excerpt
company for credit. Poodie is real helpful. Picks up outside and
sometimes even sweeps out the joint—the place—you know, the
restaurant.”
“I’m not surprised. He seems to be an agreeable fellow.”
“That’s why I’m callin’. I overheard somethin’ and I just had to
tell somebody. If I tell you about it, can you keep it under your hat?
Well, I know that ain’t your business, but can you keep me out of
it?
“I’ll tell you whether I can after I know what it is, Angie.”
“Well, Mrs. Stone, a certain powerful man said he’s gonna run
Poodie out of town, and he asked another certain powerful man to
help him, and I think he was real serious about it, too.”
“Perhaps you could tell me who those men are.”
“I can’t afford to be mixed up in this. Ted’d kill me. These are
customers.”
“If it’s something important, the Dispatch will look into it on our
own and your name will never be mentioned.”
“Well.” Winifred heard a gulp and a sigh. “Well, ma’am, it was
the mayor. And the other man was Mr. Pearson from the car
place.”
“George Pearson?”
“He’s the one.”
“How did you happen to hear this?
“They was playin’ poker with some other gentlemen, and Mr.
Torgerson was talkin’ about cleanin’ out some hobos and he asked
Mr. Pearson to talk about it at some meetin’ or other and then the
mayor said Poodie James has got to go.”
“Now, that is interesting. My goodness, what a thing for you to
hear. You have been very helpful, Angie. Your name will not be
mentioned. This call is a secret.”
“Oh, thank you, Winif—Mrs. Stone. Don’t tell on me. Please
don’t.”
Hanging up, Winifred thought, it’s a secret if the operator wasn’t
listening. She walked into the newsroom and pulled a chair up
to her son’s desk.
Libros Libertad 