1944 - Just the Way It Is Page 13

  From behind Bellman’s massive desk protruded a hand.

  Duke sucked in a quick breath. ‘Who is it?’ he said, speaking low.

  Lorelli shook her head frantically and he gently took his hand off her mouth.

  ‘Don’t scream,’ he warned.

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said, quivering against him. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

  ‘Stay where you are.’ He left her and walked round the desk.

  Bellman was lying on his side. His white face was turned towards Duke in a snarl of fear. The front of his dress shirt was red and the handle of a black paperknife grew out of his chest. He was dead.

  Lorelli scrambled to her knees, watched Duke, her clenched fists against her face.

  ‘Bellman,’ Duke whispered. ‘Knifed.’

  Lorelli looked as if she was going to scream again, then she controlled herself. ‘I’m going,’ she said, getting to her feet.

  Duke stepped round the desk and grabbed her. ‘You’ll do as I tell you,’ he said, coldly, and shoved her into the armchair. ‘Sit there and shut up.’

  He went back to Bellman and touched his hand. It was just beginning to turn cold. He moved the body cautiously, rolling it on its back. Under the body was a small silver cigarette case.

  Duke examined it without touching it, then his heart beat a little faster. He had seen it before, but he couldn’t remember who had been using it. Taking out his handkerchief, he picked up the case and opened it. He remembered then. Inscribed inside

  the case was: To Clare with love from Peter.

  Without letting Lorelli see the case, he wrapped it in his handkerchief and slipped it in his pocket. Then he stood away and glanced round the floor.

  Near the foot of the desk something glittered. He looked closer and picked up a small pearl earring set in gold. He remembered seeing Clare wear it the previous night. He found that he was sweating and he glanced at Lorelli who was watching him uneasily.

  ‘How long are you going to stick around here, you dope?’ she demanded. ‘Anyone could come in and then what’d we do?’

  He thought there was some sense in that and he crossed the room, turning the key in the lock. Then he went back to the desk, searched it and the floor around it carefully, but he didn’t find anything else.

  ‘I suppose you’re going to tell me you didn’t kill him?’ he said, glancing across at Lorelli.

  Lorelli jerked upright. What are you talking about?’ she demanded fiercely. ‘I’ve only just got here.’

  ‘You were here when I arrived,’ Duke said. ‘Alone here in the dark. How do I know you hadn’t just killed Bellman and you were getting out when I surprised you?’

  ‘What about yourself?’ Lorelli had gone white. ‘You can’t pin this on me!’

  ‘I could,’ Duke said. ‘And what’s more, I’m going to if you don’t talk. Get the set-up. Ever heard of a guy called Kells? He’s Bellman’s sidekick. He and I are like this,’ Duke crossed his fingers. ‘He’d tell the cops that Bellman was expecting me. I bust into this room and found you trying to escape after stabbing Bellman, Now, how do you like it?’

  ‘You dirty heel!’ Lorelli exploded. ‘You wouldn’t do a thing like that. . . to me!’

  ‘I would and what’s more I’m going to. You can talk yourself out of the mess with the cops. Either that or talk.’

  ‘If I do talk, you won’t get anywhere,’ she said. ‘No one’s getting anywhere and with Bellman dead, it looks like we never shall.’

  Duke half sat on the desk. ‘It’s to do with Pinder’s End, isn’t it?’

  She hesitated then said, ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well, go on and be quick about it. Where do you come into this?’

  ‘I don’t,’ she said. ‘But I’m trying to. It was something I overheard Schultz say.’

  ‘So Paul knows all about it, does he?’

  ‘I suppose so. Schultz and Spade.’

  ‘Spade again,’ Duke thought. ‘Who’s Spade?’

  Lorelli shook her head. ‘Some guy that Schultz works for.’

  News. So Schultz worked for Spade. Duke felt he was getting somewhere.

  ‘What’s all this about Pinder’s End?’

  ‘I tell you I don’t know.’

  ‘Come on . . . open up. I’ll throw you to the cops. I ain’t fooling.’

  ‘But I don’t. I heard Schultz say that there was a lot of money out there. He was talking to Spade on the phone, and I was listening outside the window. I couldn’t hear much, but he said the money was hidden in a house and Bellman had got a plan where it was hidden. He said that Bellman had bought Pinder’s End and that he wanted to get hold of the title deeds. Then he stopped talking and I wondered if I’d made a noise, so I beat it. I don’t know anything else.’

  ‘Did you kill Timson?’

  Lorelli flinched. ‘I don’t know anything about Timson,’ she said, a little wildly. ‘When you took me away from Schultz, I thought I’d better go back. So, when you were both asleep I slipped out of the window and went back.’

  ‘I see.’ Duke pulled his long nose. ‘And then Timson passed, climbed in the window and lay down on Pete’s bed. What a yarn!’

  ‘But you must believe me!’ Lorelli exclaimed. ‘I didn’t kill him . . . I swear I didn’t!’

  ‘Tell me more about Spade.’

  ‘I don’t know anything about him,’ Lorelli was emphatic. ‘He’s just a name to me. No one knows anything about him, except Schultz.’

  ‘And Korris,’ Duke reminded her.

  ‘Well, yes . . . I suppose so,’ she looked over at the door, ‘I want to get out of here.’

  Duke grunted. ‘Don’t get excited. What about this map you were talking about?’

  ‘If you think I’m looking for that now, you’re crazy!’ Lorelli exploded. ‘Besides the guy who murdered him has probably got it.’

  Duke thought this might be true, but he didn’t let Lorelli know. ‘Presuming you didn’t kill him, sweetheart,’ he reminded her.

  ‘Don’t give me that stuff,’ she said. ‘You’ve got what you want out of me, so skip the pantomime.’

  Duke glanced round the room, decided it would be too risky to search. He had a horror of leaving any fingerprints that might connect himself with the murder.

  ‘Okay, let’s get out of this. You can come along with me. I’ve got a lot still to talk to you about.’

  ‘I’m not talking anymore,’ she said, sharply. ‘If Schultz knew half what I said. . .’ she stopped, thinking of Schultz’s vicious rage and remembering what he had said about poison.

  ‘You’re double-crossing Schultz,’ Duke said. ‘That amuses me. Who do you think will go after this Pinder’s End business now Bellman’s out of the way. . . besides yourself, of course?’

  Lorelli hesitated. ‘Well, Spade and Schultz . . . and I suppose you.’

  ‘Now, you’re being smart. And who do you think will get it in the long run?’

  Her large eyes searched his face. ‘You want me to say you, don’t you? But I’m not sure. Spade is supposed to be smart.’

  ‘So am I,’ he returned. What I mean is, how about you coming in with me? You can trust me to split with you.’

  She thought of Joe and wondered if Joe would work with Duke. Somehow, she couldn’t quite see Joe doing that. ‘I’ll have to think about it,’ she said, quietly.

  They left the club by the front door. As they crossed the lounge, Kells suddenly appeared. He gaped at Duke, who waved his hand.

  ‘Hello, there,’ Duke said. ‘How’s Bellman?’

  ‘He’s okay,’ Kells said, looking at Lorelli with sharp eyes. ‘Do you want to see him?’

  Duke shook his head. ‘I just looked in with the idea of playing one of your tables, but Plumpie sets her face against gambling.’

  Again Kells looked at Lorelli.

  ‘Haven’t you two met?’ Duke said. ‘Why I thought you had. This is Lew Kells,’ he went on to Lorelli, who took a half step back. ‘This is Lorelli. Not Lorelli Mo
ntgomery or Lorelli Spewack. Just Lorelli. She was hatched out of an egg.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Kells said, taking a splinter of wood out of his vest pocket and chasing holes in his teeth with it.

  ‘He’s so forgetful,’ Duke said to Lorelli. ‘That’s the only way he can tell whether he’s had a meal. Find anything good, Lew?’

  Kells scowled at him. ‘Would the lady like to sit down somewhere?’ he said. ‘I want to talk to you.’

  Duke shook his head. ‘She and me have got things to do tonight. Urgent and pressing things. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘I want to talk to you,’ Kells said, expressionlessly.

  Duke whispered in his ear and Kells’ eyes opened. ‘For shooting President Lincoln!’ he exclaimed. ‘So you see, Lew, we didn’t oughta waste a lot of time.’

  ‘You telling me!’ Kells said, and stood back, looking at Lorelli with such a peculiar expression that she felt herself blush.

  Out in the street, she said, ‘What did you whisper to that punk?’

  Duke patted her arm. ‘One of those little things that men like to keep to themselves. Never mind, you run off. Don’t forget to think over my proposition. I’ll be getting busy soon and then you’ll be sorry you aren’t on my waggon. So long, and mind

  Paul doesn’t stretch your neck.’

  Before she could reply, he had left her and was sprinting down the road towards his car.

  SEVENTEEN

  Sergeant O’Malley sat at his desk reading the sporting sheet. He was trying to pick a likely winner.

  Two patrolmen, Stone and Fleming, were lolling on the wooden bench near his desk talking in low undertones. They were waiting to relieve the ten o’clock patrol.

  O’Malley, satisfied with his choice, folded the paper and looked over at them. ‘Daybreak looks good,’ he said. ‘Good anyway for a place.’

  ‘How did you make out this afternoon, Sarg?’ Fleming asked.

  ‘Hit on Nagani,’ O’Malley returned. ‘Six to one. I got it from Duke.’

  ‘Ain’t it marvellous how that guy spots them?’ Stone said. ‘He must make a fortune out of racing.’

  O’Malley nodded. ‘He’s a bright boy,’ he returned. ‘I reckon he’s made me a couple of hundred bucks this month. If I’d the nerve, it could’ve been a grand.’

  ‘It’s a gift,’ Fleming said, ‘I could do with his luck.’

  Stone wiped his nose with the back of his hand. ‘Call that luck?’ he said. ‘He uses his head and besides, if a jock knows he’s backing him, he’s scared to lose a race.’

  They laughed.

  ‘He’s a tough hombre all right,’ O’Malley returned.

  ‘Any more news about that guy Timson, Sarg?’ Stone asked.

  O’Malley shook his head. ‘The Captain’s looking after that. If you ask me, the set-up’s a phoney.’

  Stone and Fleming exchanged glances. ‘What do you mean?’ Fleming asked.

  ‘Cullen told us an odd yarn, didn’t he? He didn’t seem easy telling it either.’

  ‘Don’t you think the guy committed suicide, then?’ Stone demanded.

  ‘You ask the Captain. He’ll tell you.’

  A car drew up outside with a squeal of brakes and a moment later, Tod Korris came in briskly.

  Korris was a little man, dressed in black, with a white shirt and a yellow tie. He was pale with a thin, sharp featured face and a pair of silver spectacle frames straddled his boney nose.

  O’Malley beamed at him ‘Good evening, Mr. Korris, sir,’ he said. ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘Cut that line of soft soap as a start,’ Korris said. ‘Where’s Hallahan?’

  ‘In his office, sir,’ O’Malley said, lumbering down from behind his desk. ‘Do you want to have a word with him?’

  Korris pushed past him and entered the Police Chief’s office.

  O’Malley looked at the two patrolmen. ‘Now, there’s a monkey I’d like to catch on the wrong foot,’ he said, his red face showing his temper. ‘One of these days I’ll catch him with something and won’t I play him hell.’

  Captain Hallahan looked up from his desk as Korris came in and got to his feet. ‘Didn’t expect to see you this evening,’ he said, shaking hands. ‘Anything wrong?’

  ‘Not yet, there isn’t,’ Korris returned. ‘But that doesn’t mean there won’t be.’

  Hallahan waved him to a chair. ‘Have a cigar?’ he said, picking up a box from his desk.

  ‘Not those stinking weeds,’ Korris said, ‘I’ll have one of your specials.’

  Hallahan made a wry face and opened a drawer in his desk. ‘You know too much about this department,’ he said, trying to smile it off.

  Korris helped himself to a cigar from a box Hallahan held out to him, bit off the end with his sharp, white teeth and spat the end across the office. When he had lit it, he looked at Hallahan sharply.

  ‘Well?’ he said. ‘What’s cooking?’

  Hallahan sat down. ‘I’ve been waiting to hear from Mr. Spade,’ he said, carefully. ‘Doc tells me that Timson was murdered.’

  ‘So?’ Korris blew out a thin cloud of smoke. ‘How did he come to find that out?’

  ‘He’d been bashed on the back of his head and his throat was cut some hours after death,’ Hallahan said, looking worried.

  ‘You don’t take Doctor Goldstien’s reports seriously, do you?’ Korris asked.

  Hallahan stared at him. ‘Seriously? Why not? Ain’t he the pathologist around here?’

  ‘I wouldn’t know,’ Korris returned. ‘But Timson committed suicide. Anyway that’s what Mr. Spade says?’

  ‘But, look,’ Hallahan shifted forward in his chair, ‘I’ve got the report here. Goldstien says. . .’

  ‘You’ve got the report? Can I see it?’ Korris held out his hand.

  Hallahan opened his desk drawer and handed over a folder.

  Korris took ten minutes to read the report. While he was reading, Hallahan watched him uneasily, not moving or saying anything.

  ‘The guy must be crazy,’ Korris said, and tore the folder in half. While he did so, he did not take his hard little eyes off Hallahan’s startled face.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Hallahan said, starting up.

  ‘You wouldn’t want an incorrect record to get into the wrong hands, would you?’ Korris asked, smiling.

  ‘You’ve torn it up. That’s a hell of a thing to do.’

  ‘I’ll give you something else instead,’ Korris returned, taking out a slip of paper and sliding it across the desk.

  Hallahan picked it up. It was a cheque for five thousand dollars made out to him and signed by Korris.

  The two men looked at each other, then Hallahan grinned. ‘Goldstien will want fixing,’ he said, uneasily. ‘He takes his work seriously.’

  Korris tapped ash over the police captain’s carpet. ‘Tell him that he doesn’t know his job,’ he returned. ‘If he thinks he does, someone might call in on him one night and scratch his face for him . . . with a broken bottle . . . tell him that too.’

  Hallahan eased his collar. ‘I’ll look after him,’ he said, putting the cheque into his pocket.

  ‘You don’t want a murder case on your hands, do you?’ Korris said. ‘This town’s record’s clean up to now. You could run in the election next year with a record like that. You can’t be blamed for suicide. That’d make a swell title for a book, wouldn’t it?’ He shook his head. ‘Well, I guess I’d better be moving.’ He stood up. ‘I’ll be around again before long.’

  Hallahan shook hands. ‘You’re right about the election,’ he said, looking thoughtful. ‘You know, I’d like to go into politics, but it’s an expensive job.’

  ‘We’d put you up,’ Korris said, carelessly. ‘You look after the record and we’ll look after the election. But, if Bentonville suddenly ran into a crime wave . . . well, I guess Mr. Spade might change his mind about the election.’

  ‘Would Mr. Spade really finance me?’

  ‘You heard what I said.
Especially about the clean record, or have you wax in your ears?’

  ‘That’s swell,’ Hallahan rubbed his hands. ‘I know Mr. Spade keeps his word and there ain’t likely to be a crime wave here. There never has been one and I don’t see why one should start now, do you?’

  ‘Not if you look after your end,’ Korris said, with a thin smile. ‘Okay, then I’ll tell him how it is.’

  He wandered over to the door, paused and looked back at Hallahan.

  ‘Ever heard of a guy called Bellman?’ he asked.

  ‘Sure, you mean Bellman of the Chez Paree?’

  ‘That’s the fella.’

  ‘Why, of course. I know him very well.’

  ‘Ever give you anything towards your Sports Fund?’

  Hallahan blinked. ‘No. . . he isn’t much of a sportsman.’

  ‘No. You ain’t heard about him yet?’

  ‘Heard about him? No . . . anything wrong?’

  ‘He committed suicide a few hours ago. Maybe Kells’ shy of you guys and isn’t going to tell you. You know Kells, of course?’

  Hallahan stood still. ‘Committed suicide? Bellman?’

  ‘Yeah, so I’ve heard. It may be a rumour, of course. You know what rumours are.’

  The telephone on Hallahan’s desk began to ring. He snatched it up, without taking his eyes of Korris’s face. ‘Yeah?’

  He stood listening, then he said, ‘I’ll be right over,’ and hung up.

  Korris tapped more ash on the carpet. ‘Would that be Kells?’ he asked, gently.

  ‘That was Kells,’ Hallahan said, grimly. ‘He says Bellman’s been murdered. He was stabbed to death not an hour ago.’

  Korris shook his head. ‘I must send him a wreath,’ he said, half to himself.

  ‘You’ve got a pretty reliable source of information, haven’t you?’ Hallahan went on, still watching Korris closely. ‘How did you hear?’

  ‘You sound more like a cop than a candidate for election,’ Korris said, gently.

  There was a short pause, then Hallahan said, ‘But this guy says it’s murder.’

  ‘I shouldn’t be surprised if that doctor of yours doesn’t say the same thing.’ Korris shook his head. ‘Well, well, mistakes do happen.’ He sauntered to the door. ‘Mr. Spade says it’s suicide. You know who to believe, don’t you?’ He went out and closed the door behind him.