In the novel The Pale Horse, Doug is a friend of Lou Ellis. He was Lou's partner at Luigi's. Lou spotted Tommy Tucker and a fight broke out between them. Doug and Tommy's escort tried to keep the girls apart but the fight did not stop under a policeman came in. Either Doug or the other man told the policeman that they were just having a bit of fun. After the policeman said he would overlook the matter this one time, Lou left with Doug.