aWhat facts and figures?a Leon lit up and flicked the match into the fire.
aShermanas racket has blown up in his face. You and he have been working together. Weave got all we want on him, and weare waiting to pick him up. While weare waiting for him to show, weare picking up the small fry, like you.a She raised her eyebrows.
aWhoas Sherman? What are you talking about?a Leon smiled.
aDonat give me that stuff. You know what Iam talking about. You fingered Roy English. Youare Shermanas sounding board. Everything that went on in Englishas office was heard by you and pa.s.sed on to Sherman. That makes you Shermanas stooge.a aAw, youare crazy!a she exclaimed angrily. aGet out of here before I call the cops.a aGo ahead and call them. Itall save me the trouble of dragging you down to headquarters.a She got out of the chair and walked over to the telephone.
aThe cops in this city know how to deal with a louse like you,a she said. aTake my tip and dust while the dustingas good.a aGo ahead and call them,a he said, leaning his shoulders against the mantel. aIave got enough on you to put you away for ten years. Blackmail rates high these days.a aYou canat prove a thing,a she said, her hand on the telephone.
aI can tie you in with Sherman. Within the last few days heas knocked off five people - Roy English, Mary Savitt, Joe Hennessey, May Mitch.e.l.l, and an hour ago, Corrine English,a Leon said, watching her. aYouare tied in to Royas killing. I can prove that. If youare not careful, theyall put that nice outline of yours in the chair.a She half turned as she lifted the receiver, then she slammed it down, jerked open a drawer and whipped out a .25 automatic. She spun around and pointed the gun at Leon.
aDonat move, shamus,a she said, her face hard and her eyes glittering. aIam tempted to put a slug in you, and tell the cops you broke in here.a aWhat - with that toy? It wouldnat even make me bleed,a Leon said, not feeling as confident as he sounded.
aYou make a move out of turn, and weall see if itall make you bleed!a aWhereas this going to get you?a he asked. aWhy donat you use your head and do the sensible thing?a aAnd whatas that?a she demanded, resting her hips against the table, the gun centred on his chest.
aI want Sherman,a Leon said. aI could afford to let you go. Heas ducked out of sight. Where would he go?a She studied him.
aSuppose I know, and suppose I tell you - what then, shamus?a aIad give you twelve hours to pull out of town. After twelve hours Iad have to tell the cops you were working with Sherman, but a girl with transport can get a long way in twelve hours.a aI donat know anything about Sherman,a she said and laughed. aWhy, youare crazy! Iave never heard of the guy until you walked in here. Now get out!
Leon studied her.
aIf I walk out of here, the cops will walk in. Theyall persuade you to talk, make no mistake about that!
aGet out!a Leon shrugged.
aOkay, if thatas the way you want to play it, donat blame me if you land up in the chair.a aGet out!a aA one-track mind,a Leon remarked, and moved over to the door. aI forgot to mention theread be a getaway stake thrown in with my offer of a twelve-hour start. I wouldnat expect a girl like you to take a powder without a little folding money to keep her warm.a He saw her stiffen to attention, and knew he had struck the right note.
aKeep going,a she said, but she didnat sound quite so convincing this time.
As he reached the door, she said, aHow much?a aA couple of grand. Thatas not a bad proposition, sister - two grand and twelve hoursa start.a aNot interested,a she said curtly. aThatas chicken feed. Get out of here!a aSuppose you make a suggestion?a She hesitated.
aTen.a Leon laughed.
aThatas funny. Ten grand for something the cops could beat out of you. But Iall go to five because redheads soothe my ulcer.a aSeven,a she said promptly.
Leon realized he was wasting time.
aDo you know where he is?a he asked.
She nodded.
aWell, okay, what have I got to lose? It isnat my dough. Iall close at seven. Where is he?a aDo I look all that damp behind the ears?a she said scornfully. aI want the dough first.a aWhere is he?a Leon barked, suddenly losing his nonchalant air. aYouall get the money, but youall talk first!a aI want the money first,a she returned obstinately.
He grabbed her by her arm.
aListen. Sherman has kidnapped Englishas secretary! Heas taken her somewhere. If I donat find her fast, heall knock her off, and if he does, Iall d.a.m.n well see youare tied in with him. Where is he?a She hesitated.
aHow do I know youare not lying?a she said. aWho is Englishas secretary?a aHer nameas Lois Marshall,a Leon said impatiently. aShe went to Corrine Englishas place and vanished. I went there to see what had happened to her and found Corrine strangled. Shermanas got her, and every minute I spend talking to you puts her in a worse spot. Do you want to be made an accessory to murder?a aYouall give me the money and twelve hours start if I tell you?a aYes! Where is he?a aWhereas the money coming from?a aSam Crail the attorney, will give it to you.a She hesitated, then said, aHeas got a yacht anch.o.r.ed off Bay Creek. Thatas where he spends his weekends. If heas anywhere, thatas where heall be. You canat miss it, itas the only yacht anch.o.r.ed there.a aIs this on the level?a Leon demanded.
aOf course it is! Now how do I collect the dough?a Leon went over to the desk by the window, pulled a sheet of notepaper from a pigeonhole and scribbled a note. He handed it to her.
aGive that to Crail. Tell him what youave told me, and heall pay you.a aIf he doesnat . . .a aHeall do it. Maybe not tonight, but first thing in the morning. Youall still have twelve hoursa start. I promise you that.a aDo I go there now?a aBetter wait until the morning. He canat lay his hands on seven grand tonight.a aIf Iam going, Iam going now. Maybe he can give me something, and send on the rest.a aPlease yourself,a Leon said, making for the door. Iave got things to do.a When he had gone, she stood, thinking, her eyes worried, then she went swiftly into the bedroom, pulled out two suitcases from under her bed and began to pack hurriedly. She packed only essential things, and threw them anyhow into the cases.
For the past days she had read in the newspaper of the succession of mysterious deaths, and she guessed Sherman had been responsible for them. She had decided before Leonas visit to leave town. Now, she was in a panic to get away before the police tied her in with Sherman. She didnat altogether trust Leon. If Crail gave her a thousand, she would be content with that so long as she could leave town that night. Her one thought now was to get away before trouble overtook her.
Without bothering to change out of her sweater and slacks, she pulled on a fur coat, picked up her two suitcases and went swiftly to the front door. She jerked it open, and then came to an abrupt stop, her heart skipping a beat.
Sherman was standing in the pa.s.sage, his hands in his mackintosh pockets, water dripping from his hat brim, his jaws moving slowly, his eyes expressionless.
ah.e.l.lo, Gloria,a he said quietly.
She didnat say anything.
aRunning away?a he went on, his eyes going to the two cases.
aWhat do you mean?a she managed to get out, aIam only going away for the weekend.a aBut not coming back?a he said. aGot cold feet, Gloria?a aWhy should I have cold feet?a she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. aWhatas the matter with you? Canat I go away for a weekend without you imagining things?a He shrugged.
aI donat care where you go, Gloria, but you are running away, arenat you?a aOf course Iam not!a she said with unnecessary vehemence. aWhatas the matter with you? Itas you who have got cold feet.a Sherman smiled.
aCan I come in a moment? I want to talk to you.a aI - I donat want to miss my train.a He moved toward her, and she gave ground. He entered the sitting room. Slowly, as if hypnotized, she put the two suitcases on the floor and leaned against the wall, watching him.
aYou donat have to run away Gloria,a he said, moving about the room. aIave got English where I want him. He canat cause trouble now. The police are looking for him. He shot his mistress.a She didnat say anything. Her eyes followed him as he moved over to the window.
aIt looked at first as if he could stop me,a Sherman went on, abut itas all right now. How are you off for money, Gloria? I think I owe you something, donat I?a aIam all right,a she said huskily. aI - I donat need anything at the moment.a He smiled at her.
aFirst time Iave ever known you to say that. Perhaps youare scared of taking my money now, Gloria? You donat have to be.a aIf youave got it, Iall have it,a she said, abut Iam not hard up.a aNo, I donat suppose you are.a He had stopped by the window and was examining the curtain cord. aNow this is an odd coincidence. Iave been looking for a cord like this for weeks. You may not believe it, but I canat find this exact shade anywhere.a He took the cord off the hook and appeared to examine it closely. aDo you remember where you got it?a aFrom Sackvilleas,a Gloria said, watching him uneasily.
aAre you sure?a he asked, moving casually toward her. aI think I tried there.a She looked at the cord, seeing it now hanging in a loop between his fingers and she tried to screw herself into the wall, her eyes opening wide with terror.
aKeep away from me!a she said in a tight, strangled voice.
aWhatas the matter?a Sherman asked, smiling at her. aWhatas frightening you? Donat tell me, Gloria, you of all people, are suffering from a guilty conscience?a He was within a few feet of her now. She suddenly threw herself blindly across the room to the door. He went after her with quick silent steps, and as she reached the door, he dropped the loop over her head.
Her frantic scream of terror was throttled back into her throat as he crossed his hands and tightened the cord.
II.
As Sam Crail got out of his car, the shadowy figure of a man came out of the darkness.
aSam?a aWhy, Nick!a Crail looked uneasily to the right and left, scared anyone might be watching. aWhat the h.e.l.l are you doing here? What happened?a aLetas get inside,a English said, his voice tense.
Crail snapped off the caras headlight, and then led the way up the dark path to his house. He opened the door, and English followed him into the lobby. Helen Crail came out of the lounge. She was a tall, willowy girl with light brown hair and shrewd, friendly eyes. English had often wondered why she had married Crail. He thought she was too good-looking to have hooked up with a fat, middle-aged attorney like Sam. But in spite of the disparity of age and looks, they seemed to get on well together.
aCome in by the fire Nick,a she said, smiling at him. aIall get you a drink.a aNo, please donat Helen,a English said. aIam all right. Mind if I talk business to Sam, but donat go away.a Helen looked swiftly at Crail, who shook his head.
aHeard from Ed yet?a English asked.
aIave heard from him,a Crail returned, following English into the big, brightly lit lounge. He took off his coat and dropped it in a chair. aTake your coat off. You re sopping wet.a As English took off his coat, Crail went on, aWhat happened to you? I went down to headquarters and waited. Captain Swinney hadnat any information. He said there was a call out for you, but he had no report on you. I didnat tell him youad been found. Did you give them the slip?a English smiled grimly.
aEventually. Morilli staged a private arrest for his own benefit. Whatas happened to Lois?a aI donat know. Edas looking for her. He said he was calling me back in an hour. He should come through at any minute now.a Helen took Englishas coat and hung it in the lobby.
aDid he say what he found when he arrived at Corrineas place?a English asked.
Crail nodded.
aYes. Sherman had been there. He strangled Corrine. Lois had been there, too. Ed found her handkerchief, but we donat know if Sherman has her or not.a English clenched his fists, his pale face hardening.
aHeas got to be stopped, Sam! This canat go on. Iave got to find him.a aNow look, youare in a bad spot yourself,a Crail said anxiously. aYou should have given yourself up when Morilli came for you. Running away from him . . .a aI didnat run away from him. I let him arrest me,a English said as Helen came back into the lounge. He took me for a one-way ride. If Chuck hadnat spotted us leaving and got himself a ride on the rear b.u.mper Iad be in the morgue by now.a Crail stared at him.
aYou arenat serious?a aYou bet Iam serious. Morilli made no bones about it. He was scared Iad talk. He was about to shoot me when Chuck appeared like a hero in a second feature movie. And thatas the kind of treatment Iad get if I gave myself up. I told you how it would be. Theyall frame me into the chair if I give them half a chance.a Crail wiped his face with his handkerchief.
aIall go to the commissioner right now and tell him,a he said. aHeall have to listen to me. Where did you say youave left Morilli?a aHampton Wharf,a English told him. aChuck is with him. Take a newspaperman with you, Sam. Itas a good idea. Maybe Morilli will give himself away.a aLeave it to me,a Crail said, putting on his coat again. aIn the meantime, you stay here, Nick, and keep out of sight. Iall fix that rat Morilli!a aYouare harbouring a criminal,a English pointed out. aMaybe Iad better move on, Sam.a aYou stay here! See that he does, Helen,a Crail said. aThey wonat think to look here for you. Iall be back as soon as I can.a When he had gone out to the garage, Helen said, aYouare worrying about Lois, arenat you, Nick?a He nodded.
aIf that devilas killed her . . .a aYou mustnat think like that,a she said soothingly. aSit down and rest. Ed will find her. Heas a good man, Nick.a aBut the police are looking for him now and he doesnat know it. Morilli put out a call for him. He might walk into trouble, and then whatall happen to Lois?a aTrust him to keep out of trouble,a she returned. aIf anyone can find her, he will.a English flopped down in an armchair.
aIf only I knew where Sherman was,a he said angrily. aI canat go looking all over the town. Iad be picked up within minutes.a aEd said he was going to talk to some girl - Windsor I think he said her name was. He thought she might know where Sherman was.a Englishas face brightened.
aIad forgotten her. Ed thinks sheas working with Sherman. I wonder if he got anywhere with her.a aHeall call in a little while,a Helen said.
aHe may be with her now,a English said, jumping to his feet. aI might get him on the phone.a He went over to the telephone and ruffled through the pages of the directory until he found Gloria Windsoras number. He dialled and waited, listening with growing impatience to the ringing tone. He waited for a minute or so, then replaced the receiver.
aNo answer. Maybe sheas out and he hasnat talked to her yet.a He looked at his watch. aWhen I think of Lois . . .a He drove his fist into his palm. ad.a.m.n it! I must do something! I canat just sit and wait!a aTake it easy Nick,a Helen said. aYouave got to rely on Ed. Heall find her.a aItas all very well.a He broke off and smiled crookedly at her. aYou know Iave been a mug about Lois, Helen. I didnat realize what she means to me until Iad lost her.a aArenat we all mugs sometimes?a she returned gently. aIam glad Nick. Sheas been good to you.a aI know. Well, if sheas alive, Iall make up for it.a aListen!a Helen said sharply, holding up her hand.
They heard the sound of a fast moving car, coming down the street. A moment later it pulled up outside the house with a squeal of tortured tires.
As English moved to the window, Helen pushed him aside.
aYou must keep out of sight, Nick. It may be the police,a she said sharply. aLet me see.a She lifted the shade, then turned swiftly, her face alight with excitement.
aItas Ed!a she exclaimed, and ran across the room to the front door.
Leon was about to ring the bell when Helen opened the door. He was soaked with rain, and there was an anxious, hara.s.sed look in his eyes.
aSam in?a he asked.
aCome in,a Helen said. aNickas here.a aNick! Well, Iall be d.a.m.ned. I thought he was in jail.a He stepped into the lobby as English came out of the sitting room.
aWhat a break!a Leon said. aIad given you up as lost.a aWhereas Lois?a English demanded.
aIam not sure yet. I came here for some money. Iave got to hire a boat. Sherman has a yacht six miles off Bay Creek. Itas my bet Lois is on board. They want a hundred bucks for a motorboat to take me out there. Have you got a hundred bucks?a aOf course I have,a English said. aIam coming with you.a aBetter not. The cops are still looking for you.a aTheyare looking for you, too,a English said. aMorillias put a call out for you. Heas trying to pin Corrineas murder on you. Come on, letas get going!a He struggled into his overcoat.
aHow far is Bay Creek?a he asked.
aAbout three miles from here,a Leon said, opening the front door.
aTell Sam where Iave gone,a English said to Helen. aAnd thanks for putting up with me.a aGood luck Nick,a Helen said, her eyes anxious. aAnd be careful.a English went down the path after Leon and got into the waiting car.
Leon sent the car shooting down the deserted street.
aI got the Windsor girl to talk,a he told English, but itas going to cost you seven grand, and it may come to nothing. All the same I imagine Sherman will take Lois to the yacht if he takes her anywhere. What happened to you?a aMorilli took me for a ride. If Chuck hadnat turned up I shouldnat be here now,a English said.
Leon glanced swiftly at him.
aYou mean he was going to knock you off?a aThat was the idea. He was scared Iad talk. Besides, getting rid of me would have earned him a promotion. Whereas this Bay Creek, Ed?a aYou know the golf club? A mile farther on is Bay Creek. Thereas a boathouse there. Iave seen the yacht. Itas anch.o.r.ed about six miles out in the estuary. Someoneas on board. Lights are showing, but the guy who owns the motorboat wouldnat play unless I paid him the hundred. I nearly went crazy trying to persuade him, but the louse wouldnat budge. So I had to come back to Sam for the dough.a English glanced over his shoulder.
aThereas a car after us, Ed!a he said, his voice sharpening.
Leon promptly shoved his foot hard down on the gas pedal.
aCops?a aCould be. Maybe they spotted your number. I told you they were on the lookout for you.a aI canat hope to shake a prowl car in this old heap,a Leon said uneasily. aWhat are we going to do?a aCan we lose them?a aNot in this district.a He looked in the driving mirror. ah.e.l.l! Theyare coming up fast!a aYou stall them, Ed. Iam going after Lois. Get around the next corner, slow down and let me drop off. Iall take my chance of giving them the slip.a aTheyare right behind us,a Leon said, and shoved the gas pedal to the boards. The car surged forward at over sixty miles an hour, and the car behind fell back a little. aHang on tight. Iam going to take the next corner.a Twenty yards from the corner, Leon slammed on his brakes. The back of the car swung around in a violent skid. He heard the screaming of tires as the other car braked frantically. Beams from the other caras headlamps lit up Leonas car as he wrestled with the wheel, steering into the skid. He released the brake and trod on the gas pedal. The car shot into the side street. The pursuing car went on, braking violently as Leon slowed down.
aGood luck!a he exclaimed as English opened the door.
English jumped out, took two staggering steps forward before falling heavily. He rolled over, staggered to his feet, and ran blindly for an alley facing him.
The police car had reversed and was swinging into the street as he reached the mouth of the alley. A voice yelled at him, but he didnat look around. He kept on, his long legs flying over the ground.
There was a flash and a crash of gunfire. Something zipped perilously close to his head; then he dashed into the darkness of the alley.
For some seconds he ran blindly. The alley led to the river, and he came out on the waterfront. He heard the sound of pounding feet coming after him, and he looked to the right and left for cover. A few yards from him was a vast pile of empty wooden crates. He darted over to them and dodged behind them. A moment later a cop came out of the alley, gun in hand. He looked up and down the deserted waterfront, then stood listening for a moment.
English watched him, his mouth in a tight, hard smile. Nick English hiding from a cop! If it wasnat for Lois, it would be funny, he thought.
He waited, sure the cop would come to investigate the pile of crates. He crouched in the shadows, holding his breath as the cop began a slow, cautious walk toward him.
aOkay, I can see you!a the cop barked suddenly, and pushed forward his gun. aCome on out or Iall blast you!a Sure the cop couldnat see him, English remained where he was.
The cop came on and began to circle the pile of crates. Moving without a sound, English followed him, keeping just out of sight, until the two of them had made a complete circle of the crates.
With a grunt of disgust the cop went off along the waterfront, flashing a powerful flashlight, his gun thrust forward.
English didnat move until the cop was out of sight, then he went off in the opposite direction, walking fast, his head bent against the driving rain. He was about a mile from the golf club, and time was running out. He decided to risk a taxi. He couldnat waste time walking to the club.
He turned off the waterfront and made his way back to the town. As he walked along in the pelting rain, he wondered what had happened to Leon, and he wished he had a gun.
After walking for some minutes he saw a taxi coming toward him, and he waved.
The taxi pulled up.
aKnow the golf club?a he asked, keeping his head bent so the driver couldnat see his face clearly.
aSure,a the driver returned. aYouare not thinking of having a game at this hour, are you, mister?a aA mile farther on thereas a boathouse. That"s where I want to go.a aI know it. Tom Kerras place.a English got into the cab.
aTwenty bucks if you get me there in ten minutes.a aCanat be done, but Iall get you there in fifteen.a aGet going!a English sat back and fumbled for a cigarette. He suddenly felt deflated and tired. So much time had been wasted, he thought. It was now three hours since Lois had walked out of her apartment. The chances were she was dead, strangled by that maniac. Well, if she was, he would avenge her, he thought grimly. Sherman wasnat going to get away with it this time.
Once clear of the town, the taxi raced along the broad road through the sand dunes that led to the club. They flashed past the clubhouse after eight minutesa reckless driving. There was a dance on, and English could hear the music and see the couples as they moved around the big ballroom.
Four minutes later, the driver said, Thatas Kerras joint right ahead. English leaned forward to peer through the rain-soaked windshield. He could see a big wooden shed by the river bank. Lights came through the windows.