But in the end I decided to go ahead and check with Dean before seeing Frank. I knew how volatile Frank’s relationship with Ava had always been. Maybe I could avoid throwing wood on that fire.
I found out Dean had arranged for a tee time at the Desert Inn Golf Course. The last time I bothered him there he’d been playing a round with Bob Hope. This time — according to Jack Entratter — I might’ve been interrupting a round with Jack Benny.
I found Mack Gray, Dean’s Man Friday, in the clubhouse bar. After we shook hands he confirmed that Dean was on the course with Jack Benny.
‘You want I could drive ya out there?’ he asked.
‘You know what hole they’ll be on?’
‘We could probably figure it out,’ he said. ‘Come on.’
We got a golf cart and after Mack wedged his bulk behind the wheel, we took off. Several times as he executed a bend I thought Mack’s weight was going to overturn us. But somehow he managed to keep the cart upright.
As we drove I asked Mack if he knew anything about Ava Gardner, any recent news.
‘I know what I hear the boss talk about,’ he said. ‘She took some time off from movies, but just made one recently. I think she finished last month.’
‘Where did they shoot?’
‘Spain. I think that was the only reason she did it. She ain’t made a Hollywood movie since nineteen sixty.’
Some of that I already knew.
‘There they are,’ he said.
They were on the tee for the eighth hole. As we drove toward them Dean noticed us, must have recognized Mack behind the wheel. He said something to the other men — presumably Jack Benny — and walked towards us.
‘What’s goin’ on, Eddie?’ he asked, as I got out of the cart. With my weight gone the thing almost tipped over on Mack, but he quickly got out before that happened.
‘I just wanted to ask you a couple of quick questions before I bother Frank with them,’ I said.
Jack Benny looked over at us, and then checked his watch.
‘I won’t keep you long, Dean,’ I said. ‘I don’t want to get Mr Benny mad.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Dean said, ‘He’ll sulk a bit, but when I beat him he’s going to blame you.’ He put his right hand in the pocket of his white pants, leaned on the golf club with his left. ‘What’s this about Eddie?’
‘Word’s goin’ around the hotel that Ava was there this morning.’
‘Ava? I thought she was in Spain.’
‘That’s what I thought. So you didn’t see her? Or hear anything?’
‘No.’
‘Nothin’ from Frank?’
‘Nope,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘If he saw her he hasn’t told me.’
‘Would Frank bring Ava to Vegas while his kids were here?’ I asked.
‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘After all, she was their step-mother for a while.’
‘But would he bring her while their real mom was here?’
‘No,’ Dean said, shaking his head, ‘that’d be looking for trouble.’
‘Well,’ I said, ‘I guess I’m gonna have to ask him if he’s seen her. Entratter wants me to find out if she was really here.’
‘Well, ask him, then,’ Dean said. ‘Maybe he did see her, but he sure wouldn’t mix her with Nancy.’
I nodded.
‘Thanks Dean.’
‘Anything else?’ he asked ‘Or can I get back to my game?’
‘How’s it goin’, Boss?’ Mack asked.
‘You and me are gonna eat in style tonight, Big Guy,’ Dean said, ‘on Mr Benny’s dime.’
‘That’ll make ‘im cry,’ Mack said.
‘Let me know what happens, Eddie,’ Dean said, and returned to his game.
As we drove back to the clubhouse I said to Mack, ‘It should be interesting to have dinner with Jack Benny, huh?’
‘Oh, Mr Benny won’t be there.’
‘But Dean said you’d be having dinner with him.’
‘We’re gonna have dinner on him,’ Mack said. ‘If he loses and has to buy two dinners, he sure ain’t gonna wanna buy a third!’
SEVEN
When I knocked on the door I was surprised when it was answered by a beautiful young girl of twenty-two. She was blonde, slender, wearing a mini-skirt and white boots.
‘Well, hello,’ she said.
‘Hello,’ I said. ‘I was looking for Frank-’
He came up behind her, cutting me off with his appearance.
‘Eddie!’ he said. ‘I want you to meet my daughter, Nancy.’
‘The famous Eddie G.,’ she said, with a smile. ‘This is a pleasure.’
‘I can see why your dad is so proud of you,’ I said. ‘You’re beautiful.’
‘And talented,’ Frank said. ‘She sings like an angel.’
‘Daddy, I’m more interested in the fact that Eddie thinks I’m beautiful,’ she said, boldly looking me in the eyes. I had the feeling this young lady was going to be a force to be reckoned with as she got older.
‘Maybe we could have a drink some time-’ she started, but her father cut her off.
‘Oh, no,’ he said, pushing her out the door. I had to step aside to let her go. She smelled wonderful. ‘Eddie’s too old for you, little girl. You just run along. We have business.’
‘Oh, Daddy. .’
‘Go!’ he said.
She took a few steps down the hall and when she was out of his sight held her hand to her ear and mouthed, ‘Call me.’
Frank was casually dressed and waved me in, a big welcoming smile on his face. I stepped into the suite, where it was safe.
‘Hey, my man Eddie,’ he said, closing the door behind me. He pumped my hand. He was dressed casually, open collar shirt, grey slacks, and a pair of slippers. ‘Great to see you, Clyde. What brings you here?’
‘Where’s George?’ I asked, looking around.
George Jacobs was to Frank what Mack Gray was to Dean.
‘Down the hall,’ Frank said. ‘I got a separate suite for Nancy and the kids. I’m having George look after them. You wanna drink?’
‘No, thanks,’ I said. ‘I’m not gonna take up too much of your time, Frank. I just have a question.’
‘OK.’ He folded his arms and shrugged. ‘Shoot.’
‘Did you see Ava today?’
‘Ava?’ He dropped his arms. ‘Why? Is she here?’ His blues eyes lit up as they always did when he spoke of her, or heard her name.
‘I guess that means you didn’t see her, then.’
‘No, no, I haven’t seen her’ He frowned. ‘Was she here?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘That’s what I’m trying to find out. One of our valets said he saw her, but he could’ve been mistaken. I’m checking with the airport now.’
Frank walked to the bar, hesitated, then changed his mind about a drink. Instead, he just leaned on the bar with both hands.
‘Maybe,’ he said, ‘she was here, and somehow. .’
‘Somehow what?’
‘Found out that my family was here.’ He turned to face me. ‘She wouldn’t have wanted Nancy to see her.’ I knew he was talking about his ex-wife, not his daughter.
‘Would she just run out?’ I asked. ‘Without even leavin’ you a message?’
‘Run?’
‘The valet said she came out in a hurry, got into a cab,’ I explained. ‘I’m waiting to talk to the cab driver who might’ve picked her up.’
‘When was this supposed to have happened?’ Frank asked.
‘Jack came to me a little while ago.’
‘So this morning?’
‘Yes.’
‘I was in the lobby this morning,’ he said, ‘briefly, but with my family, my ex. She could’ve seen me.’ He scratched his head. ‘Damn it. You gotta find her for me, Eddie.’
‘I’m lookin’, Frank.’
‘No,’ he said, ‘I know Entratter wants you to find her so that I won’t worry. He’s trying to protect me. But I mean you’ve got to find her for me, talk to her. Find out what’s wrong. If she came here without calling first, then something’s wrong. She wanted to see me for some reason.’
‘So maybe she saw you with Nancy, got jealous and ran out.’
‘No, Ava wouldn’t get jealous of Nancy,’ Frank said. ‘Come on, Eddie. I know you. If she’s in town you can find her. Then bring her to me so I can find out what she needs.’