The Death of Stuart Bailey

Chapter 15

"You're sure there is nothing else I need to do, Stuart?"

"Nothing else, Suzanne. Take her to the U.S. Consulate at 537 Figueroa Street. Jim Dancing is expecting you. Go in with her and get her settled. When you come back Kookie will drive you to the hospital. I can't go to Dino's yet, so Dino's is catering dinner here for the three of us. They don't know it's for me; they think my sister will be here.

"Dr. Baker called this morning and they've decided not to operate. Jeff's out of the ICU and in the regular hospital. And probably bored out of his mind. I know he'll be happy to see both of you."

"You can't go, Stuart?" Suzanne asked plaintively.

"No, honey, you saw what it was like the night before last. Much as I'd like to see him I don't think I can chance it. Tell him I'll see him when they send him home."

"Do you have any leads on who wanted you dead?"

"Three or four possibilities. We're going to have to make a decision in the next day or two . . . either that or we're going to have to stage a funeral."

Kookie came in and caught the end of the exchange. "No, man, we hold a private memorial, closed casket, and we're done."

"And what about burial, Kookie?" Suzanne asked.

"Cremation. We can post the notice in the paper. My cousin's got a funeral home with a chapel. We borrow the chapel and he'll set it up just like a memorial service with no viewing and no burial. If you want to go that route."

"That would solve the problem of a funeral. It might be worth it. How soon would you have to know?" Stu wanted to talk to Gilmore before he made a commitment.

"Tomorrow. He'd need twenty-four hours to set it up. And we'd want to put the notice in the paper tomorrow."

"Alright. Let me talk to Gil and see what he thinks. I'll let you know tonight."

XXXXXXXX

Suzanne left Yasmine at the U.S. Consulate, with reassurances that she would be given everything she needed to get her started in a life of freedom. Suzanne gave Yasmine Stu and Jeff's business cards, with instructions that if she wanted for anything, to contact one of them immediately.

Kookie drove Suzanne to St. Vincent's, and they were informed that Jeff had been moved to the third floor, room 309. They found him propped up in bed, looking much more chipper than he had two nights ago. He didn't give either of them a chance to say anything; he started right away with his questions. "How's everything going down there? Is Stu still dead? Any leads so far? What does Gil have to say? Is the office busy?"

"Slow down, dad. We'll answer all your questions."

"How are you feeling, Jeff?" Suzanne asked after she took hold of his hand.

"Better and worse. The shoulder hurts but the rest of me feels better." He gave Suzanne's hand a squeeze. "Now, answers, please."

"Everything is fine at the office. We are a little busy, not too much to handle, I think," Suzanne told him.

"What about Stu?"

Kookie sat on the far side of Jeff's bed. "Stu is still playing dead. He says he's got three or four leads, and he wants to talk to Gil before he makes a decision about staying dead."

"If he stays that way you're going to need a funeral."

"Under control. I've got a cousin with a funeral parlor," Kookie informed him

"And what about the cemetery?" Jeff wondered.

"Cremation, dad," came the answer.

Jeff was quiet for a moment. "Well, you seemed to have thought of everything. Good job, Kookie."

"One thing he didn't think of, Jeff."

"What's that, Suzanne?"

"You won't be able to attend."

"That is a problem. I don't think they're going to let me out of here that soon."

"Do you know that for sure?" Kookie asked.

Jeff shook his head, "No, it's just a guess."

"Let's see if we can find out." Kookie pushed the buzzer for the nurse, who came in as soon as she was able.

"You rang for help, Mr. Spencer?" The nurse asked.

"Has the doctor left orders for when I can go home? I have a pretty important funeral to attend."

"Yes sir, Doctor said you can leave the day after tomorrow if everything keeps going the way it has been."

"Thank you, Miss Weston."

After the nurse left, Jeff turned to Kookie. "Can you set it up for the day after that?"

"Sure, dad. We'll put the notice in the paper tomorrow. We can say it's restricted access and just have a few people attend. I'll check with Stu and see if he wants to stay dead for a while longer, and we'll let you know. Come on Suzanne, we need to get back to the office."

Suzanne bent down and kissed Jeff on the cheek. "Take care of yourself and do what the nurses tell you. I will see you the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am. Take care of Stu, please. And call me when he decides what he's going to do."

XXXXXXXX

"Kookie, do you think this is a good idea? For Stu to continue the charade?" Suzanne asked on the way back to the office.

"If he wants to find out who tried to have him killed, it may be the only way, Suzanne."

"But to put so many people through more pain . . ."

"That's why we're going to make it private. The only one we'll have there besides us will be Lieutenant Gilmore. Just enough for it to be a believable event."

"But, all his friends . . . "

"We'll tell them that's the way Stu wanted it. Surely they'll respect his wishes."

"I hope you are right."

XXXXXXXX

"Gil, it's the dead man calling."

"That's funny, I didn't know dead men could talk."

"Have you heard anything?" Stu was hoping Gil had a lead.

"Nothing positive so far. Robby McKnight is in prison; Louie the Weasel's dead. I haven't gotten anything on the other two yet. You think of any more?"

"What about Sol Gambino? He threatened to kill me more than once."

"Now there's a name I haven't heard for a while."

"See if you can find anything out about him. And check into Stanley Schulman."

"Who in the world is Stanley Schulman?"

Stu almost laughed. "A very rich man in New York who swore he'd see me in my grave."

"You make all kinds of friends, don't you?" Gil asked him, with a laugh of his own.

"Yes. Yes I do. It looks like we're going to do a private funeral. To complete the illusion of my death. You up for a funeral?"

"If that's what it takes to keep you undercover, sure. I don't think you want to be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. Those girls you date wouldn't appreciate it."

"I think it's necessary. That's what would follow if I was really gone."

"Alright, you have Kookie give me the details. I'll be there. Meantime I'll see what I can dig up on your fan club."

"Thanks, Gil. I appreciate everything you've done."

"Just stay dead, would you? I'd hate to do this for real."

There was a long pause on Stu's end. "So would I."

To be Continued