Page 96 of Twice
“Why not? He won the money you were supposed to win. With your magnetized ball.”
Kurtz sneered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We know what you did, Mr. Kurtz.”
“I didn’t do anything, Detective. I didn’t take a dollar out of your casino. Why don’t you chase down Alfie? He’s the one who did the betting.” He turned away, then mumbled, “Stupid kiss-ass.”
“What’s that about?”
“Nothing.”
“You better talk to me, Mr. Kurtz. Or you’re not going back to America anytime soon.”
Kurtz took a deep breath.
“I need a smoke. Is that OK?”
LaPorta nodded. Kurtz pulled a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket. LaPorta resisted the urge to ask for one.
“Look, Detective, Alfie thinks he’s my wife’s protector, OK? He’s more like her manservant. He’s always around, always getting her every little thing she needs.” He placed a cigarette between his lips. “Makes me look bad.”
“Don’t you mean your ex-wife?”
Kurtz pulled a lighter from his jacket. “Yeah. My ex-wife. So?”
“You broke up with her in college, right? Where you played soccer? Goalie? Why did you two get back together?”
Kurtz glared. “Where are you getting all this?”
“Oh, I know plenty about you, Mr. Kurtz.”
The truth was, LaPorta only knew what Alfie had written in his notebook. But if it helped solve the case, he planned to use it.
“Now, one last time. How was Alfie Logan part of your scheme?”
Kurtz set his jaw. “I told you. I don’t know what scheme you’re talking about.”
LaPorta rose from the table. “Have it your way. But you’ll be staying here for a while.”
He went to the door, then turned back.
“It must really piss you off though, huh?”
“What?”
“That Alfie won two million bucks betting the numbers you rigged.”
Kurtz’s eyes widened.
“Oh, that’s right. You bolted before his last bet. He put all those chips down a third time, and hit a single play. Two million. Funny thing is, he sent it all to your ex.”
Kurtz threw his head back. His neck muscles bulged.
“You sure you don’t want to tell me how you two were connected?” LaPorta asked.
“For the last freaking time, I don’t have anything to do with Alfie Logan!” Kurtz shouted. “I wish he was dead!”
THE QUEEN’S STAIRCASE
