28I had a dozen hours to kill—there I go using that word again—before the Polack's pal would pick me up. Stay calm, I told myself, the time would pass and I had to keep my wits about me. Dotty's life depended on that, and mine too. I checked and rechecked my .38 and took out some extra bullets for tonight. Couldn't tell if I'd be needing any or many.
Hanging around the office was getting me nowhere. Frankly, it was driving me nuts. I had to get out. I put on my coat, hat, and galoshes, which Two for Tango had returned to my office under my various threats of murder and mayhem. Then I beat the lunchtime crowd to a local chow house but wasn't in the mood for more than a BLT, some fries, and a cup of java. The time was dragging. I strolled a bit. The store windows, with their displays of hol
