He didn’t say anything in return.
“Anyway,” I said, continuing onward. “I run an antique business now, and I’m really in need of expert advice on some footage I’ve acquired—”
“Mr. Snow,” Freidman interrupted. “I am not an authenticator, appraiser, nor do I make evaluations for businesses. Thank you for taking my course. If you’d like to learn more about cinema, I’d suggest a visit to the Museum of the Moving Image. Have a pleasant day.”
“No, wait! This is about W. K. L. Dickson! Please don’t hang up.”
Silence.
“Dr. Freidman?” I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t believe he hung up on me. “Goddamn—”
“Howexactlydoes your footage pertain to Dickson?” Freidman asked suddenly.
I opened my eyes. “I’ve reason to believe someone threatened Dickson’s life while he was employed by Edison. I’ve… ah, sort of come into ownership of footage shot by a Kinetograph camera that has left me with more questions than answers.” I paused before adding an ego stroke for good measure. “I’ve already visited the museum. They suggested I contact you.”
Freidman didn’t say anything.
“If you could spare meanytime today,” I prodded. “Ten minutes, even.”
“I have class at 9:30.”
“Okay.”
“Be here in thirty minutes. I’ll call the front desk and put your name on the visitor’s log. Snow, you said?” As if he cared so little he’d already forgotten.
“Yes, sir.”
“All right.” He hung up.
I ended the call and noticed the waiter had dropped the bill off. I picked it up, gawked at the cost of waffles I hadn’t even finished, and double counted the cash Calvin had left before my phone starting ringing. The number was a mild surprise.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“What do you know about the Colt Walker revolver?” Neil asked in return.
I held the phone between ear and shoulder, gathered my books, and stood. “Good morning to you too. Are you in the Cash Cab or something?”
“This is a serious question.”
“No doubt.” I made my way toward the open door.
Neil sighed, long and hard. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Neil.”
“Can you answer a question for me?”
“Sure.”
“Are you familiar with the Colt Walker revolver?”
“A bit.”
“I need your…professionalopinion.”
I stopped just outside the restaurant. “Why not ask a firearms specialist?”
“Because this is a weapon of American origin from 1846, and that’syourarea of expertise.”
