The Cats Pajamas

Chapter 17

Jeff set out the next morning to look for Danny Hathaway. Danny was a known figure in the underworld of Los Angeles, falsely accused a long time ago of a robbery he didn't commit. In those days he was just a kid with a mother that came to Bailey and Spencer to prove her son innocent. Jeff took the case, and after several weeks of digging for the truth he proved Danny had no part in the robbery. While he was incarcerated awaiting trial Danny met a lot of real criminals who liked the easy-going, affable young man, and by the time he was released from jail, Danny had learned a trade . . . none of it legal. He rose rapidly in the ranks of the dishonest, including a stretch working for Glen Manchester.

Jeff wasn't thrilled that he had to seek Danny's help, but it was the only way he could bypass weeks and weeks of undercover reputation building. If he could get Hathaway to vouch for him he could probably catch on with Manchester's crew. And the faster he did that the faster he could get Stuart out of hot water for a crime he didn't commit.

Spencer hit several out-of-the-way dives before striking pay dirt. One of Roscoe's contacts knew where Danny was, and after some monetary persuasion he gave Jeff the address. It was east of the Los Angeles River, in an area referred to as the Soto Street Junction. The building wasn't hard to find, and Jeff only had to convince one man to have Danny come down to see an old friend. Hathaway was halfway down the stairs when the grim look on his face was replaced by a smile. "Let him come up, Leo," he called to the man at the door, and Jeff went running up the stairs. "Long time no see, buddy," Danny enthused as he shook Jeff's hand. "Why didn't you tell Leo who you were?"

"It's a long story, Danny, and one I can't afford to have repeated. Can we go to your office?"

"Sure, sure, come on. Excuse me," and Danny shouted down to Leo, "No disturbances, unless it's the Pope. Or my mother."

Danny's office looked more like a banker's than a crime lord. "Have a seat, Jeff. Want anything to drink? Coffee? Booze?"

"Coffee, Danny. Black"

Once they both had a cup of coffee and were settled in their seats, Danny's curiosity got the best of him. "I heard about the frame Manchester did on your partner. I assume that's what this is about."

"It is. I had it all set up with Weston to take responsibility for the murders. The DA agreed to second-degree manslaughter, sentence of 5 to 7. As long as he pointed the finger where it belonged for the ordered hits, at Manchester. You know what ended that deal."

"Yes, Glen tends to have an itchy trigger finger. I told him that was going to get him in hot water someday, but he didn't want to hear it. So now what are you going to do about clearing Bailey?"

"I've got an idea, but I need your help. How fond are you of Manchester?" Jeff queried.

"We get along, that's about all I can say. He's into drugs, and I don't care for that. I stick with gambling and numbers. The short answer is, my world would be a better place without Glen Manchester in it. What's your plan?"

Jeff explained the persona that he had created with Gilmore's help, and showed Danny the documents. "We're about the same build and coloring, and from what I've heard I can pass for Joey. He was spotted in Japan about a month ago. Then he just seemed to vanish. The theory is he crossed one of the Yakuza's and . . . you can imagine the rest."

"What's the end game?" Danny queried.

"I need Manchester's trust. I need to be inside his organization so I can get him to confess to me, without spending months and months working for him. And since Manchester just killed his second-in-command, he needs somebody he can trust. Somebody like Joey Francini. And he needs a recommendation from a non-threatening rival. Stu's up north but he can't stay there forever. So I need to get this started, now."

"Look, Jeff, I'd like to help you, but I've got my reputation to protect. What happens when the word gets out about me double-crossing Glen?"

"Why would you care, Danny? You said it yourself, he runs drugs and you don't. You could take over the Boyle Heights operation and clean the drugs up."

"There is that."

"And there's always . . . you owe me one, Danny."

It didn't take Hathaway long to make up his mind. "You're on, Mr. Francini. Stay here while I see if I can get Manchester on the phone."

Jeff shifted in his chair, paying close attention to the recommendation Danny gave him. "Danny Hathaway for Glen Manchester." Hathaway pulled out a cigarette and Jeff lit it for him. "Glen, I've got a favor to ask. There's somebody back in town that's been gone for a couple years, and I understand you might have a place for him. Name's Joey Francini. He's been working as an enforcer for Collier down in Miami. I know the Feds got Collier, why do you think Francini's back in California? Ex-cop, kicked off the force in '59. Bribes, runnin' numbers. I know, but this guys on the level. I would if I had a place for him, but I heard you lost Georgie Weston. Why don't I send him over to see you? Yeah, he's here now. Yeah, yeah, that's old news, Glen. Alright, no problem. Sure. Soon as he can get there. Yeah, you too."

Danny gave Jeff a small smile. "You're on, Francini. Get over to Manchester's now."

"Uh, Danny? You got an old car I can borrow?"

"Yours too new, huh?"

Jeff nodded. "And the car's registered to Bailey and Spencer."

"Leo!" Danny shouted.

Leo came running up the stairs. "What are you driving, Leo?"

"A 54 DeSoto."

"Who's it registered to?"

"Some dummy corporation," Leo answered.

"Give Joey here your keys. He's takin' it with him. Move his into the lot. He'll show it to you when you get downstairs." Danny refocused his attention on Jeff. "Good luck, Joey. It was good seein' you again."

"Yeah, me too, Hathaway." Leo headed back downstairs and Jeff followed him. When they hit the ground floor Jeff handed his keys over and pointed. "It's that 60 Ford Fairlane across the street. Where's the DeSoto?"

"In back of the building. Dark red. Don't wreck it, huh?"

Jeff headed for the backside of the building as he heard the Fairlane's engine roar to life. He found the DeSoto with no trouble and was surprised at how clean it was for an older car. It turned over right away and Jeff pulled back out front and into the street. The Fairlane had already disappeared. He turned left and headed for Manchester's warehouse. His first test was about to begin.