“Had him last year. Couldn’t haul freight. Slow’s it is, I rather chat of a morning. You need me to run a case of something up there?”

Jamie rolled the pencil. “No. No I don’t need nothing.” Paused again.

Gurnsey said, “What is it, Pelham?”

He wet his lips, remembered Henley doing the same thing. Almost said nothing but his need was greater than the desire of his pride. His voice dropped a register, he said, “Who is it this time, Eric? Is it that horn player?”

Another pause, this one on the line. The burble of static, of distance. Those few miles. Then Gurnsey said, “That cornet man is just a pup. Big sloppy eyes and a grin he can’t get rid of. He’s smitten bad but he’s no problem. For christ sake don’t whop on him like you did that boy last fall. It’s hard enough to get these fellows up here for a three-month contract.”

“I never touched that man last year. I talked to him was all.”

“Jamie.”

“It’s true.”

“You could step back a moment and see it how it is, you’d find some pleasure in it. She reels everybody in, one way or another. Jesus, Jamie, it’s what she’s paid to do. You have to expect some dog-eyed men along the way. It’s just part of the deal. And I do believe she knows that.”

Jamie was nodding. Worked the key in the bottom drawer again even as he leaned into the mouthpiece. Brought the bottle out and set it on the blotter beside him. The label was his own and tonight gave him no pleasure. He said, “You’re jacking me around here, Gurnsey. We’re not just talking about some moon-faced boy in the band here. She’s working somebody, we both know that. It’s what she does. I’m not coming up there with a pissed fit. I just want to know what it all is. This is a woman we’re talking about. She travels around me with whatever she wants to say and when I begin to catch on looks at me like I’ve just shit my pants. A hundred times a week it’s her job to ruin men. All I want to know is what I’m dealing with when there’s one’s got to her. A professional courtesy, Gurnsey. That’s all I’m asking for.”

“I don’t think I can help you with that problem.”

“I understand that. It’s a high roller, I know that much. If he’s gotten to her, he long since left you creamed your pants.”

“It’s your woman. You’re the one should know. You’re good, Pelham, but you’re not good enough to dirty everyone else with your personal problems. None of us is. Maybe you should remember that.”

“Eric, you’re right. I stepped over the line here. It leaves me in a quandary. I can forget all this. Or I could ride up there and see for myself. It’s not what I want. All I want is the who part. Just so I know. You can understand that.”