody plays along!”

I made a gun out of my hand and shot him.

Donnie slumped into his chair and looked depressed. “Yeah, yeah, that’s just what’ll happen, too. In the back.”

Pat said, “Donnie, Elvis is a professional and he gets results. He has done this before.”

“But not with Peter Alan Nelsen!”

“I told him what Peter is like, and I told Peter what Elvis is like. Peter knows what to expect.”

“Oh, Jesus. Oh, Jesus.”

I said, “Donnie. Why don’t we go see Peter and get it over with? I’m good. I might even find his kid. Think how happy he’ll be then.”

Donnie squinted and thought about it. You could see gears moving and lights flashing behind his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, that’s right.”

“Tell him I’m brilliant and gifted. Everybody knows that brilliant and gifted people are difficult.”

Donnie’s eyes got big and he slapped his hands on the table again as if he’d just found the Rosetta stone. “Yeah, yeah. That’s it! Brilliant and gifted are difficult.” He jumped up and charged toward the door. “Let’s go see him and get it over with.”

We went to see the monster.