One of Hank's favorite sayings was, "There are more ways to skin a cat than the one staring you in the eye."

Alvin Lansing got up and closed the door to his office. He walked back to his chair and sat down. Then he started to laugh. The sound was squeaky but so full of mirth he couldn't stop as he envisioned Owens reading the contents of Elizabeth Fox's folder.

Chapter 17

Jack Emery looped the strap of his carry-on over his shoulder and followed Harry Wong off the plane. Harry was muttering and mumbling to himself as he strode along. "We're not dressed right."

Jack looked around at the Stetsons and cowboy boots everyone seemed to be wearing. Even here in the airport, slot machines were ringing and chiming, at some times deafening, as customers won a handful of nickels or quarters. "What gave you your first clue?" Jack snapped. "This is like Hollywood, land of make-believe and shattered dreams. Everyone wants to be Western. It's the new buzzword."

Harry continued to gallop along. "Eat shit, Jack."

Harry could be so surly sometimes. "Ah, that's the Harry I know and love. I bet you ten bucks if you showed up in cowboy boots and a Stetson, Yoko would scream and drag you off to her lair, assuming, of course, she's been able to set up a lair here.

"Listen, Harry, remember what I told you. This town is known for its eavesdroppers. Either we talk in code or we don't talk. Always assume we are going to be watched and spied on. Charles told me this whole damn town is wired, and there is no such thing as privacy." Jack decided to jerk Harry's chain. "Which shouldn't be a problem for you since you are so tight-lipped and only grunt. What the hell Yoko sees in you is beyond me. You need to lighten up and have some fun. All you do is worry and stew and fret. That's no way to live."

Harry stopped in midstep. Jack bumped into him. "You do know I could kill you with my little finger, right? I could do it right here in this damn airport. Or I could stick my other finger in your ear, and you'd just topple over, and I'd say you bumped into me and dropped dead. Oh, well, too bad, too sad, boo-hoo. How's that for conversation?"

"Well, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I am getting your point. We really have to stop having these little love fests in public, or people are going to start to talk."

In spite of himself, Harry burst out laughing. "Do we know where the girls are staying?"

"Someplace out in the desert. As soon as we get settled in at the Babylon, I want to go out there. Hold on, Harry! Wait, wait! I want to get a paper."