Chapter 5

A dapper man in an expensive blue suit hailed Jack as he left the coaches and walked through the hotel lobby. It was Mike Herring, who had flown in from Los Angeles for the game. As Big Joe Thompson's spy he was here now to check on the team. He would check into such matters as injuries, team morale and strategy for the next game. He also had a plan, suggested by Big Joe, in which Arlene Wright's hot young cunt would play a key role.

Mike knew Jack from the latter's whiskey-drinking habits at the La Frenzia. Shrewdly, Mike set up the free drinks at his cafe for the newspapermen. In that way he learned a lot of inside stuff about the team as the writers mellowed and talked freely in their cups.

"How are the boys?" he asked eagerly. "Anybody banged up? Is Ron Jessup OK? Is Jim O'Flanagan going to start next Sunday?"

"The team came through the game in good shape," Jack said. "As for the starter in Milwaukee, why don't you ask young Jim O'Flanagan over there?" The talented quarterback was sitting in the lobby reading a newspaper account of the game. Jack excused himself and headed for a favorite bar in the Loop. Mike welcomed the chance to talk to the young quarterback.

"Jim," he cried, slapping the youth on the back. "Congratulations on the great game.

There's a young lady in Los Angeles who has been asking about you." He smiled and winked at the quarterback.

"You mean Arlene?" Jim asked quickly.

"She's nuts about you, Jim. Great kid," Mike said.

"I think she's terrific."

"Well, she's slightly fond of you, too. When you two kids going to be married?"

"Do you think she would?"

Mike laughed. "Jim," he said, "you give her a home, and, boy, she'll settle right down and wash your socks for the rest of your natural lives."

"I wish she were here," said Jim. Mike thought a moment.

"Funny thing," he said, "but before I flew into Chicago I talked with Arlene. Know what she said? She said she wished she could come with me to see you."

"No kidding?" Mike assured him it was so.

"Say," he said, "what would you say if I flew her in this week. Then you and she could get together?"

"I sure would like that," said Jim, smiling boyishly at the prospect of a pretty young woman being with him, even if he could not really show her off because of the coach.

"Leave it to me," shot back Mike, "I'll call you tomorrow. And maybe tomorrow Arlene will be right here in Chicago." The two men shook hands on it and Mike headed for his suite to place a couple of long distance phone calls.

His first was 'o Big Joe Thompson in Reno.

"Joe," he said, "this club is in good shape. Milwaukee will be favored. But I think an upset is on the way. I'm flying Arlene here tomorrow. She'll work on O'Flanagan and find out what the Pros are cooking up for this game. The kid's nuts about her. I think we can put the kid in the bag. He'll do anything Arlene says, I'm sure. Just let him get a gander at her nude body and we'll have one of the two Pro quarterbacks signed, sealed and delivered."

Big Joe grunted his approval on the other end of the line.

"I'd like to get a look at that body, too." he said pointedly.

"Later, later. Maybe next week. Let the kid here have her for a while. That way, it's money in the bank. First we get O'Flanagan out of the picture. Then we fix Jessup. Then we make a million."

Big Joe's business sense came to the fore. He assented, but still reminded Mike of what he wanted-a date with Arlene himself.

"Mike," he warned, "you can't goof this. The FBI and Congress itself will jump into this if word ever gets out."

"Leave it to me, boss," Mike said confidently.

Mike's next call was to Arlene at her small apartment in Hollywood. Arlene was getting dressed to go out with some TV producer she had met the previous night at La Frenzia. He had promised her a bit part in a television series. First, however, he said he wanted to take her out to dinner and then take her to his studio apartment to have her read for him. Arlene was thrilled at what she believed was her big chance. Mike's call was a complete surprise for her.

"Mike, darling," she enthused, "guess what? I'm going to get a big TV part. I met the producer last night. He wants to have me read for him tonight. Isn't that great?" Mike exploded.

"Christ," he stormed. "I leave you alone a couple of days and you are hitting casting couches. What the hell's the matter with you? I got other plans for you. Get me? Now, I want you to get on a plane tonight. I want you here in Chicago tomorrow."

Arlene was startled.

"You mean you miss me, honey?"

Mike bit his lip to check a curse. Why not? She'd come to Chicago for him. Certainly not for Jim O'Flanagan.

"That's right baby," he said sweetly.

"I'll be on the next plane I can get. I'll wire my arrival time as soon as I get booked through."

"Yeah. Just charge it to me, the plane fare I mean. I miss you darling," he added with a forced note of tenderness. He hung up satisfied.