WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:05.200 Chapter one, Johnny Lydell perched on a barstool at Mike's deadline. 2 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:08.279 Added to the gray fog that swirled lazily near the ceiling, 3 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:11.960 He watched the creative geniuses of the advertising agencies that 4 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.079 filled the neighboring sky scrapers stock up on extra inspiration 5 00:00:16.239 --> 00:00:19.800 to go back to their trade of geniusing. He discovered 6 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:23.440 his own glass was empty, signaled for a refill. The 7 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:26.519 bartender made a production of selecting a cognac bottle from 8 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:30.600 the back shelf filled his glass to the brim. Way 9 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:32.560 here from that cute little blonde he used to run 10 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:37.679 around with Lydell, The bartender wanted to know Muggsy and 11 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:40.840 I guess she's gone Hollywood on me, Mike, haven't heard 12 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:42.719 in a couple of weeks. Her old man tells me 13 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:46.479 she's been working on a new picture out there. He 14 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:48.840 dropped a bill on the bar, watched the bartender pick 15 00:00:48.840 --> 00:00:52.359 it up, replace it with a diamond a nickel. Ain't 16 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:54.920 that a hell of a fate for a good newspaper woman, 17 00:00:56.200 --> 00:01:00.520 better than workin', the bartender grunted. Somewhere, a phone shrilled, 18 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:02.600 and the man behind the bar shuffled off to answer it. 19 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:07.400 Lydell regarded his full glass morosely considered the advisability of 20 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:11.840 opening a Hollywood office. He decided against it. Debated the 21 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:14.799 alternative of making a pass at his red headed secretary, 22 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:17.920 got a momentary lift out of the prospect, decided he 23 00:01:17.959 --> 00:01:22.040 was looking for trouble. It's for you, Lydell. The bartender 24 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:25.159 called from the other end of the bar. Lydell grabbed 25 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:27.599 his glass, shouldered his way to where the bartender stood 26 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:32.439 holding the receiver. My office. The bartender shrugged, shuffled back 27 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:36.719 to his station behind the bar. Yeah, Lydell asked the mouthpiece. 28 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:40.519 You'd better get on back to the office, Johnny, sounds 29 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:43.079 like some business coming out way. A dame called twice 30 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:46.599 within fifteen minutes. Has to talk to you, Lydell groaned, 31 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:51.000 Not another dog poisoning case. Didn't sound like it. She 32 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:53.799 told him this babe sounded like she was in real trouble. 33 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:55.879 Wouldn't tell me who she was or where you could 34 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:58.359 reach her. She said she'd call back in fifteen minutes. 35 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:00.480 That means you'd better finish that glas. She'd got in 36 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:04.280 your hand. Proto what do you mean glass in my hand? 37 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:07.319 She laughed at him. This is pinky boss. What do 38 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:09.520 you think I mean by glass in your hand? The 39 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:12.639 receiver clicked in his ear. The red head was in 40 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:15.000 the outer office, stabbing away at a typewriter when he 41 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:18.319 came in. She looked up, shook her head. Hasn't called 42 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:21.000 back yet, but it should be any second now, she 43 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:25.240 grinned maliciously. I hope I didn't break up anything. Lydell 44 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.319 scowled at her, stamped into his private office, dropped into 45 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:31.319 his chair. He grimaced at the pile of correspondence on 46 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:34.840 his desk. The phone rang exactly six minutes after he 47 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:37.719 had gotten back. The voice on the other end sounded breathless, 48 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:44.039 mister Lydell, that's right, who's this, Jean Merritt. I've been 49 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:47.000 trying to reach you for the past hour. Lydell nodded, 50 00:02:47.479 --> 00:02:50.400 I've been on a case. What's it all about? There 51 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:54.599 was a pause, then a low, tense voice murder. Who's 52 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:58.360 my father, Matt Merritt. They've been able to make it 53 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:01.400 look like suicide, mister Lydell, but I know he's been murdered. 54 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:04.120 I want you to get the proof. Have you hon 55 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:07.159 to the police with us? I can't. They're watching me. 56 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:09.319 If they knew I was talking to you, they'd kill me. 57 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:13.400 Lydell scratched the side of his jaw. Can you come 58 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:16.960 over here and talk it over? I wouldn't dare Where 59 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:20.919 are yo? Now? She hesitated, I'm at the Hotel Westmore, 60 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:23.719 But please don't come here, mister Lydell, thin'd no an 61 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:27.039 My life wouldn't be worth a dime. Lydell scowled at 62 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:29.759 the phone. I've got to see you. If you won't 63 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:31.960 come here and I can't go there, where'll it be? 64 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:36.039 Can't we meet on the outside some place by to night? 65 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:37.680 I may be able to shake them long enough to 66 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:41.960 meet you at a bar. The voice was emphatic. No, 67 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:44.199 it's got to be out in the open, some place 68 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:46.879 where I can be sure I'm not being followed. What 69 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:48.319 time do you think you'll be able to make it? 70 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:52.680 There was a pause, Not before ten thirty? Would that 71 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:56.000 be too late? Lydell looked out the window over Bryant Park, 72 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:59.639 groaned inwardly at the threatening cloud banks over the Public Library. 73 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:04.159 I guess it'll have to do. Where'll it be? Can 74 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:06.400 you suggest a place? I don't know too much about 75 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:09.759 this part of New York? Lydell pulled his desk, pat 76 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:11.759 to the edge of the desk, scribbled a few notes 77 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:14.360 on it. There's an all night drug store at the 78 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:17.680 corner of Lexington in twenty eighth. How'll that be? I'll 79 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:20.879 be there at ten thirty, the receiver promised. If I'm 80 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:24.000 a little late, wait for me. Lydell returned the receiver 81 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:26.920 to its hook, glared at it. Why is it that 82 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:30.199 all the screwballs come to me? The red head pursed 83 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:33.279 her lips humorously. Do you want me to answer that, 84 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.720 mister Lydell? Johnny Lydell yanked irritably on his coat collar, 85 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.040 drew it closer to his face in a fruitless effort 86 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:42.680 to stave off the pelting rain. He took a deep 87 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:45.240 drag on the soggy cigarette he held cupped in his hand, 88 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:48.439 fervently cursed the fate that had made him a private investigator. 89 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:51.759 The gleaming, wet face of the jeweler's clock across the 90 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.399 street put the time at twelve o'clock, and the girl 91 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:57.480 had been due at ten thirty. He was painfully aware 92 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:59.759 that he should have insisted on seeing her immediately when 93 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:03.040 she He took one last deep drag on the cigarette, 94 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:05.680 flipped it toward the gutter, sloshed into the all night 95 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:08.959 drug store, whose awning had given him questionable refuge from 96 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:13.040 the driving rain. A tired looking, middle aged clerk looked 97 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:15.959 up from the morning tabloid as Lidel walked in, made 98 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:17.920 a half hearted attempt to wipe the boredom out of 99 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:21.199 his eyes. Sighed as the detective passed him on his 100 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:23.519 way to the row of phone booths, dropped his eyes 101 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:27.160 back to the newspaper he had been reading. Lydel flipped 102 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:29.959 through the pages of the telephone directory, underscored a number 103 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:32.199 with his thumb nail, fished a dime from his pocket. 104 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:34.800 He stepped into the booth, dialed the number of the 105 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:39.519 Hotel Westmore. Hotel Westmore, Good Evening. The metallic voice of 106 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:44.199 the hotel operator responded, not unless you're a duck. Lydell growled, 107 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.120 Let me talk to him his Merrit's room. The receiver 108 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:51.839 giggled at him. Whom did you wish, sir, Miss Merrit, 109 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:55.439 Miss Jean Merritt. There was a brief pause, Sorry, sir, 110 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.000 I have no Miss Merit on my register. I'll give 111 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.959 you the front desk, sir. There was a click, then 112 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:05.600 Stevens desk clerk speaking Miss Jean Merritt. Sorry, sir, Miss 113 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.600 Merritt has checked out, checked out? Where'd she go? We 114 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:13.439 don't have that information, Sir. Lydell tossed the receiver on 115 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.399 its hook, rubbed the heel of his hand along the 116 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.759 stubble on his chin, scowled at the instrument. He fished 117 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:21.279 another dime from his pocket, dialed the number of his office. 118 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.360 After a moment, the answering service came on mister Lyddell's office. 119 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:29.199 The receiver chanted, this is Lydell. Any calls just one, 120 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:31.839 mister Lydell, your secretary. She wants you to call her 121 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.720 as soon as you check in. Lydell made the third call, 122 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:37.160 heard pinky, sleepy voice at the other end of the phone. 123 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:42.240 What time is it anyway, she yawned. Wouldn't it be 124 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.800 easier for you to get a clock than to have 125 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:46.920 me calling in the middle of the night. Very funny, 126 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:49.959 the girl retorted, It just so happens that I expected 127 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:51.800 you to be checking in before you kept the date 128 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.079 with the Merrick girl. I wanted to tell you we 129 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.160 got a check for five hundred dollars as a retainer 130 00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:59.800 from her right after you left. How'd it come? Western 131 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:03.759 Union Messenger how'd it go with her? I mean it didn't. 132 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.920 She didn't show up. I thought she might have called 133 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:08.800 to call it off or something. The receiver laughed at him, 134 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:12.480 he must be soaked. Instead of laughing at me, you 135 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.160 ought to invite me to drop by and get out 136 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:17.000 of my wet clothes into a dry martini. It might 137 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:19.439 be arranged if you promised to be nice and quiet 138 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.000 and not annoy the neighbors. After all, what would they 139 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.319 think if they saw a strange man dropping by at 140 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:27.959 this hour? Nothing strange about me. I'm the most normal 141 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.560 guy you ever saw. See you in a little while. 142 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:34.199 He hung up the phone started for the door. He 143 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.240 had almost reached it when he noticed the black sedan 144 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:39.079 idling at the curve. He caught a dull glint of 145 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:41.399 motion in the back seat, dived for the counter and 146 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:45.000 hugged the floor. The snub nose of a submachine gun 147 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:46.720 poked out of the rear window of the car and 148 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:50.519 started raking the store with buzzing death. Little boxes danced 149 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.879 off the shelves, glass crashed in a neat line of 150 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:55.319 holes appeared on the wall over Lighthell's head. As if 151 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:58.120 by magic, he tugged the forty five from its shoulder. 152 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:01.480 Holster focused all his attention on the front door. There 153 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.439 was a sudden let up in the monotonous rhythm of 154 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:06.040 the Tommy gun. A man appeared in the doorway. He 155 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:08.680 was tall, thin, the coat collar of his dark overcoat 156 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:11.079 pulled up around his face. He held two thirty eight 157 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.800 Specials in his hands. Before his roving eyes could pick 158 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:16.959 out Lydell, the private investigator fired the forty five, sounding 159 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.360 like a cap pistol. After the shattering blast of the 160 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:22.839 tommy gun, the man in the doorway staggered back as 161 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:25.240 the heavy slugs hid him. The guns in his hands 162 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:28.360 started belching orange flames, and Lydell could see the slugs 163 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:31.000 chew bits out of the counter near his head. He 164 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:34.200 raised the forty five deliberately, aimed at the gunman's mid section, 165 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:37.480 squeezed the trigger. The man's body jerked as the heavy 166 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.759 slugs rammed into it. He folded his hands across his belly, 167 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:43.039 went to his knees, then slid out full length on 168 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.600 his face. Lydell crawled across the debris to where he 169 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.200 could command a view of the street. The sedan was 170 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:51.879 beginning to roll away from the curb. Its rear window, 171 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.000 belching a renewed rain of flame and death. In the 172 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:57.639 rear window of the car, Lidell caught a momentary glimpse 173 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:00.519 of a gross, fat face with thick, pouting lips in 174 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:03.360 a flabby neck that bulged over its collar. He had 175 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:06.080 barely timed a catalog for future reference. The beady little 176 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:09.440 eyes buttressed by heavy pouches that peered down the barrel 177 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:12.440 of the Tommy gun. Somewhere in the distance, a police 178 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:16.159 siren moaned. The gun stopped coughing abruptly, leaving a silent 179 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:19.159 void that was almost deafening. Lydell was on his feet 180 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:21.000 and into the street in time to see the heavy 181 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:24.600 sedan lurching around the nearest corner. He flung two parting 182 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:27.399 shots after it was reloading. When the police car skidded 183 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:30.759 to a stop at the curb, Okay, Jesse James, A 184 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:34.240 gruff voice commanded, drop the artillery. Turn around real slow, 185 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:37.679 so's we can take a look at you. Lydell obediently 186 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:40.240 let the forty five slip to the sidewalk. He turned 187 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.600 to face the uniform policeman who was scrambling from the 188 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:46.559 police car riot gun in hand, having fun buster the 189 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:49.480 cop asked, his eyes rove beyond Lidell to the wrecked 190 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.879 front of the drug store. Looks like you've had a 191 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:58.279 busy night, plenty busy, mostly ducking. Lydell grinned bleakly. Just 192 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.600 an innocent bystander, eh. The CoP's eyes picked out the 193 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:04.039 body of the thin man lying in the doorway face down. 194 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:07.799 He wasn't so good at ducking, no doubt. He motioned 195 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.080 lydel back against the store front with the snout of 196 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.559 the riot gun, walked over, picked up the forty five. 197 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.480 I'll keep this guy covered, ray, he called over his 198 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:19.200 shoulder to his partner, who was covering him from the rear. 199 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.440 Better have a look at the guy in the doorway. 200 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:25.720 This wasn't my party, buddon. Lydell told the cop placidly, 201 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:29.960 like you said, I'm just an innocent bystander. The cop 202 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.039 grinned frostily. Hefted Lydell's forty five in his hand. You'd 203 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:37.200 probably just wear this Sojia coat while hang straight. No doubt, 204 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:41.519 it's licensed. Lydell told him. I'm a private op, names 205 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.759 Johnny Lydell. I have my papers here if you like 206 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:47.159 to see him. He motioned toward his breast pocket froze 207 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.840 when the CoP's finger tightened on the trigger of the 208 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.960 riot gun. If I was you and I wanted to 209 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:54.159 keep breathing, I wouldn't make no sudden moves like that. 210 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:57.159 The cop advised, when I want to see your papers, 211 00:10:57.159 --> 00:11:00.440 I'll come get 'em. Second cop knelt beside the body 212 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:03.679 of the thin man, turned him over, grunted, this is 213 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:06.720 a job for the meat wagon ed. He got up, 214 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:09.799 brushed off the knees of his blue pants. Stop three 215 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:13.000 big ones. He walked over joined his partner. What's eyes 216 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:17.759 irony packing a forty five. The second cop nodded, I 217 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:20.759 would do it. He says, he's a private eye. The 218 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.559 cop with the riot gun didn't take his eyes off 219 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:25.840 Lydell as a license and everything. He says, maybe we 220 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.399 ought to have a look at it while we're waiting. 221 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:31.039 The second cop stepped over to Lydell, careful not to 222 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:33.759 come between him and his partner's gun, reached into his 223 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:37.399 jacket pocket brought out a wallet. He rifled through the credentials, 224 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:40.120 copying off a few notations into a large leather notebook. 225 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:43.919 Better take a long, fond look at these, pal he 226 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:46.200 grinned at lydel I got a nine. Yeah, you won't 227 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:49.840 be having this license very long. Since when is it 228 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:51.559 against the law to stop a guy who's out to 229 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.120 burn you down? Lydell was unimpressed. Besides the guy in 230 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.759 the car with the Tommy gun, this Gunzel was out 231 00:11:57.799 --> 00:12:01.240 looking for me with two thirty eights. Save the song 232 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:03.320 for the inspector pal He's got a real ear for 233 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:08.159 sad music, Lydell shrugged, suits me. Only don't you think 234 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:10.080 somebody ought to get in there and look after the clerk? 235 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:14.240 Clerk and there the cop flicked a worried look at 236 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:17.320 the wreckage of the store. There was one in there 237 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:20.320 when the guitar serenade started. Maybe it might be an 238 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:22.720 idea to dig him out from under all those aspirins 239 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:28.879 and feed him a couple end of chapter one, Chapter two. 240 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:33.600 Inspector Hurley he sat behind an oversized, varnished desk in 241 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:38.440 his office at headquarters, eyeing Johnny Lydell without enthusiasm. He 242 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:42.159 chomped methodically on a wad of gum. Suppose you come 243 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:44.639 clean on this one, Johnny. You know I don't like 244 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:49.279 trouble in my division. Lydell shrugged. I don't know any 245 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.840 more than what I told your men, Inspector, I was 246 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:54.159 making a telephone call when I came out of the booth. 247 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:56.320 I spotted his car out front. They let go with 248 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:59.960 a tommy gun and I hit the floor hurley. He scowled, 249 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.879 made an impatient gesture, and the guy in the doorway 250 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:05.960 died of old age waiting for you to come out. No, 251 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:09.039 he wasn't the patient kind. He came to get me. 252 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.919 That was a mistake. You should have shown him your 253 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:15.279 press clippings. He didn't know how tough you are. The 254 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:19.000 inspector reached over, pulled a typewritten sheet from his correspondence basket, 255 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:21.519 scowled at it. It's a lucky thing for you. The 256 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:24.000 clerk in that store backs you up on most of it, 257 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.200 but he also says you were hanging around out front 258 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.759 for a couple hours before the shooting started. What for? 259 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:33.159 Lydell fished through his pockets, brought up a pack of cigarettes, 260 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:38.559 held them up for approval. Okay to smoke. The inspector nodded, impatiently, 261 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.360 tapped stubby fingers on the arm of his chair, watched 262 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:44.039 Lidell deliberately hang a cigarette from the corner of his mouth. 263 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.519 I ask you what you were hanging around that store 264 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:50.919 for Lidell. I was supposed to meet somebody there. They 265 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:54.879 were late, anyone I know? I don't know if I'm 266 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.679 at liberty to discuss my client inspector and working on 267 00:13:57.720 --> 00:14:01.879 a case. He leaned across the desk. His voice was 268 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:06.360 dangerously low. Look, Seamus, I'm not interested in your client 269 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.879 or any case you're working on. I am interested in 270 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:13.600 the fact that some hoodlums decided to shoot up my district. 271 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.840 I want to know who they are and why they 272 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:19.960 did it, So do I inspect her? Curly, He pulled 273 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.399 himself from behind his desk, stamped over to the water 274 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:25.399 cooler in the corner, half filled a paper cup, drained it. 275 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:31.519 Who handled that? Tommy gun tonight Lydell Lydell shrugged, I 276 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:35.240 don't know. The inspector nodded, crushed the paper cup in 277 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:38.519 his huge hand, threw it at the waste basket. Okay, 278 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.159 if that's the way you want it. I played along 279 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.840 with you in the past because you leveled with me. 280 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.879 You know me well enough to know that I'm not 281 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:47.039 just sounding off when I tell you that If you're 282 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.279 holding out on me on this, I'll break you license 283 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:55.399 in all and I'll tell you I'm not holding out. Okay, 284 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:58.960 let's go over it again, curly He stamped back to 285 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.679 his chair behind the desk. What were you'd do when 286 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:07.399 they're waiting for a client? The man behind the desk snorted, 287 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:09.960 banged the desk with his fist. What's the matter with 288 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:13.519 your office? Don't you pay your rent? My client didn't 289 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.799 want to come to the office. She didn't want anybody 290 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:19.759 to know she had hired me. I don't blame her, Hurley. 291 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:24.519 He leaned back, studied lydel She eh, what is this 292 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:27.960 case you're supposed to be on? Lydell took a deep 293 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.879 drag from the cigarette, let the smoke dribble lazily from 294 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:36.720 his nostrils. It's confidential, Inspector Hurley. He looked tired. A 295 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:39.799 V shaped crease was between his brows. His cold eyes 296 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:43.720 were steady searching his face. Serious. This can be a 297 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.279 tough rap for you if I want to stack it 298 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:48.480 up that way, Johnny, he said, We've got a guy 299 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:51.039 on ice wearing three of your slugs for a belt buckle. 300 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.600 That license you carry is and investigate his license not 301 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:58.679 a hunting license, he spoke flatly. No malice or emotion. 302 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:01.519 Evident in his tone. I don't want to have to 303 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.639 throw the book at you, but I'm gonna know what's 304 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:05.879 going on in my district, no matter who gets stepped on. 305 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.480 Lydell took a drag from the cigarette, held it in 306 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:12.519 his lungs, let it drift from his lips. He returned 307 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:19.120 the inspector's stare impassively. Suppose we start again from the beginning, Curly, 308 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:21.720 He didn't miss a stroke on his gum. Who are 309 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:26.000 you supposed to meet tonight? A client? What was her name? 310 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:29.960 Lightell's sighed. I don't think you could make a rap 311 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.840 stick on me, Inspector, and I don't think you think 312 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.559 you can either. Don't make me prove it. Shamous Lydell 313 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:40.080 dropped his cigarette to the floor, grounded out with his heel. 314 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.960 I'm going to make an exception of this one, Inspector, 315 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.559 and I'll tell you some of my clients business, but 316 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.600 not because of anything you think you can do to me, 317 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:50.679 because you like the way I part my hair, no doubt, 318 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:55.399 because I think I'll need some help before this is over, Hurly, 319 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:59.639 he smiled frostily. It's damn decent of you, Lidell. Who 320 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:05.319 is this elusive client. Her name's Merrit, Jean Merritt. The 321 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:08.960 v crease was back between the inspector's brows. He leaned 322 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:12.640 back in his chair, regarded Lidell through lowered lids, and 323 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:17.319 in relation to Matt Merritt, his daughter. Urly, he nodded 324 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:21.519 indicated for Lydell to continue. She called me yesterday afternoon, 325 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:24.119 wanted the agency to look into her old man's death. 326 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:28.039 Give me a better one, Lydell, her old man committed suicide. 327 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:33.599 Lydell shrugged. She doesn't think so. She's convinced he was murdered. 328 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:36.480 The man behind the desk scratched at his scalp through 329 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:39.880 thick white hair, stared down at his fingernails. Why didn't 330 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:44.240 she come to your office? Scared? Thinks the old man's 331 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.839 killers keeping an eye on her. She didn't want to 332 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:50.039 tip that she was having the case reopened. Urly, he 333 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:52.559 rolled his eyes upward from his nails to Lydell's face. 334 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:57.160 But she didn't show after all. I waited from ten 335 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.759 thirty until twelve. Then I called her hotel. She had 336 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:05.119 appeared checked out with no forwarding address. So Lydell shrugged. 337 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:08.759 So maybe she was right, Maybe someone did want to 338 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:12.519 keep her from having the case reopened. The inspector snorted, 339 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:16.519 just because she decided to change hotels. There's a hundred 340 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.759 reasons why she should check out, and none of them 341 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:21.960 sounded like what you say. Early, He pulled a pad 342 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:24.240 to the corner of the desk. Who was the hood 343 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:27.319 in the car, Johnny, I don't know. I told you that, 344 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:31.079 inspector Early. He tossed the pencil down on the desk, disgustedly, 345 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:34.519 you don't know. Some guy takes the trouble to spray 346 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:37.000 enough lead at you to sink a battleship, and you 347 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:39.920 don't know who it was and why. I think it's 348 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:42.720 tied up with Jean Merritt's check out. Somebody found out 349 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:45.319 she contacted me and wants to discourage me from taking 350 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:51.200 on the case. Early, he snorted, All right, Lightel growled. 351 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:55.519 Then you tell me I will, just as soon as 352 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:59.160 I have the answer, Early, he promised grimly. Only then 353 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:03.119 it will be too late for you to cooperate. Lydel 354 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:06.240 stood up angrily, leaned over the desk, feet a little apart, 355 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:11.000 broad shoulders, slouching, bald fists jam deep in his jacket pockets. 356 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.599 I'm getting a little tired of all the Snyder remarks 357 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:17.279 about my holding out. Inspector, I'm no newcomer around here. 358 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.599 You know the way I operate, and you know me 359 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:21.200 well enough to know that when I say I'm not 360 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:25.359 holding out, I'm not holding out. You still insist the 361 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:28.119 only reasons these hoods tossed lead at you was to 362 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:33.519 scay off the merrit case. I still insist. Happen to 363 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:36.680 know who the guy is you gunned out tonight. I 364 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:41.119 didn't have time to get introduced. Lydell growled, Mike Skota 365 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:45.599 know him? Lydell nodded, I've heard of him. You sure 366 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:49.640 it was Skoda checks prints from the slab at Scota? 367 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:52.200 All right, how does he fit in with your merit case? 368 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:56.799 Lydell pinched at his nose with thumb and forefinger. I 369 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:59.240 don't know where he fits, and I don't know who 370 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:02.480 his buddy was, the guy who handled the typewriter. All 371 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:04.359 I know is the dame was scared. Somebody was out 372 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:06.839 to stop her from breaking this case open, and the 373 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:10.359 minute I tackle it, they start working me over. The 374 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:15.559 inspector leaned back, studied Ightel's angry face, nodded, Okay, maybe 375 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:18.400 you are leveling as far as you know, maybe you 376 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:21.240 really do believe all this ties in with merits suicide. 377 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:25.240 I don't. But how do you figure it? How do 378 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:27.839 I know what you've been up to? Hurly? He grunted. 379 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.839 You might have moved in on some guy's gal. You 380 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.880 might even have tried to ring in a pair of 381 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:36.440 trained dice on somebody sensitive enough to discourage you from 382 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:41.079 a repeat performance. He grinned slowly. It doesn't take some 383 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:43.480 guys as long to get unpopular as it does others. 384 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:47.079 You know, Okay, okay, so I'll change my deodor it, 385 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.880 But just to make sure I'm not just half safe? 386 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:53.839 How about my gun back? Hurly? He nodded, drew a 387 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:56.519 pat out of his drawer, signed an authorization, slid it 388 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:59.319 across the desk. A play along with you until I 389 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:01.960 find you being frossing me, Johnny. If I do, you're 390 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:05.279 gonna wish you had stop some of those slugs. The 391 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:08.440 Hotel Westmore was a huge, oppressively modern group of buildings 392 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:13.079 overlooking Riverside Drive and the Hudson River beyond the Cabby 393 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:15.279 swung his hack out of the slow moving stream with 394 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:18.160 such violence that it banged its front wheels against the curb. 395 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:21.920 Skidded to a stop. A heavily braided door man scowled 396 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:25.319 his disapproval at the driver, yanked open the door, waited 397 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:27.920 while Lydell shoved a bill through the half opened window. 398 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:32.240 He crossed the sidewalk, shouldered his way through a chromed 399 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:36.480 revolving door, entered a thickly carpeted lobby. A few upholstered 400 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:40.240 chairs were occupied by baggy eyed men wearing expensive looking suits, 401 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:45.079 Countess Mara Tis and the morning tabloids. Lydell walked the 402 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:47.799 block long length of the lobby to an ornate registration 403 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:50.839 desk submitted to the scrutiny of A thin, lantern jawed 404 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:53.440 young man with a carnation in his dark suit. Asked 405 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:56.480 for the house detective. The clerk gave him a startled look, 406 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:58.559 stared up at the clock above the desk, but said 407 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:01.880 two thirty. A m turned reproachful eyes to the detective. 408 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:07.720 Now now the clerk's signal for a bell boy, gave 409 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.279 him instructions in a low voice. The bell boy turned 410 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:13.039 a pair of wise, old young eyes on lydel nodded 411 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.400 this way, mester. He led him to the end of 412 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:19.200 the registration desk, turned left to a group of executive 413 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:21.759 offices knocked on a door the second from the end. 414 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:25.599 A heavy voice invited them in. A gray haired man 415 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:27.920 in a dark suit smiled at them, nodded for the 416 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:30.759 bell boy to leave. When the door had closed behind him, 417 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:33.200 he turned to lydel The smile was still on his face, 418 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:37.119 but his eyes were cold, searching. Now, what can we 419 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:40.440 do for you? Sir? Lydell dropped into a chair on 420 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:43.400 the far side of the desk. I was looking for 421 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:47.359 some information. He brought out his credentials, tossed them across 422 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:50.559 the desk. I was hoping Lee Cassidy would be on. 423 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:55.200 The man picked up the credentials, rifled through him. Cassidy's 424 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:58.640 on the day shift this month. We rotate know him well, 425 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.440 worked on a few cases with him while he was 426 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:04.440 still on the force. The gray haired man finished with 427 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:07.680 the credentials, shoved them back across the desk. So you're 428 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:14.160 Johnny Lydell. The cool eyes studied him, impersonally heard about you. Good, 429 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:16.880 good enough to help you if I can, far as 430 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:20.000 I know, you're okay with the house. Lydell picked up 431 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:22.880 his papers, re arranged them, stowed them in his breast pocket. 432 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:25.680 I want some information about one of your guests, a 433 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:28.960 check out. Why she had a date with me at 434 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:31.440 ten thirty last night and didn't show. I checked here 435 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:33.680 at midnight, but she was gone with no forwarding address. 436 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:38.279 The house officer blinked, no bad publicity in it for 437 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:44.640 the house, no publicity. Lydell promised, what's the name? Jean Merritt. 438 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:47.680 Lydell watched while the gray haired man jotted the name 439 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:50.359 on a slip of paper. I want to know when 440 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.480 she left, where she was going, if possible, in the 441 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:56.160 line on the can she left in. Make yourself comfortable. 442 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:59.079 I'll see what I can do in a few minutes. 443 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:01.680 He was back. I'm afraid this isn't going to be 444 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:04.519 much good to you, Lidel. He referred to the slip 445 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.559 of paper in his hand. Miss Merritt left the hotel 446 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:10.440 at about ten last night, came back at ten twenty 447 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:14.640 with a man. A man. Anybody know him? The house 448 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:18.160 detective shook his head, Not that I could find, He 449 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:21.000 referred back to his notes. They went up to her room, 450 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.799 and she called down to have her bill made up, 451 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:25.799 checked out about ten fifty or so. The man paid 452 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:30.880 the bill left with her. Lydell pinched irritably at his nostrils. 453 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:35.240 Left at about ten the first time. Eh, she was 454 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:37.319 supposed to meet me at ten thirty. I would have 455 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:39.799 given her plenty of time to keep the date. The 456 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:42.839 gray haired man held out a humidor when Lydell shook 457 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:45.440 his head. He helped himself to a cigar. Lit it 458 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:49.359 must have changed a mind. Somebody changed it for her. 459 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:52.000 You're sure nobody got a good look at this guy 460 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:55.480 she was with. The houseman took three quick puffs on 461 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:59.160 the cigar, examined the burning end with elaborate interest. I 462 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:01.119 hope you haven't forgot, and there would be no publicity 463 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:04.759 about this Lidel. I'm not looking for publicity. I'm looking 464 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:08.400 for my client. He wouldn't beholding out. Why should I. 465 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:12.240 The detective shrugged. I'm not interested in covering up for 466 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:15.599 your client or her boyfriend. I'm just interested in keeping 467 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:18.559 the name of the house out of the papers. How 468 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:21.240 about the car she left in? I had a little 469 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.440 better luck there. We don't have much of a line 470 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.400 playing the house after nine, so the doorman remembered putting 471 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:29.119 her and the guy into a cab. He consulted. The 472 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:32.960 paper driver's name was Leo Steinberg. He's a regular on 473 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:36.640 the line. Can I see him? The gray haired man nodded. 474 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.920 I passed a word to the starter to keep him 475 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.880 there for you. As soon as you get back. He's 476 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:42.680 on a hall, should be back any minute. You can 477 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:46.039 wait in here if you like. Midell pulled himself out 478 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:49.720 of his chair, reached over, shook hands with the house detective. Thanks, 479 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.599 but I think I'll have a little walk with the 480 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:55.559 doorman while I'm waiting. He walked through the elaborate lobby. 481 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:58.160 None of the men in the armchairs had moved, still 482 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:00.640 seemed to be reading the same pages of their tabloids. 483 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:04.079 The doorman's name was Harvey, and under the stimulus of 484 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:06.799 a carefully folded five, he remembered that miss Merritt and 485 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:09.759 her boyfriend didn't do any talking while they were waiting 486 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:13.279 to load her bags in Steinberg's hack. No, that wasn't usual. 487 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.720 She was in the habit of kidding with the doorman, 488 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:18.119 and the bell boys looked to him like she had 489 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:20.559 had a fight with the guy. What do you look like? 490 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:23.920 Skinny guy, dark coat, now much to look at didn't 491 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:26.880 seem No, I couldn't rightly say you could identify him, 492 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:30.200 didn't pay that much attention. A cab slid out of 493 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.720 the line of cars heading across town toward the drive, 494 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.720 took its place at the end of a small line 495 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:38.880 parked along the curb at Steinberg. Now, mister, the doorman 496 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:41.319 told Lydell. He led the way down the line to 497 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:43.599 the cab. A thin faced man with a shock of 498 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:47.960 light colored hair grinned toothfully as they approached a Harvey. 499 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:51.200 This guy wants to ask you a couple of questions, Leo, 500 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:54.759 the door man, indicated Lydell. He's interested in the merrit 501 00:26:54.839 --> 00:27:00.400 Dame the cab. He looked Lightell over Who the merrit Dame? 502 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:04.079 The doorman repeated patiently, The one with all the bags 503 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:07.720 the check out. He scratched his head, pursed his lips. 504 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:11.960 M must have been around eleven. The cabby consulted his 505 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:15.839 route card underscored a notation with a grimy fingernail. Oh 506 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:20.079 that one, What about her? Where'd you take her? Leo 507 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:24.559 Lydell wanted to know who'd just say? This character is Harvey, 508 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:28.559 the cabby demanded Friend of the house Dick. Harvey looked 509 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:32.759 at Lydell winked, Leo, figures his time is valuable too, 510 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:36.240 Mister Lydell reached into his pocket brought up a five 511 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:41.359 that valuable. The Cabby reached over, snared the bill, folded 512 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:44.799 it lovingly. Why didn't you say he was a friend, Harvey? 513 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:48.119 He grinned. What was it you wanted to know? Mister? 514 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:52.799 Where'd you take miss Merritt and the man corner of 515 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:58.559 Madison in forty fourth? Lydell scowled over the information across 516 00:27:58.599 --> 00:28:02.079 from the biltmore eh or the Roosevelt? No idea which 517 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:05.920 one they went to? Neither? The Cabby shook his head. 518 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:08.799 There was a car waiting ride alongside while he Frank's 519 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:12.640 there on forty fourth, no lights. They transferred the bags 520 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:17.799 into that. Lydell groaned, yeah, didn't see the license plate. 521 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:22.519 The Cabby shook his head. Too dark. What kind of 522 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:25.720 a car was it? The big black sedan looked like 523 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:29.920 a buick to me. Lydell gnawed at his knuckle, nodded, 524 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:33.160 you say. They transferred the bags and stuffed to the 525 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:36.960 black car. The Cabby nodded. How about the girl? She 526 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:40.519 seemed to put up any fuss or anything. The Cabby 527 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:43.160 thought it over, shook his head. She sat in the 528 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:45.400 cab until they had all the bags in the other car, 529 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.839 and she got out with the skinny guy and got 530 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:51.200 into it. They was still sitting there when I pulled away. 531 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.839 He looked anxiously at Lidel. I hope you got your 532 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:59.640 dose worth? Oh sure Lydell assured him. You couldn't have 533 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:03.480 confused me more if I'd paid a hundred. In the 534 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:08.720 chapter two, Chapter three, at ten the following morning, Johnny 535 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:12.000 Lidell irritably pushed open the ground glass door that bore 536 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:16.119 the caption. Johnny Lidell Private Investigations slammed it after him. 537 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:19.039 The Redhead sat at a desk in an enclosed space, 538 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:22.200 stabbing listlessly at the keys of a large desk typewriter, 539 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:25.160 taking excessive care not to fracture the finish on her 540 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:30.480 carefully slacked nails. Sorry about last night, pinky, he greeted her. 541 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:35.319 I got tied up. She stopped jabbing at the typewriter keys, 542 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:38.440 turned a pair of sea green eyes on him. So 543 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:41.160 I read. She reached over, pulled a pile of paper 544 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:44.880 towards her, extracted a clipping from the dispatch. I saved 545 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:48.960 it for you, Lydell grunted, I don't have to read 546 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:53.160 about it. I was there anything new? The Redhead shook 547 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:56.319 her head. A couple of checks on old jobs to 548 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:59.240 check from Miss Merritt. I already told you about that's all. 549 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:04.000 She hasn't phoned or anything, just the check and put 550 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:07.039 it through this morning. She watched him as he pushed 551 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:09.559 through the railing gate started for a door marked private. 552 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:13.599 You've got company in there, your little blond playmate said, 553 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:17.000 it was all right to wait inside. She shrugged. It's 554 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.640 okay with me if it's okay with you. But this 555 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:21.880 is supposed to be a business office, and it's okay 556 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:25.680 with me. Lydell cut her off. The red head sniffed 557 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:29.039 audibly went back to stabbing at the typewriter keys. Then, 558 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:31.960 as Lydell closed his office door behind him, she tore 559 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:34.799 the half finished page out of the carriage, crushed it irritably, 560 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:38.559 threw it at the waste basket. Inside the private office, 561 00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:42.799 Muggsy Keeley sat behind Lydell's desk, polishing her nails. Hi 562 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:47.240 Johnny surprised to see me, Lydell grinned, I thought you 563 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.640 were going to stay on the coast for a couple 564 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:51.839 of months, mugs. He walked around the desk kissed her 565 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:56.759 upturned lips. When'd you get in this mornin on the Commodore. 566 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:59.279 Looks like I timed it right. What's going on around 567 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:02.839 here with all the boom boom? Damned if I know? Mugs, 568 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:05.480 He admitted, I was supposed to meet a client last 569 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:07.240 night when these guys opened up on me with a 570 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:12.319 Tommy gun some client. Muggsy grinned, who was it? A 571 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:17.000 damn name? Merritt, Jean Merritt. Muggsy keelly, grimaced, wrinkled her 572 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:20.160 pert nose that scroupall. How'd she get mixed up with 573 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:23.920 a torpedo like Skota? I don't know that she is. 574 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.599 I was supposed to meet her at ten thirty on 575 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:28.400 Lexington Avenue. She didn't show, but the boys with the 576 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:31.880 guitar did. Maybe there's no connection. But the door to 577 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:34.359 the outer office opened. The redhead stalked in and dropped 578 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:37.680 a pilot letters on the desk. Stalked out, what's with her? 579 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:42.960 Muggsy demanded, Pinky doesn't approve of your using my private 580 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:47.079 office for a boudoir. He nodded toward the nail. Polish 581 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:50.880 thinks that unbusinesslike. I can't say the same for those 582 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:53.079 sweaters she wears in a way she tosses those hips. 583 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:56.599 They really do mean business. Muggsy picked up the letters. 584 00:31:56.640 --> 00:32:01.519 The redheaded typed groaned, batspellying a rations, poor spacing. Why 585 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:04.440 don't you get a secretary you can type two? Why 586 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:07.200 don't you lay off Pinky? She's a good kid, She 587 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:10.000 must be good the way you baby here, Muggsy retorted, 588 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:13.240 why don't you sit down? Or does that rexaw redhead 589 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:17.440 approve of that either. Lydell's sighed dragged the client's chair 590 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:20.039 to the side of the desk, dropped into it. He 591 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:22.359 hooked his heels on the corner of the desk, leaned back. 592 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.559 I didn't know how good I had it last night, 593 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:28.359 when all I had to do was dodge bullets? What 594 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:30.799 about last night? Now that you mention it didn't merit 595 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:34.720 show up at all. She's disappeared. The glimmer of interest 596 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:38.720 flickered in the girl's eyes. Now you, my boy. She 597 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:42.319 reached for the telephone. Wait a minute, baby, Lydell pulled 598 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:44.559 the phone out of her reach. You can't use that 599 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:47.599 yet anyway. I thought you were finished with newspaper work. 600 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:50.279 What happened to that great American movie you were going 601 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:54.519 to write? I didn't like Hollywood, Johnny Muggsy confessed, I 602 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:57.200 couldn't wait to get back to New York. Besides, Papa 603 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:59.400 is still on the desk, and he'd never forgive either 604 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:02.960 of us. If some beat him to this, Nobody's gonna 605 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:06.160 beat him to it. That's what you say. That dame's 606 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.599 name is news. If she disappeared, and if she's tied 607 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:12.759 into last night's shooting, it's a corking yawn. Don't worry 608 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:15.200 about it. Nobody knows she's disappeared except me and the 609 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:17.880 house dick at the Westmore, and he's not likely to 610 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:20.039 spill that one of the house's guests was snatched right 611 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:23.480 out from under his nose. Every old biddy in the 612 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:26.960 joint would check out in an hour. Muggsy refused to 613 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:30.279 be mollified. I ought to cover pop on this one, Johnny. 614 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:33.000 I can't sit on anything as hot as this. You 615 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:35.319 think this is hot? Before I'm finished, I'll give you 616 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:38.720 a story that'll make this look like kid's stuff. What story? 617 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:42.200 Light Ill shrugged? I haven't got it yet. You didn't 618 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:45.400 even ask what she hired the agency for with her. 619 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:48.119 It could be anything from finding her pet Pekinese to 620 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:51.880 buying back love letters from the tattooed man at the circus. Okay, 621 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:54.519 I'll play along. What did she hire the agency to do? 622 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:59.319 Find out who murdered her old man? Who murdered her 623 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:04.599 old man? You kidding? Maunt Mary committed suicide? Lydell shrugged, 624 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:09.000 Do me somethin she thinks she was murdered muggsy chewed 625 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:11.280 on the end of a lacquered nail, considered it shook 626 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:14.559 her head. I don't believe it. That may have been 627 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:16.599 the reason she gave you, but there was something else 628 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:20.480 behind it, such as it could be anything I tell you. 629 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:23.239 With gunmen like Scota and the picture begins to smell 630 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:27.880 like blackmail or unpaid io used, doesn't it. I don't 631 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:30.840 know enough about her, Lydell admitted, give me a fast 632 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:35.480 run down. She's a typical cafe society screwball and one 633 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:38.119 mess after another until the old man toned her down. 634 00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:40.360 Seems to me she's managed to stay out of the 635 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:42.519 columns for the last year or so, but before that 636 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:45.119 she was always in them. Seems to me she's due 637 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:49.000 to get married this month. Who too? The blonde pursed 638 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:53.599 her lips, wrinkled her brow and concentration the family doctor 639 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:57.440 I named she struggled with her memory, shook her head. 640 00:34:57.719 --> 00:35:00.960 Let me check. She picked up the phone by the number. Waited, 641 00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:05.599 then Hello, advance, gimme Anne Schaeffer on Society. There was 642 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:09.679 a brief pause, Anne, Ronnie Keeley. Fine, No, I'm back 643 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:11.679 in town for a while. Look, honey, my memory isn't 644 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:13.679 what it was. Do you remember the guy Jean Merritt 645 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:17.239 was going to marry who? Yes, that's the one. Thanks 646 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:20.280 a lot. She dropped the phone back on its cradle. 647 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:23.960 Doctor Seville, Tony Seville. He took care of the old man. 648 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:28.559 How about him? Okay, as far as I know, he 649 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:31.000 didn't play the cellar circuit? How he ever, came to 650 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:33.039 fall for a screwball like the merry kid. I don't know. 651 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:38.719 That could be the answer. What the fiance? When she 652 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:40.639 checked out of the Westmore last night, there was a 653 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:42.679 man with her. He took care of the bill, took 654 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:45.039 her away from all I could pick up. She went 655 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:48.400 willingly enough. If it was a man, she went willingly 656 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:52.719 lydel scowled, ignored the interruption. He might have talked her 657 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:55.719 out of keeping the appointment, took her home. Why not 658 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:57.840 your brains over it? If she didn't think enough of 659 00:35:57.880 --> 00:36:01.119 it to keep the appointment. Why should you worry? First, 660 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:03.119 because she paid a five hundred dollar retainer and she's 661 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:05.840 got some action coming to her. Second, because the guy 662 00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:08.440 she left the hotel with sounded like Skota, and the 663 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:10.320 car they got into sounded like the one they used 664 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:13.440 for the guitar serenade. He punched the button at the 665 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:16.039 base of the phone just the same. It's worth having 666 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:18.920 a talk with doctor Seville. The redhead in the outer 667 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:22.079 office answered her ring pink, you get me the number 668 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:25.119 of a doctor Tony Saville, will you? She snapped an 669 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:28.079 affirmative click the phone in his ear. Maybe we can 670 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:29.760 wrap this one up fast and have a couple of 671 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:32.239 days to see the sights. Muggsy, what's your pop have 672 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:35.800 to say about your packing in the movie job? Muggsy grinned. 673 00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:38.880 He played the same old record newspaper work is no 674 00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:41.800 fit work for a woman. It's a dog's life. Still, 675 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:43.400 even with his ulcers, they can't get him to take 676 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:45.960 a couple of weeks off for a rest. Going back 677 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:50.559 to the advance depends on what on you on how 678 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:52.360 good this story is that you're gonna hand me all 679 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:56.559 wrapped up in pretty ribbons. The desk phone buzzed. Lyidell 680 00:36:56.559 --> 00:37:00.000 lifted it to his ear. Doctor Seville has two numbers, 681 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:03.519 Pinky snapped. One is his office on sixtieth in pot 682 00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:06.199 The other is his private hospital in Bronxville. Which one 683 00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:09.320 do you want? Try him at his office? Will you, Pinky, 684 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:11.199 make an appointment for me to see him right after 685 00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:15.079 launch if possible? He consulted his watch. Any time after 686 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:18.880 one thirty, Doctor Tony Seville was sitting behind his desk, 687 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:21.559 his chair facing out on to the streaming traffic five 688 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:25.320 stories below along Park Avenue when the nurse ushered Johnny 689 00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:30.239 Lydell into his office. Mister Lydell, doctor, the nurse announced him. 690 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:33.519 The man in the chair swung around slowly eyed. Lidell 691 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:37.280 disinterestedly waved him to a chair with a careful, manicured hand. 692 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:40.880 His thick black hair was carefully slacked into place. High 693 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:44.480 cheek bones accentuated, dark liquid eyes. A thin pencil line 694 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:48.360 mustache separated a full, sensuous mouth from a perfectly chiseled nose. 695 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:51.440 He picked up the typewritten mimo. The nurse lated at 696 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:55.360 his elbow, glanced at it. His voice was low, well modulated. 697 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:59.119 You wanted to see me on a personal matter, mister Lydell. 698 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:02.000 His eyes rolled up to the nurse, who nodded back 699 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:05.559 to Lidel. How can I help you? It's about miss 700 00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:09.519 Jean Merritt. Doctor Lydell told him, I'm a private investigator. 701 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:13.079 He dropped into a heavily upholstered chair, waiting until the 702 00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:17.360 doctor had dismissed his nurse. Now, Lidell, what about miss Merrit, 703 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:20.119 Savill asked, as soon as the door had closed behind 704 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:24.280 the nurse, I thought you might be here. The dark 705 00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:28.519 man raised his eyebrows delicately here. Why should she be here? 706 00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:32.960 She checked out of her hotel rather unexpectedly late last night. 707 00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:35.400 She left for the man. I thought it might be you. 708 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:38.880 The doctor considered it, twisted a heavy gold ring on 709 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:43.039 his fourth finger. May I ask your interest in my fiance. 710 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:47.400 Miss Merritt engaged my agency to look into her father's death. 711 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:51.320 The doctor sighed, you know, of course, that her father 712 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:55.320 committed suicide. That's what the coroner says. Miss Merritt thought 713 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:59.199 she had something that proved otherwise, she may have thought 714 00:38:59.239 --> 00:39:04.039 she had, Saville conceded, meaning meaning that my fiance has 715 00:39:04.079 --> 00:39:08.679 been under a tremendous emotional strain she's prone to some exaggeration. 716 00:39:09.760 --> 00:39:12.679 The doctor leaned over, selected a tubular cigarette from a 717 00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:15.760 japanned box on his desk. Try one of these, I 718 00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:20.280 have them specially blended lidoll. Selected one, hung it from 719 00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:22.400 the corner of his mouth, touched a match to it, 720 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:25.760 drew deeply. He wrinkled his nose as he exhaled twin 721 00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:30.519 streams of smoke through his nostrils. I prefer tobacco and mine. 722 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:34.400 He grunted, grounded out in an ashtray to get back 723 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:36.400 to Miss Merritt. You think she's blown her top? Is that? 724 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:39.920 It not quite that drastic? Of course, Let's say she's 725 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:43.119 very unpredictable as the result of the shock of her 726 00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:46.960 father's tragic death. He feted his cigarette into a holder, 727 00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:50.280 tilted it in the corner of his mouth. She was 728 00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:53.320 very close to her father, you know, very close. He 729 00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:56.119 reached into his bottom drawer deposited a bottle with a 730 00:39:56.159 --> 00:39:59.360 foreign label and two glasses on his desk. Since you 731 00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:02.639 don't approve of my tobacco, may I offer you a drink? 732 00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:07.559 Midell nodded, watched the physician poor stiff portions into each glass. 733 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:11.239 I understood you were to be married this month. We 734 00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:13.960 were naturally in view of what has happened, it has 735 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:19.400 been postponed permanently. The physician looked up, a frown marring 736 00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:23.639 his forehead. Temporarily. Of course, we will be married as 737 00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:27.559 soon as Jean fills up to it. Lydell sipped his drink. Approved. 738 00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:32.119 You are Merit's physician. Are you convinced he committed suicide? 739 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:37.119 Unquestionably he had a reason to kill himself. Saville shrugged. 740 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:42.119 He thought so obviously, and you. The doctor warmed his 741 00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:46.320 glass between its palms, sniffed the bouquet. Jean's father was 742 00:40:46.360 --> 00:40:49.760 convinced that he was suffering from a malignant condition in 743 00:40:49.800 --> 00:40:54.519 his throat. He became despondent withdrew into himself. We tried 744 00:40:54.519 --> 00:40:56.800 to convince him that the condition was not as bad 745 00:40:56.840 --> 00:41:00.760 as he imagined, but he refused to be consoled. Lydell 746 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:04.480 found one of his own cigarettes. Let it this throat condition. 747 00:41:04.880 --> 00:41:08.639 Was it incurable? In my opinion, no, But we could 748 00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:11.360 not persuade him that it wasn't. His mother had died 749 00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:13.519 of cancer, and nothing we could say would shake his 750 00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:17.599 conviction that he had inherited a tendency toward it. He 751 00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:21.400 worried himself to the verge of a nervous breakdown. He shrugged, 752 00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:26.280 looked sad. That night he probably cracked altogether. It was tragic. 753 00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:29.880 Why should miss Merritt be so convinced that it wasn't suicide. 754 00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:33.840 She must have known his mental state. She must know it, 755 00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:36.840 but she won't permit herself to acknowledge it. Lydell, she 756 00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:39.760 is a very strong minded person, and to her suicide 757 00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:43.199 is an indication of weakness. She can't allow herself to 758 00:41:43.239 --> 00:41:46.559 believe that her father, whom she idolized, was weak in 759 00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:49.719 any way. Sharley, you could talk her out of it. 760 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:53.119 Saville sipped at his glass, set it back on the 761 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:56.360 corner of his desk. I haven't discussed the matter with 762 00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:59.559 Jean since the funeral. She was so upset she expressed 763 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:02.880 the wish to see nobody. I'm confident that when once 764 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:06.239 she has worked the matter out in her own mind, 765 00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:10.039 she'll communicate with me. At that time, of course, I 766 00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:12.000 shall do what I can to rid her mind of 767 00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:17.039 this fixation. Lydell scowled, swirled the contents of his glass 768 00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:20.159 around the side. Does on her behavior of last night 769 00:42:20.199 --> 00:42:23.239 indicate she may need some help? The fact that she 770 00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:26.840 changed her mind about using your services. You mean, the 771 00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:30.320 fact that she's disappeared. What would you suggest I do? 772 00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:34.480 The physician's voice was silky. Called the police and then 773 00:42:34.519 --> 00:42:37.360 have to explain to Jeanne after I'd stirred up an 774 00:42:37.360 --> 00:42:43.039 official inquiry merely because she'd decided to change hotels. Really, Lidell, 775 00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:46.079 it occurs to me that perhaps you are overstepping whatever 776 00:42:46.119 --> 00:42:49.079 authority you feel Miss Merritt's phone call may have given you. 777 00:42:50.239 --> 00:42:53.440 Maybe maybe not, But until she tells me otherwise, she's 778 00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:55.760 a client, and as such she gets all the help 779 00:42:55.800 --> 00:43:00.239 and protection I feel she needs. Lydell growled, I'll go 780 00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:02.519 along with you on not dragging the police into this 781 00:43:02.599 --> 00:43:05.639 until it's absolutely necessary, But I do think her family 782 00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:09.320 should be checked. She has no family. Her nearest living 783 00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:11.480 relative is her mother, and she is lying near death 784 00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:14.719 in the hospital. Saville caught his drink from the corner 785 00:43:14.719 --> 00:43:17.239 of the desk, finished it, dried his lips with a 786 00:43:17.239 --> 00:43:21.239 snowy white pocket handkerchief. As you probably know, she was 787 00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:24.199 found unconscious at the foot of the stairs leading to 788 00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:28.880 her husband's study the night he died. I didn't know. 789 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:35.519 Lydell admitted stroke some cerebral hemorrhage. However, even more serious 790 00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:40.679 are the incidental injuries. Lydell raised his eyebrows. How day happen? 791 00:43:41.760 --> 00:43:44.719 The man behind the desk shrugged. We can't be sure. 792 00:43:45.159 --> 00:43:47.840 My guess is that she discovered her husband's body, ran 793 00:43:47.880 --> 00:43:50.320 for help, suffered the stroke at the head of the stairs, 794 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:53.960 and fell the full length of the staircase. How does 795 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:58.119 she explain it? A slight frown ruffled the placidity of 796 00:43:58.159 --> 00:44:03.480 Saville's expression. She hasn't recovered consciousness sufficiently to explain anything. 797 00:44:04.480 --> 00:44:07.440 He spun his chair around, consulted the filing cabinet at 798 00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:10.400 his elbow, brought out a large Manila envelope, laid it 799 00:44:10.440 --> 00:44:13.360 on the desk. Perhaps you'd like to see the extent 800 00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:16.119 of her injuries. These are the x rays we took 801 00:44:16.159 --> 00:44:20.119 directly after the accident. He spilled four gray black negatives 802 00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:22.440 on the desk, rose and snapped the switch for a 803 00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:25.000 large box like cabinet in the corner. He held the 804 00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:28.000 negatives up to the light, selected one, snapped it into place. 805 00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:31.800 Lydell could see clearly the outline of a skull with 806 00:44:31.840 --> 00:44:35.599 a large, ominous dark area over the ear. In this 807 00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:37.880 lateral view of the skull, you can see the full 808 00:44:37.960 --> 00:44:42.320 damage to that portion. Sabill's voice had grown professionally impersonal. 809 00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:45.800 He indicated the dark area. Apparently, in her fall down 810 00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:48.480 the stairs, the patient's head came into contact with the 811 00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:52.079 sharp edge of either a step or the banister, causing 812 00:44:52.119 --> 00:44:56.760 a severe fracture. Lydell nodded, crushed out his cigarette, never 813 00:44:56.800 --> 00:44:58.840 mind dragging out the rest of the family album. Doc, 814 00:44:58.960 --> 00:45:02.519 I'll take your word for it, Savill smiled, snapped off 815 00:45:02.559 --> 00:45:05.960 the projector. Sorry, old man, I thought you might be interested. 816 00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:09.039 He walked back to his chair, refilled the two glasses. 817 00:45:10.079 --> 00:45:13.280 In addition to the skull fracture, missus Merrit sustained a 818 00:45:13.360 --> 00:45:16.400 fractured jaw and a compound fracture of the right arm. 819 00:45:16.880 --> 00:45:19.800 And a woman of her advanced age, you can understand 820 00:45:20.159 --> 00:45:24.599 such injuries can be very serious. Lydell took a drink 821 00:45:24.599 --> 00:45:28.239 from his glass regarded the other man over the rim. 822 00:45:28.480 --> 00:45:30.639 Miss Merritt hasn't been around to see her mother since 823 00:45:30.639 --> 00:45:33.960 it happened. She has dropped by, of course, and phoned 824 00:45:34.000 --> 00:45:36.840 from time to time to ask about her condition. As 825 00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:39.239 you can understand, there is little or nothing she can do. 826 00:45:40.320 --> 00:45:43.840 Savill tapped his cigarette hold her against his teeth. So 827 00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:46.000 you see, Lydell, it would appear that you are putting 828 00:45:46.119 --> 00:45:50.039 too much credence in the hysteria of an emotionally unbalanced girl. 829 00:45:51.280 --> 00:45:54.440 Lydell trained his glass, set it on the desk, stood up. 830 00:45:55.239 --> 00:45:57.559 I'll wait until I hear from miss Merrit. You can 831 00:45:57.559 --> 00:45:59.320 tell her that I am staying at the hotel Abbot 832 00:45:59.320 --> 00:46:01.800 if you should hear from her. In the meantime, I'll 833 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:05.199 do my best to earn my fee. Doctor Saville smiled, 834 00:46:05.400 --> 00:46:09.000 raised his hands palms upward. That, of course is up 835 00:46:09.000 --> 00:46:11.920 to you. I feel certain that you'll be hearing from 836 00:46:11.920 --> 00:46:20.000 her very shortly. In of chapter three, Chapter four, Johnny 837 00:46:20.079 --> 00:46:22.480 Lyddell was sitting at the back booth in Lottie's, a 838 00:46:22.519 --> 00:46:25.679 small coffee shop that served as a secondary headquarters for 839 00:46:25.840 --> 00:46:29.400 the staff of the Advance between editions. He was drinking 840 00:46:29.400 --> 00:46:32.440 a glass of milk, stabbing disinterestedly at a slab of 841 00:46:32.519 --> 00:46:35.880 pie when Muggsy walked in. She stopped at the counter 842 00:46:35.960 --> 00:46:38.480 on the way, ordered a cup of black coffee, slid 843 00:46:38.480 --> 00:46:42.679 in next to Lightell. Didn't take you very long, she said. 844 00:46:43.280 --> 00:46:48.440 You couldn't have found out very much. I didn't, Lydell moaned, Oh, 845 00:46:48.480 --> 00:46:50.960 I've found out as that the dame is cracked in 846 00:46:51.039 --> 00:46:53.800 a nice sort of way, of course, and I'm goofier 847 00:46:53.800 --> 00:46:56.719 for paying any attention to her. What do you say 848 00:46:56.719 --> 00:46:58.320 when you told him she hired you to find out 849 00:46:58.360 --> 00:47:02.039 how her old man died? Lydell shrugged, waited while the 850 00:47:02.039 --> 00:47:04.320 waitress deposited a cup of black coffee in front of 851 00:47:04.360 --> 00:47:08.320 Mugsy cleared away the remains of a pie, same thing 852 00:47:08.360 --> 00:47:13.000 everybody else says. Did he know about it? He says 853 00:47:13.000 --> 00:47:15.599 he hasn't heard from her since the funeral. Seems she 854 00:47:15.719 --> 00:47:17.880 likes to go some place and work things out alone. 855 00:47:18.960 --> 00:47:21.679 I told you she was a whack, Muggsy reminded him, 856 00:47:22.199 --> 00:47:24.639 So you can stop feelin bad if she doesn't take 857 00:47:24.639 --> 00:47:26.559 the trouble to even get in touch with the guy 858 00:47:26.559 --> 00:47:29.440 she's goin to marry. A mere employee shouldn't be hurt 859 00:47:29.440 --> 00:47:33.400 because she decides to stand him up. That part I 860 00:47:33.519 --> 00:47:36.320 might buy. Lydell conceded, But who is the guy she 861 00:47:36.400 --> 00:47:38.639 left with? And why the Tommy gun serenade for me? 862 00:47:39.639 --> 00:47:42.800 He watched moodily while Muggsy lit two cigarettes, accepted one. 863 00:47:43.880 --> 00:47:46.760 What do you know about her mother? The girl screwed 864 00:47:46.800 --> 00:47:50.519 up her forehead in concentration, had a stroke or something, 865 00:47:50.599 --> 00:47:53.320 didn't She seems to me she was on the critical 866 00:47:53.360 --> 00:47:55.920 list at the time of the funeral. She ironed out 867 00:47:55.920 --> 00:47:59.360 the creases on her forehead. Shrugged. Just an impression, But 868 00:47:59.400 --> 00:48:03.880 I think she's per sick someplace and Doc Saville's private hospital. 869 00:48:04.320 --> 00:48:07.239 Lyedelk grunted, fell down a flight of stairs and got 870 00:48:07.239 --> 00:48:09.880 herself all busted up. Apparently she was alone in the 871 00:48:09.920 --> 00:48:12.519 house the night it happened, and she took a stroke. 872 00:48:12.599 --> 00:48:15.239 Goin for help. I don't know why you don't just 873 00:48:15.320 --> 00:48:17.440 pack it in, Johnny. The only thing you're going on 874 00:48:17.519 --> 00:48:20.159 is Jean's telephone call, and she's a screwball from way back. 875 00:48:21.280 --> 00:48:25.760 Lydel nodded. I probably should, I guess, but before I do, 876 00:48:25.880 --> 00:48:28.000 I just want to satisfy myself that the old boy 877 00:48:28.039 --> 00:48:31.559 did go out Dutch. The medical examiner was satisfied, and 878 00:48:31.599 --> 00:48:34.719 so with the police. Seville was his physician. What does 879 00:48:34.760 --> 00:48:39.400 he say, suicide? He scowled at the tip of his cigarette, 880 00:48:39.960 --> 00:48:42.480 But none of them were looking for anything. I am 881 00:48:42.960 --> 00:48:46.760 it might make a difference. Muggsy shrugged. It's your time. 882 00:48:46.800 --> 00:48:48.840 If you want to throw it around. How you gonna 883 00:48:48.840 --> 00:48:52.159 satisfy yourself. Maybe if I could lay my hands on 884 00:48:52.239 --> 00:48:55.559 the official photographs and the on the spot testimony, it 885 00:48:55.639 --> 00:49:00.519 might help got any contacts out on the island. Doc 886 00:49:00.599 --> 00:49:04.719 Travin still the medical examiner out there in Carport. Muggsy nodded, 887 00:49:05.159 --> 00:49:08.920 he was last I heard. Then I got contacts, And 888 00:49:08.960 --> 00:49:12.599 if Doc Travin convinces you it was suicide, lydel shrugged, 889 00:49:12.960 --> 00:49:15.800 dropped his cigarette to the floor, then I'll ride it 890 00:49:15.840 --> 00:49:17.679 off as a dizzy dame's idea of a way to 891 00:49:17.760 --> 00:49:20.599 pass a dull, rainy night. I don't know how Scota 892 00:49:20.639 --> 00:49:22.440 feels about it, but I'm willing to make believe it 893 00:49:22.480 --> 00:49:28.239 never happened. Scota lightel grinned bleakly. Yeah, Scota, the guy 894 00:49:28.239 --> 00:49:32.000 in the morgue. A half an hour later, Johnny Lidell 895 00:49:32.039 --> 00:49:34.239 headed his convertible up the East Side Drive to the 896 00:49:34.239 --> 00:49:37.440 one hundred and twenty fifth Street ramp to the triborough Bridge. 897 00:49:37.920 --> 00:49:40.440 He took the Long Island Entrance, headed south past La 898 00:49:40.480 --> 00:49:44.519 Guardia toward Northern Boulevard. Once on Northern, he headed east 899 00:49:44.519 --> 00:49:47.360 toward Carport settle back for a forty five minute run. 900 00:49:47.920 --> 00:49:51.039 Alongside Himuggsy Keeley leaned her head back on the leather seat, 901 00:49:51.480 --> 00:49:53.920 let the breeze play havoc. With her thick blonde hair, 902 00:49:55.199 --> 00:49:58.679 hummed the accompaniment of the car radio by Mitchell consent. 903 00:49:58.760 --> 00:50:00.400 Neither of them referred to the cave saw all the 904 00:50:00.400 --> 00:50:04.119 way out in carport. The Medical Examiner's office adjoined the 905 00:50:04.119 --> 00:50:06.920 morgue in the basement of the new four story stone courthouse. 906 00:50:07.800 --> 00:50:11.239 Lightel wheeled the convertible into the courthouse parking lot, squeezed 907 00:50:11.239 --> 00:50:13.880 it between two whitewashed lines that were labeled for office 908 00:50:13.960 --> 00:50:17.920 use only locked the car. The cross the courtyard, pushed 909 00:50:17.920 --> 00:50:20.719 through a revolving door, followed a stenciled arrow that pointed 910 00:50:20.719 --> 00:50:24.480 to Medical Examiner's office. It led down a flight of stairs, 911 00:50:24.480 --> 00:50:26.599 past a row of closed doors marked morgue, to a 912 00:50:26.599 --> 00:50:29.679 plane door bearing the legend Medical Examiner with doctor T. E. 913 00:50:29.760 --> 00:50:33.840 Travin and small letters below it. The dank, damp air 914 00:50:33.880 --> 00:50:36.159 of the morgue seemed to permeate through the walls into 915 00:50:36.159 --> 00:50:39.239 the Medical Examiner's office. It was furnished only with a 916 00:50:39.320 --> 00:50:42.639 large varnished desk, a row of filing cabinets, two hard 917 00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:45.599 wooden chairs, and a row of framed diplomas. On the wall, 918 00:50:46.400 --> 00:50:49.400 A thin woman with painfully prominent front teeth stood filing 919 00:50:49.400 --> 00:50:51.880 sheets of paper at one cabinet near the door. She 920 00:50:51.960 --> 00:50:57.159 looked up as they entered. Doctor Travanan Lydel asked, he's 921 00:50:57.159 --> 00:51:00.320 in the building. She acknowledged the rebuff teeth. Kind of 922 00:51:00.320 --> 00:51:03.320 busy right now? Was he expecting you? She pushed a 923 00:51:03.320 --> 00:51:05.559 whisper of graying hair out of her face tucked it 924 00:51:05.639 --> 00:51:09.599 untidily behind her ear. She had a yellowish complexion that 925 00:51:09.639 --> 00:51:12.159 seemed to go with the dankness of the room. I 926 00:51:12.199 --> 00:51:14.119 didn't have an appointment, but I think he'll see me, 927 00:51:14.519 --> 00:51:18.360 Lydell told her. Tell him it's Lydell. The woman's sigh, 928 00:51:18.440 --> 00:51:21.119 dropped her papers on the desktop, wiped her hands along 929 00:51:21.159 --> 00:51:24.280 the side of her thighs, slammed the cabinet drawer. I'll 930 00:51:24.280 --> 00:51:26.719 see if he can come out, have a seat, She 931 00:51:26.800 --> 00:51:30.960 stalked out of the room, muttering to herself. Lydell, sprawled 932 00:51:31.000 --> 00:51:33.519 on a chair watched while Muggsy scrambled up on the 933 00:51:33.519 --> 00:51:35.800 corner of the desk, let her heels hit the sides. 934 00:51:36.320 --> 00:51:39.000 After a moment, the door swung open. The woman's complaining 935 00:51:39.079 --> 00:51:41.599 voice preceded her into the room. But I tell you, 936 00:51:41.679 --> 00:51:43.519 he's not in a hurry. You ought to finish that 937 00:51:43.559 --> 00:51:46.719 case now. Doctor Captain Holmes wants that autopsy report to day. 938 00:51:47.639 --> 00:51:50.079 Will you stop living my life, Smitty? That guy in 939 00:51:50.119 --> 00:51:52.559 there can wait. He waited for three days for us 940 00:51:52.599 --> 00:51:54.199 to fish him out of the bay. He can wait 941 00:51:54.239 --> 00:51:56.000 another ten minutes to find out why I ended in 942 00:51:56.039 --> 00:51:59.599 the bay. The medical examiner walked in, his face dark 943 00:51:59.599 --> 00:52:02.000 with a noise ants when he saw Lydell and Muggsy. 944 00:52:02.039 --> 00:52:04.360 The annoyance drained out of his face, washed away by 945 00:52:04.360 --> 00:52:08.920 a slow grin Muggsy keely By, Oh that's holy. He 946 00:52:09.000 --> 00:52:12.159 walked over, grabbed her extended hand, wrung it. He're a 947 00:52:12.199 --> 00:52:16.079 sight for sore eyes. The thin woman behind him sniffed audibly. 948 00:52:16.559 --> 00:52:19.840 Doctor Travin didn't even turn around. I'll call you and 949 00:52:19.920 --> 00:52:23.320 I need you, Smitty. This is personal business. The woman's 950 00:52:23.320 --> 00:52:26.280 bloodless lips flattened into a thin line. A dull flush 951 00:52:26.320 --> 00:52:29.159 gave her face and few uneven smears of color. She 952 00:52:29.239 --> 00:52:32.719 stalked to the door slammed it behind her. Damned old maid. 953 00:52:33.199 --> 00:52:35.760 The medical examiner muttered, the only reason I keep her 954 00:52:35.760 --> 00:52:38.079 around is because when she starts to look good to me, 955 00:52:38.119 --> 00:52:40.719 I'll know I've been spending too much time with floaters. 956 00:52:41.519 --> 00:52:44.280 Have it changed a bit, have you, Doc? Muggsy grinned 957 00:52:44.320 --> 00:52:48.519 at him, not even as jokes. Lidell nodded. Don't you 958 00:52:48.559 --> 00:52:51.679 get to say hello to me at all? Doc, I'm 959 00:52:51.679 --> 00:52:53.960 afraid to. Every time I say hello to you, it 960 00:52:54.000 --> 00:52:57.400 means trouble. He walked over, shook hands with Lydell, pulled 961 00:52:57.400 --> 00:53:00.360 the other chair over, dropped into it with a sigh. 962 00:53:00.719 --> 00:53:04.599 Keeping you busy, dot, Muggsy wanted to know. Not too busy? 963 00:53:04.960 --> 00:53:06.880 Only reason I was out front. They brought in some 964 00:53:06.920 --> 00:53:09.079 god that's been in the bay for a couple of days, 965 00:53:09.079 --> 00:53:10.719 and all of a sudden they're in a hurry for 966 00:53:10.760 --> 00:53:14.440 a report. What the hell? He's not going any place, doctor, 967 00:53:14.440 --> 00:53:17.320 travin with small chipper with a thatch of untidy white 968 00:53:17.320 --> 00:53:19.800 hair that belied the youthfulness of the grin that split 969 00:53:19.840 --> 00:53:22.480 his face from ear to ear. Never mind that, what 970 00:53:22.599 --> 00:53:25.760 brings you to out this way? I just came for 971 00:53:25.800 --> 00:53:29.679 the ride and to see you, Muggsy told him that'll 972 00:53:29.679 --> 00:53:33.519 be the day. He looked at Lydell curiously. Something going 973 00:53:33.599 --> 00:53:37.239 on out here, just routine, Doc, I'm on a case 974 00:53:37.239 --> 00:53:39.519 and I wanted to pick up some background on it. 975 00:53:40.199 --> 00:53:43.840 Out here? What's the case? I've been retained to find 976 00:53:43.840 --> 00:53:47.039 out what happened to Matt Merritt. His daughter isn't satisfied 977 00:53:47.039 --> 00:53:51.320 with a verdict, The medical examiner scowled. Dug a battered 978 00:53:51.320 --> 00:53:53.920 briar from one pocket, a pouch from the other. He 979 00:53:53.960 --> 00:53:57.199 committed suicide? What's there to find out? He ran the 980 00:53:57.199 --> 00:53:59.159 bowl of the pipe into the pouch, packed it with 981 00:53:59.199 --> 00:54:02.239 his index finger. What are you really out here on, 982 00:54:02.400 --> 00:54:07.480 Johnny the mat Merrit case, Lyedel told him. He fumbled 983 00:54:07.480 --> 00:54:10.880 through his pockets fruitlessly, caught the cigarette mugsy tossed him, 984 00:54:11.119 --> 00:54:14.199 stuck it in his mouth, lit it. What makes you 985 00:54:14.320 --> 00:54:17.840 so sure it was suicide? Dot, It couldn't be anything else, 986 00:54:18.440 --> 00:54:21.639 Travin told him flatly. He scraped a long wooden match 987 00:54:21.679 --> 00:54:23.880 on the sole of his shoe, held it to the pipe, 988 00:54:24.079 --> 00:54:26.960 sucked in a lungful of blue smoke. Even you can't 989 00:54:26.960 --> 00:54:30.559 make it out as anything but suicide. It been wrong before, 990 00:54:30.599 --> 00:54:33.920 Doc Lydel chied at him, Not this time, my boy. 991 00:54:34.679 --> 00:54:37.199 He tempted tobacco down in the bowl, burned his finger, 992 00:54:37.400 --> 00:54:40.960 swore under his breath. Light El grinned, that's what you 993 00:54:41.000 --> 00:54:43.960 said the last time, Doc is this guy pulling my 994 00:54:44.039 --> 00:54:47.519 leg muggs. Muggsy shook her head. He's really working for 995 00:54:47.559 --> 00:54:49.639 the merrit kid Doc. She doesn't believe the old man 996 00:54:49.719 --> 00:54:54.119 killed himself. Travin scowled. That's the craziest damn thing I 997 00:54:54.159 --> 00:54:57.079 ever heard. He pulled himself out of the chair, brought 998 00:54:57.079 --> 00:54:59.840 a bunch of keys from his pants pocket, selected one, 999 00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:03.320 crossed the room to a metal cabinet. He used the 1000 00:55:03.360 --> 00:55:06.719 key to open it. Pawed through a file of large envelopes, 1001 00:55:07.000 --> 00:55:09.360 selected one, tied with a red ribbon, pulled it out 1002 00:55:09.400 --> 00:55:12.360 of the file. He peered near sightedly at the type 1003 00:55:12.400 --> 00:55:15.920 notation on the left corner, nodded, brought it back with him. 1004 00:55:16.400 --> 00:55:18.440 I shouldn't be breaking this stuff open for you without 1005 00:55:18.440 --> 00:55:21.000 a court order, Johnny, but this is one argument I'm 1006 00:55:21.000 --> 00:55:23.639 going to win from you. He tossed the envelope into 1007 00:55:23.679 --> 00:55:26.800 Lightell's lap. Johnny took a last drag on a cigarette, 1008 00:55:26.960 --> 00:55:30.480 dropped it to the floor, grounded out. He untied the envelope, 1009 00:55:30.519 --> 00:55:34.000 pulled out a batch of official photographs rifled through him twice. 1010 00:55:34.000 --> 00:55:37.000 He stopped to examine a picture at great length. Muggsy 1011 00:55:37.039 --> 00:55:39.960 hopped off the desk, stood behind his chair, looked over 1012 00:55:40.000 --> 00:55:42.960 his shoulder. Dead. Quite a job on the top of 1013 00:55:43.000 --> 00:55:46.519 his head, eh, The medical examined a grinned around the 1014 00:55:46.519 --> 00:55:48.800 pipe they always do when they stick the gun in 1015 00:55:48.840 --> 00:55:51.960 their mouth, and pulled the trigger. He pulled the pipe 1016 00:55:51.960 --> 00:55:54.920 from between his teeth, pointed with the stem. No sign 1017 00:55:54.920 --> 00:55:58.440 of a struggle of any kind, you'll notice, Lydell nodded glumly. 1018 00:55:59.480 --> 00:56:03.400 All right in, Travin crowed triumphantly. Now you tell me 1019 00:56:03.480 --> 00:56:05.679 that he lets somebody walk up to him, stick a 1020 00:56:05.679 --> 00:56:09.000 gun in his mouth and not even struggle. You've got 1021 00:56:09.039 --> 00:56:13.440 a point, Flydell conceded. He rifled through the pictures again, frowned. 1022 00:56:13.599 --> 00:56:15.719 Selected a long view of the room showing the ceiling. 1023 00:56:17.039 --> 00:56:19.719 The homicide boys must be getting pretty neat. Doc can't 1024 00:56:19.719 --> 00:56:22.280 even see where they dug the slug out. He handed 1025 00:56:22.280 --> 00:56:25.440 the picture to the medical examiner. Travin peered at it, 1026 00:56:25.519 --> 00:56:29.599 looked up. I don't get it, neither do I. Johnny 1027 00:56:30.000 --> 00:56:33.159 Muggsy put in the ceiling. Didn't they have to dig 1028 00:56:33.159 --> 00:56:36.639 the slug out of the ceiling? Oh no, the slug 1029 00:56:36.679 --> 00:56:39.320 didn't go into the ceiling. Travin put his pipe in 1030 00:56:39.360 --> 00:56:42.119 his mouth, ground his teeth on the stem. So what 1031 00:56:43.360 --> 00:56:46.920 so nothing. Where did the bullet go? I don't think 1032 00:56:46.920 --> 00:56:48.880 they found it. It was probably spent by the time 1033 00:56:48.960 --> 00:56:50.760 it went through the top of his head, fell to 1034 00:56:50.800 --> 00:56:54.519 the rug and got kicked around in the confusion. Lydel 1035 00:56:54.599 --> 00:56:57.000 flipped the rest of the pictures onto the desk, stared 1036 00:56:57.000 --> 00:56:59.679 at them morosely. Sounds like you got a good case 1037 00:56:59.679 --> 00:57:03.719 for suits suicide all right here? Tight? Doc Travin gathered 1038 00:57:03.760 --> 00:57:06.519 up the photographs, returned them to their folder. Hope, I 1039 00:57:06.559 --> 00:57:09.800 haven't spoiled a case for you. We get paid to dig, 1040 00:57:09.880 --> 00:57:12.320 so I'm digging. That's the motto of the Johnny Lydell 1041 00:57:12.400 --> 00:57:17.079 Agency service. With a smile. Smile, Hell you laugh right 1042 00:57:17.119 --> 00:57:20.239 in their face. Travin returned the folder to the file 1043 00:57:20.360 --> 00:57:24.039 locked the cabinet. Now what Johnny Muggsy wanted to know? 1044 00:57:25.039 --> 00:57:27.519 Damned if I know this? One's really got me spinning. 1045 00:57:28.199 --> 00:57:29.840 Say what are they use around here to revive a 1046 00:57:29.880 --> 00:57:32.920 guy that's on the verge of a collapse? Doc spirits 1047 00:57:32.920 --> 00:57:37.760 of ammonia I might have known, Lydell groaned, I'll take 1048 00:57:37.800 --> 00:57:42.000 my collapse to more hospitable surroundings, the nearest bar, for example. 1049 00:57:42.719 --> 00:57:45.440 Wait till I get my hat. The medical examiner grinned. 1050 00:57:45.719 --> 00:57:47.639 You should have your physician along to make sure they 1051 00:57:47.679 --> 00:57:53.719 give you the right dosage. End of chapter four, Chapter five. 1052 00:57:55.239 --> 00:57:58.480 That evening, Johnny Lydell dropped muggs Achellia at her apartment 1053 00:57:58.559 --> 00:58:01.960 on Central Park South, headed the convertible downtown to the 1054 00:58:02.039 --> 00:58:05.119 room he maintained at the Hotel Abbot. He turned the 1055 00:58:05.119 --> 00:58:07.719 car over to the uniformed dorman, flipped him a quarter 1056 00:58:07.880 --> 00:58:11.519 walked to the lobby entrance. The Hotel Abbot was an old, 1057 00:58:11.559 --> 00:58:16.000 weather beaten, grime darkened stone building that nestled almost anonymously 1058 00:58:16.360 --> 00:58:18.599 in a row of similar stone buildings on East thirty 1059 00:58:18.599 --> 00:58:21.880 first Street. A small metal plaque to the right of 1060 00:58:21.920 --> 00:58:24.880 the entrance was the only clue to its identity. The 1061 00:58:24.960 --> 00:58:28.920 lobby was large, noisy, seemed bathed in a perpetual pink light, 1062 00:58:29.519 --> 00:58:31.719 the reflection of a huge neon signed to the right 1063 00:58:31.760 --> 00:58:36.719 of the entrance that identified the cowl room cocktails. The 1064 00:58:36.760 --> 00:58:39.599 easy chairs spaced throughout the lobby were filled with men 1065 00:58:39.639 --> 00:58:43.119 whose perusal of their newspapers seemed undisturbed by the hum 1066 00:58:43.159 --> 00:58:47.119 of conversation and bustle of activity. A short, fat man 1067 00:58:47.159 --> 00:58:49.920 stood at the cigar counter, trying with no apparent success 1068 00:58:49.960 --> 00:58:52.280 to interest the blonde that presided over it with his 1069 00:58:52.360 --> 00:58:55.360 plans for the evening. She looked over his shoulder waved 1070 00:58:55.360 --> 00:58:58.800 to Lidell as he came in. Lidell winked back, headed 1071 00:58:58.840 --> 00:59:01.480 for the bank of elevators, and in rear was deterred by 1072 00:59:01.480 --> 00:59:04.559 a gesture from the immaculate creature behind the registration desk 1073 00:59:06.000 --> 00:59:08.880 A message for you, mister Lydell. He made a production 1074 00:59:08.920 --> 00:59:11.559 of removing an envelope from the pigeon hole, prominently numbered 1075 00:59:11.599 --> 00:59:14.840 six twenty five. He handed the envelope across the desk, 1076 00:59:15.079 --> 00:59:17.800 worked hard at a semblance of an urbane smile that 1077 00:59:17.840 --> 00:59:21.440 missed by miles. Your friends were very disappointed that they 1078 00:59:21.480 --> 00:59:26.199 missed you. Lydell nodded, examined the envelope. It bore the 1079 00:59:26.199 --> 00:59:29.199 return address of the hotel abbot. He looked up into 1080 00:59:29.199 --> 00:59:32.920 the eyes of the clerk. They wanted to leave you 1081 00:59:32.960 --> 00:59:35.599 a message, so I suggested that they use our facilities. 1082 00:59:36.280 --> 00:59:38.440 He dry washed his hands, bobbed his head like a 1083 00:59:38.480 --> 00:59:42.440 cork in a stormy inlet. Lydell studied the scrawled Johnny 1084 00:59:42.480 --> 00:59:45.320 Lidell on the face of the envelope, failed to recognize 1085 00:59:45.320 --> 00:59:49.639 the handwriting. He ripped open the envelope extracted a piece 1086 00:59:49.679 --> 00:59:53.119 of paper. It was blank. He growled under his breath. 1087 00:59:53.320 --> 00:59:55.920 Ran his eyes down the list of new arrivals, failed 1088 00:59:55.960 --> 00:59:58.679 to find any familiar names. He flipped back through the 1089 00:59:58.679 --> 01:00:01.480 pages of the register, seemed satisfied to find that the 1090 01:00:01.519 --> 01:00:03.960 adjoining rooms and the room across the hall from his 1091 01:00:04.079 --> 01:00:08.760 were occupied by semi prominent guests. Is anything wrong, mister Lydell? 1092 01:00:09.199 --> 01:00:13.000 The clerk wanted to know what these friends of mine 1093 01:00:13.239 --> 01:00:16.639 look like. The clerk looked, startled by the sharpness of 1094 01:00:16.719 --> 01:00:21.239 Lydell's tone. I really don't know, young men, I'd say, 1095 01:00:21.559 --> 01:00:25.039 neatly dressed. I didn't pay much attention. I hope nothing's wrong. 1096 01:00:26.440 --> 01:00:29.639 I hope you get your hope. The dry hand wash 1097 01:00:29.719 --> 01:00:32.480 was going full speed. Now. I meet certain not to 1098 01:00:32.480 --> 01:00:35.639 give your room number out of course, and you kidding, 1099 01:00:36.159 --> 01:00:39.239 lydel grinned bleakly. He tossed the blank notepaper down on 1100 01:00:39.280 --> 01:00:41.679 the counter. It is the oldest trick in the world. 1101 01:00:42.000 --> 01:00:44.119 When you stuck that envelope in my slot, they got 1102 01:00:44.119 --> 01:00:47.039 the number unless they were blind. He scowled at the 1103 01:00:47.039 --> 01:00:51.440 shaking clerk strode down to the elevator at the sixth floor, 1104 01:00:51.480 --> 01:00:54.280 He looked both ways, satisfied himself that there was no 1105 01:00:54.360 --> 01:00:57.440 stake out in the corridor. He walked down to the corridor, 1106 01:00:57.519 --> 01:00:59.760 said at the right angles to the main one found it. 1107 01:01:00.559 --> 01:01:03.719 Walked down to his room. The keyhole showed no signs 1108 01:01:03.719 --> 01:01:05.639 of having been tampered with, but it didn't take a 1109 01:01:05.679 --> 01:01:07.639 locksmith to know that the lock couldn't put up a 1110 01:01:07.639 --> 01:01:10.920 good struggle with a bent bobby pin. He slid his 1111 01:01:11.000 --> 01:01:14.679 key softly into the lock, turned it, then, easing the 1112 01:01:14.679 --> 01:01:17.400 forty five from its holster, he turned the knob, pushed 1113 01:01:17.400 --> 01:01:21.039 the door open, flattened himself against the wall. For fully 1114 01:01:21.079 --> 01:01:23.280 a minute, he stood in the corridor, waiting for some 1115 01:01:23.480 --> 01:01:26.199 sound to betray the presence of one of his friends 1116 01:01:26.519 --> 01:01:29.280 in the darkened room. Then he slid into the room, 1117 01:01:29.440 --> 01:01:31.679 snapped the light, and fanned the room with his forty five. 1118 01:01:32.280 --> 01:01:35.239 The room was empty. He repeated the procedure with the 1119 01:01:35.280 --> 01:01:38.559 bathroom and the microscopic kitchen. None of the room showed 1120 01:01:38.559 --> 01:01:42.039 any sign of having been entered. He walked back across 1121 01:01:42.039 --> 01:01:44.159 the bedroom to kick the door shut. Saw a bell 1122 01:01:44.239 --> 01:01:46.360 boy at the far end of the corridor watching him 1123 01:01:46.360 --> 01:01:49.559 with an open mouth. He had a sudden inspiration that 1124 01:01:49.639 --> 01:01:52.320 a brandy wouldn't be amiss, stepped into the hall to 1125 01:01:52.360 --> 01:01:54.800 talk to the boy. He had hardly stepped into the 1126 01:01:54.840 --> 01:01:57.559 corridor out of range of the bedroom window when chips 1127 01:01:57.559 --> 01:02:00.400 of wood and bits of plaster started flying. A sharp 1128 01:02:00.440 --> 01:02:03.960 splinter of wood snapped against his forehead, drawing blood. Glass shattered, 1129 01:02:03.960 --> 01:02:06.239 and a picture danced off the wall smashed to the floor. 1130 01:02:07.199 --> 01:02:09.760 A woman screamed hysterically, and from some place close a 1131 01:02:09.840 --> 01:02:13.840 typewriter was spelling out death in a stuttering cadence. Lydell 1132 01:02:13.920 --> 01:02:16.559 dropped to his knees, crawled back into his room, kicked 1133 01:02:16.599 --> 01:02:19.599 the corridor door shut behind him, Conscious that the lighted 1134 01:02:19.639 --> 01:02:22.000 room set him up like a sitting ducky blasted the 1135 01:02:22.079 --> 01:02:24.400 light fixture half off the wall with the forty five. 1136 01:02:25.679 --> 01:02:28.920 The Tommy gun continued its lethal chatter. Lydell could hear 1137 01:02:28.920 --> 01:02:32.000 the pellets whizzing by like angry bees, chewing pieces out 1138 01:02:32.039 --> 01:02:34.639 of the woodwork and plaster. He crept to the window 1139 01:02:34.880 --> 01:02:37.440 applied a cautious eye to the corner. There was a 1140 01:02:37.519 --> 01:02:40.199 lull in the shooting, probably to allow the gunmen to 1141 01:02:40.239 --> 01:02:44.320 slide another pen into his gun. Lydell took advantage of 1142 01:02:44.360 --> 01:02:47.000 the pause to try to localize the source of the shooting. 1143 01:02:47.760 --> 01:02:50.519 Directly across the narrow street was a movie house, the 1144 01:02:50.599 --> 01:02:54.880 old Hotel Clinton, a supermodern office building, and on the 1145 01:02:54.920 --> 01:02:58.239 corner a department store. He settled for the Hotel Clinton. 1146 01:02:58.679 --> 01:03:01.280 The flicker of the movie's neonk our key alternately drenched 1147 01:03:01.280 --> 01:03:03.559 the face of the Clinton in light, then dipped it 1148 01:03:03.559 --> 01:03:07.000 into darkness. A new sound, the wailing of police sirens 1149 01:03:07.039 --> 01:03:10.679 converging on the area, split the sudden. Quiet Lydel's eyes 1150 01:03:10.719 --> 01:03:14.280 flicked across the windows facing his the lighted ones he eliminated, 1151 01:03:14.280 --> 01:03:18.119 immediately concentrated on the darkened ones. Suddenly, as the movie 1152 01:03:18.199 --> 01:03:20.320 light blinked on, he caught the bright glint of light 1153 01:03:20.360 --> 01:03:22.800 on metal. He leaned the barrel of forty five on 1154 01:03:22.840 --> 01:03:25.920 the window sill, ignoring the mounting crescendo of running feet 1155 01:03:25.960 --> 01:03:29.320 and horse shouts in the hallway across the street, A 1156 01:03:29.320 --> 01:03:32.079 man's leg was thrown across the windows sill was feeling 1157 01:03:32.119 --> 01:03:35.360 cautiously for the fire escape landing. After a second, the 1158 01:03:35.400 --> 01:03:37.800 rest of the body came into view. The man peered 1159 01:03:37.800 --> 01:03:40.480 down over the railing at the street below, seemed satisfied, 1160 01:03:40.679 --> 01:03:44.159 started down the stairs. Lydell waited until the upper portion 1161 01:03:44.199 --> 01:03:46.119 of the man's body sat on top of his front 1162 01:03:46.159 --> 01:03:49.039 sight squeezed the trigger. There was a loud boom in 1163 01:03:49.039 --> 01:03:50.679 the closeness of the room, and for a moment the 1164 01:03:50.719 --> 01:03:54.280 pounding at the door stopped. Across the street, the man 1165 01:03:54.320 --> 01:03:56.800 on the fire escape staggered. He tried to pull the 1166 01:03:56.840 --> 01:04:00.000 tommy gun he was carrying into firing position. Lydell's square 1167 01:04:00.239 --> 01:04:03.000 the trigger again. The tommy gun was apparently too heavy 1168 01:04:03.000 --> 01:04:06.079 to lift, slipped from the man's hands. He went to 1169 01:04:06.119 --> 01:04:08.679 his knees, pulled himself to his feet, tried to get 1170 01:04:08.719 --> 01:04:12.480 back to the window. The forty five barked again. The 1171 01:04:12.519 --> 01:04:15.079 man on the fire escape stiffened, clawed at the rail, 1172 01:04:15.599 --> 01:04:18.119 his knees folded under him. He toppled over the low 1173 01:04:18.119 --> 01:04:21.400 guard rail, crashed headlong toward the street below. His body 1174 01:04:21.440 --> 01:04:25.800 hit the sidewalk, lay motionless six stories below. A woman 1175 01:04:25.840 --> 01:04:28.880 put her hands over her face, flattened back against the building. 1176 01:04:29.079 --> 01:04:33.559 Other pedestrians scattered in all directions. As Lydell watched, the 1177 01:04:33.559 --> 01:04:36.719 more hearty witnesses started dribbling back out of the doorways 1178 01:04:37.119 --> 01:04:40.880 congregated morbidly around the body from the hotel. A uniform 1179 01:04:40.960 --> 01:04:42.840 bell boy came out to lead the woman into the 1180 01:04:42.840 --> 01:04:46.559 hotel lobby. Then, pulling his head in lidel, walked to 1181 01:04:46.599 --> 01:04:50.119 the door threw it open. The house detective, a normally 1182 01:04:50.199 --> 01:04:53.800 ruddy faced irishman named Collins, stood uncertainly at the sill, 1183 01:04:54.159 --> 01:04:56.800 gun in hand, staring wide eyed at the damage the 1184 01:04:56.840 --> 01:05:00.000 gun had done. Behind him, half a dozen white faces 1185 01:05:00.199 --> 01:05:03.760 guests stared over his shoulder. What's going on in here, 1186 01:05:04.639 --> 01:05:07.360 the house dick demanded. He looked as though he sincerely 1187 01:05:07.360 --> 01:05:10.039 wished he were someplace else. The thirty eight in his 1188 01:05:10.119 --> 01:05:13.000 hand was ridiculously toy liked by comparison to the forty 1189 01:05:13.000 --> 01:05:16.599 five Lydell still carried in his Why didn't somebody tell 1190 01:05:16.639 --> 01:05:20.199 me my room? Fronted on the municipal rifle range, Lydell growled. 1191 01:05:20.599 --> 01:05:23.800 The manager's going to hear about this. You can say 1192 01:05:23.800 --> 01:05:27.199 that again, the house detective breathed. There was a muffled 1193 01:05:27.239 --> 01:05:29.639 murmur of voices at the end of the corridor, the 1194 01:05:29.679 --> 01:05:32.599 pounding of many feet. Suddenly, the night clerk burst into view, 1195 01:05:32.639 --> 01:05:37.000 followed by two uniform policemen, guns in hand. Down here, Officer, 1196 01:05:37.480 --> 01:05:39.480 the house dick called, making no attempt to hide his 1197 01:05:39.519 --> 01:05:43.320 relief at the coming of reinforcements. Here's the guy. The 1198 01:05:43.320 --> 01:05:46.440 first CoP's face dropped. Lydell recognized him as the same 1199 01:05:46.480 --> 01:05:48.360 cop who had taken him in the night before, after 1200 01:05:48.400 --> 01:05:53.519 the shooting outside the drug store. Not again, the cop growled, incredulously, 1201 01:05:53.920 --> 01:05:56.079 What the hell are you trying to do? Lydell stage 1202 01:05:56.119 --> 01:05:59.400 a one man crime waif. The night clerk stood outside 1203 01:05:59.440 --> 01:06:02.400 the room surveyed the damage. Sadly, he wiped the thin 1204 01:06:02.480 --> 01:06:04.760 film of perspiration off his forehead with the side of 1205 01:06:04.800 --> 01:06:09.159 his hand. Groaned. The cop walked over, took a look, whistled. 1206 01:06:09.599 --> 01:06:13.000 They should choose you up, didn't they. Lydell grinned bleakly. 1207 01:06:13.719 --> 01:06:16.559 You ought to see the other guy, The cop scowled, 1208 01:06:16.599 --> 01:06:19.079 held his hand out for the forty five. I did, 1209 01:06:19.599 --> 01:06:22.400 and he's deader than the mackerel. This winds you another 1210 01:06:22.480 --> 01:06:24.920 ride down to head quarters. I gotta hunch the inspectors 1211 01:06:24.920 --> 01:06:27.880 going to want to have a talk with you. Funny thing. 1212 01:06:28.159 --> 01:06:30.760 I have the same feeling. Lydell handed the gun to 1213 01:06:30.760 --> 01:06:34.039 the cop, But first we better not keep him waiting. 1214 01:06:35.159 --> 01:06:38.159 The night clerk stood wringing his hands. But the room. 1215 01:06:38.440 --> 01:06:40.760 What am I going to do about the room? Lydell 1216 01:06:40.800 --> 01:06:43.639 looked around the scarred and pitted walls, the smashed mirror, 1217 01:06:43.800 --> 01:06:46.800 the light fixture hanging by a wire. It does look 1218 01:06:46.840 --> 01:06:49.239 as though it could stand some decorating. Maybe you had 1219 01:06:49.239 --> 01:06:51.639 better move my stuff into another room until it's finished, 1220 01:06:52.000 --> 01:06:56.599 something with not quite so much exposure. At headquarters, Johnny 1221 01:06:56.679 --> 01:06:59.320 Lydell was led through a door that read Wilson Deet's 1222 01:06:59.400 --> 01:07:03.119 District turned Ernie. Inside, a male stenographer sat at a 1223 01:07:03.199 --> 01:07:06.360 desk typing in deposition. He looked up as the cop entered, 1224 01:07:06.480 --> 01:07:10.400 leading Lidell as is Lydell. I got instructions to deliver 1225 01:07:10.480 --> 01:07:13.519 him here, the cop told him. The man at the 1226 01:07:13.559 --> 01:07:16.079 desk nodded, flipped a button on an enter office phone, 1227 01:07:16.239 --> 01:07:20.159 muttered into it, hung it up there, expecting you lydel 1228 01:07:20.320 --> 01:07:22.760 right through there. He pointed to a door that said 1229 01:07:22.800 --> 01:07:27.039 private and gleaming gold leaf. Lydell walked over, entered the room, 1230 01:07:27.119 --> 01:07:29.559 closed the door behind him. It was a large room 1231 01:07:29.599 --> 01:07:32.880 with beamed ceilings, had a peculiar absence of sound, almost 1232 01:07:32.920 --> 01:07:35.360 like a vacuum. The floor was covered with a thick 1233 01:07:35.360 --> 01:07:38.280 gray green carpeting. The leather of the big arm chairs 1234 01:07:38.320 --> 01:07:40.800 had been polished to a soft gleam. One side of 1235 01:07:40.800 --> 01:07:43.320 the room was covered with a huge bookcase, and in 1236 01:07:43.360 --> 01:07:46.159 the center, facing the door, a large, highly polished walnut 1237 01:07:46.199 --> 01:07:49.800 desk dominated the room. A man was sitting behind the desk, 1238 01:07:50.119 --> 01:07:55.039 his hands folded across his chest, finger tips touching. Inspector Hurley. 1239 01:07:55.039 --> 01:07:57.039 He stood at a far window, staring down on the 1240 01:07:57.079 --> 01:08:00.760 street lights below. Come in, Lydell, I think it's about 1241 01:08:00.760 --> 01:08:04.360 time we met. I'm deets, the district Attorney. He made 1242 01:08:04.400 --> 01:08:06.760 no attempt to get up or extend his hand. His 1243 01:08:06.840 --> 01:08:09.559 voice was silky smooth, with an elusive trace of the 1244 01:08:09.599 --> 01:08:12.519 Boston back bay where he had gotten his start. He 1245 01:08:12.639 --> 01:08:15.840 was long loose jointed. His sandy hair had receded from 1246 01:08:15.840 --> 01:08:18.000 his brow to the crown of his head, exposing a 1247 01:08:18.000 --> 01:08:22.159 freckled pate. You know, Inspector Hurley. He, of course. The 1248 01:08:22.199 --> 01:08:25.600 Inspector turned, scowling from his scrutiny of the street, glared 1249 01:08:25.600 --> 01:08:28.319 at Lydell. Not as well as he's gonna know me. 1250 01:08:29.600 --> 01:08:32.600 The District Attorney smiled, but it consisted merely of a 1251 01:08:32.680 --> 01:08:35.960 twisting upward of the corners of his mouth. The expression 1252 01:08:36.039 --> 01:08:40.560 in his eyes was unchanged. There is no need for animosity, Inspector. 1253 01:08:40.880 --> 01:08:43.680 I feel certain that we can count on Lydell's cooperation 1254 01:08:43.800 --> 01:08:47.479 in this matter. He motioned Lydell to a chair. Let's 1255 01:08:47.520 --> 01:08:50.840 all sit down and talk this out hurly. He stamped 1256 01:08:50.840 --> 01:08:53.319 across the room, dropped into a chair at the d'e's right. 1257 01:08:53.920 --> 01:08:56.840 Lydell got comfortable in a leather over stuffed across the desk. 1258 01:08:57.960 --> 01:09:01.079 All right, if I smoke, he asked. The ready smile 1259 01:09:01.159 --> 01:09:03.880 was back on the district attorney's face. Of course, this 1260 01:09:04.000 --> 01:09:06.439 isn't a third degree, you know, Lidel. We are merely 1261 01:09:06.479 --> 01:09:09.439 interested in clearing up a few points that puzzle us. 1262 01:09:09.840 --> 01:09:13.800 After all, the shootings were in self defense. There was 1263 01:09:13.840 --> 01:09:17.279 a note of regret in the silky voice. Both times. 1264 01:09:17.680 --> 01:09:22.640 Lydell agreed, Hurley, He squirmed angrily in his chair. There 1265 01:09:22.680 --> 01:09:25.319 didn't have to be any shooting. If you'd come clean 1266 01:09:25.359 --> 01:09:27.199 with me last night, I could have picked Richee up. 1267 01:09:27.640 --> 01:09:31.159 But no, you had to go grand standing. Well, self 1268 01:09:31.159 --> 01:09:33.439 defense and no self defense. Nobody's going to use my 1269 01:09:33.520 --> 01:09:36.239 district as a private shooting gallery. Why didn't you tell 1270 01:09:36.279 --> 01:09:39.319 me it was Ricie? The guy I killed last night, 1271 01:09:39.399 --> 01:09:41.039 isn't the same guy who tried to shoot me up 1272 01:09:41.079 --> 01:09:44.840 the night before, Lydell grunted, I thought you told me 1273 01:09:44.880 --> 01:09:47.920 you didn't know who it was in that car. I don't, 1274 01:09:48.439 --> 01:09:50.079 but I did get a look at him as the 1275 01:09:50.119 --> 01:09:53.720 car pulled away. He was fat, slobbery, fat, thick lips, 1276 01:09:53.760 --> 01:09:56.439 beady eyes. The pigeon I picked off the fire escape 1277 01:09:56.479 --> 01:09:59.359 was too thin to be him. Hurly, he didn't miss 1278 01:09:59.359 --> 01:10:01.520 a beat on his go. You told me you didn't 1279 01:10:01.520 --> 01:10:03.479 see the guy in the car. Now all of a sudden, 1280 01:10:03.520 --> 01:10:07.159 you can describe him if you're playing games with my department, Seamus, 1281 01:10:07.239 --> 01:10:10.279 so help me. The district attorney cut in with the 1282 01:10:10.319 --> 01:10:14.560 raised hands. Lydell wouldn't be that foolish inspector. After all, 1283 01:10:14.600 --> 01:10:17.079 his license does come up for renewal, and we might 1284 01:10:17.119 --> 01:10:20.760 have some influence in that direction. He refolded his hands 1285 01:10:20.800 --> 01:10:23.520 across his chest. Would you mind telling us again what 1286 01:10:23.640 --> 01:10:28.800 this first man looked like? Fat, thick lips, beady eyed. 1287 01:10:29.279 --> 01:10:30.840 I didn't get too much of a look at him. 1288 01:10:30.960 --> 01:10:33.680 The car was moving by the time I hit the street. 1289 01:10:34.239 --> 01:10:37.119 The DA nodded, leaned over, confred with Hurli. He in 1290 01:10:37.119 --> 01:10:40.439 a low tone that Lydell failed to catch. After a moment, 1291 01:10:40.439 --> 01:10:42.840 he settled back jotted a few notes on a pad. 1292 01:10:43.800 --> 01:10:46.720 Suppose we start at the very beginning, Lydell, suppose you 1293 01:10:46.760 --> 01:10:51.399 tell us what you're really working on. Lydell lit a cigarette, sighed, 1294 01:10:52.359 --> 01:10:55.159 I've been over all that with the inspector, mister Deats, 1295 01:10:56.039 --> 01:11:00.119 Suppose you go over it again with me. Okay, I'm 1296 01:11:00.119 --> 01:11:04.119 working on the matte Merritt's suicide. A quick flash of 1297 01:11:04.159 --> 01:11:07.039 annoyance wiped the last traces of simulated good nature from 1298 01:11:07.039 --> 01:11:10.840 the district Attorney's face. Believe me, Lidell, we are bending 1299 01:11:10.880 --> 01:11:13.600 over backwards in this matter. The inspector is convinced that 1300 01:11:13.640 --> 01:11:16.079 you are deliberately obstructing justice and wants me to have 1301 01:11:16.119 --> 01:11:18.960 you thrown into a cell. Please don't make that necessary. 1302 01:11:20.039 --> 01:11:22.600 He reached over the desk, selected a fat havana from 1303 01:11:22.640 --> 01:11:24.920 the humidor bit off the end, spat it at a 1304 01:11:24.920 --> 01:11:28.119 square leather waste basket. If necessary, I think I could 1305 01:11:28.319 --> 01:11:33.479 make the charge stick. Lydell shrugged. That's up to you. 1306 01:11:33.479 --> 01:11:36.520 You asked me a question, I answered it. Deets rolled 1307 01:11:36.520 --> 01:11:38.520 the cigar in the center of his mouth, fixed the 1308 01:11:38.560 --> 01:11:42.279 private detective with the cold glare of his eyes. Possibly 1309 01:11:42.319 --> 01:11:45.520 you consider this whole episode as very amusing. I don't. 1310 01:11:45.920 --> 01:11:48.880 Two men have already been killed. No loss to the community. 1311 01:11:48.920 --> 01:11:52.560 I'll admit, but killed none the less, this matter has 1312 01:11:52.600 --> 01:11:56.000 ceased to be a boyish prank. If you think being 1313 01:11:56.079 --> 01:11:58.159 a walking shooting gallery is my idea of a good, 1314 01:11:58.159 --> 01:12:02.359 clean night's fun, you're mistaken Lydell retorted hotly. I don't 1315 01:12:02.399 --> 01:12:04.640 like cluttering up the sidewalks of corpses any better than 1316 01:12:04.640 --> 01:12:06.880 you do, especially when one of them is liable to 1317 01:12:06.920 --> 01:12:11.199 be mine. Don't make it sound so alluring, Hurly, he growled. 1318 01:12:11.760 --> 01:12:14.439 Suppose we stopped playing footsie with his character, mister Deats, 1319 01:12:14.600 --> 01:12:16.880 and get down to cases. He turned to glare at 1320 01:12:16.920 --> 01:12:19.800 Lidell for the last time. Shamus, what's the rumble you're 1321 01:12:19.840 --> 01:12:24.000 working on? Lydell sighed, examined the glowing end of his 1322 01:12:24.000 --> 01:12:28.640 cigarette morosely. Even I'm beginning to get sick of sayin' it, 1323 01:12:28.920 --> 01:12:31.399 but it happens to be true. I was hired by 1324 01:12:31.479 --> 01:12:35.000 Jean Merritt to look into her father's death. Hell, I've 1325 01:12:35.039 --> 01:12:38.000 even got a five hundred dollar retainer to prove it. Hurley, 1326 01:12:38.039 --> 01:12:41.119 he snorted angrily. You may have a check. What you 1327 01:12:41.199 --> 01:12:44.039 got it for could be another story. It should be 1328 01:12:44.039 --> 01:12:46.760 a simple fact to establish, inspector. Why don't we have 1329 01:12:46.840 --> 01:12:51.439 miss Merrit in to verify Lydell's statement. Deats asked, he's 1330 01:12:51.439 --> 01:12:54.760 already thought of that too, Hurly, he growled and ask him. 1331 01:12:55.560 --> 01:12:57.479 Dets rolled his eyes from the purple face of the 1332 01:12:57.520 --> 01:13:02.359 inspector to lidell Well. Lydell shrugged, I don't know how 1333 01:13:02.359 --> 01:13:04.439 to get in touch with her. He took a deep 1334 01:13:04.479 --> 01:13:07.119 drag on the cigarette, held the smoke, let it dribble 1335 01:13:07.119 --> 01:13:10.239 from his lips. I told hurle he last night, she's disappeared. 1336 01:13:10.439 --> 01:13:14.439 He did nothing about it. Nothing about it, Hurley, he shouted, 1337 01:13:14.600 --> 01:13:16.159 What the hell am I supposed to do about it? 1338 01:13:16.279 --> 01:13:18.479 A woman leaves her hotel room, so what. She's a 1339 01:13:18.479 --> 01:13:20.159 big girl. If she wants to go play house for 1340 01:13:20.159 --> 01:13:22.840 a couple of days with some guy, that's our business. 1341 01:13:24.119 --> 01:13:27.119 So you did check the Westmore, Yeah, just to see 1342 01:13:27.119 --> 01:13:30.079 if you were lying about that too. And this girl, 1343 01:13:30.119 --> 01:13:32.720 Inspector Deeds cut in. You don't know where she is 1344 01:13:32.760 --> 01:13:35.640 at this time? No, and I don't care. I'm not 1345 01:13:35.720 --> 01:13:37.880 runnin a lost and found apartment for a broken down 1346 01:13:37.960 --> 01:13:40.640 shamus who can't even find his own client. She'll show 1347 01:13:40.680 --> 01:13:44.159 up when she's good and ready. The district attorney damned 1348 01:13:44.159 --> 01:13:46.760 the angry flood with a gesture from a well manicured hand. 1349 01:13:47.319 --> 01:13:50.199 Let's not Lightell, lead us from the track. He removed 1350 01:13:50.199 --> 01:13:52.720 the unlit cigar from between his teeth, frowned at the 1351 01:13:52.760 --> 01:13:55.079 soggi end, pasted back a loose leaf with the tip 1352 01:13:55.119 --> 01:13:58.279 of his tongue. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. 1353 01:13:59.159 --> 01:14:02.800 You see, like we know perfectly well that you're mixed 1354 01:14:02.880 --> 01:14:06.840 up in something far more explosive than a mere investigation 1355 01:14:07.039 --> 01:14:12.359 into an acknowledged suicide. He rolled his eyes upward, favored 1356 01:14:12.359 --> 01:14:15.920 the private detective with a frosty smile. The object of 1357 01:14:15.920 --> 01:14:19.479 this little unofficial get together is to discuss the real 1358 01:14:19.600 --> 01:14:23.680 nature of your investigation. If you know I'm on something else, 1359 01:14:23.680 --> 01:14:25.520 I wish you'd let me in on it. There's not 1360 01:14:25.600 --> 01:14:27.560 another case in the shop but the merit job, and 1361 01:14:28.880 --> 01:14:31.760 cut it out, Lydell. That Injured Innocence Act is strictly 1362 01:14:31.760 --> 01:14:35.119 for the birds. Hurley growled, what's with you in vaiy 1363 01:14:36.279 --> 01:14:38.920 Lydell's hand stopped with his cigarette inches from his mouth. 1364 01:14:39.359 --> 01:14:45.359 His eyes hopscotch from the inspector to deets back. Vailey, Yeah, Vailey, 1365 01:14:45.520 --> 01:14:50.000 Pete Vailey. Lydell searched the inspector's face for some indication 1366 01:14:50.079 --> 01:14:53.840 that he was needling Pete Valley's setting out a ten 1367 01:14:53.880 --> 01:14:56.520 to twenty in the pen. How would he come into this, 1368 01:14:57.279 --> 01:15:01.600 you tell us, Lydell, don't get it. The private detective 1369 01:15:01.640 --> 01:15:03.840 shook his head. If Valley's in the pen, how the 1370 01:15:03.840 --> 01:15:07.000 hell could I be in anything with him? You're not 1371 01:15:07.079 --> 01:15:09.640 in anything with him. You're bucking him some way. We 1372 01:15:09.720 --> 01:15:13.680 want to know how the inspector told him you must 1373 01:15:13.720 --> 01:15:16.439 dust that chewing gummy ears with opium. Inspector, I don't 1374 01:15:16.439 --> 01:15:19.319 even know what you're talking about. No, then maybe you 1375 01:15:19.399 --> 01:15:21.680 do know why two of Valley's best hatchetmen went on 1376 01:15:21.760 --> 01:15:24.479 to make for your hide in two days running Scota 1377 01:15:24.520 --> 01:15:28.680 and Ricci, both Vailey torpedoes. I can't help to who 1378 01:15:28.720 --> 01:15:31.039 they are. I'm not mixed up with Pete Valley or 1379 01:15:31.079 --> 01:15:34.159 his mob. The district attorney jabbed a button on the 1380 01:15:34.159 --> 01:15:36.680 base of his phone, lifted the receiver to his ear, 1381 01:15:36.840 --> 01:15:39.279 muttered a few words into it, replaced it on its hook. 1382 01:15:40.439 --> 01:15:42.520 If you're letting the fact that Vali himself is in 1383 01:15:42.560 --> 01:15:45.279 a cell give you a false sense of security, you're 1384 01:15:45.319 --> 01:15:49.600 not very smart, Lydell, he said. The organization is still intact, 1385 01:15:49.640 --> 01:15:52.039 and we're convinced that Pete Valley is running it as 1386 01:15:52.079 --> 01:15:55.000 much as if he were here in person. He twirled 1387 01:15:55.000 --> 01:15:58.199 his cigar between thumb and forefinger stared coldly at Lidell. 1388 01:15:58.720 --> 01:16:02.079 I'm out to smash Valley's influence in this town. So far, 1389 01:16:02.159 --> 01:16:04.239 we haven't even gotten our foot in the door. You 1390 01:16:04.279 --> 01:16:06.760 apparently have something that he is anxious to hush up. 1391 01:16:07.319 --> 01:16:09.960 I intend to know what it is. He broke off 1392 01:16:09.960 --> 01:16:12.600 as a uniform policeman brought in a stack of photographs, 1393 01:16:12.760 --> 01:16:14.760 laid them on the corner of his desk, turned and 1394 01:16:14.800 --> 01:16:18.680 walked out. Well, I don't know what it's all about. 1395 01:16:18.960 --> 01:16:21.560 If it's true that Scota and Richey or Vailey's hatchetmen, 1396 01:16:21.640 --> 01:16:25.399 then someone is making a mistake. Curly, he nodded grimly. 1397 01:16:25.960 --> 01:16:29.119 Someone's making a mistake, all right, and that someone is you. Lidel. 1398 01:16:30.359 --> 01:16:32.760 The district attorney flicked through a pile of pictures on 1399 01:16:32.800 --> 01:16:35.760 his desk, picked one out, passed it over. Ever see 1400 01:16:35.800 --> 01:16:39.800 this man. The face in the photograph had pouting, thick lips, 1401 01:16:39.880 --> 01:16:43.039 heavy jowls that threatened to overflow the man's collar, beady 1402 01:16:43.079 --> 01:16:47.600 eyes resessed by bulging dark patches. Lydell studied the face 1403 01:16:47.840 --> 01:16:50.279 remembered it as he had last seen it framed in 1404 01:16:50.319 --> 01:16:52.520 the window of the big sedan, tossed it back on 1405 01:16:52.600 --> 01:16:57.000 Deete's desk. He nodded, I've seen him before. He wiped 1406 01:16:57.000 --> 01:16:59.279 a thin film of perspiration from his upper lip with 1407 01:16:59.319 --> 01:17:01.840 the side of his hand. And that's the fat boy 1408 01:17:01.840 --> 01:17:05.239 who tried to gun me out night before last. The 1409 01:17:05.279 --> 01:17:08.840 district attorney exchanged glances with the inspector, returned the photograph 1410 01:17:08.920 --> 01:17:12.399 to the pile. I thought, so, care to change your 1411 01:17:12.439 --> 01:17:16.760 story now, Lydell? Change it? How the smile was back. 1412 01:17:17.199 --> 01:17:20.359 The district Attorney's eyes were colder than ever. Don't you 1413 01:17:20.399 --> 01:17:22.600 think it's a bit ridiculous to stick to your story 1414 01:17:22.640 --> 01:17:24.760 that you are not mixed up with Pete Vailey's operation 1415 01:17:24.840 --> 01:17:27.640 in some way, that you are merely trying to investigate 1416 01:17:27.680 --> 01:17:32.199 an admitted and established suicide. Lydell thought it over shrugged. 1417 01:17:32.800 --> 01:17:34.640 Why should the fat boy's picture make you think I 1418 01:17:34.640 --> 01:17:37.560 want to change my story? Urly? He stared at him 1419 01:17:37.600 --> 01:17:40.399 for a moment, his square jaw methodically crushing the ever 1420 01:17:40.479 --> 01:17:45.079 present wat of gum. Because Frankie Cupola, He indicated the 1421 01:17:45.079 --> 01:17:46.840 picture on the desk with a sweep of his hand. 1422 01:17:47.439 --> 01:17:49.880 The fat boy as you call him, happens to be 1423 01:17:49.920 --> 01:17:56.560 Pete Vailey's right hand man. End of chapter five. Chapter six, 1424 01:17:57.960 --> 01:18:01.319 Johnny Lydell flagged down a cab outside of headquarters. Gave 1425 01:18:01.319 --> 01:18:04.159 the cabby an address just off Houston Street, sank back 1426 01:18:04.199 --> 01:18:07.199 against the cushions, amused himself by keeping score of the 1427 01:18:07.279 --> 01:18:11.079 number of lights the cabby jumped. He swung the big 1428 01:18:11.119 --> 01:18:14.279 hack east across town, played tag with the elevator pillars 1429 01:18:14.279 --> 01:18:16.520 along Bowery, slid to a stop in front of a 1430 01:18:16.560 --> 01:18:19.680 dilapidated two story building. He handed the cabby a bill 1431 01:18:19.880 --> 01:18:23.720 waved away the change. Looked around. The neighborhood was almost deserted. 1432 01:18:23.960 --> 01:18:26.039 No lights showed in the buildings in front of which 1433 01:18:26.079 --> 01:18:28.960 he stood. He crossed the sidewalk into a dark and 1434 01:18:29.000 --> 01:18:32.000 smelly hallway, guided himself along the wall to the end 1435 01:18:32.039 --> 01:18:35.640 of the musty corridor. Knocked on the door. There was 1436 01:18:35.640 --> 01:18:39.039 a faint scraping sound, a faint stirring of air, the sudden, 1437 01:18:39.079 --> 01:18:43.000 heavy smell of beer. Close at hand, A gravelly voice said, Eh, 1438 01:18:44.199 --> 01:18:47.800 I want to see dummy, go he hear The gravelly 1439 01:18:47.840 --> 01:18:50.800 voice informed him, I gotta see him. I'm Johnny Lightell. 1440 01:18:51.720 --> 01:18:53.479 There was a beery chuckle from the other side of 1441 01:18:53.479 --> 01:18:55.920 the door. I can't help it who you are. If 1442 01:18:55.960 --> 01:18:59.479 hein hear you can't see him, Lenill he be back 1443 01:19:00.840 --> 01:19:04.960 tonight some tom But you can't wait upstairs. Dummy wouldn't 1444 01:19:04.960 --> 01:19:06.439 like it if I let him by in his office 1445 01:19:06.439 --> 01:19:10.119 when he ain't here. Okay, I'll leave him a message 1446 01:19:10.279 --> 01:19:14.319 let me in. The scraping sound was repeated Lydell had 1447 01:19:14.359 --> 01:19:17.119 it placed as a sliding panel on the door. After 1448 01:19:17.159 --> 01:19:19.279 a moment, a creaking announced the opening of the door. 1449 01:19:19.760 --> 01:19:22.439 He stepped through, heard the door close behind him. Then 1450 01:19:22.479 --> 01:19:24.800 an old fixture on the wall spilled yellow light into 1451 01:19:24.840 --> 01:19:27.960 all but the far corners of the room. The gravelly 1452 01:19:28.039 --> 01:19:31.359 voice belonged incongruously enough to a wizened dull man with 1453 01:19:31.399 --> 01:19:35.119 an unruly thatch of yellow white hair. His left eye 1454 01:19:35.159 --> 01:19:39.880 twitched uncontrollably as he studied Lydel. Let's hurry up about it, Lydell. 1455 01:19:40.239 --> 01:19:44.439 Dummy'll be back tomorrow. Ain't that time enough? Lydell shook 1456 01:19:44.439 --> 01:19:47.479 his head. I want a guy located fast. He's gone 1457 01:19:47.479 --> 01:19:49.760 into a hole, but I got to see him before 1458 01:19:49.760 --> 01:19:53.359 the cops do. The little man's bad eye twitched maddeningly. 1459 01:19:54.560 --> 01:19:58.680 He bared the toothless gums in a grin. It ain't easy, 1460 01:19:59.079 --> 01:20:02.000 a cough domm He knows I'm good for it. This 1461 01:20:02.079 --> 01:20:04.119 ain't the first favor I've asked, and he's never lost 1462 01:20:04.119 --> 01:20:09.520 by handling the contract. Who's the guy, Frankie Cupola, one 1463 01:20:09.520 --> 01:20:13.359 of Pete Vailey's hoods. The little man scratched his side 1464 01:20:13.359 --> 01:20:18.279 whistled soundlessly. You sure you want to find him? Yeah 1465 01:20:18.319 --> 01:20:21.560 and fast. It's your skin if you like to wear 1466 01:20:21.560 --> 01:20:24.600 it with holes in it. The old man walked over 1467 01:20:24.640 --> 01:20:26.399 to a rickety table in the rear of the room, 1468 01:20:26.640 --> 01:20:29.279 opened the drawer and brought out an old brown bag 1469 01:20:29.279 --> 01:20:31.560 and the stub of a pencil. He licked the point 1470 01:20:31.560 --> 01:20:35.199 of the pencil scribbled laboriously. Well, he'd be able to 1471 01:20:35.199 --> 01:20:39.439 reach you at munks Achille's place. The old man looked 1472 01:20:39.520 --> 01:20:44.680 up leered obscenely. It might be awful laid. Don't let 1473 01:20:44.760 --> 01:20:48.039 it worry you. I'll be there. We could play an 1474 01:20:48.079 --> 01:20:50.960 awful dirty trick by finding him right off. The old 1475 01:20:51.000 --> 01:20:53.239 man grinned. But it won't be for a couple hours. 1476 01:20:53.239 --> 01:20:55.720 At least. We'll get word to all their boys work 1477 01:20:55.720 --> 01:20:58.399 in midtown. Cupola must be a regular on one of 1478 01:20:58.439 --> 01:21:01.720 their beats. They'll turn him up for you. Lydell passed 1479 01:21:01.720 --> 01:21:06.159 a folded bill. How's the school going pretty busy right now? 1480 01:21:06.159 --> 01:21:08.720 I'm breaking in a fresh load of fish. There's a 1481 01:21:08.720 --> 01:21:12.279 big call for imputees right now, always is during the war. 1482 01:21:12.800 --> 01:21:15.119 The deaf and dumb panhandlers and the blind ones, they 1483 01:21:15.119 --> 01:21:18.319 don't do too good during the war. Collections in midtown 1484 01:21:18.399 --> 01:21:20.640 are off, so the dummy is replacing some of the 1485 01:21:20.640 --> 01:21:24.039 deaf and dumb ones. Anyway, they're harder to train. You 1486 01:21:24.119 --> 01:21:26.000 gotta keep working on them so they don't jump when 1487 01:21:26.000 --> 01:21:28.520 a horn goes off in back of them or somebody 1488 01:21:28.520 --> 01:21:31.720 talks to them. The emputees only got to remember to 1489 01:21:31.840 --> 01:21:34.000 keep their eyes and ears open and not give the 1490 01:21:34.039 --> 01:21:39.039 business a bad name. What an operation a school for beggars, 1491 01:21:39.600 --> 01:21:43.399 lydel grinned. The old man shook his head, and it's 1492 01:21:43.479 --> 01:21:46.800 just like anything else, Lydell, it's gotta be organized well, 1493 01:21:46.960 --> 01:21:49.960 some guy like Dummy. The grifters will be muscling in 1494 01:21:50.000 --> 01:21:52.800 on each other's territory. The phony has will be given 1495 01:21:52.840 --> 01:21:56.359 the racket a bad name. The bad eye twitched endlessly 1496 01:21:57.159 --> 01:22:01.159 like this, everything is under control. And besides whatever, boys 1497 01:22:01.239 --> 01:22:04.319 covering the city like a blanket. There's nothing going on, 1498 01:22:04.680 --> 01:22:07.800 no place that we don't know about. He winked. That 1499 01:22:07.880 --> 01:22:12.359 can come in handy, eh, Lydell, plenty handy. Remember I 1500 01:22:12.439 --> 01:22:15.279 want action on Cupola. Tell dummy it's worth a hundred 1501 01:22:15.319 --> 01:22:17.479 to me to get him tonight. Tomorrow may be too 1502 01:22:17.520 --> 01:22:21.439 late for me. The cool air of the street was 1503 01:22:21.479 --> 01:22:24.479 a welcome relief after the dank smell of dummies school. 1504 01:22:25.199 --> 01:22:28.399 Lydell walked up to Bowery, caught a cruising cab, signaled 1505 01:22:28.399 --> 01:22:31.039 it to the curb. He gave muggs Achilles address on 1506 01:22:31.079 --> 01:22:35.319 Central Park South, settled back against the cushions. The cabby 1507 01:22:35.359 --> 01:22:38.520 played tag with the l pillars to fourteenth Street, bore 1508 01:22:38.600 --> 01:22:41.720 west through the heavy traffic to Fifth Avenue, swung north again. 1509 01:22:42.399 --> 01:22:44.680 Lydell held his breath as the big cab wove in 1510 01:22:44.760 --> 01:22:47.720 and out of the late hour traffic along Fifth, watched 1511 01:22:47.720 --> 01:22:50.560 with wordless admiration the way. The cabby nonchalantly fitted the 1512 01:22:50.560 --> 01:22:53.079 big car into spaces that looked too small for a 1513 01:22:53.119 --> 01:22:56.960 baby carriage. At fifty seventh, the cabby broke the monotony 1514 01:22:57.000 --> 01:22:59.600 by engaging in a heated exchange with another cabby who 1515 01:22:59.680 --> 01:23:02.159 had to stand on his brakes as Lightel's cab cut 1516 01:23:02.199 --> 01:23:04.960 in front of him at fifty fourth. Aside from that, 1517 01:23:05.039 --> 01:23:07.680 he was delivered at muggs Achielle's doorstep, safe but shaken 1518 01:23:08.840 --> 01:23:11.960 pretty rough. Ride Buster, he grinned at the cabby handed 1519 01:23:12.000 --> 01:23:15.119 him two singles. The cabby nodded, didn't bother to remove 1520 01:23:15.159 --> 01:23:18.119 a frayed toothpick from between his teeth. I don't know 1521 01:23:18.159 --> 01:23:20.640 how most of those jerks ever get a license. Is 1522 01:23:20.680 --> 01:23:22.880 getting sets of guys laf safe driving, with all of 1523 01:23:22.920 --> 01:23:26.119 them refugees from Newark and New aven A guy ain't 1524 01:23:26.159 --> 01:23:30.079 safe lydel nodded his sympathy, watched the cab roar away 1525 01:23:30.079 --> 01:23:32.199 from the curb, forced its way into a stream in 1526 01:23:32.279 --> 01:23:35.840 northbound traffic, carre him around the nearest corner toward Broadway. 1527 01:23:37.119 --> 01:23:39.960 He used his key to Muggsy's apartment, found her huddled 1528 01:23:39.960 --> 01:23:41.720 on the couch with a pink addition of the news. 1529 01:23:42.159 --> 01:23:44.319 She jumped up, ran out to him, kissed him soundly. 1530 01:23:45.079 --> 01:23:47.920 You all right, Johnny, she asked, Pop called me about 1531 01:23:47.920 --> 01:23:50.159 the shooting. I've been trying to reach you all over town. 1532 01:23:50.399 --> 01:23:53.479 I even called Hurley He's office downtown, but Lightel grinned 1533 01:23:53.520 --> 01:23:57.279 crookedly I'm traveling him bigger and better circles. Now. They 1534 01:23:57.279 --> 01:24:00.520 took me down to Deet's office, muggs He led him 1535 01:24:00.520 --> 01:24:03.159 to the couch, drop down beside him. What's the da 1536 01:24:03.279 --> 01:24:06.560 horning in for? He thinks I'm holding out. He thinks 1537 01:24:06.600 --> 01:24:08.640 I'm playing tag with Pete Valley's mob and he wants 1538 01:24:08.720 --> 01:24:12.279 to be in it. Don't want unestimate Deets Johnny. He's 1539 01:24:12.319 --> 01:24:14.279 got a bad case of albany fever and he won't 1540 01:24:14.319 --> 01:24:16.760 think twice about feeding it to the wolves if it'll 1541 01:24:17.039 --> 01:24:19.039 get him in that horse faced wife of his into 1542 01:24:19.039 --> 01:24:23.920 the executive mansion up there. Lydell nodded, I know, but 1543 01:24:24.000 --> 01:24:27.119 I'm not standing still for it. He scowled at his shoes. 1544 01:24:27.680 --> 01:24:29.880 But he's right about one thing. There is something fishy 1545 01:24:29.920 --> 01:24:32.239 going on. The two guys that tried to dop my 1546 01:24:32.279 --> 01:24:36.319 eyes with the typewriters are both Valley hoods. Maybe they 1547 01:24:36.399 --> 01:24:39.680 just hired out for this job. I doubt it. What's 1548 01:24:39.760 --> 01:24:43.560 Jim think about it? Muggsy shrugged. You know, Pop, he's 1549 01:24:43.600 --> 01:24:45.760 tickled that as long as you had to get yourself blasted, 1550 01:24:45.760 --> 01:24:48.119 you waited until it was too late for the tabloids. 1551 01:24:48.479 --> 01:24:50.239 She kicked the news with the tip of her shoe, 1552 01:24:50.640 --> 01:24:52.720 not a line on it, and Pop has a layout 1553 01:24:52.800 --> 01:24:56.000 picks an all riding with an extra hooray for him. 1554 01:24:56.479 --> 01:25:00.000 How about the valley tie up? What's he thinking? Muggs? 1555 01:25:00.039 --> 01:25:02.479 He shrugged, and I think he buys the inspector's idea. 1556 01:25:02.880 --> 01:25:04.800 He doesn't believe it's tied in with the merit job. 1557 01:25:05.439 --> 01:25:08.760 She pulled her feet up under her. How does Vale fit, Johnny? 1558 01:25:09.600 --> 01:25:11.960 How the hell does anything fit in this mess? First 1559 01:25:11.960 --> 01:25:13.880 I've got a client, then I can't find her. She 1560 01:25:13.960 --> 01:25:15.439 wants me to find out who killed a guy who 1561 01:25:15.479 --> 01:25:17.920 killed himself. Then a couple of high caliber hoods decided 1562 01:25:17.960 --> 01:25:20.039 to carve their initials on my hide with the Tommy gun. 1563 01:25:20.239 --> 01:25:24.079 For what would Vally be after you for something else? Why? 1564 01:25:24.600 --> 01:25:26.800 I never had anything to do with Pete. I had 1565 01:25:26.840 --> 01:25:28.760 nothing to do with his going to jail. I was 1566 01:25:28.800 --> 01:25:31.439 a federal rap. Besides, why would he wait until now? 1567 01:25:31.680 --> 01:25:33.960 He's been in the can a couple of years. He 1568 01:25:34.039 --> 01:25:37.680 pinched at his nostrils with thumb and forefinger, asked for 1569 01:25:37.760 --> 01:25:40.560 Scota and Ricci. I don't even know them now, all 1570 01:25:40.600 --> 01:25:42.399 of a sudden, they can't be happy until they pin 1571 01:25:42.520 --> 01:25:45.079 my hide to the wall. What are you gonna do 1572 01:25:45.119 --> 01:25:49.640 about it? Liedell grinned bleakly discourage them first. I'm gonna 1573 01:25:49.640 --> 01:25:53.159 find out what it's all about. How I'm going to 1574 01:25:53.199 --> 01:25:55.600 ask them what the hell's going on? Hurly? He tipped 1575 01:25:55.640 --> 01:25:57.600 me who the guy was that used the Tommy gun 1576 01:25:57.600 --> 01:26:00.079 in the car the other night? Another Bailey Torp. You 1577 01:26:00.199 --> 01:26:05.119 know Frankie Copola? Cupola. You're not going to fool with him, Johnny. 1578 01:26:05.199 --> 01:26:08.359 He's sudden death. He knows the answers to the questions 1579 01:26:08.359 --> 01:26:11.399 I want to ask, and I'm not gonna fool them. 1580 01:26:11.760 --> 01:26:14.079 Suppose he does know the answers. What makes you think 1581 01:26:14.079 --> 01:26:18.640 he'll tell you? Lightel grinned, You'd be surprised how persuasive 1582 01:26:18.680 --> 01:26:22.039 I can be. I suppose he does tell you, what 1583 01:26:22.119 --> 01:26:23.840 good will it do you? If you develop a hole 1584 01:26:23.840 --> 01:26:26.119 in the head. You're not gonna do it, Johnny. I 1585 01:26:26.119 --> 01:26:28.399 won't let you go up against the killer like Copola. 1586 01:26:28.920 --> 01:26:31.760 Stop worrying. If he was that good, I'd be downtown 1587 01:26:31.800 --> 01:26:35.319 in the Morgue keeping scota and reach a company. He 1588 01:26:35.359 --> 01:26:37.720 got up from the couch, wandered out into the kitchen, 1589 01:26:37.960 --> 01:26:40.760 examined the labels on a couple of new bottles. What's 1590 01:26:40.800 --> 01:26:44.600 this shark truce and crem dement. I've been dying to 1591 01:26:44.600 --> 01:26:46.880 try a new cocktail I heard about. There's some Irish 1592 01:26:46.880 --> 01:26:49.800 whiskey and drive a mooth in the cabinet. You're gonna 1593 01:26:49.800 --> 01:26:53.079 spoil good Irish whiskey with this mess. Lydel looks shocked. 1594 01:26:53.680 --> 01:26:56.800 Don't be so conservative. It's supposed to be wonderful. You 1595 01:26:56.920 --> 01:26:59.119 mix the Irish and overmuth about one to one, then 1596 01:26:59.399 --> 01:27:01.159 just a couple of d ashes of the shatrus and 1597 01:27:01.199 --> 01:27:04.520 crimmed mint. They call it a shamrock. Make me one, Johnny, 1598 01:27:04.520 --> 01:27:08.039 will you? She stretched out on the couch watched the 1599 01:27:08.039 --> 01:27:10.720 broad shoulders of Lidell going through the motions of making 1600 01:27:10.760 --> 01:27:14.800 the cocktail. She tried to wipe the concern from her eyes. Failed. 1601 01:27:15.680 --> 01:27:18.039 Lydell brought the shaker and glass out to the couch, 1602 01:27:18.560 --> 01:27:20.720 swept two books and a magazine off the end table, 1603 01:27:20.880 --> 01:27:24.680 set them down. Aren't you gonna try one? She indicated, 1604 01:27:24.680 --> 01:27:28.399 the lone glass. That's stuff. It's not fit for human consumption. 1605 01:27:28.880 --> 01:27:30.880 If I'm gonna get cirrhosis as a liver, I'm gonna 1606 01:27:30.880 --> 01:27:34.520 get it from drinking whiskey, not perfume. How do you 1607 01:27:34.600 --> 01:27:36.159 know you don't like it. If you don't try it, 1608 01:27:36.319 --> 01:27:40.079 just take a sip. Muggsy coaxed. Ladell shrugged, poured a 1609 01:27:40.079 --> 01:27:42.720 little of the green concoction into the glass, sipped it, 1610 01:27:42.960 --> 01:27:47.680 made a wry face. I'll take my irish straight. He 1611 01:27:47.760 --> 01:27:50.079 filled the glass from the shaker, handed it to the girl. 1612 01:27:50.800 --> 01:27:52.920 The way my father and his father got their dts 1613 01:27:53.000 --> 01:27:56.159 is good enough for me. He walked out into the kitchen, 1614 01:27:56.239 --> 01:27:58.680 poured some liquor from the bottle over three ice cubes, 1615 01:27:59.039 --> 01:28:01.560 brought the glass back with him. Muggs He folded her 1616 01:28:01.560 --> 01:28:04.359 feet up under her to make room. Johnny, you're not 1617 01:28:04.439 --> 01:28:08.239 really going up against Cupola, are you? Lydell nodded, clinked 1618 01:28:08.239 --> 01:28:10.960 the ice against the side of his glass. As soon 1619 01:28:11.000 --> 01:28:13.520 as I can find out where he's holed in. How 1620 01:28:13.600 --> 01:28:16.800 lucky can you be, Johnny? They missed twice. The third 1621 01:28:16.800 --> 01:28:19.479 time you number may be up. There's not going to 1622 01:28:19.520 --> 01:28:22.000 be a third time, Mugs. He told her, I'm gonna 1623 01:28:22.000 --> 01:28:24.279 beat them to the punch this time. Instead of them 1624 01:28:24.279 --> 01:28:26.359 coming to look for me, I'm going looking for them. 1625 01:28:27.800 --> 01:28:29.760 Want to tell me how you plan to persuade Copola 1626 01:28:29.840 --> 01:28:32.760 to pour his innermost secrets into your shell? Like ear 1627 01:28:33.640 --> 01:28:36.560 Lydell shrugged. I figured to go up to him and 1628 01:28:36.600 --> 01:28:40.640 ask him, Oh, fine, and when is this touching confessional 1629 01:28:40.640 --> 01:28:43.800 schedule to take place? Lydell took a taste to the 1630 01:28:43.800 --> 01:28:47.479 whiskey approved. I don't know yet. I haven't been able 1631 01:28:47.520 --> 01:28:49.960 to get a line on him. He's apparently holding up 1632 01:28:49.960 --> 01:28:53.359 somewhere until the heat dies down, but you expect to 1633 01:28:53.399 --> 01:28:55.960 find him. Eighteen thousand cops in the city of New 1634 01:28:56.039 --> 01:28:59.199 York can't smoke him out, but you will. I've got 1635 01:28:59.199 --> 01:29:02.079 the dummy in his bag scouring the town. They'll contact 1636 01:29:02.079 --> 01:29:04.920 me here when they get a line on him. Muggsy 1637 01:29:04.920 --> 01:29:08.079 sipped at the green drink, wrinkled her nose. I think 1638 01:29:08.119 --> 01:29:11.199 maybe you're right. This calls for a real drink. She 1639 01:29:11.279 --> 01:29:13.640 walked out to the kitchen, emptied the glass in the sink. 1640 01:29:14.039 --> 01:29:16.439 She found another glass, dropped three ice cubes into it, 1641 01:29:16.680 --> 01:29:19.840 spilled a stiff slug of whiskey over them. I can't 1642 01:29:19.840 --> 01:29:21.920 talk you out of it, Johnny, she asked, when she 1643 01:29:21.960 --> 01:29:25.560 rejoined him on the couch. It's my only chance, Mugs, 1644 01:29:25.960 --> 01:29:28.880 but it's crazy. I tell you, you can't go up against 1645 01:29:28.880 --> 01:29:31.279 a gang like that and walk away from it. You'll 1646 01:29:31.399 --> 01:29:33.720 end up with a bunch of eels making a patchwork 1647 01:29:33.800 --> 01:29:35.600 quilt out of your face in the bottom of the bay. 1648 01:29:36.279 --> 01:29:38.359 Let Hurley he and his boys take care of Cupola 1649 01:29:39.079 --> 01:29:42.840 on what charge? What charge? Didn't he try to kill you? 1650 01:29:43.079 --> 01:29:45.039 Didn't he shoot up the drug store? Isn't that enough? 1651 01:29:45.960 --> 01:29:47.800 You want Hurley he to pick him up? Because I 1652 01:29:47.840 --> 01:29:49.800 say I saw him in a moving car and bad 1653 01:29:49.880 --> 01:29:53.159 light at night and he smart mouthpiece with laughed deats 1654 01:29:53.159 --> 01:29:55.920 out of court with that, and you know it? What's more? 1655 01:29:55.960 --> 01:29:59.680 So does deats? The girl leaned over, snagged a cigarette 1656 01:29:59.680 --> 01:30:02.119 from a bar on the end table. Why not drop 1657 01:30:02.119 --> 01:30:04.800 the whole thing, Johnny, you said, if Doc Travin convinced 1658 01:30:04.840 --> 01:30:08.239 ye it was suicide, y'd but he didn't. The blonde 1659 01:30:08.239 --> 01:30:11.560 stared at his mouth agape. Didn't What didn't convince you 1660 01:30:11.680 --> 01:30:15.640 or didn't commit suicide? Both? Doc Travin didn't convince me 1661 01:30:15.680 --> 01:30:19.880 because maunt Merritt didn't commit suicide. He was murdered. You're 1662 01:30:19.960 --> 01:30:23.039 bluffing muggs, he accused. I was right there with ye. 1663 01:30:23.399 --> 01:30:25.680 Ye even told Doc he made a good case for suicide. 1664 01:30:26.319 --> 01:30:29.359 He did, but not good enough. I'm sure Merritt was 1665 01:30:29.479 --> 01:30:33.039 murdered mugs, but I can't prove it. The girl studied 1666 01:30:33.039 --> 01:30:35.800 his face. Was this something you found out at Doc 1667 01:30:35.840 --> 01:30:40.119 Travin's office, Lydell nodded the fact that they never found 1668 01:30:40.119 --> 01:30:46.079 a bullet, so Lydell shrugged. So nothing, Maybe so murder 1669 01:30:46.119 --> 01:30:49.079 most likely, He took a deep drag on his cigarette. 1670 01:30:49.560 --> 01:30:52.199 The bullet should have been in the ceiling, but Doc 1671 01:30:52.279 --> 01:30:54.560 explained that He said the bullet was spent by the 1672 01:30:54.560 --> 01:30:56.520 time it was through. Merrit's skull fell out of the floor, 1673 01:30:56.800 --> 01:31:01.199 was lost. That's reasonable, Lydell snorted, not unless Merrit's skull 1674 01:31:01.239 --> 01:31:03.439 had a steel lining. The gun was a thirty eight. 1675 01:31:03.640 --> 01:31:05.920 Since when does a thirty eight get spent traveling through 1676 01:31:05.920 --> 01:31:08.199 at most four inches of tissue and a quarter inch 1677 01:31:08.199 --> 01:31:12.199 of bone. Then where is it? Well, that's the sixty 1678 01:31:12.199 --> 01:31:15.960 four dollar question, he admitted. He finished his drink, set 1679 01:31:16.000 --> 01:31:18.520 the glass down on the floor at his feet. He 1680 01:31:18.600 --> 01:31:21.199 might have been killed someplace else and brought there, or 1681 01:31:21.359 --> 01:31:25.279 the bullet was deflected, or Mugsy squirmed impatiently in her chair. 1682 01:31:26.000 --> 01:31:28.399 That's goofy, and you know it just as goofy as 1683 01:31:28.399 --> 01:31:29.840 it is to sit there and try to convince me 1684 01:31:29.920 --> 01:31:31.920 or anybody else that the old guy sat there let 1685 01:31:31.920 --> 01:31:33.760 a killer shove a gun in his mouth and didn't 1686 01:31:33.760 --> 01:31:37.720 put up a struggle. Lydell sighed, I know it. The 1687 01:31:37.760 --> 01:31:41.159 whole damn case is goofy, but you still think it's murder. 1688 01:31:41.920 --> 01:31:44.640 Lydell crushed his cigarette and an ash tray, scowled at 1689 01:31:44.680 --> 01:31:47.399 the last, thin, irregular line of smoke that curled ceiling word. 1690 01:31:48.319 --> 01:31:50.720 I told you I couldn't prove a thing. But until 1691 01:31:50.760 --> 01:31:53.159 I find out what's behind all this shooting, why Jean 1692 01:31:53.279 --> 01:31:55.920 Merritt disappeared, and what happened to that bullet, I think 1693 01:31:55.920 --> 01:32:00.359 it's murder. The telephone jangled noisily in the foyer. Muggsy 1694 01:32:00.439 --> 01:32:03.079 jumped up from the couch walked out to answer it. 1695 01:32:03.079 --> 01:32:06.479 It's for you, she called in. Lydell walked out took 1696 01:32:06.520 --> 01:32:11.119 the receiver from her hand. This Lydel a metallic voice, 1697 01:32:11.159 --> 01:32:15.800 wanted to know. Yeah, I got some information you wanted 1698 01:32:16.159 --> 01:32:20.119 about a certain party. Good. Where is he? The receiver 1699 01:32:20.239 --> 01:32:23.800 hesitated a moment. It ain't that easy. You better meet me. 1700 01:32:24.119 --> 01:32:26.720 You couldn't swing it alone. I don't get a loan 1701 01:32:26.800 --> 01:32:29.000 some easy bud. Just give me the dope and let 1702 01:32:29.000 --> 01:32:31.880 me worry. He laughed in his ear a high pitched, 1703 01:32:31.920 --> 01:32:35.439 crackling laugh. Don't get me wrong, Lydell, I ain't figuring. 1704 01:32:35.479 --> 01:32:38.319 I'm backing your play. You're the tough dick. I don't 1705 01:32:38.319 --> 01:32:41.279 get paid to get holds in my head? Then what 1706 01:32:41.359 --> 01:32:43.920 do I have to meet you for? I got to 1707 01:32:43.960 --> 01:32:46.760 get it set to get you in. Thinking about two thirty, 1708 01:32:47.560 --> 01:32:51.840 Lydell consulted his watch, scowled. It's only eleven thirty, now, 1709 01:32:52.000 --> 01:32:55.960 can't you make it earlier? Two thirty? He repeated, in 1710 01:32:55.960 --> 01:32:58.640 front of the bright Light's tavern on forty seventh. Know 1711 01:32:58.760 --> 01:33:03.079 the place, Lydell nodded, I know the place. How'll I 1712 01:33:03.199 --> 01:33:07.560 know you? You won't have to I'll know you. The 1713 01:33:07.600 --> 01:33:10.640 receiver cackled. There was a click, and the line went 1714 01:33:10.680 --> 01:33:14.840 dead Lydell tossed the receiver back on the hook, scraped 1715 01:33:14.840 --> 01:33:17.760 his palm over the faint stubble on his chin. It 1716 01:33:17.800 --> 01:33:19.920 could be the tip he was expecting, but by the 1717 01:33:19.920 --> 01:33:22.279 same token, he realized it could be another stake out. 1718 01:33:23.159 --> 01:33:25.319 He walked into the living room for Muggsy, found that 1719 01:33:25.359 --> 01:33:28.159 she had gone into the bedroom, closed the door behind her. 1720 01:33:29.359 --> 01:33:31.720 He wandered out on the little terrace that was pasted 1721 01:33:31.760 --> 01:33:34.399 on to the side of the building overlooking Central Park. 1722 01:33:35.000 --> 01:33:37.960 He had almost finished a cigarette Whenmugsy slipped up behind him, 1723 01:33:38.199 --> 01:33:40.800 slid her arms around him, laid her cheek against his 1724 01:33:42.079 --> 01:33:45.520 Miss me, she whispered. He flipped the butt into a 1725 01:33:45.560 --> 01:33:49.680 glowing arc toward the street below. Turned around. Muggsy had 1726 01:33:49.760 --> 01:33:53.720 changed into a flowing royal blue dressing gown. Her blonde 1727 01:33:53.720 --> 01:33:57.600 hair was fluffed out softly, her make up fresh. I 1728 01:33:57.600 --> 01:34:00.560 guess I'm beginning to sound like an old woman, she grinned. 1729 01:34:00.920 --> 01:34:03.079 I dunno by now that you can take care o yourself. 1730 01:34:03.880 --> 01:34:06.279 She stood on her tiptoes, placed her lips against his. 1731 01:34:07.119 --> 01:34:10.720 After a moment, she pushed him away. Well that's relief. 1732 01:34:11.000 --> 01:34:12.880 I was beginning to think that redhead in your office 1733 01:34:12.920 --> 01:34:17.199 had something I haven't got, Lidel grinned. We ought to 1734 01:34:17.279 --> 01:34:20.279 be able to settle that easily enough. He tried to 1735 01:34:20.279 --> 01:34:23.880 pull her to him again, she eluded his grasp. Was 1736 01:34:23.920 --> 01:34:26.960 that the call you were expecting? Yeah, but he can't 1737 01:34:27.000 --> 01:34:29.880 meet me until two thirty. That's almost three hours from now. 1738 01:34:31.000 --> 01:34:34.640 That's soon, Muggsy pouted. She led him into the living room, 1739 01:34:34.840 --> 01:34:37.239 pushed him down on the couch. She made a face 1740 01:34:37.279 --> 01:34:39.880 at him, walked to the kitchen returned with a bottle, 1741 01:34:40.119 --> 01:34:43.279 some glasses, and a bowl of ice. He patted the 1742 01:34:43.279 --> 01:34:45.800 cushead at his side, waited while she poured a drink 1743 01:34:45.800 --> 01:34:49.279 into each of the glasses. Sat down beside him. As 1744 01:34:49.279 --> 01:34:51.119 she reached across him to place the bottle on the 1745 01:34:51.199 --> 01:34:53.920 end table, he could feel her body against his, the 1746 01:34:53.960 --> 01:34:56.760 scent of her hair and his nostrils. He slid his 1747 01:34:56.840 --> 01:35:00.439 arm around her, turned her face up to his. Her 1748 01:35:00.439 --> 01:35:04.479 lips were moist, soft, looking slightly parted. Her eyes were 1749 01:35:04.520 --> 01:35:07.399 heavy lidded. When he covered her mouth with his he 1750 01:35:07.399 --> 01:35:10.720 could feel her teeth sinking to her lower lip. After 1751 01:35:10.760 --> 01:35:13.239 a moment, she put her hand against his shoulder pushed 1752 01:35:13.319 --> 01:35:17.159 him away. She snuggled comfortably on his lap, reached up, 1753 01:35:17.439 --> 01:35:21.199 loosened his tie, opened his collar. You can kiss me 1754 01:35:21.239 --> 01:35:27.840 again now, she said, it won't kill you. It didn't. 1755 01:35:28.720 --> 01:35:33.279 End of chapter six. Chapter seven. The room was half 1756 01:35:33.359 --> 01:35:36.720 dark when Johnny liedll awoke. The alarm clock was ringing. 1757 01:35:37.079 --> 01:35:39.359 There was a dark brown, fuzzy taste in his mouth 1758 01:35:39.359 --> 01:35:41.479 that refused to be washed away by the tap water. 1759 01:35:42.479 --> 01:35:44.760 He ran another glass of water, held it to his head. 1760 01:35:45.359 --> 01:35:49.600 The clock on the kitchen wall said two o'clock. Muggsy, chilly, 1761 01:35:49.720 --> 01:35:52.760 stirred uneasily on the couch, moaned softly in her sleep. 1762 01:35:53.279 --> 01:35:56.159 Lydell splashed water in his face, swabbed it dry with 1763 01:35:56.199 --> 01:35:59.239 a towel, ran a comb through his hair. He turned 1764 01:35:59.239 --> 01:36:01.399 out all the lights, found his hat on the end table, 1765 01:36:01.520 --> 01:36:05.560 kissed Muggsy softly, and left. The bright Light's tavern was 1766 01:36:05.600 --> 01:36:08.560 a garishly lighted honky tonk on forty seventh Street, east 1767 01:36:08.560 --> 01:36:11.840 of Broadway. The normal flow of traffic along the street 1768 01:36:11.840 --> 01:36:15.079 had dribbled to an occasional vague eyed pedestrian, the type 1769 01:36:15.079 --> 01:36:17.319 that had given the block the nickname of dream Alley. 1770 01:36:17.840 --> 01:36:20.920 A group of heavily painted hustlers with three fresh faced, 1771 01:36:21.119 --> 01:36:25.359 eager but drunken sailors in tow a mounted cop rode 1772 01:36:25.359 --> 01:36:28.520 by his horse's hoofs striking hollow clinks in the emptiness 1773 01:36:28.520 --> 01:36:33.000 of the street. Lydell took up his position outside the tavern, waited. 1774 01:36:33.800 --> 01:36:35.720 It was almost twenty five minutes before he heard the 1775 01:36:35.760 --> 01:36:39.560 trademark of the blind Beggar, a discordant guitar and strident, 1776 01:36:39.720 --> 01:36:43.359 nasally off key voice doing unmentionable things to a mountain chant. 1777 01:36:44.279 --> 01:36:46.640 After a moment, he came into Lydell's line of vision, 1778 01:36:47.000 --> 01:36:49.880 a little man, a silver glint of bristles on his chin, 1779 01:36:50.199 --> 01:36:52.199 a tin cup wired to the neck of his guitar, 1780 01:36:52.680 --> 01:36:55.359 his eyes covered with a pair of opaque black glasses. 1781 01:36:55.960 --> 01:36:58.079 He finished the song a few paces before he reached 1782 01:36:58.159 --> 01:37:01.680 Lydell continued to shuffle along, coaxing a terrifying assortment of 1783 01:37:01.720 --> 01:37:04.960 discords from the guitar as he went. When he was 1784 01:37:05.000 --> 01:37:07.199 abreast of Lidel, he lowered his face as though to 1785 01:37:07.199 --> 01:37:11.159 get protection from the wind. Give me a few minutes inside, 1786 01:37:11.399 --> 01:37:14.000 then come in after me, Seamus, he muttered, with no 1787 01:37:14.039 --> 01:37:17.640 apparent movement of his lips. Lydell gave no sign of 1788 01:37:17.680 --> 01:37:20.479 having heard. Sucked deeply on the butt he held cupped 1789 01:37:20.479 --> 01:37:23.119 in his hand, consulted his watch as though impatient over 1790 01:37:23.159 --> 01:37:26.800 a stand up. The beggar shuffled by entered the tavern. 1791 01:37:27.399 --> 01:37:30.239 A mixture of conversation and jukebox music spilled out into 1792 01:37:30.239 --> 01:37:33.319 the street. As he opened the door, Lydell continued to smoke, 1793 01:37:33.520 --> 01:37:36.920 finished his cigarette, flipped it toward the gutter. The mounted 1794 01:37:36.960 --> 01:37:40.319 cop rode by again, stared at him in curiously, continued 1795 01:37:40.359 --> 01:37:43.680 east toward fifth Lydell consulted his watch again, and turned 1796 01:37:43.680 --> 01:37:47.039 and entered the tavern. The Bright Light's tavern got a 1797 01:37:47.039 --> 01:37:50.279 good late hour play by servicemen. Bar girls of all 1798 01:37:50.319 --> 01:37:52.920 sizes and vintage were working the sailors and marines that 1799 01:37:53.000 --> 01:37:55.760 lined the bar too deep. On the way in, Lydell 1800 01:37:55.880 --> 01:37:58.880 was almost bumped by a buxom redhead leading a sailor. 1801 01:37:59.439 --> 01:38:03.239 She was back in ten minutes without the sailor. As 1802 01:38:03.319 --> 01:38:05.920 Lydell walked in, a heavily bleached woman sitting in a 1803 01:38:05.920 --> 01:38:09.960 booth near the door, studied him speculatively passed an unseen signal. 1804 01:38:10.560 --> 01:38:13.319 Almost immediately, the girls drifted away from their prospects and 1805 01:38:13.319 --> 01:38:15.479 headed for the ladies room or found seats together in 1806 01:38:15.520 --> 01:38:18.920 a booth. Lydell walked through the blue white haze of 1807 01:38:18.960 --> 01:38:22.199 cigarette smoke, found a place at the bar ordered bourbon. 1808 01:38:22.800 --> 01:38:25.359 The bartender grabbed a bottle from the back bar, slid 1809 01:38:25.359 --> 01:38:27.239 a shot glass in front of him, filled it to 1810 01:38:27.279 --> 01:38:30.560 the brim all in one motion. Well, I see a 1811 01:38:30.680 --> 01:38:33.960 by particular mista. He studied Lydell with pig like eyes 1812 01:38:33.960 --> 01:38:36.680 that were almost obscured by the scar tissue of hundreds 1813 01:38:36.720 --> 01:38:42.720 of ring battles such as Lydell asked. The bartender shrugged 1814 01:38:42.720 --> 01:38:47.399 bulky's shoulders. Lil maybe big lil. She handles the local 1815 01:38:47.399 --> 01:38:50.600 boys on this spot. He indicated the bleach blonde with 1816 01:38:50.640 --> 01:38:54.279 a toss of his head. Lydell swung around, saw the 1817 01:38:54.319 --> 01:38:57.920 woman studying and walked over to where she sat. The 1818 01:38:57.920 --> 01:39:01.800 bartender thought, I wanted to see you, should I from close. 1819 01:39:01.840 --> 01:39:04.279 The woman was old, her make up a stiff mask 1820 01:39:04.439 --> 01:39:07.640 covered with indifferent success, the sag and wrinkle of age. 1821 01:39:09.079 --> 01:39:11.680 Her eyes were bright and hard, her hair thinned by 1822 01:39:11.720 --> 01:39:16.720 constant exposure to chemicals. Her lipstick was glaring, smeared, her 1823 01:39:16.760 --> 01:39:21.000 teeth nicotine stained. What's the beef we're paid up to date? 1824 01:39:22.000 --> 01:39:23.880 You got me wrong. I have no beef. I just 1825 01:39:23.920 --> 01:39:26.279 got cold waiting out there for a babe that never showed. 1826 01:39:26.760 --> 01:39:28.920 He held up his drink. I came in to get 1827 01:39:28.960 --> 01:39:32.199 thawed out. The bright eyes rolled in the dead wide 1828 01:39:32.199 --> 01:39:35.600 of the old woman's face. You're not the law, lied 1829 01:39:35.600 --> 01:39:38.720 elk grinned. I was wondering why you called time out. 1830 01:39:39.079 --> 01:39:42.840 He shook his head. I'm no copper. The woman studied 1831 01:39:42.880 --> 01:39:46.359 his face, looked past him to the bartender, nodded. The 1832 01:39:46.399 --> 01:39:48.560 bartender reached up on the back bar, turned a beer 1833 01:39:48.600 --> 01:39:51.560 ad face to the wall. Almost immediately, the girls resumed 1834 01:39:51.600 --> 01:39:54.279 their stations at the bar, pushing drinks and mixing with 1835 01:39:54.319 --> 01:39:58.239 the service men. Sorry, mister, the old woman croaked. He 1836 01:39:58.319 --> 01:40:01.199 can't be too careful around now. Without these blue noses 1837 01:40:01.279 --> 01:40:04.000 yelling for action. You never know when they're going to 1838 01:40:04.039 --> 01:40:06.520 buy past the local station house and send in a 1839 01:40:06.520 --> 01:40:10.000 fly cop. She folded, blue vein faded hands in front 1840 01:40:10.039 --> 01:40:15.159 of her on the table. Can't be too careful, Lydell nodded, 1841 01:40:15.479 --> 01:40:18.039 started back toward the bar, spotted the blind man sitting 1842 01:40:18.039 --> 01:40:20.159 in a booth at the rear of the room. He 1843 01:40:20.199 --> 01:40:24.479 ambled down, slid in beside him. Mind if I join you? Pop? 1844 01:40:25.159 --> 01:40:28.239 The blind man bared his gums and a cackle. They're 1845 01:40:28.359 --> 01:40:32.399 scaring the girl's hey, Lydell. He peered near sightedly at 1846 01:40:32.399 --> 01:40:36.119 the glass in Lydel's hand, signal for the bartender. You're buying, 1847 01:40:36.159 --> 01:40:40.560 ain't you? Lydel grinned, nodded. I thought you were blind 1848 01:40:41.439 --> 01:40:45.119 just during business hours. He grinned up into the bartender's 1849 01:40:45.119 --> 01:40:48.399 battered face as he came toward the table. Man wants 1850 01:40:48.399 --> 01:40:50.239 to buy a kid, Let's get it on the table 1851 01:40:50.279 --> 01:40:54.000 before it changes his mind. A couple of brew I'm 1852 01:40:54.079 --> 01:40:58.279 drinking bourbon. Lydell told him, okay, so you tucked me 1853 01:40:58.319 --> 01:41:01.720 into it, I'll drink both the bruise. The bartender twisted 1854 01:41:01.720 --> 01:41:05.479 his thickened lips and a grin. You could fool me, buster. 1855 01:41:06.000 --> 01:41:07.920 I thought she was a new flatty on the beat too. 1856 01:41:08.960 --> 01:41:10.840 He was back in a few seconds with two beers. 1857 01:41:11.159 --> 01:41:13.319 Picked up the dollar bill lydel laid on the table, 1858 01:41:13.600 --> 01:41:16.840 dropped two quarters a diamond, two nickols, shuffled back to 1859 01:41:16.880 --> 01:41:20.319 the bar. The blind man tilted his glass to his lips, 1860 01:41:20.560 --> 01:41:23.920 approved the brew, audibly drained the glass, set it down, 1861 01:41:24.680 --> 01:41:28.319 thirsty work pounding that beat all night. He looked inquiringly 1862 01:41:28.359 --> 01:41:30.960 at the other glass, drew a nod from Lidell, pulled 1863 01:41:30.960 --> 01:41:34.079 it over with a toothless grin. Work up, quiet at 1864 01:41:34.119 --> 01:41:39.119 theirs that you do. Dummy's a tough bas eh. The 1865 01:41:39.159 --> 01:41:41.840 beggar took a swallow from the second glass, wiped his 1866 01:41:41.880 --> 01:41:44.439 mouth with his sleeve. Take a beat away from you 1867 01:41:44.520 --> 01:41:47.359 soon as you look at you and the way he's 1868 01:41:47.359 --> 01:41:49.600 got this town organized. If you lose a beat, you 1869 01:41:49.680 --> 01:41:51.560 might as well go to work. He couldn't make a 1870 01:41:51.640 --> 01:41:55.960 dime panhandling. He's got it sewed up that tight Lydel nodded, 1871 01:41:56.199 --> 01:41:59.760 tossed off his bourbon, set the glass down. How buy 1872 01:41:59.840 --> 01:42:03.680 my merchandise? Got it lined up for you? The blind 1873 01:42:03.720 --> 01:42:06.680 man nodded. Only he ain't even be easy to get 1874 01:42:06.720 --> 01:42:10.680 at it? Where is he? Cross the street? The hotel 1875 01:42:10.800 --> 01:42:15.560 sirt he's got an office there. Lydel made concentric circles 1876 01:42:15.560 --> 01:42:18.479 on the table top with the wet bottom of the glass. Nodded. 1877 01:42:19.520 --> 01:42:23.199 I shouldn't be too tough. Think again, it ain't an 1878 01:42:23.319 --> 01:42:26.760 ordinary hotel. The old man looked around, dropped his voice. 1879 01:42:27.399 --> 01:42:30.279 Most of these girls are syndicate girls. The sert is 1880 01:42:30.319 --> 01:42:33.680 where the syndicate has its headquarters. That's where Cupole is. 1881 01:42:34.920 --> 01:42:37.880 What room you still want to go up against him 1882 01:42:38.239 --> 01:42:41.279 on his own home grounds. There was a note of 1883 01:42:41.279 --> 01:42:46.039 respect in the beggar's voice. What room, third floor front? 1884 01:42:46.760 --> 01:42:49.039 He put a hand on Lydell's arm, kept him from 1885 01:42:49.079 --> 01:42:52.079 getting up. He's got a lookout staked in the lobby 1886 01:42:52.439 --> 01:42:55.119 and another on the third floor. He'd never make it. 1887 01:42:56.039 --> 01:42:58.640 I can make a damn good try at it. The 1888 01:42:58.640 --> 01:43:01.720 old man shook his head. You wouldn't get past the lobby. 1889 01:43:02.239 --> 01:43:04.560 You gotta use your head on this one. There's ways 1890 01:43:04.560 --> 01:43:06.680 of doin it. An shooting your way in. Ain't one 1891 01:43:06.680 --> 01:43:11.960 of em. Lydell grunted, settled back. You've got an idea. 1892 01:43:12.880 --> 01:43:14.960 I'll get you past the gun in the lobby. Give 1893 01:43:15.000 --> 01:43:17.079 him past the one on the third floors. You a problem, okay, 1894 01:43:18.000 --> 01:43:22.119 Lydell nodded, how you goin to do it? The old 1895 01:43:22.119 --> 01:43:25.720 man grinned obscenely looked past Lydell signaled one of the girls. 1896 01:43:26.439 --> 01:43:29.119 She pasted a wide mouthed grin on her face, sauntered 1897 01:43:29.199 --> 01:43:32.479 down to the booth, slid in across from Lydell. She 1898 01:43:32.479 --> 01:43:34.560 couldn't have been over twenty five, but already there was 1899 01:43:34.600 --> 01:43:37.600 a fine network of lines under her eyes. Her make 1900 01:43:37.680 --> 01:43:40.119 up was losing the first skirmishes of what would soon 1901 01:43:40.159 --> 01:43:42.560 develop into a battle with the crows feet around her 1902 01:43:42.560 --> 01:43:45.520 eyes and at the sight of her mouth. Her hair 1903 01:43:45.600 --> 01:43:49.000 was raven black, parted in the center, allowed to cascade 1904 01:43:49.000 --> 01:43:51.520 down over her shoulders on to the white satin blouse 1905 01:43:51.520 --> 01:43:54.520 that made a half hearted attempt to disguise the shapeliness 1906 01:43:54.520 --> 01:43:58.960 of her breasts. She looked Lydell over approvingly, fluffed her 1907 01:43:58.960 --> 01:44:02.920 hair over her shoulder with flame. She licked fingers. Who's 1908 01:44:02.960 --> 01:44:07.000 your friend? Pop? Her voice was throaty husky, not unpleasant. 1909 01:44:07.640 --> 01:44:11.640 I'm Lorraine, she told Lydel. He's in from the coast. 1910 01:44:11.680 --> 01:44:14.479 Laurie doesn't know anybody here. Come over to buy an 1911 01:44:14.520 --> 01:44:17.279 old man a drink. The old man lowered his voice. 1912 01:44:17.920 --> 01:44:20.000 He couldn't keep his eyes off you, So I'm returning 1913 01:44:20.039 --> 01:44:23.840 to favor by introducing him. The girl regarded Lydell from 1914 01:44:23.920 --> 01:44:27.359 under lowered lids. He doesn't look like a guy who'd 1915 01:44:27.359 --> 01:44:30.399 have to wait to be introduced. Her eyes approved, the 1916 01:44:30.399 --> 01:44:36.000 gray tinged hair, the bulky shoulders. Maybe it's too public here, eh, lour. 1917 01:44:36.640 --> 01:44:40.159 The old man winked obscenely. Maybe he don't like an audience. 1918 01:44:41.760 --> 01:44:44.399 Why don't we go across to my place. The girl's 1919 01:44:44.479 --> 01:44:48.119 voice fell automatically into a commercial sing song. She smiled 1920 01:44:48.119 --> 01:44:51.960 mechanically at Lidel. We can be alone over there. I 1921 01:44:52.000 --> 01:44:54.079 could pick up a bottle here and we can have 1922 01:44:54.119 --> 01:44:57.399 a drink or two if you like. Sounds good to me. 1923 01:44:58.119 --> 01:45:00.920 Lydell pulled a roll of bills from his pocket, separated 1924 01:45:01.000 --> 01:45:03.640 a tin, passed it to the girl. You handle the 1925 01:45:03.680 --> 01:45:07.000 bottle part, will you. The hard ready smile was back. 1926 01:45:07.479 --> 01:45:09.520 She slid out of the booth, started for the rear 1927 01:45:10.359 --> 01:45:12.600 Lydell noticed that the wary lines in her face had 1928 01:45:12.600 --> 01:45:15.560 no counterpart in her body. She stood about five six 1929 01:45:15.680 --> 01:45:17.279 weighed about one hundred and twenty eight, and not an 1930 01:45:17.319 --> 01:45:20.960 ounce of it was misplaced or unaccounted for. After she 1931 01:45:21.000 --> 01:45:23.560 had disappeared through the door in the rear, Lydell growled, 1932 01:45:24.520 --> 01:45:28.239 what's the idea? You know what I'm after? Why not 1933 01:45:28.359 --> 01:45:31.720 mix business with pleasure? The old man cackled. You have 1934 01:45:31.800 --> 01:45:34.319 to get past the gun and the lobby, don't you. Well, 1935 01:45:34.359 --> 01:45:36.920 what's better way than to have one of the syndicate 1936 01:45:36.920 --> 01:45:39.359 gals passed you through as a john. Then all you 1937 01:45:39.359 --> 01:45:41.359 gotta do is get past the guard on the third floor. 1938 01:45:42.720 --> 01:45:47.439 Lightel considered it, nodded, not bad. Pop got any ideas 1939 01:45:47.479 --> 01:45:50.520 about how I get past the one on the third floor. Well, 1940 01:45:50.560 --> 01:45:52.159 one of the reasons I picked Laurie for you is 1941 01:45:52.199 --> 01:45:55.319 because she's got fourth floor front. The guy you wants 1942 01:45:55.359 --> 01:45:57.920 third floor front From here on in, the rest is 1943 01:45:58.000 --> 01:46:01.239 up to you. There was no mistaking in the guard 1944 01:46:01.239 --> 01:46:04.439 in the lobby of the hotel's sert. He was thin shouldered, 1945 01:46:04.640 --> 01:46:08.760 sunken cheeked. An immaculate pearl gray fedora sat on top 1946 01:46:08.800 --> 01:46:11.399 of his head. Its rolled brim parallel to the cold 1947 01:46:11.399 --> 01:46:15.239 button eyes, the bloodless slid of his lips. The collar 1948 01:46:15.279 --> 01:46:17.720 of his camel's hair coat was up. There was no 1949 01:46:17.840 --> 01:46:20.199 tie on the gray silk sports shirt he wore with 1950 01:46:20.239 --> 01:46:24.119 his blue flannel suit. The black eyes flicked contemptuously over 1951 01:46:24.199 --> 01:46:26.520 Lidell as the girl led him to the registration desk. 1952 01:46:27.880 --> 01:46:30.399 A pudgy little man with wet, pouting lips stood behind 1953 01:46:30.439 --> 01:46:33.239 the desk. His bulging eyes had a disconcerting habit of 1954 01:46:33.279 --> 01:46:35.520 appearing to roll from side to side as he talked. 1955 01:46:36.119 --> 01:46:39.880 His skin was blotchy, his hair obviously marceled. He favored 1956 01:46:39.880 --> 01:46:42.880 Lidell with what he obviously intended to be a provocative glance. 1957 01:46:43.319 --> 01:46:46.000 The girl laughed right in his face, bringing patches of color. 1958 01:46:47.079 --> 01:46:48.880 If I knew you cared, I would have gotten another 1959 01:46:48.920 --> 01:46:51.079 and we could have had a double date, she taunted. 1960 01:46:52.119 --> 01:46:55.319 The pudgy man's eyes rolled, his pouting lips trembled. A 1961 01:46:55.359 --> 01:46:58.439 bubble formed between them as he spoke. I don't have 1962 01:46:58.520 --> 01:47:00.840 to stand for any of that from me, you, he 1963 01:47:00.920 --> 01:47:04.439 spat out indignantly. The girl winked at lydel placed the 1964 01:47:04.439 --> 01:47:07.640 bottle on the desk. We'll want some ice in soda 1965 01:47:08.039 --> 01:47:11.520 and don't bother bringing it yourself. The pudgyman rode a 1966 01:47:11.560 --> 01:47:13.960 slip with a hand that shook, threw it across the bar. 1967 01:47:14.600 --> 01:47:17.960 The room is ten dollars in advance, he told Lydell, 1968 01:47:18.039 --> 01:47:21.680 between murderous glances at the girl. Lydell peeled a tin 1969 01:47:21.760 --> 01:47:24.319 from his roll, dropped it on the desk. The girl 1970 01:47:24.399 --> 01:47:27.119 winked again at the pudgyman. Caught Lydel by the arm 1971 01:47:27.479 --> 01:47:30.960 led him toward an old, open grille work elevator. A 1972 01:47:31.000 --> 01:47:34.119 pimply faced operator grinned vacuously at her as they got in, 1973 01:47:34.560 --> 01:47:37.840 started the ancient contraption wheezing upward. As they passed the 1974 01:47:37.880 --> 01:47:40.680 third floor, Lydel had a momentary glimpse of the twin 1975 01:47:40.760 --> 01:47:43.560 to the guard in the lobby, the same camel's hair coat, 1976 01:47:43.920 --> 01:47:46.600 the same gray fador at the same angle, the same 1977 01:47:46.640 --> 01:47:49.520 blue flannel suit and gray sports shirt. He sat in 1978 01:47:49.560 --> 01:47:52.000 a wooden armchair that commanded a view of the staircase 1979 01:47:52.039 --> 01:47:55.079 and elevator well. He paid no attention to the elevator 1980 01:47:55.079 --> 01:47:58.119 as it wheezed past him. On the fourth floor, the 1981 01:47:58.159 --> 01:48:01.439 elevator creaked to a shuddering stop. The operator slid the 1982 01:48:01.439 --> 01:48:04.560 grill work door back with A shrill creak watched hungrily 1983 01:48:04.720 --> 01:48:07.760 as the girl led Lydell down a long, bare, semi 1984 01:48:07.840 --> 01:48:11.439 dark corridor of closed doors. There was the occasional mutter 1985 01:48:11.560 --> 01:48:16.000 of low conversation, a shrill drunken laugh. Lydell wrinkled his 1986 01:48:16.079 --> 01:48:19.199 nose at the strong odor compounded half of cheap perfume 1987 01:48:19.239 --> 01:48:22.439 and half of perspiration. The girl stopped in front of 1988 01:48:22.520 --> 01:48:24.680 the in door on the left side of the long hallway, 1989 01:48:25.000 --> 01:48:28.760 opened it, led the way in. She indicated the rickety 1990 01:48:28.800 --> 01:48:31.359 old iron bed, the stand, and two chairs with the 1991 01:48:31.399 --> 01:48:34.479 sweep of her hand. It ain't much, but it's home. 1992 01:48:35.159 --> 01:48:37.960 She pulled the door closed behind her, came close to him, 1993 01:48:38.199 --> 01:48:41.880 looked up into his face. Going to be in town. Long, honey, 1994 01:48:42.960 --> 01:48:46.560 long enough, Lydell grunted. The girl looked piqued by his 1995 01:48:46.600 --> 01:48:49.399 failure to draw her any closer. The ice will be 1996 01:48:49.479 --> 01:48:52.439 right up, honey, The professional term of endearment failed to 1997 01:48:52.439 --> 01:48:56.880 wipe away the peak. Make yourself at home, Lydell wandered 1998 01:48:56.880 --> 01:49:00.000 around the room, stopped at the window. He raised the shape, 1999 01:49:00.439 --> 01:49:03.960 looked down into the darkness of an alley four stories below. 2000 01:49:03.960 --> 01:49:05.800 He caught a red pin point of light that glowed 2001 01:49:05.800 --> 01:49:10.039 brightly for a moment, faded, only to glow again. Lydell scowled. 2002 01:49:10.399 --> 01:49:13.239 A guard in the alley made that means of exit impossible. 2003 01:49:14.039 --> 01:49:16.479 To the left, the gaunt skeleton of an iron fire 2004 01:49:16.560 --> 01:49:20.000 escape loomed. Lydell swung suddenly at the sound of a 2005 01:49:20.039 --> 01:49:22.399 knock on the door. The girl stood in front of 2006 01:49:22.399 --> 01:49:25.479 a mirror, completely naked, admiring the full blown lines of 2007 01:49:25.520 --> 01:49:29.560 her figure. Come in, she called. The door opened, and 2008 01:49:29.560 --> 01:49:33.119 the pimply faced elevator operator sidled in pitcher of ice 2009 01:49:33.159 --> 01:49:36.239 and two glasses on a tray. His watery eyes fastened 2010 01:49:36.239 --> 01:49:38.319 on the girl as he walked across the room. His 2011 01:49:38.399 --> 01:49:41.880 tongue licked wetly at his slack lips. Give him a tip, 2012 01:49:41.920 --> 01:49:45.199 will you, honey? The girl called over to Lydell. He's 2013 01:49:45.199 --> 01:49:48.439 saving his pennies to come see me, aren'tye. Buster. The 2014 01:49:48.479 --> 01:49:51.119 elevator boy nodded, wiped his lips with the back of 2015 01:49:51.159 --> 01:49:55.640 his hand, deftly caught the coin Lightell flipped it'll be sooner, 2016 01:49:55.680 --> 01:49:58.880 and ye think lori. He shuffled to the door, turned 2017 01:49:58.880 --> 01:50:01.319 for a last look through it to the hall beyond. 2018 01:50:02.560 --> 01:50:05.000 Why don't you give the cat a break? Lightel grinned 2019 01:50:05.760 --> 01:50:08.680 that drip, the girl wrinkled her nose. He gives me 2020 01:50:08.760 --> 01:50:12.319 the willies. She caught a robe from the closet, slipped 2021 01:50:12.359 --> 01:50:16.600 into it. How about a drink? Lydell nodded, walked over, 2022 01:50:17.079 --> 01:50:20.119 started to open the bottle they had brought. Not that stuff, 2023 01:50:20.359 --> 01:50:23.560 that's for the suckers. I've got some real stuff stashed away. 2024 01:50:24.279 --> 01:50:26.399 She reached into the closet came out with a half 2025 01:50:26.399 --> 01:50:29.520 filled bottle. Lydell sniffed at the bottle he had in 2026 01:50:29.560 --> 01:50:34.439 his hand, wrinkled his nose. What's this stuff? Slops? We 2027 01:50:34.560 --> 01:50:36.560 get half of everything we sell, and what's left over 2028 01:50:36.680 --> 01:50:39.600 is used to refill bottles from the bar. She dropped 2029 01:50:39.600 --> 01:50:42.159 some ice into each of the glasses, poured liquor over it, 2030 01:50:42.439 --> 01:50:47.359 handed lidella glass. I save this for special people. What 2031 01:50:47.520 --> 01:50:51.560 makes you think I'm special? The girl grinned, tasted or drink. 2032 01:50:52.680 --> 01:50:54.920 In my business, you meet a lot of people. You 2033 01:50:54.960 --> 01:50:56.680 get so as you can pick out the regulars and 2034 01:50:56.760 --> 01:50:59.880 the grifters. You're not in ordinary John out after a girl? 2035 01:51:00.920 --> 01:51:05.600 What am I you tell me? The young old eyes 2036 01:51:05.640 --> 01:51:08.680 looked him over. In the first place, a guy like 2037 01:51:08.720 --> 01:51:10.840 you would never have to pay for a girl. What 2038 01:51:10.960 --> 01:51:15.119 are you a cop, lydel shook his head. What makes 2039 01:51:15.159 --> 01:51:18.960 you think that, Big Lil ain't wrong? Very often? She 2040 01:51:19.119 --> 01:51:21.279 tagged you as a cop. You talked her out of it, 2041 01:51:21.760 --> 01:51:24.680 but I'm not so sure. She swirled the liquor over 2042 01:51:24.720 --> 01:51:28.319 her eyes. There going to be a raid. Lydell dropped 2043 01:51:28.359 --> 01:51:30.720 into a chair, caught her by the arm, pulled her 2044 01:51:30.720 --> 01:51:33.720 down into his lap. I'm no cop, and there's not 2045 01:51:33.800 --> 01:51:36.479 going to be any raid. His eyes dropped to the 2046 01:51:36.520 --> 01:51:39.840 open house coat. I'm here on business, but you're making 2047 01:51:39.920 --> 01:51:43.159 it awfully tough to keep my mind on it. The 2048 01:51:43.159 --> 01:51:46.159 girl grinned impishly, made no effort to pull the house 2049 01:51:46.159 --> 01:51:49.239 coat closed. You mean you just came here to talk. 2050 01:51:50.319 --> 01:51:54.279 That's right, Laurie reached up, ran her fingers through his hair. 2051 01:51:55.000 --> 01:52:00.560 What'll we talk about, Frankie cupola? The girl's eyes widened. 2052 01:52:00.880 --> 01:52:04.000 She got up from his lap, finished her drink. Uh ah, 2053 01:52:04.079 --> 01:52:06.159 not me. When I go swimming, I like to know 2054 01:52:06.199 --> 01:52:10.520 about it. Lydell pulled himself out of his chair, walked over, 2055 01:52:10.840 --> 01:52:14.439 freshened his drink, poured a stiff slug into the girl's glass. 2056 01:52:15.079 --> 01:52:18.319 This isn't charity, Laurie. I pay my way. He pulled 2057 01:52:18.359 --> 01:52:21.479 the roll of bills from his pocket. Who are you? 2058 01:52:22.319 --> 01:52:25.760 Her eyes refused to leave the roll of bills. Private eye, 2059 01:52:25.960 --> 01:52:30.000 Johnny Lydell's the name. I'll tell you something about Frankie, 2060 01:52:30.319 --> 01:52:33.920 and for free, stay away from him. He plays for keeps. 2061 01:52:34.640 --> 01:52:36.960 She took a drink from her glass, put it down 2062 01:52:36.960 --> 01:52:40.159 on the dresser, walked over to Lidell, slid her arms 2063 01:52:40.199 --> 01:52:43.960 around his neck. Be smart, Johnny, She laid her cheek 2064 01:52:43.960 --> 01:52:46.880 against his shoulder. Why not stay here with me instead 2065 01:52:46.920 --> 01:52:51.479 of going out looking for trouble, Lydell sighed, Debating the 2066 01:52:51.600 --> 01:52:55.680 urgency of seeing Cupola lost the decision. Don't make it 2067 01:52:55.720 --> 01:52:58.359 any tougher on me than it is, baby, he groaned, 2068 01:52:58.800 --> 01:53:02.199 I've got to see Cupola tonight. The girl looked up 2069 01:53:02.239 --> 01:53:06.119 at him, grinned ruefully. I must be slipping. I thought 2070 01:53:06.119 --> 01:53:08.439 I could at least hold my own against that fat slob. 2071 01:53:09.479 --> 01:53:12.000 She brushed the thick black hair back over her shoulder 2072 01:53:12.039 --> 01:53:15.039 with a sweeping motion of her hand. You might get 2073 01:53:15.039 --> 01:53:17.039 in to see him, baby, but you wouldn't be in 2074 01:53:17.079 --> 01:53:20.479 any condition to see. She picked up her drink stared 2075 01:53:20.479 --> 01:53:23.479 at him morosely. That gorilla on the third floor isn't 2076 01:53:23.479 --> 01:53:29.079 some interior decorator's idea. He's there to discourage curious people 2077 01:53:29.159 --> 01:53:33.319 like you. Lydell nodded. How about the one in the 2078 01:53:33.359 --> 01:53:37.920 lobby a look out mostly let Frankie know if anyone 2079 01:53:37.960 --> 01:53:41.039 comes in. Frankie might not like to see, like the cops, 2080 01:53:41.079 --> 01:53:46.359 for instance. And what does Frankie do? Blows? You don't 2081 01:53:46.399 --> 01:53:47.960 think the only way out of this trap is through 2082 01:53:47.960 --> 01:53:52.399 the lobby? Do you go on? You're getting interesting, The 2083 01:53:52.439 --> 01:53:57.119 girl grinned. Don't get your hopes up, Buster. The escape 2084 01:53:57.119 --> 01:53:59.279 patch is at the far end of the hall. You'd 2085 01:53:59.279 --> 01:54:01.880 still have to pass the guns will reach it. She 2086 01:54:02.000 --> 01:54:05.479 looked meaningly at the bills in Lydell's hand. He peled 2087 01:54:05.520 --> 01:54:09.319 off three tins, folded them, watched glumly while she stuck 2088 01:54:09.359 --> 01:54:12.960 them in the house coat pocket. There's another one staked 2089 01:54:12.960 --> 01:54:15.279 out in the alley. This place is about as easy 2090 01:54:15.279 --> 01:54:17.720 to get out of as Alcatraz if they don't want 2091 01:54:17.760 --> 01:54:22.399 you to leave. Lydel nodded, scowled. Where is the escape 2092 01:54:22.399 --> 01:54:25.439 hatch on the third floor, Laurie. It's a back staircase 2093 01:54:25.479 --> 01:54:27.680 that runs through the third door from the back. We 2094 01:54:27.840 --> 01:54:29.680 use it to empty the joint in case of a raid. 2095 01:54:30.079 --> 01:54:32.319 It comes out in an alley opening on forty sixth Street. 2096 01:54:33.359 --> 01:54:36.119 Lydell pilled five tins off his roll, laid it on 2097 01:54:36.199 --> 01:54:40.479 the table. I need ten minutes, Laurie. The girl looked 2098 01:54:40.560 --> 01:54:45.520 hungrily at the money up at lydel for what to get, cupola. 2099 01:54:45.960 --> 01:54:48.920 He nodded his head to the window down the fire escape. 2100 01:54:49.840 --> 01:54:52.079 What happens to me when they find out I wouldn't 2101 01:54:52.079 --> 01:54:55.680 live long enough to spend it? Lydell added more bills 2102 01:54:55.680 --> 01:54:58.680 to the pile. How could just stop me? I tied 2103 01:54:58.720 --> 01:55:02.479 you up and gagged you. Laurie considered it. Bit her lip. 2104 01:55:03.079 --> 01:55:05.560 They wouldn't buy that, But if you knocked me cold, 2105 01:55:05.560 --> 01:55:08.520 I couldn't do anything about it. She looked up that 2106 01:55:08.720 --> 01:55:13.000 cost extra. Lydell counted out twenty dollars, added it to 2107 01:55:13.039 --> 01:55:16.960 the money on the dresser's your idea? He watched while 2108 01:55:17.000 --> 01:55:19.600 the girl scooped up the bills, added the money from 2109 01:55:19.600 --> 01:55:22.279 her pocket, pulled out a drawer on the stand, stuck 2110 01:55:22.279 --> 01:55:25.520 the money in the recess, closed the drawer. She held 2111 01:55:25.600 --> 01:55:28.159 up her glass drained it. As long as I'm going 2112 01:55:28.239 --> 01:55:30.239 to wake up with a headache, I might as well 2113 01:55:30.279 --> 01:55:32.920 have a reason for it. She replaced the glass on 2114 01:55:32.960 --> 01:55:35.880 the stand, slept out of the house coat, stood before him, naked, 2115 01:55:35.960 --> 01:55:39.760 her eyes bright, her color high. I'm ready any time 2116 01:55:39.800 --> 01:55:43.560 you are. You call the turnbuster. She straightened up, closed 2117 01:55:43.560 --> 01:55:48.199 her eyes. There must be an easier way, Lydell growled, 2118 01:55:48.880 --> 01:55:50.720 If you insist on going through with it, get it 2119 01:55:50.720 --> 01:55:54.279 over with. The girl urged, I'd rather get slugged by 2120 01:55:54.319 --> 01:55:57.640 you than stop a couple of their thugs. She opened 2121 01:55:57.640 --> 01:56:01.479 her eyes, looked from her nakedness to him. Unless you've 2122 01:56:02.039 --> 01:56:05.800 changed your mind, the punch traveled less than twelve inches 2123 01:56:06.000 --> 01:56:09.399 exploded on the side of her jaw. The girl's eyes glazed, 2124 01:56:09.560 --> 01:56:12.319 rolled back in her head, her knees buckled, her body 2125 01:56:12.319 --> 01:56:16.279 fell toward him. Lydell caught her under the arms dragged 2126 01:56:16.279 --> 01:56:18.840 her to the bed. He arranged a pillow under her head, 2127 01:56:19.039 --> 01:56:21.399 threw the sheet over her body. A thin trickle of 2128 01:56:21.399 --> 01:56:23.800 blood ran from the corner of her mouth. A large 2129 01:56:23.800 --> 01:56:27.920 welt was already discoloring on the side of her jaw. Sorry, baby, 2130 01:56:28.279 --> 01:56:31.479 he whispered, It had to look good for your sake. 2131 01:56:33.359 --> 01:56:38.600 End of chapter seven. Chapter eight. Lydell doused the light 2132 01:56:38.680 --> 01:56:41.279 in the room, walked over to the window, slid it up. 2133 01:56:41.680 --> 01:56:43.960 The fire escape landing was about four feet from the 2134 01:56:44.000 --> 01:56:47.640 window opening into the adjoining room. He slid one leg 2135 01:56:47.680 --> 01:56:50.359 over the sill, found a tiny cornice, leaned his weight 2136 01:56:50.399 --> 01:56:53.880 on it experimentally, then carefully hooking the toe of his 2137 01:56:53.960 --> 01:56:56.560 left foot inside the window jam, he leaned slowly toward 2138 01:56:56.640 --> 01:57:00.239 the fire escape. After what seemed an eternity, felt the 2139 01:57:00.279 --> 01:57:04.560 cold metal touch his finger tips, wiggled farther forward until 2140 01:57:04.600 --> 01:57:07.800 he could grab the landing with both hands. Then releasing 2141 01:57:07.840 --> 01:57:10.479 his foot from the window, his body swung dizzily toward 2142 01:57:10.520 --> 01:57:13.840 the fire escape. A minute later, he sat, panting on 2143 01:57:13.880 --> 01:57:16.760 the landing. He dried the palms of his hands along 2144 01:57:16.840 --> 01:57:19.880 the side of his thighs, looked down into the alley below. 2145 01:57:21.159 --> 01:57:23.399 As he watched, he saw the guard's cigarette redden to 2146 01:57:23.439 --> 01:57:26.439 a bright dot and fade. He strained his eyes against 2147 01:57:26.479 --> 01:57:28.720 the darkness, failed to make out the shape of the 2148 01:57:28.720 --> 01:57:32.880 man below. Hoped he was equally invisible. Keeping as close 2149 01:57:32.920 --> 01:57:35.680 to the wall as possible, Lidel felt his way down 2150 01:57:35.720 --> 01:57:39.920 the stairs to the third floor landing. The window was dark. Carefully, 2151 01:57:39.920 --> 01:57:42.000 he tried it, breathed a sigh of relief as it 2152 01:57:42.039 --> 01:57:44.840 slid quietly up. He threw a leg over the sill, 2153 01:57:44.960 --> 01:57:48.239 followed it into the room, closed the window behind him. 2154 01:57:48.800 --> 01:57:51.199 The room was apparently used as an office of sorts. 2155 01:57:51.439 --> 01:57:53.520 A large desk took up most of the room. The 2156 01:57:53.560 --> 01:57:56.079 walls were lined with what appeared to be filing cabinets. 2157 01:57:56.640 --> 01:57:59.479 Lidel felt his way carefully around the desk toward the door. 2158 01:58:00.039 --> 01:58:02.640 Opened at a crack, applied his eye to it. The 2159 01:58:02.680 --> 01:58:04.880 hallway was empty, but at the far end, commanding a 2160 01:58:04.960 --> 01:58:07.079 view of it, he could see the guard sitting his 2161 01:58:07.199 --> 01:58:11.560 chair tilted back against the wall. Lydell swore under his breath. 2162 01:58:11.720 --> 01:58:15.159 Closed the door noiselessly. He felt through his pockets, came 2163 01:58:15.239 --> 01:58:18.760 up with a paper package of matches, scratched one. Looked around. 2164 01:58:19.319 --> 01:58:20.920 On the far side of the desk was the door. 2165 01:58:21.359 --> 01:58:24.279 He held the match, walked to the door, burnt his finger. 2166 01:58:24.560 --> 01:58:27.000 Dropped the match. At the door, he placed his ear 2167 01:58:27.000 --> 01:58:30.279 against it, listened. There was no sound from the room beyond. 2168 01:58:30.800 --> 01:58:33.159 He caught the door knob, turned it carefully, pulled the 2169 01:58:33.199 --> 01:58:35.720 door open a crack. A man was sitting in a 2170 01:58:35.800 --> 01:58:38.640 large over stuffed chair, facing away from him. He held 2171 01:58:38.680 --> 01:58:41.399 a phone against his ear. A cigar clinched between his 2172 01:58:41.439 --> 01:58:44.359 teeth waggled when he talked. Lydell had a clear view 2173 01:58:44.359 --> 01:58:46.960 of the pouting lips, the fat neck that bulged over 2174 01:58:47.000 --> 01:58:50.000 the tight collar. He pulled the forty five from its holster, 2175 01:58:50.439 --> 01:58:52.760 waited until the fat Man had knotted into the phone, 2176 01:58:53.000 --> 01:58:56.159 dropped it back on its hook with a grunt. Cupola 2177 01:58:56.279 --> 01:58:58.479 was holding a match to the cigar when Lidel stepped 2178 01:58:58.479 --> 01:59:00.760 into the room. His forty five pointed at the fat 2179 01:59:00.800 --> 01:59:06.079 Man's stomach. Hello, Frankie, Lydell greeted him. The fat Man 2180 01:59:06.159 --> 01:59:09.359 turned his head laboriously. The cigar that had been standing 2181 01:59:09.399 --> 01:59:12.239 at right angles to his pouting lips suddenly drooped. The 2182 01:59:12.319 --> 01:59:15.039 rolls of fat around his neck bellowed as his jaw dropped. 2183 01:59:15.319 --> 01:59:18.399 His pig like little eyes receeated behind their discolored pouches 2184 01:59:18.800 --> 01:59:22.680 flashed a combination of hate and fear. What is this? 2185 01:59:23.359 --> 01:59:26.680 He growled? His voice was heavy, blubbery, as though choked 2186 01:59:26.680 --> 01:59:29.359 by the fat around his neck. Is that a nice 2187 01:59:29.359 --> 01:59:31.000 way to talk to a guy who went through all 2188 01:59:31.000 --> 01:59:33.840 the trouble I've gone through to see you? Frankie? The 2189 01:59:33.880 --> 01:59:36.800 fat Man started a sneer. You don't even know what 2190 01:59:37.000 --> 01:59:41.399 trouble is yet, lydel kept the muzzle of the forty 2191 01:59:41.439 --> 01:59:44.199 five pointed at the fat Man's belt circled in front 2192 01:59:44.199 --> 01:59:46.239 of him. Took up a position with his back to 2193 01:59:46.279 --> 01:59:49.760 the wall near the hall door. You're scaring me to death, 2194 01:59:50.319 --> 01:59:53.399 The fat man squinted at him, scowled. Who are you? 2195 01:59:53.520 --> 01:59:59.119 And what's the idea? My name's Lidell mean anything to you? 2196 01:59:59.199 --> 02:00:03.800 Not a thing. Lightel grinned tightly. It must have. The 2197 02:00:03.800 --> 02:00:05.680 other night you tried to part my hair with a 2198 02:00:05.720 --> 02:00:10.039 Tommy gun. I kept Skoto as a souvenir. Remember. The 2199 02:00:10.079 --> 02:00:13.399 fat Man's face drooped, his lower lips sagged, showing the 2200 02:00:13.439 --> 02:00:17.079 discolored stumps of his bottom teeth. The pinkness left his face, 2201 02:00:17.199 --> 02:00:20.640 leaving the sacking jaws of muddy white. Oh no, what 2202 02:00:20.680 --> 02:00:25.479 you're talking about? You will, Lydel promised we'll take a 2203 02:00:25.479 --> 02:00:29.880 little ride to clear your head. Coppola said nothing, rolled 2204 02:00:29.920 --> 02:00:34.920 his cigar between thumb and forefinger, stared fixedly at Lidel. First, 2205 02:00:35.079 --> 02:00:37.720 we call your boy in from the hall. The fat 2206 02:00:37.760 --> 02:00:41.119 man continued to regard Lydel with sinister eyes, his eyelids 2207 02:00:41.159 --> 02:00:44.159 drooping until the eyes themselves were mere slits. He made 2208 02:00:44.159 --> 02:00:48.800 no move Lydel grinned frostily. Course, I don't have to 2209 02:00:48.800 --> 02:00:51.119 talk to you. I could just blast you where you're sitting. 2210 02:00:51.560 --> 02:00:53.479 I get out the same way I got in, but 2211 02:00:53.520 --> 02:00:57.479 you wouldn't be going any place. Coupola's face sprouted a 2212 02:00:57.479 --> 02:01:00.520 crop of globules of sweat that gleamed wetly in the light. 2213 02:01:01.279 --> 02:01:03.960 He looked down at his pudgy white hands, played with 2214 02:01:03.960 --> 02:01:08.319 a diamond ring on his fourth finger. Okay, suppose I 2215 02:01:08.399 --> 02:01:12.760 do go along? Then what depends. I've got a lot 2216 02:01:12.760 --> 02:01:15.439 of questions I want answered. You tell me the answers, 2217 02:01:15.439 --> 02:01:17.960 and that's all I want with you. How do I 2218 02:01:18.000 --> 02:01:19.800 know you're not gonna blast me as soon as I 2219 02:01:19.880 --> 02:01:24.119 tell you what you want to know? Lydell shrugged, You don't, 2220 02:01:24.439 --> 02:01:26.119 but you're sure of getting it if you make me 2221 02:01:26.159 --> 02:01:31.439 do it the hard way. Ask them here too many distractions. 2222 02:01:32.039 --> 02:01:35.359 Lydel shook his head motioned with the forty five, get 2223 02:01:35.399 --> 02:01:38.479 the gunzel in here. As the fat man's pudgy hand 2224 02:01:38.520 --> 02:01:40.920 moved toward a button on the wall, Lydel stopped him. 2225 02:01:41.600 --> 02:01:44.039 Don't forget Frankie. If you tip him in any way, 2226 02:01:44.079 --> 02:01:46.600 if he comes in shooting, you won't be around to 2227 02:01:46.600 --> 02:01:51.319 get the score. Cupola wiped the red smear of his mouth, nodded, 2228 02:01:51.479 --> 02:01:54.439 jabbed at the button. He returned his hands to his lap, 2229 02:01:54.680 --> 02:01:58.560 crossed them across the stomach, settled back to wait. Lydell 2230 02:01:58.600 --> 02:02:01.000 flattened back against the walls for five trained on the 2231 02:02:01.000 --> 02:02:03.760 man in the chair. A strange smile paceded on his face. 2232 02:02:04.239 --> 02:02:06.119 They both started. When the rap came on the door. 2233 02:02:07.119 --> 02:02:10.319 The fat Man's eyes rolled to Lidel, who nodded, come, 2234 02:02:11.199 --> 02:02:14.600 Cupola ordered. The door opened. The man in the camel's 2235 02:02:14.600 --> 02:02:17.159 hair coat and gray Fedora walked in, closed the door 2236 02:02:17.199 --> 02:02:19.960 behind him. When he saw Lydell, his hand streaked for 2237 02:02:20.000 --> 02:02:22.960 his right lapel froze with his fingertips inches from the 2238 02:02:22.960 --> 02:02:26.720 butt of his gun. How'd you get in here? He growled. 2239 02:02:27.359 --> 02:02:29.279 I borrowed a pair of wings from that ferry and 2240 02:02:29.319 --> 02:02:33.119 the lobby and flew in. Lydel grunted, turn around and 2241 02:02:33.199 --> 02:02:35.880 keep those hands up where I can watch him. The 2242 02:02:35.880 --> 02:02:38.760 guard turned around, faced the wall, gave no resistance when 2243 02:02:38.800 --> 02:02:42.079 Lydel fanned him relieved him of a snub nose. Thirty eight. 2244 02:02:43.319 --> 02:02:47.439 Now what, Frankie, Copola demanded, You and I go for 2245 02:02:47.479 --> 02:02:51.560 a ride, Frankie, the fat Man sneered, that's what you think. 2246 02:02:51.760 --> 02:02:53.600 There's a guard down in the lobby and there's no 2247 02:02:53.640 --> 02:02:56.039 way I can call him up here. There's another one 2248 02:02:56.079 --> 02:02:58.279 down in the alley. So how do we get out? 2249 02:02:59.680 --> 02:03:03.079 Hang round, Frankie, and I'll show you, Lydell told him. 2250 02:03:03.319 --> 02:03:05.720 With one motion, he knocked the fedora from the guard's head, 2251 02:03:05.920 --> 02:03:08.520 chopped the barrel of the forty five above his right ear, 2252 02:03:08.800 --> 02:03:11.600 stood back as the man slid to the floor. Now 2253 02:03:12.039 --> 02:03:14.920 on your feet, fat boy. The fat man looked at 2254 02:03:14.920 --> 02:03:18.199 the unconscious guard with disbelieving eyes, pulled himself out of 2255 02:03:18.199 --> 02:03:21.319 the chair. He permitted Lydell to get behind him relieve 2256 02:03:21.399 --> 02:03:25.119 him of a luguer, which Lydell transferred to his own pocket. 2257 02:03:25.720 --> 02:03:28.239 Two bad house in that chair and couldn't get at it, 2258 02:03:29.279 --> 02:03:33.680 Capola growled. Lydell was unimpressed. If you couldn't do any 2259 02:03:33.680 --> 02:03:35.479 better with this than you can do with a tommy gun, 2260 02:03:35.560 --> 02:03:38.159 it wouldn't have done you much good. He jammed the 2261 02:03:38.199 --> 02:03:40.359 snout of the forty five into the fat Man's side, 2262 02:03:40.560 --> 02:03:43.640 propelled him to the door. Stand there, face on the wall, Frankie, 2263 02:03:43.680 --> 02:03:46.800 it might help your memory. He leaned down, stripped the 2264 02:03:46.800 --> 02:03:49.560 camel's hair coat from the guard, picked up the gray fedora, 2265 02:03:49.680 --> 02:03:51.560 set it on the top of his head, the brim 2266 02:03:51.600 --> 02:03:56.520 parallel to his eyes. Let's get going, Frankie. Where down 2267 02:03:56.520 --> 02:03:58.640 the hall to the third door from the end. We'll 2268 02:03:58.720 --> 02:04:02.800 use the escape hatch. He could feel the fat man stiffened. Yeah, 2269 02:04:03.159 --> 02:04:06.479 the one you use for raids. The fat Man's shoulders 2270 02:04:06.560 --> 02:04:09.800 drooped as the fight seeped out of him. Okay, shame, 2271 02:04:09.840 --> 02:04:13.920 I s your hold. The aces the concealed stairway leading 2272 02:04:13.920 --> 02:04:15.920 from the third floor of the hotel Sert came out 2273 02:04:15.960 --> 02:04:18.880 in a courtyard that opened on forty sixth Street and 2274 02:04:18.960 --> 02:04:22.159 the yard, a large black sedan was parked whose car 2275 02:04:22.680 --> 02:04:27.279 Lydel wanted to know mine, get into it. The fat 2276 02:04:27.319 --> 02:04:30.680 man hesitated, the forty five, boring into his side, prodded 2277 02:04:30.760 --> 02:04:34.199 him forward. He slid in behind the wheel lightel slid 2278 02:04:34.199 --> 02:04:36.760 in beside him. The forty five jabbed into the fat 2279 02:04:36.760 --> 02:04:43.640 man's side. Where are we going? He breathed, noisily. Your place. 2280 02:04:44.439 --> 02:04:46.760 The fat Man's face gleamed wetly in the dim light 2281 02:04:46.800 --> 02:04:51.000 as he turned to face light. L my place. It'll 2282 02:04:51.039 --> 02:04:52.760 be the last place they'll think of looking for you 2283 02:04:52.800 --> 02:04:54.640 when your boy comes to life and tells them you've 2284 02:04:54.680 --> 02:04:59.800 been snatched. That way, we won't be interrupted. I own alad, 2285 02:05:00.159 --> 02:05:04.439 I got a sheck up deal Lydel grunted, lucky girl. 2286 02:05:05.439 --> 02:05:07.279 He jabbed the snout of the gun deeper into the 2287 02:05:07.279 --> 02:05:10.279 fat man's side, brought a gasp from the pouting lips. 2288 02:05:11.000 --> 02:05:13.159 You'll be able to persuade her to leave us alone. 2289 02:05:13.600 --> 02:05:16.119 How bet you're a hard man with the ladies. Get 2290 02:05:16.159 --> 02:05:19.760 this heap moving, Capola kicked the motor to life, eased 2291 02:05:19.760 --> 02:05:21.680 the big car up the alley out to forty six. 2292 02:05:22.159 --> 02:05:24.760 He swung left on forty six to six, turned north 2293 02:05:24.760 --> 02:05:26.960 to Central Park South. Pulled the car up in front 2294 02:05:26.960 --> 02:05:30.359 of a modern apartment house facing on the park. Is it? 2295 02:05:31.039 --> 02:05:34.720 He gurgled Lydell nodded, Pull the car up a block 2296 02:05:34.800 --> 02:05:37.840 or two. We don't want to advertise where you are. Besides, 2297 02:05:37.880 --> 02:05:40.039 the exercise will do you good, put you in the 2298 02:05:40.079 --> 02:05:43.720 right mood to do some talking. Go count on it, Lidel. 2299 02:05:45.239 --> 02:05:47.760 They fitted the big sedan between two other black cars 2300 02:05:47.760 --> 02:05:49.680 and a row of parked cars a block east of 2301 02:05:49.720 --> 02:05:54.640 Capola's apartment house. Walked back Lydel stayed a pace behind 2302 02:05:54.680 --> 02:05:57.479 the fat man. The forty five, pointed unwaveringly at the 2303 02:05:57.479 --> 02:06:01.239 small of his back. They took the automatic elevator to 2304 02:06:01.279 --> 02:06:04.119 the fourth floor, walked down a carpeted corridor to a 2305 02:06:04.159 --> 02:06:06.960 door marked for seat. The name on the bell was 2306 02:06:07.000 --> 02:06:11.479 Claire Rhodes. Lydell looked at the fat Man inquiringly. It's 2307 02:06:11.520 --> 02:06:15.159 the broad's name, Cupola growled. He started to go for 2308 02:06:15.279 --> 02:06:17.920 the keys in his pocket, groaned when the Lydel jabbed 2309 02:06:17.920 --> 02:06:19.920 the snout of the gun into his already tender back. 2310 02:06:21.000 --> 02:06:25.279 Stay away from the pockets, the fat Man glared, I'm 2311 02:06:25.279 --> 02:06:31.079 gootin my key. Knock. The fat Man's jowls quivered their indignation, 2312 02:06:31.560 --> 02:06:34.199 but he did as he was told. Inside they could 2313 02:06:34.239 --> 02:06:36.680 hear the sound of a woman's high heels tapping across 2314 02:06:36.680 --> 02:06:41.439 the floor. Then who's there? Who are you expected? Open 2315 02:06:41.520 --> 02:06:45.159 it up? Cupola growled. The door swung open. A tall 2316 02:06:45.159 --> 02:06:47.800 brunette with a vacuously pretty face stood in the doorway. 2317 02:06:48.760 --> 02:06:51.720 Why didn't you use your key, Frankie? I Her hazel 2318 02:06:51.760 --> 02:06:55.960 eyes flowed past. Cupola fastened on Lidel. That's not mickey, 2319 02:06:56.000 --> 02:06:58.840 what's wrong, Frankie? The fat Man put his hand against 2320 02:06:58.840 --> 02:07:01.840 a woman's shoulder, shoved sent her reeling into the room. 2321 02:07:02.479 --> 02:07:06.439 You talk too much, he growled. Lydel followed them into 2322 02:07:06.479 --> 02:07:09.079 the living room, closed the door behind them. He pulled 2323 02:07:09.119 --> 02:07:11.560 the forty five from his pocket, held it in full view. 2324 02:07:12.359 --> 02:07:15.840 Anybody else in the place, he asked. The girl made 2325 02:07:15.840 --> 02:07:19.119 an ineffectual attempt to pull her negligee around her shook 2326 02:07:19.119 --> 02:07:21.720 her head. The blood had drained from her face, leaving 2327 02:07:21.760 --> 02:07:25.000 in a transparent ivory, her makeup standing out like blotches 2328 02:07:25.000 --> 02:07:27.359 on her skin. Her hand was at her throat, as 2329 02:07:27.399 --> 02:07:31.159 though to stifle the scream that was rising. There no noise, 2330 02:07:31.239 --> 02:07:34.600 baby Lydel told her, nobody's going to get hurt. The 2331 02:07:34.640 --> 02:07:36.960 fat boy here and I have some business to talk over, 2332 02:07:37.439 --> 02:07:40.000 private business. He's going to tie you in the bedroom 2333 02:07:40.079 --> 02:07:45.319 until we're finished. I'm damned if I go. Cupola's jowls 2334 02:07:45.399 --> 02:07:49.560 quivered lightel grinned tightly and double damned if you don't 2335 02:07:49.880 --> 02:07:52.399 make it easy on yourself, fatso, and don't keep reminding 2336 02:07:52.479 --> 02:07:54.720 me that you tried to use me for a shooting gallery. 2337 02:07:55.600 --> 02:07:58.319 Capola tried to stare him down. Then his eyes wavered 2338 02:07:58.359 --> 02:08:02.319 and fell com here you, he snarled at the girl. 2339 02:08:03.399 --> 02:08:05.680 The girl stood her ground, a faint flush of color 2340 02:08:05.720 --> 02:08:08.960 returning to her cheeks. Don't let him push us around 2341 02:08:09.000 --> 02:08:11.640 like this, Frankie. You're always telling me how tough you are. 2342 02:08:12.399 --> 02:08:14.880 The fat man lashed out, caught her across the cheek 2343 02:08:14.920 --> 02:08:18.800 with a sharp crack. The girl fell back, hand to face, 2344 02:08:20.079 --> 02:08:23.439 lay off the rough stuff Copola. Lydel growled for a 2345 02:08:23.479 --> 02:08:25.319 fraction of a second, he took his eyes off The 2346 02:08:25.319 --> 02:08:28.159 fat man was unprepared for the speed with which Copola 2347 02:08:28.199 --> 02:08:30.520 caught the girl by the arm, spun her into position 2348 02:08:30.600 --> 02:08:33.960 between him and Lydel, and threw her forward. The girl's 2349 02:08:33.960 --> 02:08:37.720 body caught lydell A glancing below, throwing a momentarily off balance, 2350 02:08:38.560 --> 02:08:40.640 Capola was on top of him. Before he could regain 2351 02:08:40.680 --> 02:08:43.199 his balance, lashed out with a foot at Lydell's groin, 2352 02:08:43.439 --> 02:08:46.039 missed by inches. Lydel chopped at the leg with the 2353 02:08:46.079 --> 02:08:48.520 barrel of the gun, drew a yelp of pain from 2354 02:08:48.520 --> 02:08:52.159 the fat man. He regained his balance, braced himself, was 2355 02:08:52.239 --> 02:08:55.039 ready for the fat man's next lunge. Slammed him across 2356 02:08:55.039 --> 02:08:57.199 the mouth with the flat of the barrel, smashing the 2357 02:08:57.199 --> 02:09:00.680 pouting lips like an over ripe tomato. Capole La, howling 2358 02:09:00.720 --> 02:09:04.439 with pain, lowered his head charged again. Lydell side stepped, 2359 02:09:04.640 --> 02:09:07.079 chopped at the back of the fat neck. Cupolea hit 2360 02:09:07.119 --> 02:09:10.880 the floor face first, lay there moaning Lydell stood over 2361 02:09:10.920 --> 02:09:13.760 the quivering hulk on the floor, breathing hard. He looked 2362 02:09:13.760 --> 02:09:15.920 over to where the brunette stood, rubbing the side of 2363 02:09:15.960 --> 02:09:20.520 her face. You all right, Claire, Lydell asked. The girl 2364 02:09:20.560 --> 02:09:23.319 nodded no, thanks to him. He didn't care if you 2365 02:09:23.359 --> 02:09:25.960 shot me when he pushed me at you. She glared 2366 02:09:25.960 --> 02:09:29.439 at Cupola looked up at Lydell. You won't have to 2367 02:09:29.439 --> 02:09:31.960 tie me, mister. I won't make any trouble. I've waited 2368 02:09:32.000 --> 02:09:34.920 too long to see someone work him over, she indicated 2369 02:09:34.920 --> 02:09:37.439 the prostrate gunman with a contemptuous toss of her head. 2370 02:09:38.199 --> 02:09:39.760 I've had to wait a long time, but it was 2371 02:09:39.800 --> 02:09:42.479 worth waiting to see it done right. She leaped toward 2372 02:09:42.479 --> 02:09:44.960 the bedroom door. I'll put the key on the outside. 2373 02:09:45.159 --> 02:09:47.680 You can lock me in if you want to. Lydell 2374 02:09:47.760 --> 02:09:50.439 satisfied himself that there was no extension to the telephone 2375 02:09:50.479 --> 02:09:53.760 in the bedroom, no exit via a fire escape. He 2376 02:09:53.840 --> 02:09:56.000 put the girl in, locked the door behind him, returned 2377 02:09:56.039 --> 02:09:58.720 to the living room. Frankie Coppola was still sprawled out 2378 02:09:58.720 --> 02:10:02.560 on the floor, face down. Okay, tough guy, now for 2379 02:10:02.600 --> 02:10:06.199 the conversation. Lydel stirred him with the tip of his toe. 2380 02:10:06.680 --> 02:10:08.479 When the fat man made no move to get up, 2381 02:10:08.520 --> 02:10:10.760 he caught him by the collar, dragged him to his feet, 2382 02:10:10.960 --> 02:10:14.000 pushed him to a chair. The fat man was still 2383 02:10:14.000 --> 02:10:16.520 having trouble and focusing his eyes. There was a welt 2384 02:10:16.560 --> 02:10:18.199 on the side of his face and a stream of 2385 02:10:18.199 --> 02:10:21.680 blood had cascaded from the smashed lips. Who put me 2386 02:10:21.720 --> 02:10:24.840 on that spot the other night? Frankie Cupola managed to 2387 02:10:24.920 --> 02:10:28.079 arrange his battered lips in a sneer. I know what 2388 02:10:28.119 --> 02:10:32.800 you're talking about, Lydel sighed. Don't make me do it 2389 02:10:32.840 --> 02:10:35.800 the hard way, Frankie. Not that I wouldn't enjoy it, 2390 02:10:35.840 --> 02:10:38.159 but I haven't got the time right now. I'll ask 2391 02:10:38.199 --> 02:10:40.760 you just once more. Who told you to burn me 2392 02:10:40.840 --> 02:10:44.119 down on that corner? The fat man ignored him, looked 2393 02:10:44.119 --> 02:10:46.560 down at his white hands, played with the diamond ring 2394 02:10:46.600 --> 02:10:50.720 on his finger. Lydel growled, reached over, caught a handful 2395 02:10:50.760 --> 02:10:52.920 of the fat man's hair, yanked his head up until 2396 02:10:52.920 --> 02:10:55.880 he was looking Lydel in the eye. Don't go hard 2397 02:10:55.880 --> 02:10:58.479 to reach on me, Frankie, Lydel told him in a 2398 02:10:58.479 --> 02:11:01.399 low voice. I'm gonna get the answers I want. How 2399 02:11:01.520 --> 02:11:04.600 I get them depends on you. Make it easy on yourself. 2400 02:11:05.720 --> 02:11:09.720 Capola's breath whistled between his smashed lips. I don't know 2401 02:11:09.800 --> 02:11:14.920 a thing. Not very smart, are you, Frankie? You think 2402 02:11:14.960 --> 02:11:18.359 you are being here, You're not getting a thing out 2403 02:11:18.359 --> 02:11:23.359 of me, led old, grinned, bleakly. That's what makes horse 2404 02:11:23.439 --> 02:11:28.000 racing fatso difference of opinion me. I think you're gonna 2405 02:11:28.000 --> 02:11:31.319 sing like a stage struck canary. He reversed the gun, 2406 02:11:31.560 --> 02:11:34.439 held it by the barrel for one thing. If you 2407 02:11:34.520 --> 02:11:36.960 don't talk, I'm gonna feed you this rod, but first, 2408 02:11:37.520 --> 02:11:39.640 so help me. I'll leave you as toothless as the 2409 02:11:39.720 --> 02:11:43.680 day you were born. Caupola squeezed back against the cushions. 2410 02:11:44.279 --> 02:11:46.399 I don't know why you were on the spot. Look 2411 02:11:46.520 --> 02:11:50.880 orders from Scota on, No one go on. The fat 2412 02:11:50.920 --> 02:11:53.119 Man wiped the perspiration off his upper lip with the 2413 02:11:53.159 --> 02:11:55.800 back of his hand. I just went along to give 2414 02:11:55.840 --> 02:11:59.720 him cover. He had the contract to blast you who 2415 02:11:59.720 --> 02:12:03.319 from The fat Man shook his head, agitating the rows 2416 02:12:03.319 --> 02:12:07.640 of fat that wringed his neck. I don't know what 2417 02:12:07.720 --> 02:12:11.039 about Ricci. The fat Man shruck so violently his chin 2418 02:12:11.119 --> 02:12:14.279 seemed about to overflow his collar. I wasn't in on 2419 02:12:14.359 --> 02:12:17.960 that one. That was Riccie's job, not mine. What's it 2420 02:12:18.000 --> 02:12:21.239 all about, Frankie? Why am I on the spot? Maybe 2421 02:12:21.279 --> 02:12:23.880 you make too many people hite your guts, like me, 2422 02:12:24.039 --> 02:12:28.399 for instance, Lydell snorted. Or maybe because the word is 2423 02:12:28.399 --> 02:12:30.960 out to keep me from reopening the Matt Merrit killing. 2424 02:12:32.000 --> 02:12:34.760 A stubborn look of fear washed all other expression from 2425 02:12:34.760 --> 02:12:38.880 the fat face. I don't know anything about it. Scota 2426 02:12:38.960 --> 02:12:40.560 was in charge of that job. I just went along 2427 02:12:40.560 --> 02:12:44.479 to give him cover. Where's Geane Merrit? Frankie, how do 2428 02:12:44.640 --> 02:12:48.159 I go? Lydell put his face close to Cupola's until 2429 02:12:48.199 --> 02:12:50.520 he could smell the foulness of the fat man's breath. 2430 02:12:51.359 --> 02:12:54.439 Because Scota took her out of the Hotel Westmore just 2431 02:12:54.520 --> 02:12:57.720 before you opened up on me. Where did he take her? 2432 02:12:58.800 --> 02:13:01.760 The fat man managed to but the apprehension in his 2433 02:13:01.840 --> 02:13:05.800 eyes persisted. Ask him, I don't know how to work 2434 02:13:05.840 --> 02:13:14.479 Ouigia boards end of chapter eight, Chapter nine. Perspiration beat 2435 02:13:14.479 --> 02:13:16.960 it on Johnny Lilydell's face as he stood looking down 2436 02:13:17.039 --> 02:13:19.840 at the man in the chair. The past hour had 2437 02:13:19.840 --> 02:13:24.039 not improved Coppola's appearance. You're being awfully hard to get 2438 02:13:24.039 --> 02:13:26.840 along with, Frankie, he told him. All I want to 2439 02:13:26.840 --> 02:13:29.119 know is where Gene Merritt is and who gave you 2440 02:13:29.159 --> 02:13:31.279 the office to spray let at me the other night? 2441 02:13:32.640 --> 02:13:36.319 The beaty little eyes glared from behind their pounches. You're 2442 02:13:36.399 --> 02:13:39.960 having all the fun to not, Lydell, Caupola muttered through 2443 02:13:40.000 --> 02:13:44.439 smashed lips. I never forget a face, and I'm double 2444 02:13:44.560 --> 02:13:49.520 sure to remember yours. Lydell's hand described a short arc 2445 02:13:49.840 --> 02:13:52.079 caught the man in the chair smartly across the cheek. 2446 02:13:53.119 --> 02:13:55.680 Never mind what's going to happen to me, Frankie, just 2447 02:13:55.720 --> 02:13:59.000 give some thought to what's going to happen to you. 2448 02:13:59.000 --> 02:14:04.119 You scared me to death. The fat Man snarled, Okay, fat, 2449 02:14:04.119 --> 02:14:07.239 so if that's the way you want it, I mightn't 2450 02:14:07.239 --> 02:14:10.159 have scared Ricci and scoted a death, but it's a cinch. 2451 02:14:10.199 --> 02:14:12.560 The forty five slugs I pumped into them didn't lengthen 2452 02:14:12.640 --> 02:14:17.079 their lives. He pointed to forty five at Copola's bulging waistline. 2453 02:14:17.560 --> 02:14:21.199 One more won't hurt. The fat Man studied Lydell's face 2454 02:14:21.279 --> 02:14:24.800 for signs of a bluff. Lydell returned the scrutiny unblinkingly, 2455 02:14:25.560 --> 02:14:28.880 his finger tightened against the trigger. Copola squeezed back against 2456 02:14:28.920 --> 02:14:31.720 the cushions of the chair, his fat face slack with fear. 2457 02:14:33.720 --> 02:14:38.720 A minute, I'll talk, Lydell released his pressure on the trigger. 2458 02:14:39.199 --> 02:14:41.920 He became suddenly aware that Copola's eyes were staring past 2459 02:14:42.039 --> 02:14:45.079 him at the door. There was a faint, almost imperceptible 2460 02:14:45.119 --> 02:14:47.319 creak behind him, as though the door was being opened. 2461 02:14:48.760 --> 02:14:51.359 Without attempting to turn, Lydell blasted away at the only 2462 02:14:51.439 --> 02:14:54.279 lighted lamp in the room. The forty five slug tore 2463 02:14:54.319 --> 02:14:57.159 the fixture half off the wall, leaving the room in darkness. 2464 02:14:57.920 --> 02:15:01.800 As he fired, he threw himself to one side, flattened 2465 02:15:01.800 --> 02:15:04.680 out against the floor. The door scraped all the way open, 2466 02:15:05.760 --> 02:15:08.079 simultaneous with the crashing of the light bulb. There was 2467 02:15:08.079 --> 02:15:10.279 a faint PLoP and a short flash near the door, 2468 02:15:10.359 --> 02:15:12.479 followed by a soft sigh and the sound of someone 2469 02:15:12.520 --> 02:15:15.840 sitting down hard. The light in the hallway had been 2470 02:15:15.920 --> 02:15:18.720 turned off, and the gunman in the doorway provided no target. 2471 02:15:19.399 --> 02:15:22.000 Lydell slid cautiously to the left in an attempt to 2472 02:15:22.000 --> 02:15:24.039 get a shot at him, caught the leg of a 2473 02:15:24.079 --> 02:15:26.359 small table with his foot, knocking it to the floor 2474 02:15:26.399 --> 02:15:29.920 with a crash. There was another muffled PLoP from the doorway, 2475 02:15:29.960 --> 02:15:32.239 and Lydell heard the buzz of an angry bee whiz 2476 02:15:32.279 --> 02:15:35.159 past his ear. He squeezed the trigger of the forty 2477 02:15:35.159 --> 02:15:38.399 five threw two shots at the doorway. The forty five 2478 02:15:38.439 --> 02:15:41.079 made a deafening roar in the cramped space. He heard 2479 02:15:41.079 --> 02:15:43.560 the patter of running feet in the hallway. By the 2480 02:15:43.560 --> 02:15:46.279 time he reached the door, the hall was empty. He 2481 02:15:46.319 --> 02:15:49.239 sprinted down the corridor, arrived at the elevator in time 2482 02:15:49.279 --> 02:15:51.560 to see that it was on its way down. He 2483 02:15:51.640 --> 02:15:53.960 debated the advisibility of trying to race it to the 2484 02:15:54.000 --> 02:15:57.439 lobby by way of the stairs, decided against it. Returned 2485 02:15:57.479 --> 02:16:02.079 to Capola's apartment, walked in, let a match close the 2486 02:16:02.079 --> 02:16:05.399 door behind him. He found an undamaged lamp, turned it on. 2487 02:16:06.319 --> 02:16:09.520 Frankie Coppola was still sitting in the chair, grinning at him. 2488 02:16:09.840 --> 02:16:12.359 A small blue black hole in his forehead had spilled 2489 02:16:12.359 --> 02:16:14.479 a bright red stream that ran down the side of 2490 02:16:14.479 --> 02:16:17.479 his nose and was dripping from his chin down onto 2491 02:16:17.560 --> 02:16:21.319 his white collar. The beady little eyes secure behind their 2492 02:16:21.359 --> 02:16:26.840 purple buttresses, regarded Lydell soberly, were glaring no longer. There 2493 02:16:26.880 --> 02:16:30.359 was a muffled pounding on the bedroom door. Lydell walked over, 2494 02:16:30.520 --> 02:16:34.319 turned the key. The bedroom spilled yellow light across the 2495 02:16:34.360 --> 02:16:39.200 carpet to the chair where Frankie Coppola sat grinning. What happened? 2496 02:16:39.559 --> 02:16:42.159 The brunette tried to look into the room over Lydell's shoulder. 2497 02:16:43.200 --> 02:16:46.520 Coppola's dead. Someone stuck his head in the door, started 2498 02:16:46.520 --> 02:16:50.600 pitching lead. Frankie fielded one with his head. The girl's 2499 02:16:50.639 --> 02:16:52.639 hands shook as she pulled her robe close around her. 2500 02:16:53.360 --> 02:16:57.600 What doll we do call the police? I guess, Lydell grunted. 2501 02:16:58.120 --> 02:17:01.399 Someone else's bound to probably has already. We better get 2502 02:17:01.399 --> 02:17:03.159 it on record that we reported it as soon as 2503 02:17:03.200 --> 02:17:06.959 it happened. They'll kill me, the girl moaned. They'll blame 2504 02:17:06.959 --> 02:17:08.840 me for it. They'll think I put him on the spot. 2505 02:17:09.879 --> 02:17:13.399 Who will his friends? The pallor had returned to the 2506 02:17:13.399 --> 02:17:16.799 girl's face. Her voice was high, squeaky with fright. They'll 2507 02:17:16.959 --> 02:17:21.840 think it was me. Lydell patted her arm. Don't worry 2508 02:17:21.879 --> 02:17:23.559 about it. I'll see to it that your booked as 2509 02:17:23.559 --> 02:17:26.200 a material witness and put away some safe place until 2510 02:17:26.239 --> 02:17:29.120 I can take care of those friends of his. The 2511 02:17:29.159 --> 02:17:31.399 girl licked her lips, made a visible effort to get 2512 02:17:31.399 --> 02:17:34.680 herself under control. Why what do you want me to do? 2513 02:17:35.799 --> 02:17:38.799 Forget what happened tonight? You and Frankie expected me over. 2514 02:17:39.159 --> 02:17:41.719 You went inside while Frankie and I were talking. The 2515 02:17:41.760 --> 02:17:44.200 first thing he knew there was shooting. Leave the rest 2516 02:17:44.200 --> 02:17:50.239 to me, but his friends they'll know. Lydell nodded, leave 2517 02:17:50.280 --> 02:17:56.520 them to me too. The brunette took a deep, shuddering breath, nodded, okay. 2518 02:17:56.760 --> 02:17:59.479 She looked down at her gown, pulled it together. I 2519 02:17:59.639 --> 02:18:03.000 bet get some clothes on. After she had returned to 2520 02:18:03.000 --> 02:18:06.319 the bedroom, Lydell took Capola's luguer from his pocket, wiped 2521 02:18:06.360 --> 02:18:09.719 it carefully with his handkerchief, Then, lifting the dead man's 2522 02:18:09.719 --> 02:18:11.680 hand from where it hung limply over the side of 2523 02:18:11.680 --> 02:18:14.079 the chair, he pressed the gun into the lifeless hand. 2524 02:18:14.120 --> 02:18:17.719 In several positions. He blew on the gun, seemed satisfied 2525 02:18:17.760 --> 02:18:20.200 with the number of prints that showed up. Holding it 2526 02:18:20.239 --> 02:18:22.639 with his handkerchief, he slipped it into the fat man's holster, 2527 02:18:23.079 --> 02:18:26.559 walked over to the telephone, dialed Inspector Hurley he had headquarters. 2528 02:18:27.760 --> 02:18:29.840 A few minutes later, one of the radio patrol men 2529 02:18:29.879 --> 02:18:31.840 who had been the first to answer the call opened 2530 02:18:31.840 --> 02:18:34.719 the door for Inspector Hurley, he and his men. The 2531 02:18:34.760 --> 02:18:37.280 inspector pushed his broad brimmed hat back on his head, 2532 02:18:37.479 --> 02:18:40.559 scowled at Lydell. He crossed the room and bent over 2533 02:18:40.600 --> 02:18:43.319 the corpse. After a careful scrutiny of the wound, he 2534 02:18:43.399 --> 02:18:46.280 nodded for the headquarters men to take over. Then, perching 2535 02:18:46.360 --> 02:18:48.799 himself on the arm of the sofa, he regarded Lydell 2536 02:18:48.920 --> 02:18:52.600 soberly plus like ya Lux run out, Lidell. No one 2537 02:18:52.600 --> 02:18:56.840 could call this one's self defense. Lydell managed to look surprised. 2538 02:18:57.559 --> 02:19:00.680 You don't think I did it, Inspector her He shifted 2539 02:19:00.680 --> 02:19:03.440 his gum from his left cheek to his right, grinned humorlessly. 2540 02:19:04.079 --> 02:19:06.520 You kidding this morning? You find out this guy tried 2541 02:19:06.520 --> 02:19:09.040 a machine guny the other night, he turns up dead 2542 02:19:09.079 --> 02:19:11.360 and you're on the scene with that hole in his head. 2543 02:19:11.360 --> 02:19:13.319 It's a cinch. He didn't die of old age? How 2544 02:19:13.360 --> 02:19:17.680 would you figure it? Lydel shrugged, I didn't kill him, 2545 02:19:17.680 --> 02:19:21.799 Inspector Hurly, he grunted, got a gun on you here, 2546 02:19:21.840 --> 02:19:24.120 it is, sir. One of the uniform men produced the 2547 02:19:24.159 --> 02:19:27.280 forty five wrapped in a handkerchief. Hurly he held the 2548 02:19:27.319 --> 02:19:31.079 barrel to his smoke, sniffed, No, you're smelling it. Inspector 2549 02:19:31.280 --> 02:19:33.680 Lydell told him, you won't have any trouble proving it 2550 02:19:33.719 --> 02:19:35.879 was fire tonight. Your trouble's going to prove how I 2551 02:19:35.920 --> 02:19:37.959 shot Frankie with a forty five and he turned up 2552 02:19:38.000 --> 02:19:40.600 dead with a thirty two hole in his head. Curly, 2553 02:19:40.680 --> 02:19:43.559 he stared at him thoughtfully, a troubled frown on his face. 2554 02:19:44.040 --> 02:19:46.760 He spun on his heel walked over to the uniform patrolman. 2555 02:19:47.600 --> 02:19:50.120 Anyone else in the place when it happened? He barked. 2556 02:19:50.600 --> 02:19:55.000 The patrolman referred to his black leather notebook. Ah, woman 2557 02:19:55.399 --> 02:19:58.799 names Claire Rhodes. She's an entertainer at the showplace out 2558 02:19:58.799 --> 02:20:03.559 in Brooklyn. What's she doing here? The patrolman scratched his head. 2559 02:20:04.040 --> 02:20:08.280 She lives here, the place is listed in her name. Hurly, 2560 02:20:08.319 --> 02:20:11.239 he turned back to glare at Lidell. Ah wouldn'tess eh, 2561 02:20:11.760 --> 02:20:14.680 Let's have a look at her, demmoch. The uniform man 2562 02:20:14.719 --> 02:20:17.639 disappeared into the bedroom, reappeared a moment later, leading the 2563 02:20:17.639 --> 02:20:20.479 brunette by the arm. She made a determined effort to 2564 02:20:20.520 --> 02:20:22.760 keep her eyes off the body. Lost the match when 2565 02:20:22.760 --> 02:20:25.879 they roved there uncontrollably. You were here when the shooting 2566 02:20:25.920 --> 02:20:28.639 took place, Miss Rhodes. Hurly, he barked at her. The 2567 02:20:28.680 --> 02:20:33.239 girl nodded, then you knew this man. He stepped aside 2568 02:20:33.239 --> 02:20:35.799 so she could get a good look at Cupola. The 2569 02:20:35.799 --> 02:20:39.719 brunette's pallor turned a patchy gray. She swallowed audibly, averted 2570 02:20:39.760 --> 02:20:44.920 her eyes. He was my fiancee, Hurly, he nodded. How 2571 02:20:44.959 --> 02:20:49.719 about him? He indicated Lidell. The girl's eyes sought out Lidell, 2572 02:20:49.840 --> 02:20:53.639 then dropped. I never met him until to night. Frankie 2573 02:20:53.719 --> 02:20:57.079 was expecting him. They had something to talk over. Frankie 2574 02:20:57.079 --> 02:20:58.719 told me to go to bed as soon as he came. 2575 02:21:00.040 --> 02:21:04.159 A trouble v creased the inspector's brow. They were friendly, 2576 02:21:05.360 --> 02:21:09.000 The girl nodded. They were while I was here. But 2577 02:21:09.040 --> 02:21:12.120 they had an argument and Lydell shot him. I didn't 2578 02:21:12.120 --> 02:21:14.760 say that it was somebody else that shot Frankie. Somebody 2579 02:21:14.840 --> 02:21:18.000 opened the door, stuck a gun in and killed him. Hurly. 2580 02:21:18.040 --> 02:21:20.520 He growled deep in his chest. He said, you were 2581 02:21:20.520 --> 02:21:23.319 in the bedroom. How do you know all this? He snapped, 2582 02:21:24.040 --> 02:21:27.319 I told her Lydell broke in. Hurly. He fixed Lightell 2583 02:21:27.360 --> 02:21:30.440 with a baleful glare. It wasn't that considerate of you. 2584 02:21:30.920 --> 02:21:35.440 Suppose you tell me what happened? Lydell shrugged. It's just 2585 02:21:35.520 --> 02:21:38.280 like Claire says. The door opened, someone stuck a gun 2586 02:21:38.280 --> 02:21:41.360 in and plugged Frankie. You didn't even get a look 2587 02:21:41.360 --> 02:21:45.879 at the killer, no, doubt Lydell grinned bleakly. I didn't 2588 02:21:45.920 --> 02:21:48.479 have a chance to do anything but duck. It happened 2589 02:21:48.479 --> 02:21:50.280 so fast. Frankie didn't even have time to go for 2590 02:21:50.319 --> 02:21:53.319 his gun. He indicated the butt of the luger peeping 2591 02:21:53.360 --> 02:21:56.239 from under the fat man's jacket. Either that or he 2592 02:21:56.280 --> 02:21:58.559 knew the guy in the doorway and didn't expect any trouble. 2593 02:22:00.000 --> 02:22:02.840 He's pretty theory. What were you doing when the shooting started? 2594 02:22:03.799 --> 02:22:05.879 Talking to Frankie, he was in the chair and I 2595 02:22:05.959 --> 02:22:08.040 was standing with my back to the door. I heard 2596 02:22:08.040 --> 02:22:10.280 it open and someone threw a shot. I died for 2597 02:22:10.360 --> 02:22:12.399 the floor and took the light with me. Then I 2598 02:22:12.440 --> 02:22:14.120 threw a couple at the doorway and tried to get 2599 02:22:14.120 --> 02:22:16.559 a crack at the killer. He raised his shoulders in 2600 02:22:16.600 --> 02:22:21.879 an eloquent shrug. He got away. Do tell Hurley. He 2601 02:22:21.959 --> 02:22:24.639 spun on his heel, swung back to the patrolman standing 2602 02:22:24.639 --> 02:22:27.120 with the girl. Take her down and book her as 2603 02:22:27.120 --> 02:22:30.399 a material witness. Arrange for a paraffin test while you're 2604 02:22:30.440 --> 02:22:32.639 at it. Maybe she'll be ready to do some talking. 2605 02:22:32.719 --> 02:22:35.959 After a couple of knights in the tank, there was 2606 02:22:36.000 --> 02:22:38.479 a light tap on the door. Another patrolman opened it. 2607 02:22:39.079 --> 02:22:42.040 The medical examiner breezed in greeted the inspector with a 2608 02:22:42.079 --> 02:22:45.159 cheery grin. He whistled soundlessly as he took inventory of 2609 02:22:45.159 --> 02:22:48.719 the girl being hustled through the door. I'm glad it 2610 02:22:48.799 --> 02:22:52.000 wasn't her. He's not half as pretty. He dropped his 2611 02:22:52.040 --> 02:22:54.200 hat on the table, leaned over the body, examined the 2612 02:22:54.239 --> 02:22:57.319 wound with the practiced air hum A thirty two way, 2613 02:22:58.079 --> 02:22:59.959 Inspector Hurley. He slammed his hat down on the tip, 2614 02:23:00.399 --> 02:23:02.319 ran his fingers through the thick mane of his hair. 2615 02:23:02.920 --> 02:23:04.840 How the hell can you tell it's thirty two until 2616 02:23:04.840 --> 02:23:07.879 you get the damn bullet out, he roared. The medical 2617 02:23:07.920 --> 02:23:10.280 examiner dropped his top coat on the couch, took off 2618 02:23:10.319 --> 02:23:13.079 his jacket, started to roll up his sleeves. I can't, 2619 02:23:14.440 --> 02:23:16.719 if you are going to get technical about it, inspector, 2620 02:23:16.959 --> 02:23:18.760 not anymore that you can tell when you find a 2621 02:23:18.760 --> 02:23:20.680 hole under you to sink, whether it's made by a 2622 02:23:20.680 --> 02:23:24.159 mouse or an elephant. He busied himself at the body, 2623 02:23:24.280 --> 02:23:26.920 made a series of notations on a printed form. If 2624 02:23:26.920 --> 02:23:28.840 it'll make you feel any better, I'll have him tag 2625 02:23:28.879 --> 02:23:31.559 for an autopsy to make sure he wasn't poisoned, he 2626 02:23:31.600 --> 02:23:35.920 added maliciously. Hurly, he started to retort. Let the fingerprint 2627 02:23:35.959 --> 02:23:38.079 man catch him by the arm, draw him aside. A 2628 02:23:38.079 --> 02:23:40.600 whisper in his ear, the red flush crept all the 2629 02:23:40.639 --> 02:23:45.319 way up from the Inspector's collar. You're absolutely sure that fnce, 2630 02:23:46.799 --> 02:23:51.360 the fingerprint man looked unhappy. Positive, Inspector cupolas are the 2631 02:23:51.399 --> 02:23:54.719 only prints on the luguer, Just like I tried to 2632 02:23:54.719 --> 02:23:58.479 tell you, Inspector light El grinned, I'm as innocent as 2633 02:23:58.479 --> 02:24:01.159 a newborn babe. Stilled, determined to toss me into the 2634 02:24:01.159 --> 02:24:04.520 pokey Hurly, he gave his wad of gum a murderous 2635 02:24:04.520 --> 02:24:07.680 pounding swore under his breath. I could lock you up 2636 02:24:07.719 --> 02:24:10.920 as a material witness, but chances are the legitimate prisoners 2637 02:24:10.920 --> 02:24:13.200 would be circulating a petition to get rid of you. 2638 02:24:14.360 --> 02:24:17.440 Can I have my gun back, Lydell asked hurly. He 2639 02:24:17.479 --> 02:24:20.559 handed it back wordlessly, watched while the private detective fitted 2640 02:24:20.600 --> 02:24:23.319 it into his holster. Still insists, you don't know what's 2641 02:24:23.360 --> 02:24:26.319 going on, Lydell, now as much as in the dark 2642 02:24:26.399 --> 02:24:29.959 as you are. Lydell nodded. The inspector sniffed. It's not 2643 02:24:30.000 --> 02:24:32.639 what the district attorney thinks. God help you if you 2644 02:24:32.719 --> 02:24:36.639 make one slip. Your department hasn't got a thing on me, 2645 02:24:36.719 --> 02:24:39.479 and you know it. It's not my department you'd better 2646 02:24:39.520 --> 02:24:43.040 be worried about. It's the health department. You're a public 2647 02:24:43.159 --> 02:24:48.920 menace and more fatal than an epidemic. End of chapter nine, 2648 02:24:49.600 --> 02:24:53.360 Chapter ten. The phone jangled so hard it almost danced 2649 02:24:53.399 --> 02:24:57.120 off the night table. Johnny Lydell groaned, turned over, tried 2650 02:24:57.120 --> 02:24:59.399 to keep out the strident sound by pulling the covers 2651 02:24:59.399 --> 02:25:02.559 over his head, Trying to make believe the phone wasn't there. 2652 02:25:02.639 --> 02:25:05.000 Didn't work. It stood on the end of the table, 2653 02:25:05.200 --> 02:25:08.680 shrilled at him. He consulted his watch, couldn't see the 2654 02:25:08.719 --> 02:25:11.680 time and the dimness of the room. Reached up, pulled 2655 02:25:11.719 --> 02:25:14.319 on the bed lamp, was almost blinded by the flood 2656 02:25:14.319 --> 02:25:18.280 of yellow light. It was eleven o'clock. He reached over, 2657 02:25:18.399 --> 02:25:23.079 scooped the phone from its cradle, eh, the receiver laughed 2658 02:25:23.120 --> 02:25:27.760 in his face. The Lydell Detective Agency never sleeps. What 2659 02:25:27.879 --> 02:25:31.280 a laugh it was, mugs Achille, her voice so cheerful 2660 02:25:31.280 --> 02:25:34.159 that it made his stomach new backflips. I've been ringing 2661 02:25:34.200 --> 02:25:37.760 this phone for half an hour, no accounting for tastes, 2662 02:25:38.280 --> 02:25:40.959 Lidell grunted, Wake up, Johnny, I'm on my way up. 2663 02:25:42.120 --> 02:25:44.280 Lydell scowled at the phone, tried to think of some 2664 02:25:44.440 --> 02:25:47.399 argument to stave off the threatened invasion, gave it up 2665 02:25:47.440 --> 02:25:51.799 as hopeless. Don't hurry on my account. That's what I 2666 02:25:51.840 --> 02:25:56.719 love about you, Lidell. You're so impetuous. Lidell tossed his 2667 02:25:56.799 --> 02:25:59.559 receiver on the hook, walked over, ran up the shade, 2668 02:25:59.680 --> 02:26:02.840 blink at the sunlight. On the way to the bathroom, 2669 02:26:02.879 --> 02:26:05.799 he unlocked the apartment door, was already under the shower 2670 02:26:05.799 --> 02:26:09.120 when he heard it open and close. Be right out, 2671 02:26:09.479 --> 02:26:12.399 he yelled, above the roar of the water. Take your time, 2672 02:26:12.840 --> 02:26:16.959 Muggsy called in. He finished showering, rubbed himself down briskly, 2673 02:26:17.360 --> 02:26:20.040 tried with no noticeable success, to wash the dark brown 2674 02:26:20.079 --> 02:26:22.920 taste out of his mouth. He stuffed his legs into 2675 02:26:22.959 --> 02:26:25.959 a pair of gray flannel pants, ran an electric razor 2676 02:26:26.000 --> 02:26:28.600 over his face and was feeling reasonably human by the 2677 02:26:28.600 --> 02:26:31.639 time he walked out to face Mugsy. She was sitting 2678 02:26:31.639 --> 02:26:33.600 on her feet in the only decent chair in the room, 2679 02:26:33.959 --> 02:26:36.479 skimming through a two column story on the front page 2680 02:26:36.479 --> 02:26:38.920 of the Advance. She looked up as he walked into 2681 02:26:38.959 --> 02:26:41.559 the room, grinned. Her face was free of make up, 2682 02:26:41.719 --> 02:26:44.000 her thick blonde hair fluffed out beneath the dark blue, 2683 02:26:44.079 --> 02:26:46.959 jaunty tam. She looked more like a college senior in 2684 02:26:47.000 --> 02:26:50.000 her well filled sweater than most college seniors ever managed 2685 02:26:50.000 --> 02:26:53.360 to look. She tossed the paper onto the floor, got up, 2686 02:26:53.639 --> 02:26:56.040 walked over to Lidel, slid her arms around his neck. 2687 02:26:56.680 --> 02:26:58.719 It sounds like you had an exciting evening after you 2688 02:26:58.840 --> 02:27:02.760 left me. Just routine. Not a couple of interesting women, 2689 02:27:03.399 --> 02:27:06.840 he planted his lips on hers. A couple of women. 2690 02:27:07.040 --> 02:27:10.239 I only read about one. Who is the other a 2691 02:27:10.319 --> 02:27:13.959 hustler who works forty seventh Street. Her name's Laurie. Interesting. 2692 02:27:14.920 --> 02:27:18.680 Muggsy nodded in mock gravity. Oh, I'll bet no doubt 2693 02:27:18.760 --> 02:27:20.879 she told you the story of how she was lured 2694 02:27:21.000 --> 02:27:25.120 unwillingly into a life of sin. Laurie. Hell no, she 2695 02:27:25.239 --> 02:27:28.520 loves it. He stepped around the girl found a fresh 2696 02:27:28.520 --> 02:27:31.319 shirt in his biureau drawer. What have they done with 2697 02:27:31.360 --> 02:27:34.559 the roades? Gal put her in deep freeze early. He 2698 02:27:34.639 --> 02:27:36.559 thinks she may start remembering things if he keeps her 2699 02:27:36.600 --> 02:27:40.799 there long enough. Lydell shrugged into the shirt, grinned, good, 2700 02:27:41.200 --> 02:27:43.879 that's just what she wants him to do. He selected 2701 02:27:43.879 --> 02:27:46.520 a tie from the rack, put it back docily when 2702 02:27:46.559 --> 02:27:50.559 Muggsy selected another one. She's afraid Cupola's men will be 2703 02:27:50.600 --> 02:27:54.920 after her. Muggsy watched the tie tying process critically approved, 2704 02:27:55.280 --> 02:27:57.079 sat on the side of the bed, and fumbled through 2705 02:27:57.120 --> 02:28:00.319 her oversized perse for a cigarette. The store worry is 2706 02:28:00.360 --> 02:28:02.520 that this mass marvel crept up behind you and pop 2707 02:28:02.559 --> 02:28:05.000 poor Frankie right over your shoulder, and you don't have 2708 02:28:05.040 --> 02:28:07.680 any idea what he looks like. She lit the cigarette. 2709 02:28:08.479 --> 02:28:12.120 That's the story. Muggsy blew a stream of smoke at him, 2710 02:28:12.200 --> 02:28:15.520 shook her head. You could do better than that, Johnny. 2711 02:28:15.879 --> 02:28:19.520 Don't believe me, huh. The girl grinned, that's not important, 2712 02:28:19.639 --> 02:28:23.280 did her? Lee Lydell shrugged. He hated to stand still 2713 02:28:23.319 --> 02:28:25.639 for it, but he had no choice. Frankie was popped 2714 02:28:25.639 --> 02:28:28.200 with thirty two my gun's a forty five and Frankie's 2715 02:28:28.200 --> 02:28:32.479 as a luger. Smoke tickled Muggsi's nostrils. You could have 2716 02:28:32.479 --> 02:28:34.280 gotten rid of it, or the stripper could have done 2717 02:28:34.280 --> 02:28:37.559 the shooting. Don't think they missed that one either. They 2718 02:28:37.600 --> 02:28:39.559 gave the roads gal the paraffine test the minute they 2719 02:28:39.600 --> 02:28:42.200 got her to the station, he dragged a comb through 2720 02:28:42.200 --> 02:28:45.559 his tangled hair, slipped into his shoulder harness. Take my 2721 02:28:45.639 --> 02:28:47.479 word for it that the kid didn't do it, Muggs. 2722 02:28:47.680 --> 02:28:49.719 She was locked in the bedroom when the shooting started, 2723 02:28:50.680 --> 02:28:53.760 and you lydel fished his forty five out of the 2724 02:28:53.760 --> 02:28:57.159 bureau drawer, checked it, slid it into the shoulder holster. 2725 02:28:58.360 --> 02:29:00.280 Act your age, baby. If I'm going to try to 2726 02:29:00.280 --> 02:29:02.079 beat an experienced hood to his gun, I'm going to 2727 02:29:02.200 --> 02:29:04.479 use a forty five that'll stop him cold, not a 2728 02:29:04.559 --> 02:29:07.600 thirty two that might just sting him. Find out the 2729 02:29:07.639 --> 02:29:12.000 answer to those questions you wanted answered? No Lydell shook 2730 02:29:12.000 --> 02:29:14.440 his head, But I would have if I had just 2731 02:29:14.479 --> 02:29:18.000 a little more time. Frankie was beginning to soften up, 2732 02:29:18.040 --> 02:29:22.680 real nice. What did happen, Johnny? He took the cigarette 2733 02:29:22.680 --> 02:29:25.200 from between her lips, took a deep drag replaced it. 2734 02:29:26.159 --> 02:29:27.840 After I left your place, I went over to meet 2735 02:29:27.840 --> 02:29:30.319 one of Dummy's men in a joint on forty seventh Street. 2736 02:29:30.920 --> 02:29:33.280 He had run Copola down in a riding academy called 2737 02:29:33.280 --> 02:29:35.680 the Sert. He fixed it so as I could get 2738 02:29:35.680 --> 02:29:39.840 into the place. That's where Laurie came in. Lydell nodded. 2739 02:29:40.280 --> 02:29:42.040 I went up to her room with her. She was 2740 02:29:42.079 --> 02:29:44.719 right above Copola's room. I managed to get to him, 2741 02:29:44.799 --> 02:29:46.719 snatch him. I didn't think they'd find him at his 2742 02:29:46.760 --> 02:29:50.159 own place. He scowled, rubbed the heel of his hand 2743 02:29:50.200 --> 02:29:53.159 along his jaw. They must have spotted us. I made 2744 02:29:53.159 --> 02:29:58.319 the mistake of using Copola's car, and Lydell shrugged, And 2745 02:29:58.399 --> 02:30:00.319 that's all the rest happened, just like it's says in 2746 02:30:00.360 --> 02:30:02.879 the paper. While I was sweating him, the door opened 2747 02:30:02.959 --> 02:30:04.760 and died for the floor. Took the light out with me. 2748 02:30:05.159 --> 02:30:09.719 Frankie didn't move fast enough. Muggsy smoked silently for a moment. 2749 02:30:10.360 --> 02:30:13.399 It gets screwier and screwier. Where does this leave you? 2750 02:30:14.319 --> 02:30:16.639 Up a dead end without a parachute. I'm trying to 2751 02:30:16.639 --> 02:30:20.159 figure out what I'm knocking my brains out for. You're 2752 02:30:20.159 --> 02:30:24.079 not letting it get you, Johnny, I'm getting superstitious, that's 2753 02:30:24.120 --> 02:30:27.840 for sure, He admitted. Things have happened to me since 2754 02:30:27.840 --> 02:30:30.120 I took this case on that shouldn't happen to a dog. 2755 02:30:30.680 --> 02:30:33.520 If I had any sense, i'd throw it away. Muggsy 2756 02:30:33.559 --> 02:30:35.799 looked shocked. You can't walk out in the middle of 2757 02:30:35.840 --> 02:30:39.360 a case. Case? What kind of case? Some old guy 2758 02:30:39.360 --> 02:30:41.639 blows the top of his head off, his daughter blows 2759 02:30:41.680 --> 02:30:43.879 her top and takes off. Then a bunch of trigger 2760 02:30:43.879 --> 02:30:46.760 happy hoods nominate me as target for today. You call 2761 02:30:46.840 --> 02:30:50.120 that a case? You says yourself that Matt Merritt was murdered. 2762 02:30:51.200 --> 02:30:54.840 I talk too much, lied old growled. But if he 2763 02:30:55.000 --> 02:30:57.680 was murdered, you can't drop the case, Johnny. Nobody else 2764 02:30:57.719 --> 02:30:59.840 believes he was. You can't let the killer get away 2765 02:30:59.840 --> 02:31:03.280 with it. What more can I do, Muggs. With all 2766 02:31:03.319 --> 02:31:05.600 the prowling and ducking I've been doing, I haven't come 2767 02:31:05.639 --> 02:31:07.680 up with a single thing that I can sink my 2768 02:31:07.760 --> 02:31:11.680 teeth into. Muggsy found another cigarette in her purse, chain 2769 02:31:11.760 --> 02:31:14.280 lit it from the one she held. There's got to 2770 02:31:14.280 --> 02:31:16.479 be a connection. Once we find that, it should all 2771 02:31:16.479 --> 02:31:19.399 fall into place. She leaned back, blew a stream of 2772 02:31:19.440 --> 02:31:22.159 smoke at the ceiling if we could only find it. 2773 02:31:23.239 --> 02:31:25.479 Unless you know how to operate wija boards, we haven't 2774 02:31:25.479 --> 02:31:27.959 got a chance. Cupola was my last hope, and they've 2775 02:31:27.959 --> 02:31:31.680 fixed it so he won't be doing any talking. Muggsy 2776 02:31:31.680 --> 02:31:34.920 shook her head. There must be others. Cupola wouldn't be 2777 02:31:34.959 --> 02:31:36.920 the only one to know about a connection between Merritt 2778 02:31:36.920 --> 02:31:40.200 and Vailey. There's bound to be others. You couldn't keep 2779 02:31:40.200 --> 02:31:43.559 a thing like that quiet. Merritt's dead and Vailey is 2780 02:31:43.559 --> 02:31:47.559 the original sphinx. Whom would you suggest? Muggsy blew more 2781 02:31:47.639 --> 02:31:51.639 smoke at the ceiling considered, how does that saying go? Johnny, 2782 02:31:51.959 --> 02:31:55.479 the moving finger writes, and having writ moves on something 2783 02:31:55.559 --> 02:31:57.559 like that, isn't it? This is the hell of a 2784 02:31:57.600 --> 02:32:00.559 time to impress me with your culture. The girl sat up, 2785 02:32:00.959 --> 02:32:03.280 no kidding. That quote applied to the hand of fate, 2786 02:32:03.319 --> 02:32:05.040 I think. But the hand of fate isn't the only 2787 02:32:05.079 --> 02:32:08.280 thing that writes. Newspapers do too, only what they write 2788 02:32:08.319 --> 02:32:12.600 doesn't move on. It stays right in their files. Go on. 2789 02:32:13.559 --> 02:32:17.840 Most of the people mixed up in this mess so far, Vailey, Cupola, Merritt, Jean, 2790 02:32:18.159 --> 02:32:21.600 they're all well known they've all been good copy, so 2791 02:32:21.719 --> 02:32:24.159 the chances are that everything they've ever done is hit 2792 02:32:24.200 --> 02:32:26.159 the papers. Why don't we hot foot it down to 2793 02:32:26.159 --> 02:32:28.559 the shop and see if they ever cross paths anyway, 2794 02:32:28.959 --> 02:32:32.280 they may give us a lead. That's my girl, light 2795 02:32:32.319 --> 02:32:35.280 Owl leaned over, kissed her hard. That's what I love 2796 02:32:35.319 --> 02:32:39.719 about your mugs, your brain, Muggsy pouted prettily. That's what 2797 02:32:39.760 --> 02:32:43.120 I was afraid of. The Advanced Morgue was on the 2798 02:32:43.120 --> 02:32:45.520 ground floor of the pile of stones on South Street 2799 02:32:45.520 --> 02:32:48.399 that housed the newspaper office. It was a huge, metal 2800 02:32:48.440 --> 02:32:51.520 drawered mausoleum where all the dead news of yesterday's editions 2801 02:32:51.520 --> 02:32:54.719 are laid to rest. Tier upon tier of metal faced 2802 02:32:54.799 --> 02:32:57.600 drawers and still filing cabinets stretched from the floor to 2803 02:32:57.639 --> 02:32:59.840 the ceiling for as far as the eye could reach. 2804 02:33:01.040 --> 02:33:03.920 It was presided over by Pop Michaels, veteran of the 2805 02:33:03.959 --> 02:33:06.760 City Room for forty years now, put out a pasture 2806 02:33:06.799 --> 02:33:09.479 among many of the stories he had originated and followed through. 2807 02:33:10.559 --> 02:33:12.879 His only connection with the city side now was limited 2808 02:33:12.879 --> 02:33:16.319 to the occasional pounding out of an editorial. He took 2809 02:33:16.319 --> 02:33:18.559 a charred brier from between his teeth and grinned to 2810 02:33:18.600 --> 02:33:22.799 welcome at Johnny Lydell and Muggsy Keeley. Well, well, if 2811 02:33:22.799 --> 02:33:25.559 it ain't Johnny Lidell, don't tell me they got you 2812 02:33:25.680 --> 02:33:28.520 farmed out on the oh bit beat two, he wheezed, 2813 02:33:28.639 --> 02:33:32.000 winking broadly at Muggsy fine way, at a great and 2814 02:33:32.040 --> 02:33:34.239 old Powell who got up at this unearthly hour of 2815 02:33:34.239 --> 02:33:37.079 the morning just to drop by and pay his respects. 2816 02:33:37.879 --> 02:33:42.280 Johnny grinned, that'll be the day, Hey, Muggsy. The old 2817 02:33:42.280 --> 02:33:47.159 man nodded. How's Jim feeling these days? The old ulcer's 2818 02:33:47.159 --> 02:33:49.440 a kickin up again, Pop, but he's back at the desk. 2819 02:33:49.639 --> 02:33:51.440 He can't figure out how the sheet could get out 2820 02:33:51.479 --> 02:33:55.440 without him out there in the slot. The old man sighed, 2821 02:33:55.479 --> 02:33:58.840 shook his head. He was one of the greatest, Muggsy. 2822 02:33:59.440 --> 02:34:02.920 They don't grow newspaper man like Jim Keey anymore. It 2823 02:34:03.000 --> 02:34:06.239 was in his blood he drew on the juicy old pipe. 2824 02:34:06.520 --> 02:34:09.319 Let his mind tumble back over the years, sighed again. 2825 02:34:11.280 --> 02:34:14.399 Never forget how disappointed he was when you were a girl. 2826 02:34:15.120 --> 02:34:17.000 Never thought in those days the women would take over 2827 02:34:17.040 --> 02:34:22.520 the city room. He's sure proud of you, No, Buggsy grinned, 2828 02:34:23.079 --> 02:34:25.920 Not that he admits it. He keeps preaching that newspaper 2829 02:34:25.920 --> 02:34:28.159 work is no job for a woman. The old fake. 2830 02:34:28.399 --> 02:34:29.840 He gets as much of a bang out of my 2831 02:34:29.879 --> 02:34:34.000 byline as I do. Pop Michaels nodded. You can be 2832 02:34:34.079 --> 02:34:37.159 sure that comes down here often he does to get 2833 02:34:37.159 --> 02:34:39.440 copies of your stuff for a scrap book he's been 2834 02:34:39.479 --> 02:34:41.760 making on the Sly says he's gonna give it to 2835 02:34:41.799 --> 02:34:45.879 your kids. He tossed a sly look at Lighthel says, 2836 02:34:45.879 --> 02:34:48.319 he hopes it ain't in twenty volumes before you get 2837 02:34:48.319 --> 02:34:51.959 around to having Eddy. See how it is, Johnny. Even 2838 02:34:52.040 --> 02:34:54.559 Pop is out trying to get me a man discourage. 2839 02:34:54.600 --> 02:34:59.159 It ain't it, pomp. The old man grinned his young bucks. 2840 02:34:59.200 --> 02:35:01.799 Don't know how good they got it, mugs if I 2841 02:35:01.799 --> 02:35:06.559 was forty years younger myself. He caught himself grinned. You 2842 02:35:06.600 --> 02:35:09.239 didn't come down here to hear an old man's life history? Though, 2843 02:35:09.600 --> 02:35:14.120 what are you really after? Johnny Lydell scratched his head. Damned. 2844 02:35:14.120 --> 02:35:17.120 I find no exactly, Pop, anything that'll show a connection 2845 02:35:17.200 --> 02:35:21.319 between Matt Merritt and Pete Vailey. I guess Pop Michael 2846 02:35:21.399 --> 02:35:24.520 sucked on his pipe, pursed his lips. It's kind of 2847 02:35:24.520 --> 02:35:28.239 a broad order, Johnny, break it down for me. Put 2848 02:35:28.239 --> 02:35:30.920 it this way, Pop. Matt Merrett and Pete Vailey have 2849 02:35:31.000 --> 02:35:33.440 cropped up in a case I'm working on the way 2850 02:35:33.520 --> 02:35:35.760 things stack up. It looks like they knew each other 2851 02:35:35.840 --> 02:35:38.520 sometime in the past. I've got to find out when 2852 02:35:38.559 --> 02:35:42.760 and how ever hear of their paths crossing. The old 2853 02:35:42.760 --> 02:35:45.399 man clamped the pipe stem between his teeth, ran the 2854 02:35:45.440 --> 02:35:47.879 heel of his hand across the silver bristles on his chin. 2855 02:35:48.600 --> 02:35:51.040 His bright blue eyes seemed to be consulting the card 2856 02:35:51.120 --> 02:35:55.600 in decks of his mind. Matt Merritt and Pete Vailey. Eh. 2857 02:35:55.920 --> 02:36:00.559 He sucked contemplatively on his pipe, shook his head. Recall 2858 02:36:00.680 --> 02:36:03.440 that they ever did, Johnny, I've known Pete ever since. 2859 02:36:03.440 --> 02:36:05.360 He used to raid push carts as a fresh kid 2860 02:36:05.399 --> 02:36:07.639 on the East Side, and I was a district man 2861 02:36:07.680 --> 02:36:10.959 in the courts. He shook his head again. He never 2862 02:36:11.000 --> 02:36:15.440 played in Merritt's league, not that I can recall. Muggsy nodded. 2863 02:36:16.319 --> 02:36:18.639 It sounds goofy does too, Pop, But it's worth to 2864 02:36:18.680 --> 02:36:21.319 try get us the files on Merrit and Vailey, would you. 2865 02:36:21.959 --> 02:36:23.760 The old man pushed over a pad of forms to 2866 02:36:23.799 --> 02:36:26.520 be filled out waited until she had written the information, 2867 02:36:26.959 --> 02:36:29.440 then shuffled down the line of filing cabinets towards the rear. 2868 02:36:30.639 --> 02:36:32.959 Let's see anything you have on Frankie Coppola too, will you? 2869 02:36:33.000 --> 02:36:36.719 Pop Muggsy called after him. After a minute, the old 2870 02:36:36.760 --> 02:36:41.520 man was back carrying three bulging Manila envelopes. Been reading 2871 02:36:41.559 --> 02:36:44.719 the story on the Cupola killed Johnny, He said, what's 2872 02:36:44.760 --> 02:36:49.440 the inside? Lightell shrugged, just like it says pop. He 2873 02:36:49.479 --> 02:36:51.520 and I were having a little talk when somebody started 2874 02:36:51.559 --> 02:36:55.440 tossing lead. Frankie forgot the duck. The old man grinned 2875 02:36:55.479 --> 02:36:59.639 slyly pushed the envelopes across the desk. Frankie was a 2876 02:36:59.680 --> 02:37:02.520 bad boy. Funny thing about him not going for that 2877 02:37:02.600 --> 02:37:05.120 luger of his. Wasn't it if it was in his 2878 02:37:05.239 --> 02:37:09.719 holster when the shooting started? That is yeah, isn't it? 2879 02:37:10.159 --> 02:37:15.000 Lightdell agreed. I hear the da is wondering about that too, Johnny. 2880 02:37:15.600 --> 02:37:18.559 If I were you, I'd watch my step Deet's file back. 2881 02:37:18.600 --> 02:37:21.079 There is a pretty skinny one. You don't care how 2882 02:37:21.079 --> 02:37:22.959 he fattens it or who he has to stant flat 2883 02:37:22.959 --> 02:37:27.479 to do it. Thanks for the tip, pop Lydell winked, 2884 02:37:28.040 --> 02:37:31.920 they don't have a thing on me, not a thing yet, 2885 02:37:32.479 --> 02:37:35.319 added Mugsy. She picked up the folders led the way 2886 02:37:35.360 --> 02:37:37.159 to a library table at the side of the room 2887 02:37:37.559 --> 02:37:40.479 spilled the contents of the merit file out. Let's see 2888 02:37:40.479 --> 02:37:43.360 what we can find in this one. They divided the 2889 02:37:43.360 --> 02:37:47.520 clips into two finals, each poured through half. The clippings 2890 02:37:47.600 --> 02:37:49.680 ran back through the years, traced the growth of a 2891 02:37:49.680 --> 02:37:52.760 poor Irish immigrant who rose to an important national figure 2892 02:37:52.760 --> 02:37:56.680 before his death. Roteo prints, news stories of trips abroad, 2893 02:37:57.079 --> 02:38:00.399 news photos, predictions of prosperity at the height of the depression, 2894 02:38:00.879 --> 02:38:04.680 warnings of recession at the height of prosperity, business and 2895 02:38:04.799 --> 02:38:08.120 social triumphs, his daughter's debut, his son's death in a 2896 02:38:08.159 --> 02:38:11.200 shooting accident, and finally his own death in the homage 2897 02:38:11.239 --> 02:38:14.920 paid him by friends and associates at the funeral. After 2898 02:38:15.000 --> 02:38:17.719 half an hour of examining the file, Lidell straightened up, 2899 02:38:17.959 --> 02:38:21.760 eased the cramp in his back, suppressed a yawn. Looks 2900 02:38:21.799 --> 02:38:25.719 like Merrett never knew Pete Vailey existed, he grumbled. Muggsy 2901 02:38:25.799 --> 02:38:29.079 Keelly chewed on the end of a finger nail. Merritt 2902 02:38:29.120 --> 02:38:31.680 was a big contractor, maybe he used Vaily in some 2903 02:38:31.840 --> 02:38:35.000 strike breaking or keeping his workers in line. Think that 2904 02:38:35.040 --> 02:38:37.639 could be pump. The old man sucked on his pipe, 2905 02:38:37.840 --> 02:38:41.200 considered it, shook his head. Merritt never had any labor 2906 02:38:41.200 --> 02:38:44.040 trouble far as I know, he pointed with the stem 2907 02:38:44.040 --> 02:38:46.200 of the pipe. If he had, you would have come 2908 02:38:46.239 --> 02:38:48.520 across it. In there. The kind of stuff always hit 2909 02:38:48.520 --> 02:38:51.479 the papers, especially if there was violence, and if Pete 2910 02:38:51.559 --> 02:38:55.920 was mixed up there was violence, no hits, no strikes, 2911 02:38:56.079 --> 02:38:59.799 plenty of misses, Lydell said with a grunt. Muggsy nodded, 2912 02:39:00.319 --> 02:39:03.200 rifled the pile of clips with her fingers. How about 2913 02:39:03.239 --> 02:39:05.319 the daughter, Maybe she got mixed up with Pete in 2914 02:39:05.360 --> 02:39:10.239 some way. Wasn't Pete kind of old? For that wouldn't 2915 02:39:10.239 --> 02:39:12.959 make any difference to a screwball glamor puss like Jean Merritt. 2916 02:39:13.200 --> 02:39:14.920 You know the way the movies and t V have 2917 02:39:15.319 --> 02:39:19.000 glamorized To hit hoolimbs like Vailey in her circles. Knowing 2918 02:39:19.079 --> 02:39:22.680 Pete Vailey would be a real accomplishment, She shoveled the 2919 02:39:22.680 --> 02:39:26.239 clippings back into the folder marked Matthew Merritt deceased, handed 2920 02:39:26.239 --> 02:39:29.200 it back to Pop. It's not like in her old 2921 02:39:29.200 --> 02:39:31.760 man's day when the racket boys and society traveled in 2922 02:39:31.799 --> 02:39:35.000 different circles. Now they both hang out and the upholstered 2923 02:39:35.000 --> 02:39:39.079 sewers we laughably call night clubs. It's worth a try, 2924 02:39:39.120 --> 02:39:42.000 as long as we're here. I guess how about it? Pop? 2925 02:39:42.280 --> 02:39:44.319 You knew Valley from way back? Was he the kind 2926 02:39:44.319 --> 02:39:46.440 of guy that might take a shine to a society 2927 02:39:46.520 --> 02:39:49.920 kid like Jean Merritt? The old man scratched his head, 2928 02:39:50.159 --> 02:39:53.000 surrounded himself with the blue fog of pipe smoke, shook 2929 02:39:53.000 --> 02:39:56.799 his head. I wouldn't know, mugs, that society stuff was 2930 02:39:56.840 --> 02:39:59.520 off my beat. I can let you have her file, though, 2931 02:40:00.079 --> 02:40:03.559 he shuffled back to the files, reappeared with another Manila envelope. 2932 02:40:04.479 --> 02:40:07.520 Another half hour of pouring through gossip items and columns, 2933 02:40:07.760 --> 02:40:10.959 reams of copy on Jean Merritt's debut, an announcement of 2934 02:40:11.000 --> 02:40:14.079 her engagement to doctor Tony Seville got them no farther. 2935 02:40:15.319 --> 02:40:18.120 What a screwball? Looks like I had the dot wrong. 2936 02:40:18.600 --> 02:40:20.360 She seems to have leveled off a little since she 2937 02:40:20.440 --> 02:40:25.360 met him. Lightell growled, hooray for him. Maybe we've both 2938 02:40:25.399 --> 02:40:28.360 been wrong. Mogsy sighed, Maybe this isn't such a good 2939 02:40:28.399 --> 02:40:33.600 idea after all, Lydell rubbed his eyes wearily, yawned. One 2940 02:40:33.639 --> 02:40:36.680 more to go, then we'll pack it in. He poured 2941 02:40:36.680 --> 02:40:39.719 the voluminous contents of the Pete Vailey file out on 2942 02:40:39.840 --> 02:40:42.639 the table in front of them, selected a handful at random, 2943 02:40:42.920 --> 02:40:49.680 started glancing through them. They went through the pile methodically, reading, discarding, reading, discarding. 2944 02:40:50.200 --> 02:40:53.319 Suddenly lightel stiffened. He held a clipping up to the light, 2945 02:40:53.719 --> 02:40:58.079 studied it carefully for a minute. I think I got something, baby, 2946 02:40:58.799 --> 02:41:02.520 His voice was heavy with superst excitement. So help me, Hannah, 2947 02:41:02.600 --> 02:41:05.760 I think I've struck Paydart. He was holding a two 2948 02:41:05.760 --> 02:41:08.079 column picture that had apparently been used in a center 2949 02:41:08.120 --> 02:41:11.000 spread picture layout. Take a look at this one, pop, 2950 02:41:11.959 --> 02:41:14.879 The old man took the picture, adjusted his glasses, peered 2951 02:41:14.920 --> 02:41:19.040 at the date August twelfth, nineteen thirty eight. Eh, that 2952 02:41:19.159 --> 02:41:22.000 was in my time, all right. He held the picture 2953 02:41:22.000 --> 02:41:25.200 out at arm's length studied it. It was the picture 2954 02:41:25.200 --> 02:41:27.399 of a man sprawled out on his back in the gutter, 2955 02:41:27.719 --> 02:41:30.799 a folded overcoat under his head. A white clad intern 2956 02:41:30.920 --> 02:41:34.040 was kneeling at his side. Two uniform patrolmen were watching 2957 02:41:34.040 --> 02:41:38.639 with half hearted interest. That's Pete Vailey, there the old 2958 02:41:38.639 --> 02:41:40.799 man stabbed the man in the gutter with a gnarled finger. 2959 02:41:42.159 --> 02:41:45.399 I remember that time. That was the garage ambush back 2960 02:41:45.399 --> 02:41:48.079 in thirty eight down on the east side. Damn near 2961 02:41:48.120 --> 02:41:51.239 got Pete that time too. Okay, okay, I know that's 2962 02:41:51.239 --> 02:41:55.239 Pete Vailey. But who is this? Lydell pointed to the intern. 2963 02:41:56.280 --> 02:42:00.639 Pop Michael studied the picture, shook his head. Just a ambulance. Doc, 2964 02:42:00.719 --> 02:42:03.479 far as I can see them, young fellers came and went. 2965 02:42:03.559 --> 02:42:06.120 Johnny never round long enough to get to know them. Well, 2966 02:42:07.159 --> 02:42:10.440 how about letting me in on this, Muggsy complained. She 2967 02:42:10.520 --> 02:42:13.639 took the picture from Pop Michael's hands, studied it, frowned. 2968 02:42:14.079 --> 02:42:16.600 What's all the excitement, Johnny, I thought you had something. 2969 02:42:17.719 --> 02:42:20.479 Take another look at that Doc. Doesn't he look familiar? 2970 02:42:21.680 --> 02:42:26.120 Muggsy studied the picture obediently shook her head. Not a bit, 2971 02:42:26.399 --> 02:42:30.639 just another intern. She read the caption under the picture. 2972 02:42:31.760 --> 02:42:35.399 He wrote the Governor Hospital Ambulance name of Anthony and 2973 02:42:35.479 --> 02:42:40.440 Seville auro So so what he means, so clied al roared, 2974 02:42:40.840 --> 02:42:43.280 You mean you don't recognize him as Doc Saville, the 2975 02:42:43.319 --> 02:42:47.959 guy Jean Merritt's going to marry Doc Seville. You sure, Johnny, 2976 02:42:48.879 --> 02:42:51.559 of course, I'm sure i'd know that smooth hair pill 2977 02:42:51.680 --> 02:42:54.440 push or any place, even if he has changed his name. 2978 02:42:55.879 --> 02:42:59.520 It could be Muggsy, conceded. I don't know Seville well 2979 02:42:59.600 --> 02:43:01.879 enough to say say for sure, but it could be. 2980 02:43:02.319 --> 02:43:07.600 Even the name and Savillaro to Seville, it could be. 2981 02:43:08.879 --> 02:43:11.920 It's got to be. It's the link we're looking for. Now. 2982 02:43:11.959 --> 02:43:13.520 At least we can tie two people up in a 2983 02:43:13.600 --> 02:43:18.239 screwy mess, Seville and Vailey. Now we're beginning to get someplace. 2984 02:43:18.680 --> 02:43:21.399 He turned to the old Man. Got a file on 2985 02:43:21.559 --> 02:43:28.319 Doc Seville pop end of chapter ten, Chapter eleven. The 2986 02:43:28.360 --> 02:43:31.840 file on Tony Seville proved disappointing. The batch of clippings 2987 02:43:31.879 --> 02:43:34.959 dated no further back than five years, the earliest being 2988 02:43:35.000 --> 02:43:37.520 an account of doctor Seville escorting one of that season's 2989 02:43:37.559 --> 02:43:41.360 more publicized debs. He had apparently made no effort to 2990 02:43:41.360 --> 02:43:44.639 get publicity of either nature. After the files had been 2991 02:43:44.639 --> 02:43:47.879 returned to the metal drawers, Laide leaned back stared morosely 2992 02:43:47.920 --> 02:43:50.959 at the ceiling. I'm beginning to get a couple of 2993 02:43:51.040 --> 02:43:53.319 ideas of what's been playing around here for the past 2994 02:43:53.319 --> 02:43:56.120 couple of days. But it sounds so screwy. Even to 2995 02:43:56.200 --> 02:43:59.639 me that I'm afraid to mention it. Muggsy Heey made 2996 02:43:59.639 --> 02:44:02.639 an effort to erase her disappointment, but failed. Her full 2997 02:44:02.680 --> 02:44:05.239 lips drooped, though she showed no signs of giving up. 2998 02:44:06.239 --> 02:44:09.000 Think hard, Pop, can't you tie this young doc in 2999 02:44:09.079 --> 02:44:11.719 with Pete in any way? It can't just be coincidence. 3000 02:44:11.799 --> 02:44:14.600 There's got to be a connection between them. The old 3001 02:44:14.600 --> 02:44:17.319 man sucked noisily on his pipe, rattled the juice in 3002 02:44:17.360 --> 02:44:21.520 the stem. Can't say I do mugs. Matter of fact, 3003 02:44:21.559 --> 02:44:24.239 I don't believe there was any Pete was the last 3004 02:44:24.239 --> 02:44:26.719 guy in the world to have any truck with medics anyway. 3005 02:44:27.399 --> 02:44:31.479 Why Pop scared to death of him? Always was? How 3006 02:44:31.479 --> 02:44:36.360 come Pop Michaels chuckled deep in his throat A good 3007 02:44:36.399 --> 02:44:39.840 reason to be. I guess doctor's always meant trouble for Pete. 3008 02:44:40.360 --> 02:44:42.639 Back in the old days, he was always getting shot up, 3009 02:44:42.680 --> 02:44:44.959 and every time he'd go to a dock for treatment, 3010 02:44:44.959 --> 02:44:47.879 they'd turn him in. You'd think he'd have stayed away 3011 02:44:47.920 --> 02:44:51.719 and taken his chances. The old man shook his head. Ah, 3012 02:44:51.799 --> 02:44:55.319 Pete muggs he was scared to his kid brother Micky 3013 02:44:55.360 --> 02:44:57.760 died from an infected wound he refused to have treated. 3014 02:44:58.200 --> 02:45:00.399 Pete saw the kid die, and he he had none 3015 02:45:00.399 --> 02:45:04.159 holy fear of infection after that. Yet he knew, Saville, 3016 02:45:04.600 --> 02:45:06.479 that's the only thread we've got, and we're hanging on 3017 02:45:06.559 --> 02:45:09.040 to it. Let's take it from there, see where it goes. 3018 02:45:09.479 --> 02:45:13.319 Try fill innocent on this little garage ambush, pop Lydell prompted. 3019 02:45:14.239 --> 02:45:16.680 The old man chewed his pipe, stem ran his mind 3020 02:45:16.760 --> 02:45:19.959 back over the stories he had covered. Who's a good yarn? 3021 02:45:20.440 --> 02:45:23.319 He nodded. They backed my piece up with a centerfold 3022 02:45:23.360 --> 02:45:25.639 of picks that, when you saw, was one of them. 3023 02:45:26.120 --> 02:45:28.760 He tapped the ashes out of the pipe, started repacking it. 3024 02:45:29.319 --> 02:45:31.440 They surprised Pete and five of his boys in a 3025 02:45:31.479 --> 02:45:34.680 garage down on Monroe Street. Pete was the only one 3026 02:45:34.719 --> 02:45:38.559 to walk away. Who did it? Word around was that 3027 02:45:38.600 --> 02:45:41.760 it was the Mulligan boys. Always was bad blood between 3028 02:45:41.799 --> 02:45:45.479 Laradiy Mulligan and Pete ever since they were kids. Anyway, 3029 02:45:45.639 --> 02:45:48.040 Pete clammed up and the case was never solved, not 3030 02:45:48.120 --> 02:45:52.040 by the cops anyway. Lydell nodded, watched the old man 3031 02:45:52.120 --> 02:45:55.120 light his pipe with a long wooden match. Pete shot 3032 02:45:55.200 --> 02:45:58.559 up bad, pretty bad. But Pete always was a tough 3033 02:45:58.600 --> 02:46:01.079 one to kill. We got to flash down at the 3034 02:46:01.120 --> 02:46:04.520 Elizabeth station, got there before they loaded him into the ambulance. 3035 02:46:05.079 --> 02:46:09.360 Real scared, Pete was that time, real scared. But you 3036 02:46:09.399 --> 02:46:13.000 didn't know the intern Lydell persisted, Like I said, Those 3037 02:46:13.079 --> 02:46:16.319 kids came and went, never paid them much mind. Pop 3038 02:46:16.360 --> 02:46:19.280 shook his head. Never saw him before, can't recollect ever 3039 02:46:19.319 --> 02:46:23.120 seeing him after that. How about Pete the old man 3040 02:46:23.120 --> 02:46:26.840 screwed up his forehead in concentration. No recall that I 3041 02:46:26.920 --> 02:46:29.680 saw much of him after that either, until they sent 3042 02:46:29.719 --> 02:46:32.760 him up on the federal rap No, wait a minute, 3043 02:46:32.799 --> 02:46:34.639 I did. About a year later he was up for 3044 02:46:34.719 --> 02:46:37.479 questioning about the epidemic of lead poisoning. Already, Mulligan and 3045 02:46:37.520 --> 02:46:40.719 his boys suddenly contracted eight of him in two weeks. 3046 02:46:41.239 --> 02:46:44.840 Nothing come of it. Bob Michaels shook his head, not 3047 02:46:44.959 --> 02:46:47.120 in the courts, but the other Mulligans didn't take it. 3048 02:46:47.200 --> 02:46:50.440 Lying down. Every so often you'd hear one or another 3049 02:46:50.520 --> 02:46:53.239 of Pete's boys being found with a Mulligan trademark in 3050 02:46:53.280 --> 02:46:58.399 his back, but not Pete. Lydell made some rapid computations. 3051 02:46:58.879 --> 02:47:01.559 That was almost fifteen years ago. Pete's been inside for 3052 02:47:01.600 --> 02:47:03.920 about three on the federal wrap. You mean that in 3053 02:47:03.959 --> 02:47:07.000 twelve years he never turned up. You saw his file. 3054 02:47:07.479 --> 02:47:09.440 He's been off for questioning on a couple of killings 3055 02:47:09.440 --> 02:47:13.200 and things. I guess Lydell nodded, but he never showed 3056 02:47:13.280 --> 02:47:16.280 up with any bullet holes. Can't say that I ever 3057 02:47:16.319 --> 02:47:18.799 remember Pete getting into a shooting scrape from that day 3058 02:47:18.840 --> 02:47:20.959 to this. None of his boys either, now that you 3059 02:47:21.040 --> 02:47:25.680 mention it, dead, yes, but not wounded. Lydel beat a 3060 02:47:25.719 --> 02:47:29.120 noiseless tattoo on the table with his fingertips. He stared 3061 02:47:29.159 --> 02:47:31.760 at a framed picture on the wall above Pop Michael's head. 3062 02:47:32.319 --> 02:47:35.079 After a moment, as though arriving at a decision, he 3063 02:47:35.120 --> 02:47:37.639 stood up, caught Muggsy under the arm, lifted her to 3064 02:47:37.680 --> 02:47:40.680 her feet. Thanks Pop. That's about all we can learn 3065 02:47:40.680 --> 02:47:43.159 around here, I guess. He pulled a roll of bills 3066 02:47:43.159 --> 02:47:46.399 from his pocket, separated two fives, shoved them into the 3067 02:47:46.399 --> 02:47:50.040 old man's hand. Have a beer on us. He caught 3068 02:47:50.120 --> 02:47:52.479 Muggsy by the arm, led the way out of the morgue, 3069 02:47:52.559 --> 02:47:56.879 down the corridor toward the advanced editorial offices. Ten bucks. 3070 02:47:57.319 --> 02:47:59.280 You must really have an idea of vegetating under that 3071 02:47:59.319 --> 02:48:04.120 spreading scalp What is it, Johnny, Nothing, very definite, just 3072 02:48:04.159 --> 02:48:07.799 an idea. Baby. Don't kid me, Johnny, this is muggsy, 3073 02:48:08.200 --> 02:48:11.000 the girl chided. You just aren't the type to go 3074 02:48:11.079 --> 02:48:13.639 scattering five dollar bills in your patches because somebody gave 3075 02:48:13.639 --> 02:48:16.600 you an idea. Something Pop said back there rang a bell? 3076 02:48:16.959 --> 02:48:21.120 What was it? You heard what he said? I heard, 3077 02:48:21.639 --> 02:48:24.280 but to me it didn't mean anything it did to you. 3078 02:48:24.440 --> 02:48:27.520 Don't hold out on me, Johnny, she pleaded. I'll give 3079 02:48:27.520 --> 02:48:29.120 you the whole thing when I'm sure that I'm on 3080 02:48:29.159 --> 02:48:31.440 the right track. There's no use in both of us 3081 02:48:31.440 --> 02:48:36.159 being confused. Scout's honor, Mydell grinned, chucked her under the chin. 3082 02:48:36.959 --> 02:48:39.799 You know I never hold out on you, baby, Then 3083 02:48:39.840 --> 02:48:43.479 what hit you so hard? Back there? She persisted Lyadell 3084 02:48:43.559 --> 02:48:45.920 pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, held it 3085 02:48:45.959 --> 02:48:48.159 out to the girl, who shook her head. Hung one 3086 02:48:48.159 --> 02:48:51.239 from the corner of his mouth. Quits, darling, Johnny, what 3087 02:48:51.399 --> 02:48:54.840 hits you? A lot of things? I guess. For instance, 3088 02:48:55.040 --> 02:48:57.479 what's a kid who was interning in a city hospital 3089 02:48:57.479 --> 02:48:59.719 a few years ago doing with a fancy Park Avenue 3090 02:48:59.719 --> 02:49:05.760 office and private sanitarium in Westchester? And Blydell shrugged and 3091 02:49:05.840 --> 02:49:08.159 how come Pete Vailey gets involved in a gang war 3092 02:49:08.200 --> 02:49:10.920 with the Mulligans, and yet neither he nor any of 3093 02:49:10.959 --> 02:49:13.840 his boys ever showed up for treatment of gunshot wounds. 3094 02:49:15.120 --> 02:49:18.399 You think there's a connection, could be, but first we've 3095 02:49:18.399 --> 02:49:20.959 got to be sure that Ann Savellaro and Seville are 3096 02:49:20.959 --> 02:49:24.600 both the same guy. Muggsy considered it, conceded that it 3097 02:49:24.639 --> 02:49:27.280 was reasonable. How are you planning to go about that? 3098 02:49:28.319 --> 02:49:29.920 I thought you might dig me up a press card 3099 02:49:29.959 --> 02:49:34.760 for a couple of hours. What for? Blydell shrugged, just 3100 02:49:34.840 --> 02:49:37.159 checking a hunch. I can do it without the car, 3101 02:49:37.239 --> 02:49:39.959 but happn one will make it a lot easier. Can 3102 02:49:39.959 --> 02:49:44.200 you get one? I suppose so. Jim ben Arsdale always 3103 02:49:44.280 --> 02:49:46.399 keeps a couple of extras stashed away in the city 3104 02:49:46.479 --> 02:49:50.159 side for when the Space Rate boys need one. She 3105 02:49:50.280 --> 02:49:52.760 led the way to a frosted glass door labeled Advance 3106 02:49:53.120 --> 02:49:56.360 Editorial employees only and parked him on the door. Still, 3107 02:49:57.319 --> 02:49:59.000 she was back in a few minutes with a shilled 3108 02:49:59.040 --> 02:50:02.040 shaped card in her hand. And you're now Tom Terry 3109 02:50:02.079 --> 02:50:04.479 of the Advance. Every guy on assignment who needs a 3110 02:50:04.479 --> 02:50:07.159 card becomes Tom Terry on account of that's the name. 3111 02:50:07.239 --> 02:50:10.200 The card is made out to. Lydell stuck the card 3112 02:50:10.200 --> 02:50:12.239 in his hat band, shoved the hat on the back 3113 02:50:12.280 --> 02:50:14.600 of his head. Now, if only I had on my 3114 02:50:14.639 --> 02:50:17.959 baggy pants and hadn't shaved, the disguise would be complete. 3115 02:50:18.239 --> 02:50:22.719 Owhawa look like Darrell Xanik's conception of a reporter. You 3116 02:50:22.799 --> 02:50:26.600 think that's bad, Lydell countered Hurst never saw the day 3117 02:50:26.639 --> 02:50:29.840 he could pay his reporters what Xanak pays his Where 3118 02:50:29.840 --> 02:50:32.639 do we go from here? Lydell took the press card 3119 02:50:32.680 --> 02:50:35.319 from his hat band, slid it under the cellfane flap 3120 02:50:35.319 --> 02:50:37.680 in his wallet. You go home and wait to hear 3121 02:50:37.719 --> 02:50:41.399 from me. This is strictly a one man operation. Muggsy 3122 02:50:41.440 --> 02:50:44.399 started to protest, permitted herself to be dragged to the street. 3123 02:50:45.000 --> 02:50:47.840 Lydell flagged down a cab, pushed her into it, gave 3124 02:50:47.879 --> 02:50:51.159 the cabby her address. I'll check on you as soon 3125 02:50:51.200 --> 02:50:54.319 as I get this off my chest, he promised. How nice, 3126 02:50:54.520 --> 02:50:58.159 I'll have some beer and cheese ready. Lydell was pleasantly surprised. 3127 02:50:58.760 --> 02:51:00.799 Now you're making sense. I thought you were going to 3128 02:51:00.879 --> 02:51:03.280 cut up, And how do you want your cheese? I'm 3129 02:51:03.319 --> 02:51:06.479 bread or in a trap? The girl snapped, let's go driver. 3130 02:51:07.159 --> 02:51:10.120 The cab charged away from the curb, leaving Lydell standing 3131 02:51:10.200 --> 02:51:13.000 his mouth open. As it pulled away, he had a 3132 02:51:13.040 --> 02:51:15.639 final view of Muggsy in the rear window. He waved, 3133 02:51:15.639 --> 02:51:17.120 and she put her thumb up to her nose and 3134 02:51:17.159 --> 02:51:20.559 waved back. A half hour later, Lydell loped up the 3135 02:51:20.559 --> 02:51:23.479 steps of the drabbed stone building that housed the administrative 3136 02:51:23.520 --> 02:51:27.200 offices of Governor Hospital. He walked down a poorly lighted 3137 02:51:27.239 --> 02:51:30.680 hallway to a door marked information. Inside, a white haired 3138 02:51:30.719 --> 02:51:33.799 woman sat behind a grilled counter making entries into a 3139 02:51:33.879 --> 02:51:37.520 large ledger. She raised her eyes as Lydell walked in smiled. 3140 02:51:38.120 --> 02:51:41.280 Can I help you? She asked. Lydell flashed the shield 3141 02:51:41.319 --> 02:51:44.479 shaped press card. I'm Tom Terry of the Advance. I'm 3142 02:51:44.479 --> 02:51:46.879 down here to do some feature pieces on famous doctors 3143 02:51:46.879 --> 02:51:48.719 who have then turned here. Who would I have to 3144 02:51:48.719 --> 02:51:52.319 talk to? The woman was suitably impressed. I think you'd 3145 02:51:52.319 --> 02:51:54.879 want to talk to mister Morsey, our director. Will you 3146 02:51:54.920 --> 02:51:57.559 come this way, sir? She opened the gate led him 3147 02:51:57.559 --> 02:51:59.360 to a wooden door in the rear of the office. 3148 02:51:59.680 --> 02:52:02.639 Would you wait here a moment, mister Terry. She disappeared 3149 02:52:02.639 --> 02:52:06.520 into the office. Beyond was gone only a minute, mister Morrisey, 3150 02:52:06.520 --> 02:52:10.280 will see you now, mister Terry. Mister Morrisey had a thin, long, 3151 02:52:10.399 --> 02:52:13.280 sad face, running up into a thatch of iron gray 3152 02:52:13.360 --> 02:52:17.000 hair that matched the bushy eyebrows perched precariously over a 3153 02:52:17.000 --> 02:52:20.040 pair of cold, gray of praising eyes. His mouth was 3154 02:52:20.079 --> 02:52:22.840 a thin, colorless split that formed the base of a 3155 02:52:22.879 --> 02:52:27.440 triangle connecting with the long, pinched nose. He delicately removed 3156 02:52:27.440 --> 02:52:32.239 a pince nez as Lydell walked in. Good morning, mister Terry. 3157 02:52:33.040 --> 02:52:36.159 His voice was deep, funereal, always glad to meet with 3158 02:52:36.280 --> 02:52:39.479 members of the press. His eyes rolled sideways to the 3159 02:52:39.479 --> 02:52:42.399 white haired woman. That will be all, miss Dennis, he 3160 02:52:42.440 --> 02:52:45.799 said coldly. Johnny Lydell pulled a wooden arm chair close 3161 02:52:45.840 --> 02:52:48.840 to the desk, dropped into it, found an old envelope 3162 02:52:48.879 --> 02:52:52.000 in an inside pocket. We're thinking of doing a series 3163 02:52:52.000 --> 02:52:54.600 on famous doctors who got their start here at Governor 3164 02:52:54.639 --> 02:52:58.159 mister Morsey. I hope you have no objection, of course not. 3165 02:52:58.360 --> 02:53:01.000 We'll be glad to co operate. Did you have any 3166 02:53:01.000 --> 02:53:03.680 particular person in mind to start with or did you 3167 02:53:03.719 --> 02:53:08.000 wish suggestions? Lydell shook his head. He thought we'd do 3168 02:53:08.040 --> 02:53:11.319 it alphabetically, just to avoid ruffling any feelings, you understand. 3169 02:53:12.559 --> 02:53:15.239 He consulted the scribbled notes on the back of his envelope. 3170 02:53:15.799 --> 02:53:18.079 I thought we'd tee off with a sketcher on doctor 3171 02:53:18.360 --> 02:53:22.159 and Sevolaro. The long, sour face of the director seemed 3172 02:53:22.159 --> 02:53:25.639 to lengthen as he sucked on his lower lip. And Sevilaro, 3173 02:53:25.840 --> 02:53:30.559 you say, Lydell looked up. He interned here, didn't he? Yes? 3174 02:53:30.680 --> 02:53:33.120 And Silviolaro was with us for a few years. But 3175 02:53:33.440 --> 02:53:36.239 don't you think there are others, possibly more distinguished men 3176 02:53:36.280 --> 02:53:40.520 among our alumni. He started to tabulate on long bony fingers. 3177 02:53:40.959 --> 02:53:44.559 There was Ryebeck, the chest man, the Steckler brothers Cove 3178 02:53:44.559 --> 02:53:47.760 who did all the research on vitamins, and Lydell interrupted 3179 02:53:47.760 --> 02:53:50.040 with a wave of his pencil. Good men, but they 3180 02:53:50.040 --> 02:53:53.680 have no oomph. The heavy eyebrows of the director arched upwards, 3181 02:53:54.120 --> 02:53:59.360 corrugating his brow with ridges. Umph reader interest Lydell explained 3182 02:53:59.600 --> 02:54:04.479 circulal and several arrows. A glamour boy, a society doctor. 3183 02:54:04.719 --> 02:54:07.120 The stinnows would eat up a story about him. Of course, 3184 02:54:07.159 --> 02:54:11.319 if you say no. Morrisey shrugged his shoulders, attempted a 3185 02:54:11.360 --> 02:54:13.879 smile that only succeeded and making him look as though 3186 02:54:13.920 --> 02:54:16.719 he tasted something sour, then laced his fingers on top 3187 02:54:16.760 --> 02:54:19.959 of the desk. Certainly not. We're only too glad to 3188 02:54:20.000 --> 02:54:23.760 cooperate in any way. You say, exactly what can we do? 3189 02:54:24.559 --> 02:54:26.360 You can sketch out the background for me, and then, 3190 02:54:26.600 --> 02:54:28.600 if possible, I'd like to talk to someone who has 3191 02:54:28.639 --> 02:54:31.799 worked closely with him for the details and color. He 3192 02:54:31.840 --> 02:54:35.079 held his breath mentally crossed his fingers. There is somebody 3193 02:54:35.079 --> 02:54:36.920 around that he worked with or who knew him as 3194 02:54:36.959 --> 02:54:40.479 an intern. Morrissey japped at a button. I can tell 3195 02:54:40.520 --> 02:54:43.239 you better when I've refreshed my memory of what services 3196 02:54:43.280 --> 02:54:46.319 he was on. The white head of the clerk appeared 3197 02:54:46.319 --> 02:54:48.840 in the doorway. Let me have the personnel file for 3198 02:54:48.920 --> 02:54:52.680 nineteen thirty eight, Miss Dennis. The woman nodded, closed the 3199 02:54:52.680 --> 02:54:54.879 door behind her, was back in a moment with a large, 3200 02:54:54.920 --> 02:54:57.719 loosely folder. She laid it on the desk walked back 3201 02:54:57.719 --> 02:55:00.879 to the outer office. The then men flipped through the 3202 02:55:00.920 --> 02:55:03.040 pages of the binder until he came to one headed 3203 02:55:03.239 --> 02:55:07.399 and Savalaro Anthony j His long, bony fingers ran through 3204 02:55:07.399 --> 02:55:10.799 the short paragraph that followed the name, I'm sorry, I 3205 02:55:10.799 --> 02:55:13.000 won't be able to be of much help with his background. 3206 02:55:13.479 --> 02:55:16.719 Doctor and Sivioalaro gave us very few facts concerning himself. 3207 02:55:17.399 --> 02:55:20.799 Lydell nodded, acking get that material direct if I need it. 3208 02:55:21.120 --> 02:55:23.760 Just give me some of his educational background. His college, 3209 02:55:25.040 --> 02:55:29.280 City College, then Bellevue on a scholarship. Lydell scribbled the 3210 02:55:29.280 --> 02:55:31.879 information on the back of the envelope. When did he 3211 02:55:31.920 --> 02:55:36.120 finish his internship in nineteen forty? The director closed the 3212 02:55:36.120 --> 02:55:40.079 loose leaf book leaned back directly. Upon completion of his internship, 3213 02:55:40.079 --> 02:55:42.280 he left Governeur, and we have no record of him 3214 02:55:42.319 --> 02:55:45.600 since he replaced the pence Nez on the high bridge 3215 02:55:45.600 --> 02:55:48.200 of his nose. That accounts for my surprise at yours 3216 02:55:48.239 --> 02:55:51.840 selection of doctor A. Sevilaro as one of our outstanding alumni. 3217 02:55:52.799 --> 02:55:54.840 There was a faint gleam of suspicion in his cold 3218 02:55:54.879 --> 02:55:58.319 gray eyes. Johnny Lydell pulled his wallet from his breast 3219 02:55:58.319 --> 02:56:02.479 pocket extracted a clipping over to Morrissey. Then you probably 3220 02:56:02.479 --> 02:56:05.719 don't know that he's changed his name to Saville. The 3221 02:56:05.760 --> 02:56:09.079 director's eyebrows arched in surprise. He took the clip, studied it. 3222 02:56:10.000 --> 02:56:13.040 That's doctor A. Sibilaro. All right, you say he's doing well, 3223 02:56:13.079 --> 02:56:16.440 as doctor Seville, very well. For the past five years, 3224 02:56:16.479 --> 02:56:18.959 he's been society's number one medicine man. You must have 3225 02:56:19.040 --> 02:56:20.959 seen his name in the papers at some time or other. 3226 02:56:22.040 --> 02:56:25.399 Morrissey continued to stare at the picture. Yes, of course, 3227 02:56:25.479 --> 02:56:27.920 I guess I never associated the two, though I did 3228 02:56:27.959 --> 02:56:30.520 hear something about him. It's nice to know he's doing 3229 02:56:30.559 --> 02:56:33.959 so well. Lydell took back the clipping, replaced it in 3230 02:56:34.000 --> 02:56:37.559 his wallet. Now about someone who knew him while he 3231 02:56:37.639 --> 02:56:40.280 was here. The thin man took off his penson AZ 3232 02:56:40.280 --> 02:56:43.280 tapped him thoughtfully against the palm of his hand. Almost 3233 02:56:43.319 --> 02:56:46.399 twelve years ago, eh, he mused. Of course, there would 3234 02:56:46.399 --> 02:56:50.680 be many changes in that time, not among the charge nurses. Perhaps, 3235 02:56:51.000 --> 02:56:53.520 he considered the possibility for a moment, shook his head. 3236 02:56:54.000 --> 02:56:56.840 I doubt if they'd remember him, a retiring young man, 3237 02:56:56.879 --> 02:57:00.879 I think, I mentioned. Lydell nodded. Anybody else The thin 3238 02:57:00.959 --> 02:57:04.200 man sucked on his lower lip. The labman or the 3239 02:57:04.600 --> 02:57:07.559 X ray technician might possibly remember him. Most of the 3240 02:57:07.639 --> 02:57:10.040 interns spend a lot of time in the lab doing 3241 02:57:10.079 --> 02:57:13.399 their own work. Ups Suddenly his face cleared, of course, 3242 02:57:13.440 --> 02:57:15.879 why didn't I think of him before, Vinnie. He'd be 3243 02:57:15.920 --> 02:57:19.520 sure to remember Aunt Savolaro if any one did. Vinnie, 3244 02:57:20.239 --> 02:57:23.120 he drives the bus ambulance. You know. He's been here 3245 02:57:23.159 --> 02:57:26.399 for about twenty years and is the unofficial father confessor 3246 02:57:26.440 --> 02:57:29.360 to most of the interns. He japped at the desk 3247 02:57:29.399 --> 02:57:31.719 button again. The whitehead of the clerk popped in the 3248 02:57:31.760 --> 02:57:34.760 open doorway, Miss Dennis, will you call the garage and 3249 02:57:34.760 --> 02:57:37.920 tell Vinnie that I'm sending over mister He fumbled for 3250 02:57:37.959 --> 02:57:41.120 the name, turned to Lydell for help. Terry Tom Terry. 3251 02:57:41.440 --> 02:57:44.840 Lydell filled in, I'm sending mister Terry of the advance 3252 02:57:44.879 --> 02:57:47.280 over to talk to him. Ask him to give mister 3253 02:57:47.360 --> 02:57:50.520 Terry any assistance he can. The white head in the 3254 02:57:50.520 --> 02:57:53.799 doorway nodded, was withdrawn. I am certain Vinnie would have 3255 02:57:53.799 --> 02:57:57.120 the kind of information you want, mister Terry. Lydell nodded, 3256 02:57:57.239 --> 02:58:00.000 pulled himself out of his chair. Thanks for the left, 3257 02:58:00.079 --> 02:58:05.200 mister Morrisey. I'll keep in touch. End of chapter eleven, 3258 02:58:06.159 --> 02:58:10.239 Chapter twelve. The ambulance garage for the hospital was in 3259 02:58:10.280 --> 02:58:12.680 the back of the building, facing on east Side Drive 3260 02:58:12.719 --> 02:58:16.280 in the river, reached by a long inclined ramp. A short, 3261 02:58:16.280 --> 02:58:19.520 fat man his bay window, resting comfortably on his belt. 3262 02:58:19.760 --> 02:58:21.840 A blue uniform hat on the back of a bald 3263 02:58:21.879 --> 02:58:25.559 head stood leaning against a shiny, sleek new ambulance. He 3264 02:58:25.600 --> 02:58:29.520 watched Lidell approach, with no visible change of expression, continue 3265 02:58:29.559 --> 02:58:31.799 to execute a delicate operation on a moler with the 3266 02:58:31.840 --> 02:58:34.680 ragged end of a toothpick. I'm looking for a driver 3267 02:58:34.760 --> 02:58:39.760 named Vinnie, Lydell told him. The short man nodded, that's me. 3268 02:58:40.959 --> 02:58:43.920 His bright blue eyes flicked over. Lidell seemed to hesitate 3269 02:58:43.920 --> 02:58:46.360 a moment at the left lapel, where an almost imperceptible 3270 02:58:46.360 --> 02:58:49.280 bulge was there to be seen by an experienced eye. 3271 02:58:49.920 --> 02:58:53.600 You the one in the office called about Yeah, Lydell 3272 02:58:53.680 --> 02:58:57.280 told him, what's on your mind? The short man was fat, 3273 02:58:57.479 --> 02:59:00.000 but it wasn't a soft Dowey fat. It was muscled 3274 02:59:00.040 --> 02:59:02.200 that had been allowed to run to fat. But it 3275 02:59:02.239 --> 02:59:05.159 was still muscle. He could have been fifty, looked forty. 3276 02:59:06.479 --> 02:59:09.079 Lydel dug his wallet from his pocket, held the press 3277 02:59:09.120 --> 02:59:12.479 card out. I'm digging some stuff for a feature article. 3278 02:59:12.680 --> 02:59:15.920 Lydell told him, Morris, he thought you could help. The 3279 02:59:15.920 --> 02:59:19.719 blue eyes flicked over the press card seemed unimpressed. Like, 3280 02:59:20.079 --> 02:59:24.280 for instance, little instance, touches of color, anything that will 3281 02:59:24.360 --> 02:59:27.079 dress up an article and bring en Savolaro to life 3282 02:59:27.079 --> 02:59:31.239 for our readers. Tony N. Salvolaro. Eh, the short man 3283 02:59:31.239 --> 02:59:33.879 pulled the toothpick from between his teeth, took a last 3284 02:59:33.879 --> 02:59:36.239 look at the freighted end, flipped it to the concrete floor. 3285 02:59:36.680 --> 02:59:39.799 What's the beef against the kid? No beef, I just 3286 02:59:39.799 --> 02:59:42.719 want to do a story on him. The driver nodded 3287 02:59:42.719 --> 02:59:45.959 toward Lydel's left lapel. Sin's when to report is go 3288 02:59:46.000 --> 02:59:50.040 around carry an iron. Lydel grinned, you are pretty sharp, Vinny, 3289 02:59:50.200 --> 02:59:53.239 I didn't know it showed. He sized the little man up, 3290 02:59:53.440 --> 02:59:57.239 decided to play it straight. I always carry one sometimes 3291 02:59:57.239 --> 02:59:59.559 in my racket you have to. You step on toes, 3292 02:59:59.600 --> 03:00:02.360 and you gotta carry some authority or you get pushed around, 3293 03:00:02.920 --> 03:00:07.840 he figures. The fat man conceded, what about Tony Lydell shrugged? 3294 03:00:08.319 --> 03:00:10.879 He's been doing all right for himself. Office on Park, 3295 03:00:11.040 --> 03:00:14.680 private hospital up in Westchester. How's that set him up 3296 03:00:14.719 --> 03:00:16.639 for a ride up? There's hundreds at dot got the 3297 03:00:16.639 --> 03:00:20.319 same setup, maybe, But he's the only one who's scheduled 3298 03:00:20.360 --> 03:00:21.920 to marry the only child to one of the richest 3299 03:00:21.920 --> 03:00:25.440 men in the country. That makes some news. Then he 3300 03:00:25.440 --> 03:00:27.799 pulled a cigarette from behind his ear, fitted to the 3301 03:00:27.799 --> 03:00:30.719 corner of his mouth. So he played his cards right. Eh, 3302 03:00:30.920 --> 03:00:34.280 feels like he said he would. Lydell held a lighter 3303 03:00:34.280 --> 03:00:38.120 to the other man's cigarette, watched him suck it into life. Ambitious, 3304 03:00:38.159 --> 03:00:42.479 say he knew what he wanted. What was that? Money? 3305 03:00:42.840 --> 03:00:47.120 Plenty of money, Lydell nodded, Most poor kids do. He 3306 03:00:47.200 --> 03:00:50.280 came from a poor family, didn't He family never had 3307 03:00:50.280 --> 03:00:53.239 a dime live down here on the east side Mulberry Street. 3308 03:00:53.559 --> 03:00:56.280 Tony hated everything connected with poverty in the east Side. 3309 03:00:56.920 --> 03:00:58.920 The short man took a deep drag on his cigarette, 3310 03:00:59.159 --> 03:01:02.079 blew the smoke and wind streams through his nostrils. He 3311 03:01:02.120 --> 03:01:04.360 even hated the poor slobs that came here to the clinic. 3312 03:01:04.760 --> 03:01:07.200 Hated them because they were poor. He used to say 3313 03:01:07.239 --> 03:01:09.920 he could smell their poverty, and the smell made him sick. 3314 03:01:11.319 --> 03:01:14.399 Was he popular with the staff? Then he shook his head, 3315 03:01:15.000 --> 03:01:17.719 kept to himself pretty much. Only one he spent any 3316 03:01:17.719 --> 03:01:19.879 time with it was a little redhead on Maile surgery. 3317 03:01:20.719 --> 03:01:23.959 The bright blue eyes squinted Laura Malleson. I think her 3318 03:01:24.040 --> 03:01:26.959 name was. She left just before Tony did. Always had 3319 03:01:27.000 --> 03:01:29.920 it figured. She went with him. Do you spend much 3320 03:01:29.959 --> 03:01:33.120 time on the ambulance same as the others, No more, 3321 03:01:33.239 --> 03:01:36.440 no less? All in turns rotate one month they ride 3322 03:01:36.440 --> 03:01:39.280 bus the next, maybe in admissions, then the whole swing. 3323 03:01:39.639 --> 03:01:43.280 Male medicine, accident, mail, surgery, all of them. He stood 3324 03:01:43.280 --> 03:01:46.040 his trick on them all. You got to know him 3325 03:01:46.040 --> 03:01:48.680 pretty well. Or he was riding bus with you. The 3326 03:01:48.680 --> 03:01:52.079 fat man shrugged. He used to like to ride with me. 3327 03:01:52.280 --> 03:01:54.319 We got two buses and two win turns on call. 3328 03:01:54.799 --> 03:01:56.680 Like I said, if I was in Tony would always 3329 03:01:56.719 --> 03:02:00.959 jump mine lydel nodded. Pretty excited riding the bus down 3330 03:02:01.000 --> 03:02:04.399 this part of town. I guess plenty of stabbings and shootings. 3331 03:02:05.000 --> 03:02:06.639 He looked up from the envelope where he had been 3332 03:02:06.719 --> 03:02:10.520 jotting notes. Plenty of everything, people getting born and dying 3333 03:02:10.600 --> 03:02:13.559 all the time. How about some famous people that you 3334 03:02:13.600 --> 03:02:17.319 picked up with an sevalaro anyone interesting? Depends on what 3335 03:02:17.360 --> 03:02:20.120 you call famous. Down here. The biggest excitement we get 3336 03:02:20.120 --> 03:02:22.159 his gang stuff. Used to get a lot more of 3337 03:02:22.159 --> 03:02:24.520 it years ago. It's sort of tapering off now. They 3338 03:02:24.559 --> 03:02:28.520 got it too well organized. Wasn't that garage masker pulled 3339 03:02:28.520 --> 03:02:31.959 in this district, Pete, Velly, you mean then he took 3340 03:02:32.000 --> 03:02:34.360 a last drag on his cigarette, dropped it to the floor, 3341 03:02:34.479 --> 03:02:37.600 crushed it out. Yeah, well you picked him up. Tony 3342 03:02:37.600 --> 03:02:39.920 did a good job on him, saved his life. Kid 3343 03:02:39.959 --> 03:02:43.840 really knew his stuff, you know, so I understand Lydel 3344 03:02:43.879 --> 03:02:46.840 put his envelope and pencil into his pocket. Guess Pete 3345 03:02:46.920 --> 03:02:51.159 was pretty grateful to the doc. Eh Benny shrugged. I 3346 03:02:51.200 --> 03:02:53.920 don't know if he ever saw him again. I thought 3347 03:02:53.920 --> 03:02:57.559 you said on Sevalaro saved his life. He did, stopped 3348 03:02:57.600 --> 03:02:59.399 him from bleeding to death in the street. But the 3349 03:02:59.440 --> 03:03:01.079 man on the bus doesn't take care of the cases 3350 03:03:01.120 --> 03:03:04.520 he brings in. They go right into the services. Lydell 3351 03:03:04.600 --> 03:03:08.120 frowned over it. Seen on Sevalaro since he left or 3352 03:03:08.239 --> 03:03:12.040 heard from him? Vinnie once the short man nodded about 3353 03:03:12.040 --> 03:03:14.319 three four months after he left, wanted me to drive 3354 03:03:14.360 --> 03:03:17.959 for him. He pushed the uniformed cap back on his head, 3355 03:03:18.079 --> 03:03:20.600 scratched the ball of pate. I had to turn him down. 3356 03:03:20.680 --> 03:03:22.559 I couldn't see giving up a civil service job to 3357 03:03:22.559 --> 03:03:25.239 work for a kid fresh out internship. Maybe I didn't 3358 03:03:25.239 --> 03:03:28.680 play it as smart as I thought. You can never tell. 3359 03:03:29.159 --> 03:03:31.680 Lydell agreed. He pulled the envelope out of his pocket, 3360 03:03:31.840 --> 03:03:35.360 consulted his notes. You say the nurse's name was Mellicon, 3361 03:03:35.680 --> 03:03:39.079 Laura Mellison. The fat man nodded. I got a funny 3362 03:03:39.079 --> 03:03:40.760 idea that she want to find her. All you gotta 3363 03:03:40.799 --> 03:03:43.559 do is ask Tony. I still think she left to 3364 03:03:43.559 --> 03:03:47.040 go with him. The redhead in the outer office was 3365 03:03:47.079 --> 03:03:50.120 still pecking haphazardly at the keys of her typewriter when 3366 03:03:50.200 --> 03:03:53.639 Lydel walked in. She had substituted a loose fitting white 3367 03:03:53.639 --> 03:03:57.159 silk peasant blouse for her customary sweater, but it did 3368 03:03:57.159 --> 03:04:00.479 nothing to disguise her assets. She looked up, followed him 3369 03:04:00.479 --> 03:04:02.840 with her eyes as he slammed through to his private office. 3370 03:04:03.440 --> 03:04:05.680 He tossed his hat at the coach tree, dropped into 3371 03:04:05.680 --> 03:04:08.000 the swovel chair behind the desk, gave the mail a 3372 03:04:08.040 --> 03:04:12.000 fast shuffle. I haven't heard from Jean Merritt by any chance, Pinky, 3373 03:04:12.239 --> 03:04:14.719 he called out to the girl. Not a peep. Her 3374 03:04:14.799 --> 03:04:17.680 check clear, though I checked the bank this morning. She 3375 03:04:17.719 --> 03:04:20.319 appeared in the doorway, her notebook in hand, walked over 3376 03:04:20.360 --> 03:04:22.520 to the desk with a disconcerting motion of her hips. 3377 03:04:22.959 --> 03:04:25.520 There's been some other calls. Want to hear about them. 3378 03:04:25.760 --> 03:04:29.159 Lydell nodded, leaned back. The Masterson's out in Great Neck. 3379 03:04:29.200 --> 03:04:30.760 Want a man for five days to keep an eye 3380 03:04:30.840 --> 03:04:33.600 on wedding presents for their daughter next Wednesday through Sunday. 3381 03:04:33.719 --> 03:04:37.040 I told him we'd have a man there. Lydell groaned. 3382 03:04:37.520 --> 03:04:40.719 As long as it isn't me, Pinky nodded. I already 3383 03:04:40.799 --> 03:04:43.079 ranged to borrow an up from lou Blake. He'll cost 3384 03:04:43.159 --> 03:04:46.559 us ten a day. We're getting thirty five, okay, Lydell nodded. 3385 03:04:47.079 --> 03:04:49.319 After what I've been through on this merrit job, I'm 3386 03:04:49.319 --> 03:04:51.040 beginning to think that play a nurse maid to a 3387 03:04:51.120 --> 03:04:53.239 raft of ten coffee pots is a nice clean way 3388 03:04:53.239 --> 03:04:57.600 to make a living. Pinky nodded. Miss Keey called twice 3389 03:04:57.799 --> 03:04:59.360 wants you to call her as soon as you get in. 3390 03:04:59.520 --> 03:05:02.680 That's about it. Anything new on your end. Lydell shook 3391 03:05:02.680 --> 03:05:05.440 his head. There'll probably be a call from Albany if 3392 03:05:05.479 --> 03:05:07.959 I'm not here. Take the message. That's about a registered 3393 03:05:08.040 --> 03:05:10.200 nurse named Laura Malleson. I want to know where she 3394 03:05:10.280 --> 03:05:14.680 is now. Check anything else not right now. If Muggsy 3395 03:05:14.719 --> 03:05:17.520 calls again, tell her the ringing of the phone cut 3396 03:05:17.559 --> 03:05:20.000 him off. He scooped the receiver off the hook, held 3397 03:05:20.000 --> 03:05:22.600 it to his ears. The operator informed him that she 3398 03:05:22.639 --> 03:05:26.879 had a call for him after a moment, mister Lydell, 3399 03:05:27.159 --> 03:05:29.639 this is the State Board of Registration at Albany. He 3400 03:05:29.680 --> 03:05:32.000 placed a call here this afternoon to request some information. 3401 03:05:32.760 --> 03:05:36.559 That's right Lydell nodded about a registered nurse named Laura Malleson. 3402 03:05:36.639 --> 03:05:39.399 Have you got it for me? I'm very sorry, The 3403 03:05:39.440 --> 03:05:41.959 receiver told him. The last year of registration of miss 3404 03:05:42.040 --> 03:05:44.840 Malleson's nurse license was nineteen forty two. We have no 3405 03:05:44.920 --> 03:05:48.719 record of her since that time. Lydell cursed under his breath. 3406 03:05:49.520 --> 03:05:53.239 Could she be nursing in another state? The receiver hesitated. 3407 03:05:53.639 --> 03:05:57.120 It's possible, but in cases of reciprocal granting of licenses 3408 03:05:57.120 --> 03:05:59.719 by other states, there is usually some notice given to 3409 03:05:59.760 --> 03:06:02.479 this state of original license. We have no such notation 3410 03:06:02.559 --> 03:06:05.239 on miss Melleson, nor do we have any indication that 3411 03:06:05.319 --> 03:06:07.440 she served with the armed forces during the last war. 3412 03:06:08.159 --> 03:06:12.719 Lydell nodded, thanks very much, I'm sorry we couldn't be 3413 03:06:12.760 --> 03:06:15.639 of more help. The line went dead. Lydell dropped his 3414 03:06:15.680 --> 03:06:19.040 receiver back on its hook, glared at the instrument. Bad 3415 03:06:19.120 --> 03:06:22.799 news I'm getting used to. It wasn't too important anyhow. 3416 03:06:23.440 --> 03:06:25.239 I was just trying to check something I'm pretty sure 3417 03:06:25.280 --> 03:06:29.360 of anyway. He laced his fingers behind his head, stared 3418 03:06:29.440 --> 03:06:32.639 up at the ceiling. This damned case. It's almost like 3419 03:06:32.719 --> 03:06:35.360 somebody is looking over my shoulder figure in my next 3420 03:06:35.360 --> 03:06:40.000 move and beating me to it. Pinky clucked sympathetically smoothed 3421 03:06:40.000 --> 03:06:43.239 her skirt over her thighs with a practiced motion. Lydell 3422 03:06:43.280 --> 03:06:46.520 continued to stare at the ceiling. I wonder why she 3423 03:06:46.600 --> 03:06:49.799 let her registration lapse. Most nurses don't, even if they 3424 03:06:49.799 --> 03:06:52.600 don't figure on going back to nursing. He dropped his 3425 03:06:52.639 --> 03:06:55.680 eyes to the red head scowled. I've got an idea. 3426 03:06:55.760 --> 03:06:58.559 But he wouldn't be that careless. He chewed on his 3427 03:06:58.600 --> 03:07:02.000 lower lip, nodded just the same. I'm about right for 3428 03:07:02.040 --> 03:07:05.440 a break in this case. He reached over, lifted the 3429 03:07:05.479 --> 03:07:08.760 receiver off its hook, dialed a number. After a moment, 3430 03:07:08.760 --> 03:07:13.760 a pert voice informed him the events. Good afternoon, Jim 3431 03:07:13.840 --> 03:07:16.600 Keeley on the desk, He told her, one moment, please, 3432 03:07:17.040 --> 03:07:21.200 she chirped. Then a heavy voice growled, desk, let me 3433 03:07:21.200 --> 03:07:23.440 talk to Jim Keeley. Will you this is Johnny Lidell. 3434 03:07:24.079 --> 03:07:26.719 This is Jim. Johnny, what's up? I need a fast 3435 03:07:26.760 --> 03:07:29.559 check on vital statistics, Jim, would your city hall man 3436 03:07:29.600 --> 03:07:34.280 give me a lift? The receiver hesitated. I guess so, Johnny. 3437 03:07:34.399 --> 03:07:36.879 Nothing much brickin down there right now? What's the check? 3438 03:07:37.600 --> 03:07:40.200 A marriage license in the name of Anthony Seville and 3439 03:07:40.319 --> 03:07:43.280 Laura Malleson, or maybe the groom's name is listed as 3440 03:07:43.399 --> 03:07:47.280 a Savolaro. Should be in nineteen thirty nine or nineteen forty, 3441 03:07:47.600 --> 03:07:51.440 preferably forty. Where are you now, Johnny? My office. I'll 3442 03:07:51.440 --> 03:07:54.239 wait here for your call. Likely to be long, depends. 3443 03:07:54.559 --> 03:07:56.360 I'll get back too, as soon as we get anything. 3444 03:07:56.760 --> 03:07:59.319 By the way, what's in it for us? A good yarn? 3445 03:07:59.399 --> 03:08:01.840 I think Mugs knows the score to date, and if 3446 03:08:01.840 --> 03:08:03.639 it breaks, you'll have the works all wrapped up for you. 3447 03:08:04.799 --> 03:08:06.840 Sounds good. Drop by and let's see you one of 3448 03:08:06.879 --> 03:08:10.120 these days, Johnny, it's been a long time. Lydel nodded, 3449 03:08:10.360 --> 03:08:13.719 dropped the receiver back on the hook, sighed. He reached 3450 03:08:13.760 --> 03:08:15.760 down to the bottom drawer brought up a bottle and 3451 03:08:15.799 --> 03:08:18.959 two glasses. Well, while we're waiting, there's no reason we 3452 03:08:19.000 --> 03:08:23.520 can't be comfortable. Sit down pinky and relax. The Redhead 3453 03:08:23.559 --> 03:08:27.159 looked doubtful, shrugged, walked over, dropped into the client's chair. 3454 03:08:28.159 --> 03:08:30.000 This is no way to run a business office. You know, 3455 03:08:30.879 --> 03:08:33.200 it can be a lot of fun, though. He poured 3456 03:08:33.200 --> 03:08:35.520 a stiff drink into each glass, handed one to the 3457 03:08:35.520 --> 03:08:39.079 red Head. Pinky took the glass, grinned, made a half 3458 03:08:39.079 --> 03:08:41.319 hearted effort at pulling her skirt down over her knees. 3459 03:08:41.639 --> 03:08:44.159 Gave it up as a bad job. In business school, 3460 03:08:44.200 --> 03:08:47.760 they told me there'd always be days like this. What's 3461 03:08:47.799 --> 03:08:51.200 wrong with the little relaxation? Nothing, I guess it's just 3462 03:08:51.239 --> 03:08:55.520 that I'm still an employee and you're my employer. Lydel nodded, 3463 03:08:55.719 --> 03:08:58.319 held his glass up in a toast. Here's to more 3464 03:08:58.399 --> 03:09:02.840 and better employer employee relations. The Redhead lifted her glass, 3465 03:09:02.920 --> 03:09:05.959 sipped at the contents, studied him over the rim. You're 3466 03:09:06.040 --> 03:09:08.440 kind of crazy. You know, you don't have to be 3467 03:09:08.479 --> 03:09:10.319 crazy to get into this racket, but it does give 3468 03:09:10.319 --> 03:09:12.799 you a head start. He scowled at the phone as 3469 03:09:12.799 --> 03:09:15.000 it jangled, nodded for the red Head to answer it. 3470 03:09:15.680 --> 03:09:18.120 She walked over to his side, lifted the receiver from 3471 03:09:18.120 --> 03:09:22.920 its hook. Johnny Lightell Agency, She said, inspector herlickey. She 3472 03:09:22.959 --> 03:09:27.079 glanced at Lydell inquiringly, received a nod. Just a minute, Inspector, 3473 03:09:27.120 --> 03:09:30.079 I'll get mister Lydell for you. Lydell slid his arm 3474 03:09:30.120 --> 03:09:32.600 around her waist tried to pull her down onto his lap. 3475 03:09:33.159 --> 03:09:35.239 She wriggled out of his grasp, leaving him with only 3476 03:09:35.239 --> 03:09:37.840 a phone in his hand. He grinned ruefully put it 3477 03:09:37.879 --> 03:09:42.840 to his ear. Hello, Inspector. Herlee's voice was gruff, impatient. 3478 03:09:43.479 --> 03:09:48.079 You're in trouble now, Lydell, serious trouble, Lydell sighed, what 3479 03:09:48.280 --> 03:09:53.040 I do now? Unwarranted invasion of privacy anyway, that's what 3480 03:09:53.079 --> 03:09:54.719 the DA is going to try to tag you with. 3481 03:09:55.120 --> 03:09:58.319 Doctor Seville spent the last hour with him in his office, says, 3482 03:09:58.319 --> 03:10:01.079 you're apparently trying to put a shake on him. That's 3483 03:10:01.079 --> 03:10:04.200 a cock eyed lie. Maybe that's why I'm tipping you off. 3484 03:10:04.399 --> 03:10:06.000 You may still be able to call off the dogs. 3485 03:10:06.280 --> 03:10:08.200 I don't like to see any guy hound it out 3486 03:10:08.239 --> 03:10:11.319 of a job unless he's got it coming to him. Thanks, Inspector, 3487 03:10:11.879 --> 03:10:14.120 don't think me. You never even heard from me. Just 3488 03:10:14.159 --> 03:10:16.959 get yourself straightened away with deats in the dock. Otherwise 3489 03:10:16.959 --> 03:10:20.680 you're out Lydell nodded, I'll do what I can. Thanks 3490 03:10:20.719 --> 03:10:23.600 for the tip. He returned the phone to its cradle, 3491 03:10:23.760 --> 03:10:27.680 glared at it, swore under his breath. More Trapple. They're 3492 03:10:27.680 --> 03:10:29.959 really turning the heat on now, Pinky. They've got the 3493 03:10:30.040 --> 03:10:32.719 das steamed up to lift my license. I must be 3494 03:10:32.799 --> 03:10:36.239 worrying them. He chewed on the side of his thumbnail, considered, 3495 03:10:36.760 --> 03:10:40.040 what are you going to do? Lydel shrugged. I've got 3496 03:10:40.040 --> 03:10:42.440 to get something to fight back with. I know the 3497 03:10:42.479 --> 03:10:44.360 old man was murdered, but that doesn't do any good 3498 03:10:44.399 --> 03:10:47.120 until I can prove it. With Doc Seville tossing his 3499 03:10:47.159 --> 03:10:49.239 weight around, I'm a dead duck unless I come up 3500 03:10:49.239 --> 03:10:53.959 with something awful soon, an awful good. He finished the drink, 3501 03:10:54.079 --> 03:10:57.680 put the glass back in the bottom drawer. Call Muggsy, 3502 03:10:57.760 --> 03:11:00.120 tell her to meet me at Luigi's in about an hour, Pinky. 3503 03:11:00.559 --> 03:11:02.239 From here on in and I've got to keep moving 3504 03:11:02.319 --> 03:11:04.319 so they can't tag me with a writ. I'll keep 3505 03:11:04.360 --> 03:11:07.319 in touch with you by phone. But the telephone jangled again. 3506 03:11:07.920 --> 03:11:10.200 Light l picked it up, answered in a guarded tone, 3507 03:11:11.760 --> 03:11:14.360 is light El there. This is Johnny Harris of the Advance. 3508 03:11:15.280 --> 03:11:17.680 Hello Harris, what's up? Got the dope you one from 3509 03:11:17.719 --> 03:11:20.600 the old man Johnny. There was a pause. Then Anthony 3510 03:11:20.760 --> 03:11:23.879 Joseph and Savalaro and Laura Jane Mellison were married at 3511 03:11:23.879 --> 03:11:27.079 City Hall on September second, nineteen forty. That's what you want, 3512 03:11:27.719 --> 03:11:31.760 Lightel nodded, jotted the information down. That's my boy. Remind 3513 03:11:31.760 --> 03:11:33.200 me to buy you a drink. Next time I see 3514 03:11:33.239 --> 03:11:36.840 you drink, Hell, I'll buy you the whole bottle. This 3515 03:11:37.000 --> 03:11:41.399 I've got to see, Harrison chuckled. See here, Ren Pinky 3516 03:11:41.520 --> 03:11:44.000 leaned across the desk excidedly, the folds and the peasant 3517 03:11:44.040 --> 03:11:48.719 blouse filling out with breath taking effect. Got something, Lightel nodded, 3518 03:11:49.000 --> 03:11:51.280 depressed the button on the phone, pulled an envelope from 3519 03:11:51.319 --> 03:11:53.680 his pocket, found the telephone number he was looking for, 3520 03:11:53.799 --> 03:11:57.440 started dialing. I've got that club I wanted. Baby, Maybe 3521 03:11:57.440 --> 03:11:59.760 I can still hold them off. He told the voice 3522 03:11:59.799 --> 03:12:01.920 that answer that he wanted to talk to doctor Sabyl. 3523 03:12:03.120 --> 03:12:06.479 After a few moments, a silky voice came on, doctor Sabyl, 3524 03:12:07.200 --> 03:12:09.360 This is Lydell. Doc. I understand you've been making some 3525 03:12:09.399 --> 03:12:13.159 complaints about me down at the DA's office. The receiver nodded, 3526 03:12:13.559 --> 03:12:17.479 that's right. Your unwarranted invasion of my privacy has become annoying. 3527 03:12:17.879 --> 03:12:21.719 I intend to stop it. Just awm my invading your privacy. Doc. 3528 03:12:23.000 --> 03:12:27.200 The receiver snorted that clumsy masquerade as a reporter delving 3529 03:12:27.239 --> 03:12:30.719 into my background for one thing. Lydell considered it. Agreed, 3530 03:12:31.600 --> 03:12:33.639 it was pretty clumsy, but it was never intended to 3531 03:12:33.639 --> 03:12:36.920 win an Academy award. It served its purpose, and the 3532 03:12:36.920 --> 03:12:40.600 purpose to prove that doctor Anthony and Savalaro and doctor 3533 03:12:40.600 --> 03:12:43.479 Tony Saville are one and the same person. Of course, 3534 03:12:43.920 --> 03:12:45.680 you could have gotten the same information from the Hall 3535 03:12:45.760 --> 03:12:48.600 of Records. The change in name is quite plainly recorded, 3536 03:12:49.399 --> 03:12:52.559 so is your marriage to Laura Mellison. Doc. There was 3537 03:12:52.600 --> 03:12:55.879 a short pause. Then I don't see that has anything 3538 03:12:55.879 --> 03:12:58.799 to do with you, Lydell. I might since your plan 3539 03:12:58.840 --> 03:13:02.559 in to marry Jean Merritt. This state is very narrow 3540 03:13:02.680 --> 03:13:05.840 minded about begamy. Since when is it bigamy for a 3541 03:13:05.879 --> 03:13:08.719 widower to remarry my first wife? Laura has been dead 3542 03:13:08.760 --> 03:13:12.559 since nineteen forty five, Lydell made a fast recovery from 3543 03:13:12.600 --> 03:13:15.479 the body blow died just about the time you met 3544 03:13:15.559 --> 03:13:20.120 Jean Merritt. Interesting, isn't it? Yes? Very, but I'm afraid 3545 03:13:20.159 --> 03:13:22.440 you won't be finding out how the story ends, since, 3546 03:13:22.600 --> 03:13:25.040 according to the district attorney, you may not only lose 3547 03:13:25.079 --> 03:13:27.840 your license, but could conceivably end up in jail as 3548 03:13:27.840 --> 03:13:31.440 well if you persist in this malicious invasion of my privacy. 3549 03:13:33.879 --> 03:13:38.840 End of chapter twelve, Chapter thirteen. Luigi's was located in 3550 03:13:38.840 --> 03:13:41.360 the heart of Brooklyn, a brownstone house and a row 3551 03:13:41.360 --> 03:13:44.319 of brownstone houses, with no indication of its identity as 3552 03:13:44.319 --> 03:13:47.280 a restaurant other than the oversized garbage can in the 3553 03:13:47.319 --> 03:13:50.280 area way. The walls of the basement apartment had been 3554 03:13:50.360 --> 03:13:52.440 knocked out to make one huge room at the far 3555 03:13:52.559 --> 03:13:55.799 end of which a huge wood burning stove chuckled and snapped. 3556 03:13:56.360 --> 03:13:58.920 Lydell selected a table near the wall, tossed his hat 3557 03:13:58.959 --> 03:14:03.000 on the hat rackaddle down away from Muggsy. A huge 3558 03:14:03.000 --> 03:14:05.879 woman waddled slowly over to his table, her face wreathed 3559 03:14:05.920 --> 03:14:08.639 in a toothy smile that was given added brilliance by 3560 03:14:08.639 --> 03:14:11.840 a slight mustache. It's nice to see you, mister Lyddell, 3561 03:14:12.159 --> 03:14:14.959 she puffed. Long time, since you pay Luigi and Serafina 3562 03:14:15.120 --> 03:14:19.120 visit Miss Ronnie she come in too. She is supposed 3563 03:14:19.120 --> 03:14:21.600 to meet me here, Seraphine. He glanced at his watch. 3564 03:14:21.920 --> 03:14:24.799 She shouldn't be long now, you like maybe some kianti 3565 03:14:24.840 --> 03:14:27.399 while you wait? She pursed, Her lips, rolled her eyes, 3566 03:14:27.680 --> 03:14:30.479 touched the tips of her thumb and index finger. He's 3567 03:14:30.520 --> 03:14:34.399 good kianty, just like you, like, mister Laddell. Lydell nodded, 3568 03:14:34.479 --> 03:14:36.840 watched her waddle to a nearby cabinet come back with 3569 03:14:36.879 --> 03:14:40.319 a fiber covered bottle. She gave him another smile, waddled 3570 03:14:40.360 --> 03:14:43.719 back to preside over her pots. Lydell was on his 3571 03:14:43.760 --> 03:14:46.680 second cigarette when Muggsy walked in. She waved to Seraphene 3572 03:14:46.799 --> 03:14:50.760 came directly to the table. Something happened. Johnny Lydell poured 3573 03:14:50.799 --> 03:14:54.520 some wine into her glass, refilled his plenty. Savelle's put 3574 03:14:54.600 --> 03:14:56.319 in the heat on the DA to lift my card, 3575 03:14:56.760 --> 03:14:59.200 And there's nothing that clothing store dummy would like better, 3576 03:15:00.120 --> 03:15:03.319 He sipped at his wine morosely. Can't you do anything 3577 03:15:03.319 --> 03:15:05.760 about it? Isn't there any way to stop it? Not 3578 03:15:05.879 --> 03:15:08.680 unless I get something to use as a lever. I 3579 03:15:08.760 --> 03:15:11.280 thought I had it, he growled, But the dock keeps 3580 03:15:11.280 --> 03:15:15.239 one step ahead of me. What do you have? Lydell shrugged. 3581 03:15:15.680 --> 03:15:18.399 I established the fact that Seville is Ann Savalaro. He 3582 03:15:18.440 --> 03:15:21.200 admits that I also stumbled over the fact that he 3583 03:15:21.239 --> 03:15:24.079 married a nurse named Mellison in nineteen forty I thought 3584 03:15:24.079 --> 03:15:26.239 I had him on that one. He just laughed at me. 3585 03:15:26.520 --> 03:15:29.879 Mellison died in nineteen forty five, leaving him conveniently free 3586 03:15:29.920 --> 03:15:32.280 to marry Jean Merritt and leaving me holding a nice 3587 03:15:32.360 --> 03:15:36.319 right bag. But you said Matt Merritt was murdered. If 3588 03:15:36.319 --> 03:15:39.840 you can prove that, Lydell snorted if I could prove 3589 03:15:39.879 --> 03:15:42.360 a lot of things. Sure, I know Merrit was murdered, 3590 03:15:42.360 --> 03:15:45.040 but nobody will believe me. I know his daughter didn't disappear, 3591 03:15:45.440 --> 03:15:47.559 she was snatched by Skota, but I can't prove it. 3592 03:15:47.920 --> 03:15:49.719 I even know why Vailey's boys have been trying to 3593 03:15:49.719 --> 03:15:52.399 blow my brains out. So what there's not a damn 3594 03:15:52.399 --> 03:15:55.280 thing I can do about it. Well, you can't sit 3595 03:15:55.319 --> 03:15:57.760 here and swill KEIANTI and let them lift your license 3596 03:15:57.760 --> 03:16:00.399 without fighting back. If you can just prove if any 3597 03:16:00.479 --> 03:16:02.479 one of those things pop in the paper could start 3598 03:16:02.520 --> 03:16:04.360 a big enough fire under the DA that he'd be 3599 03:16:04.399 --> 03:16:06.799 too busy keeping his own rear end from getting sined 3600 03:16:06.840 --> 03:16:10.600 to be trying to burn yours. Her eyes mirrored her concern. 3601 03:16:11.200 --> 03:16:15.399 Don't you have any ideas? Just one, and it's so 3602 03:16:15.520 --> 03:16:18.319 damn far fetched, I'm afraid to count on it. He 3603 03:16:18.360 --> 03:16:21.360 finished his glass of wine. I'm going out to carport. 3604 03:16:21.799 --> 03:16:24.280 If Merritt was murdered, there must be some trace of 3605 03:16:24.319 --> 03:16:28.000 it if I can't find it, he shrugged. I just 3606 03:16:28.120 --> 03:16:30.399 let myself in for something I should have stayed out of. 3607 03:16:31.360 --> 03:16:35.120 Muggsy drained her glass. I'm going with you, Lydell shook 3608 03:16:35.159 --> 03:16:38.120 his head. Yeah, you'd better not. Baby. Why should you 3609 03:16:38.120 --> 03:16:41.559 get dragged into this mess Because I'm a special correspondent 3610 03:16:41.600 --> 03:16:43.879 from the advance assigned to it. We're going to string 3611 03:16:43.920 --> 03:16:46.079 along with you on it. Johnny Pop doesn't know it, 3612 03:16:46.120 --> 03:16:49.799 but I'm back on the staff. Lydell started to argue, 3613 03:16:50.000 --> 03:16:53.239 decided it was a lost cause. It's your time if 3614 03:16:53.239 --> 03:16:56.239 you want to waste it. Saraphene waddled over as they 3615 03:16:56.239 --> 03:17:00.319 stood up. You not going, miss Ronnie. I'd fixed something 3616 03:17:00.360 --> 03:17:03.479 special for you. You're not going without trying it. Muggsy 3617 03:17:03.520 --> 03:17:06.520 patted the fat woman on the shoulder. We'll be back, Serphene. 3618 03:17:06.600 --> 03:17:08.159 We can't take the time to eat now. We've got 3619 03:17:08.200 --> 03:17:11.879 a train to catch. The Long Island Railroad wheezed its 3620 03:17:11.920 --> 03:17:13.680 way to a jerky stop in front of a one 3621 03:17:13.760 --> 03:17:16.799 story weather beaten frame building that had a shingle hanging 3622 03:17:16.840 --> 03:17:20.719 from its roof that identified to stop as carport two. 3623 03:17:20.799 --> 03:17:24.719 Dust bagrime sedan stood under another sign captioned taxi, their 3624 03:17:24.760 --> 03:17:28.959 operators lounging indolently against their front fenders. They watched Muggsy 3625 03:17:28.959 --> 03:17:31.520 and Lidel alight from the train with no sign of interest. 3626 03:17:32.760 --> 03:17:36.520 Know where the merit places, Lydel asked the cabby. He addressed, 3627 03:17:36.520 --> 03:17:38.559 a tall, lanky man with a red ski cap, a 3628 03:17:38.559 --> 03:17:42.239 brightly colored plaid shirt, a lined leathery face, shifted the 3629 03:17:42.239 --> 03:17:44.840 water tobacco from his right cheek to his left, spat 3630 03:17:44.840 --> 03:17:48.399 in the dust at his feet. No sense going out there, mister. 3631 03:17:49.040 --> 03:17:53.360 Ain't no one there, he opined. Isn't there a caretaker 3632 03:17:53.399 --> 03:17:56.840 of some kind? The cabby considered the question conceited. There 3633 03:17:56.959 --> 03:18:01.120 was fellow name Lessie, nice fellow. None of the family there, 3634 03:18:01.159 --> 03:18:04.399 though the old man's dead, the rest are gone. Lydelf 3635 03:18:04.440 --> 03:18:07.079 fished the Tom Terry press card from his wallet, showed 3636 03:18:07.079 --> 03:18:09.360 it to the cabby. Now we don't have to see 3637 03:18:09.360 --> 03:18:11.399 the family. We're just interested in doing a feature piece 3638 03:18:11.440 --> 03:18:16.120 on the grounds itself. The Cabby side realized motion was inevitable, 3639 03:18:16.200 --> 03:18:20.200 straightened up. Suppose you want to go out there, if 3640 03:18:20.200 --> 03:18:22.120 it's not too much trouble. How far out of town 3641 03:18:22.200 --> 03:18:26.159 is it? Ten fifteen minutes? Cabby directed a stream of 3642 03:18:26.239 --> 03:18:28.600 tobacco juice in the general direction of the trash can 3643 03:18:29.200 --> 03:18:31.600 depends on how much of a hurry you're in. He 3644 03:18:31.680 --> 03:18:33.920 opened the rear door of the sedan, helped Muggsy in. 3645 03:18:35.159 --> 03:18:37.520 The young one that miss Jean, she was always in 3646 03:18:37.559 --> 03:18:40.000 a hurry, made at one time six minutes flat for 3647 03:18:40.440 --> 03:18:43.319 wouldn't want to make a habit of it. He slid 3648 03:18:43.319 --> 03:18:45.959 in behind the wheel, kicked it to the starter, headed 3649 03:18:45.959 --> 03:18:47.879 the car out of the parking lot onto the town's 3650 03:18:47.879 --> 03:18:50.760 main street. The route took them through the heart of town, 3651 03:18:51.040 --> 03:18:53.159 making it necessary for the driver to weave in and 3652 03:18:53.239 --> 03:18:56.159 out of double parked cars around trucks parked almost in 3653 03:18:56.239 --> 03:18:59.000 the middle of the road. Throughout it, the driver kept 3654 03:18:59.079 --> 03:19:02.920 up an endless stream of chatter. Finally, an old Matt 3655 03:19:03.000 --> 03:19:06.520 merritt lydel asked knew him to see, not to speak 3656 03:19:06.559 --> 03:19:09.159 to kept pretty much to himself. He did. The girl 3657 03:19:09.239 --> 03:19:11.600 wasn't like that A little bit wild, I guess, but 3658 03:19:11.639 --> 03:19:15.280 not snooty. The taxi passed the last cluster of stores 3659 03:19:15.280 --> 03:19:18.280 that made up the main street, headed into a twisting 3660 03:19:18.360 --> 03:19:21.079 road that skirted the bay. She used to spend a 3661 03:19:21.120 --> 03:19:22.760 lot of time in New York. Ever run into her 3662 03:19:22.760 --> 03:19:26.680 down there, never did, guess lately she didn't get in 3663 03:19:26.719 --> 03:19:29.239 as office as she used to. Here she was running 3664 03:19:29.280 --> 03:19:31.040 with a fast crowd, and the old man put his 3665 03:19:31.120 --> 03:19:35.520 foot down. How about missus Merritt? The cabby concentrated on 3666 03:19:35.559 --> 03:19:37.520 skidding the big sedan around the curve in the road, 3667 03:19:37.760 --> 03:19:41.319 shook his head. Never saw much of her, kept pretty 3668 03:19:41.360 --> 03:19:43.959 much to herself. I guess real broken up by the 3669 03:19:44.000 --> 03:19:47.159 old man's desk. From what I hear, guess she would 3670 03:19:47.239 --> 03:19:50.399 be lydell agreed. What did they think about the way 3671 03:19:50.440 --> 03:19:54.200 he died? Around here? The cabby spit nextpert curve in 3672 03:19:54.239 --> 03:19:57.600 the wind, didn't think much one way or the other. 3673 03:19:57.680 --> 03:19:59.600 I guess man's got a right to do what he 3674 03:19:59.639 --> 03:20:01.879 wants with his own life. He was a pretty sick 3675 03:20:01.920 --> 03:20:04.639 man there tore the end. Don't know but what I'd 3676 03:20:04.680 --> 03:20:08.000 do the same thing myself. He half turned looked back. 3677 03:20:08.600 --> 03:20:10.239 Ain't want of them. People feel it ain't right to 3678 03:20:10.319 --> 03:20:13.120 kill yourself if you got a mind too. That's all 3679 03:20:13.200 --> 03:20:14.959 very fine, as long as you don't take other people 3680 03:20:15.000 --> 03:20:18.200 with you. Us for instance, Muggsy muttered, if you made 3681 03:20:18.200 --> 03:20:20.280 this drive in six minutes, you must have used a helicopter. 3682 03:20:21.040 --> 03:20:23.840 The driver turned back to the road. Needn be nervous, miss, 3683 03:20:23.879 --> 03:20:27.040 I can drive this road to mys close. That's what 3684 03:20:27.120 --> 03:20:30.239 I thought you were doing, Muggsy told him. The car 3685 03:20:30.319 --> 03:20:33.079 slowed down, swung off the county road onto a black 3686 03:20:33.120 --> 03:20:35.040 top that wound up a hill through a twin lane 3687 03:20:35.040 --> 03:20:38.440 of old trees. After a short climate reached a hidden driveway. 3688 03:20:38.600 --> 03:20:42.280 Turned in the house was a huge, old frame building 3689 03:20:42.319 --> 03:20:44.879 set back from the road in a sheltering grove of elms. 3690 03:20:45.440 --> 03:20:47.680 It had a broad porch that ran around three sides 3691 03:20:47.719 --> 03:20:50.319 of the house sat on a promontory that commended an 3692 03:20:50.559 --> 03:20:54.079 unimpeded view of the bay beyond. The taxis skidded to 3693 03:20:54.079 --> 03:20:57.559 a stop in the driveway. Want me to wait, the 3694 03:20:57.639 --> 03:21:01.639 cabby asked Lydell considered it, nodded, might as well. I 3695 03:21:01.639 --> 03:21:03.079 don't know how long we're going to be here, but 3696 03:21:03.120 --> 03:21:05.079 I don't like the idea of walking back to the station. 3697 03:21:05.879 --> 03:21:09.200 The Cabby grinned, patted his meter. Whatever you say, partner. 3698 03:21:09.399 --> 03:21:11.280 It's your money if you want to go crazy with it. 3699 03:21:12.280 --> 03:21:14.200 Lydell led the way up the short flight of wooden 3700 03:21:14.239 --> 03:21:16.920 steps to the entrance, pulled the old fashioned door pull. 3701 03:21:17.360 --> 03:21:19.600 A dark man with gray hair brushed up into a 3702 03:21:19.600 --> 03:21:22.600 pompadoor opened the door. He looked from Lydell to Muggsy 3703 03:21:22.639 --> 03:21:28.280 him back. Good evening, sir, you're Lessie, I suppose, Lydell 3704 03:21:28.280 --> 03:21:31.399 greeted him. The man nodded, is there anything I can 3705 03:21:31.440 --> 03:21:34.680 do for you? Lydell produced the press card. Let the 3706 03:21:34.719 --> 03:21:36.920 man read it. We came out from New York to 3707 03:21:36.959 --> 03:21:39.159 have a look around. We're working on a feature series 3708 03:21:39.200 --> 03:21:41.959 about famous old homes out here on the island. We'd 3709 03:21:41.959 --> 03:21:44.520 like to take a look around. The gray haired man 3710 03:21:44.520 --> 03:21:47.959 looked undecided. I don't know, sir. As you may know, 3711 03:21:48.079 --> 03:21:50.680 there was a tragedy in the family, and I know 3712 03:21:50.799 --> 03:21:52.680 that makes the interest in this place all the greater. 3713 03:21:54.040 --> 03:21:56.760 Lessie took another look at the press card, consulted his watch. 3714 03:21:57.680 --> 03:22:00.680 It's too late to read, mister Bagussian today. That's the 3715 03:22:00.840 --> 03:22:04.360 Merritt family lawyer. You understand I would like some authority 3716 03:22:04.440 --> 03:22:07.200 before I Is it only a preliminary visit, Lessie. We 3717 03:22:07.239 --> 03:22:09.840 wouldn't be taking any photographs or anything like that until 3718 03:22:09.879 --> 03:22:13.200 you had time to check with Pogossian. The gray haired 3719 03:22:13.239 --> 03:22:16.040 man made up his mind, swung the door open. Oh sure, 3720 03:22:16.040 --> 03:22:17.879 that would be all right, sir. I know you'll understand 3721 03:22:17.879 --> 03:22:22.120 my hesitation. I wouldn't like to exceed my authority. Lydell nodded, 3722 03:22:22.239 --> 03:22:24.879 followed him into a large hall. At the far end, 3723 03:22:24.879 --> 03:22:28.639 a broad, curving staircase led to the upper floors. On 3724 03:22:28.719 --> 03:22:32.360 either side, huge doors led into other rooms. The entire 3725 03:22:32.399 --> 03:22:35.360 hallway was covered with thick, yielding carpeting. The walls were 3726 03:22:35.440 --> 03:22:39.799 hung with patently expensive tapestries. Is there any place in 3727 03:22:39.840 --> 03:22:43.799 particular you would like to start, sir? Lydell dropped his 3728 03:22:43.920 --> 03:22:46.559 hat on a carved oak chest of drawers, looked around. 3729 03:22:47.479 --> 03:22:49.879 I suppose it's been closed up since mister Merritt's death. 3730 03:22:50.559 --> 03:22:53.840 Nothing has been touched. As you may know, missus Merritt 3731 03:22:53.840 --> 03:22:56.000 has been ill and miss Jean's been living in town. 3732 03:22:56.799 --> 03:22:59.639 He indicated a door to the right. This is the parlor. 3733 03:22:59.680 --> 03:23:01.559 You may be interested in some of the period pieces. 3734 03:23:03.120 --> 03:23:05.440 I think I would rather see that in daylight. Lightel 3735 03:23:05.479 --> 03:23:07.959 cut him off. Would it be possible to start with 3736 03:23:08.000 --> 03:23:10.200 his study? And it's morbid, of course, but I would 3737 03:23:10.280 --> 03:23:13.520 like to see where he met his death. The gray 3738 03:23:13.559 --> 03:23:17.559 haired man looked at him, frowned, nodded, as you wish, sir, 3739 03:23:17.680 --> 03:23:20.159 mister Merritt's studies at the head of the stairs, would 3740 03:23:20.200 --> 03:23:22.399 you come this way? He led the way up a 3741 03:23:22.440 --> 03:23:24.680 thickly carpeted staircase to a door at the head of 3742 03:23:24.719 --> 03:23:27.920 the corridor. He opened the door, felt for a light switch, 3743 03:23:28.120 --> 03:23:31.479 bathed the room in a subdued light. Mister Merritt spent 3744 03:23:31.559 --> 03:23:35.239 most of his time here. One whole wall was of glass, 3745 03:23:35.319 --> 03:23:38.000 looking over the bay. Two of the remaining walls were 3746 03:23:38.040 --> 03:23:41.799 filled with bookcases, the fourth covered with beautiful tapestry depicting 3747 03:23:41.799 --> 03:23:45.120 a savage tiger hunting scene. In the center of the room, 3748 03:23:45.159 --> 03:23:49.840 a huge carved mahogany desk contained a radio, some correspondence trays, 3749 03:23:50.000 --> 03:23:53.079 a pipe rack with four pipes, a silver hammered humidor. 3750 03:23:53.600 --> 03:23:56.440 The entire room was covered with soft, gray green carpeting 3751 03:23:56.479 --> 03:23:58.719 that seemed to merge and blend with the green of 3752 03:23:58.760 --> 03:24:01.479 the trees and lawn that's stretched out below toward the bay. 3753 03:24:02.840 --> 03:24:04.959 I don't blame him for spending most of his time here. 3754 03:24:05.159 --> 03:24:07.000 If I had a study like this, I'd never leave. 3755 03:24:07.440 --> 03:24:10.559 Lydell murmured. He stared up at the ceiling, found no 3756 03:24:10.639 --> 03:24:13.200 trace of a scar, walked over to the window wall, 3757 03:24:13.479 --> 03:24:17.120 seemed intent on studying the glass. Finally, he walked back 3758 03:24:17.120 --> 03:24:20.319 to his desk, leaned against it. Where was he found? 3759 03:24:20.840 --> 03:24:24.360 Lessie walked around the desk, faced them. He was standing 3760 03:24:24.399 --> 03:24:26.920 here when he did it, standing. How do you know, 3761 03:24:27.799 --> 03:24:31.319 Lessi frowned. He had to be. You see, the chair 3762 03:24:31.440 --> 03:24:33.559 was pushed back when he shot himself. He fell to 3763 03:24:33.600 --> 03:24:36.520 the floor. Here, he indicated a place on the carpet 3764 03:24:36.520 --> 03:24:40.479 where a faint chalk outline was still barely visible could 3765 03:24:40.479 --> 03:24:42.840 be He toppled off the chair, knocked it back out 3766 03:24:42.879 --> 03:24:47.760 of the way. Muggsy suggested, hardly, Miss Lessa responded, pointing 3767 03:24:47.760 --> 03:24:50.559 to the heavy carved armchair. There are no rollers on 3768 03:24:50.600 --> 03:24:54.079 the chair. Lydel reached over, snapped on the desk light. 3769 03:24:54.799 --> 03:24:57.079 It threw a yellow gleam of brilliance towards the ceiling. 3770 03:24:57.959 --> 03:24:59.600 This is the only lamp in the room besides the 3771 03:24:59.639 --> 03:25:04.280 end direct lighting. That's right, Why, I'm not sure, lied 3772 03:25:04.319 --> 03:25:08.120 Al told him, just an idea. He walked around the desk, 3773 03:25:08.280 --> 03:25:11.440 stood over the chalked spot on the rug, faced the lamp. 3774 03:25:11.799 --> 03:25:15.280 Then he swung around looked at the tapestry directly behind him. 3775 03:25:15.799 --> 03:25:18.719 The gray haired man and Muggsy watched him curiously as 3776 03:25:18.760 --> 03:25:22.799 he walked over to the tapestry, examined it carefully. Suddenly 3777 03:25:22.840 --> 03:25:26.719 his head jerked. Lessie, come here, please, he called over 3778 03:25:26.760 --> 03:25:30.840 his shoulder. Lessie joined him at the tapestry. What's wrong, sir? 3779 03:25:31.920 --> 03:25:34.440 What's that look like to you? Lydel pointed to an 3780 03:25:34.440 --> 03:25:38.399 almost invisible hole. The man caught his breath, examined it 3781 03:25:38.440 --> 03:25:42.719 more closely. A moth hole. I don't understand. This tapestry 3782 03:25:42.760 --> 03:25:46.360 was supposed to be completely protected from No moth made 3783 03:25:46.360 --> 03:25:49.239 that hole? Lessie? Help me lift this tapestry away from 3784 03:25:49.280 --> 03:25:53.000 the wall. Uh, I don't know if I should, sir. 3785 03:25:53.120 --> 03:25:56.719 Mister Merritt was very particular about anyone touching the tapestry. 3786 03:25:57.680 --> 03:26:00.280 He won't mind it, won't hurt it a bit. Grab 3787 03:26:00.360 --> 03:26:02.760 that end and lift. There was a sharp note in 3788 03:26:02.799 --> 03:26:05.719 Lydell's voice. Mugs, you'd better come over here. I think 3789 03:26:05.719 --> 03:26:09.559 we should have several witnesses. The girl walked over watched 3790 03:26:09.559 --> 03:26:12.959 while the two men lifted the huge tapestry. Lidell gave 3791 03:26:13.000 --> 03:26:15.719 a triumphant grunt. Take a look at that hole in 3792 03:26:15.760 --> 03:26:19.079 the wall under the tapestry, Lessie, You're moth boored right 3793 03:26:19.120 --> 03:26:22.760 through it. Only your moth was steel jacketed. There was 3794 03:26:22.799 --> 03:26:25.920 a neat bullet hole in the wall. What could have 3795 03:26:26.040 --> 03:26:30.280 done that, sir, Lessie gasped The bullet that killed mister 3796 03:26:30.399 --> 03:26:34.159 Merrit The bullet The police couldn't find the bullet. That 3797 03:26:34.280 --> 03:26:36.680 is the best proof in the world that Matt Merritt 3798 03:26:36.680 --> 03:26:42.520 did not commit suicide but was murdered. End of chapter thirteen. 3799 03:26:44.120 --> 03:26:46.680 The cab dropped Johnny Lydell and Muggsy Heely at the 3800 03:26:46.840 --> 03:26:49.799 entrance to the courthouse. Lydell led the way to the 3801 03:26:49.799 --> 03:26:53.639 basement office of the Medical Examiner, walked in. Doc Travin 3802 03:26:53.680 --> 03:26:56.360 sat behind his huge desk, looked up as they walked in, 3803 03:26:56.680 --> 03:27:00.399 grinned them, welcome. I wasn't expecting you two, beck so soon. 3804 03:27:00.840 --> 03:27:04.280 What have you dug up now, a murder Lydell told 3805 03:27:04.319 --> 03:27:07.840 him wearily. Doc Travin chuckled, not another one like the 3806 03:27:07.920 --> 03:27:10.319 last one. Business share must be bad when you go 3807 03:27:10.360 --> 03:27:14.559 out trying to make suicides look like murder. Lydell scowled 3808 03:27:14.559 --> 03:27:17.280 irritably at the little man's humor dropped into a chair. 3809 03:27:17.959 --> 03:27:19.559 What would you do if I brought you a murderer, 3810 03:27:19.799 --> 03:27:24.280 a murderer, a motive, and an opportunity talk? Doc Travin 3811 03:27:24.319 --> 03:27:26.600 brought up a chair for Muggsy helped her into it. 3812 03:27:27.159 --> 03:27:28.840 I'd see to it that the killer got the chair. 3813 03:27:28.840 --> 03:27:31.920 What else? Suppose you were positive that you had all 3814 03:27:31.920 --> 03:27:34.159 these things, but you couldn't prove it to the satisfaction 3815 03:27:34.239 --> 03:27:37.520 of a jury. The medical examiner perched on the corner 3816 03:27:37.520 --> 03:27:40.559 of his desk. Either there's a murder or there isn't 3817 03:27:40.559 --> 03:27:43.600 a murder. Either there's a corpus delecti or there isn't 3818 03:27:43.639 --> 03:27:46.559 a corpus delecti. What's all the double talk for? Johnny 3819 03:27:47.559 --> 03:27:50.920 Lydel grinned crookedly. I've got the corpus delecti and I've 3820 03:27:50.959 --> 03:27:52.879 got the murder. I'm gonna hand them over to you, 3821 03:27:52.959 --> 03:27:55.079 and it's up to you to prove them only. I'm 3822 03:27:55.159 --> 03:27:59.000 damned if I think you can, Doc Travin snorted impatiently. 3823 03:27:59.440 --> 03:28:02.120 If there's a murder, will prove it. He leaned back, 3824 03:28:02.200 --> 03:28:04.959 pushed his desk buzzer. First, let's have a cup of 3825 03:28:04.959 --> 03:28:08.440 coffee and talk it over. Muggsy nodded, we can both 3826 03:28:08.520 --> 03:28:12.120 use some Smitty. The angular lab assistant stuck her head 3827 03:28:12.120 --> 03:28:16.399 into the room. Three copies, Smitty, rush them one black, 3828 03:28:16.639 --> 03:28:21.319 Muggsy put in. Smitty nodded withdrew her head. Now suppose 3829 03:28:21.399 --> 03:28:23.879 you tell me what this is all about, Johnny, give 3830 03:28:23.920 --> 03:28:26.959 it an order. First, Let's have the murder, he sniffed. 3831 03:28:27.799 --> 03:28:30.479 A murder. That's not a murder, A corpus DELECTI, that's 3832 03:28:30.520 --> 03:28:34.639 not a corpus deluctie. He turned to Muggsy. You know 3833 03:28:34.680 --> 03:28:38.520 this story. Muggsy shook her head. Lydell's been doing a 3834 03:28:38.520 --> 03:28:41.440 solo Sherlock Holmes all day. Only instead of using a needle, 3835 03:28:41.479 --> 03:28:45.399 he's been using cognac. Lydell stuck a cigarette between his lips. 3836 03:28:45.520 --> 03:28:49.200 Lit it. Your murder is the killing of Matt Merritt, 3837 03:28:49.680 --> 03:28:54.360 he said, flatly. Oh not again. Doc Travin groaned, We've 3838 03:28:54.360 --> 03:28:57.520 been all through that, Johnny. Mat Merrick committed suicide. You 3839 03:28:57.559 --> 03:29:00.319 admitted it yourself when I showed you the records. I 3840 03:29:00.399 --> 03:29:03.120 admitted you made a good case for suicide, but it 3841 03:29:03.159 --> 03:29:05.280 wasn't good enough. I know he was murdered, and I 3842 03:29:05.280 --> 03:29:08.600 can prove it, but not for a jury. The clerk 3843 03:29:08.639 --> 03:29:11.760 came in, deposited three cardboard containers of coffee on the desk, 3844 03:29:12.040 --> 03:29:15.680 went out. Nobody made a move. How could it be murdered, Johnny? 3845 03:29:15.959 --> 03:29:17.760 He was shot through the mouth and there was no 3846 03:29:17.879 --> 03:29:22.760 sign of a struggle. Lydell nodded, how about the bullet? 3847 03:29:23.079 --> 03:29:27.120 Doc Travin scowled his impatience. So it wasn't found so wet? 3848 03:29:28.079 --> 03:29:32.159 So I found it where Lydell took a deep drag 3849 03:29:32.200 --> 03:29:35.639 on his cigarette blew it downward, right where it had 3850 03:29:35.680 --> 03:29:38.920 to be if it was murder. Doc Travin looked from 3851 03:29:39.000 --> 03:29:42.159 Lydell to Muggsy, who nodded and back. What the hell 3852 03:29:42.159 --> 03:29:44.000 are you talking about. We gave that place a good 3853 03:29:44.040 --> 03:29:46.479 going over and there was no bullet. If you're trying 3854 03:29:46.479 --> 03:29:51.680 to pull anything, Lydell, Lydell sighed, pull anything, your grandmother. 3855 03:29:52.040 --> 03:29:54.280 I've got two witnesses who saw me find that bullet, 3856 03:29:54.440 --> 03:29:55.799 and when you dig it out of the wall, you're 3857 03:29:55.799 --> 03:29:57.840 gonna find it matches the gone merit was killed with. 3858 03:29:58.920 --> 03:30:01.959 I don't care where you found the bullet. It was suicide. 3859 03:30:02.040 --> 03:30:07.040 Nobody can make me believe anything else. Travin stormed, Then, well, 3860 03:30:07.120 --> 03:30:09.000 you might as well tell me where did you find 3861 03:30:09.000 --> 03:30:13.520 it and the tapestry on the far wall. The medical 3862 03:30:13.520 --> 03:30:16.760 examiner stared at him, open mouthed, how the hell did 3863 03:30:16.799 --> 03:30:20.280 you come to look in the tapestry? It figured it 3864 03:30:20.319 --> 03:30:22.680 didn't go in the ceiling. Your story about it falling 3865 03:30:22.719 --> 03:30:24.920 to the floor spent was too silly to even consider. 3866 03:30:25.360 --> 03:30:28.000 It had to go some place? Why not into a wall? 3867 03:30:29.239 --> 03:30:32.360 Lydell enjoyed the speechlessness of the little man. One wall 3868 03:30:32.399 --> 03:30:35.040 was glass, the other two full of books. I settled 3869 03:30:35.040 --> 03:30:39.959 for the tapestry. Why Lydell shrugged the desk lamp. My 3870 03:30:40.040 --> 03:30:42.440 guess was he would be facing the desk lamp. The 3871 03:30:42.479 --> 03:30:45.920 bullet had to go into the tapestry that way. Travan 3872 03:30:46.040 --> 03:30:48.440 was making a visible effort to keep up with the developments, 3873 03:30:48.760 --> 03:30:53.399 having indifferent success. I don't care. Nobody can convince me 3874 03:30:53.440 --> 03:30:55.200 that any man will let a killer stick a gun 3875 03:30:55.200 --> 03:30:59.360 in his mouth without a struggle, unless it was his doctor. 3876 03:31:00.079 --> 03:31:04.120 Lightel tossed the bomb show with startling success. Doc Travin's 3877 03:31:04.159 --> 03:31:09.239 eyes bulged, his jaw dropped. Come again. The thing that 3878 03:31:09.280 --> 03:31:11.200 three off is the fact that there was no struggle. 3879 03:31:11.719 --> 03:31:13.840 You figure nobody would let a killer stick a gun 3880 03:31:13.840 --> 03:31:17.520 in his mouth without a struggle, Right, Travin nodded wordlessly. 3881 03:31:18.159 --> 03:31:20.319 But suppose the killer is his doctor and he's been 3882 03:31:20.360 --> 03:31:23.280 feeding him a lot of malarkey about an imaginary throat infection, 3883 03:31:23.719 --> 03:31:25.600 and the victim doesn't know it's a gun the doc 3884 03:31:25.719 --> 03:31:29.239 is sticking in his throat. Break it down further, Johnny 3885 03:31:29.680 --> 03:31:33.360 Muggsy urged, Okay, you've got a doc who tells you 3886 03:31:33.360 --> 03:31:36.079 you have a throat infection. You let the doc look 3887 03:31:36.079 --> 03:31:39.000 into your throat, even stick an instrument into your mouth 3888 03:31:39.000 --> 03:31:41.479 so he can get a good look. One day, instead 3889 03:31:41.520 --> 03:31:43.680 of an instrument, he shoves in the nose of a gun, 3890 03:31:43.719 --> 03:31:47.239 and boom. He took the cigarette from between his lips, 3891 03:31:47.440 --> 03:31:50.760 stared at it with distaste, crushed it out that way. 3892 03:31:50.799 --> 03:31:53.760 The throat ailment gag serves two purposes, give a plausible 3893 03:31:53.799 --> 03:31:56.600 reason for the suicide and provides the opportunity for committing 3894 03:31:56.639 --> 03:32:00.520 the murder. Doc Travin was leaning forward his mouth. Gabe, 3895 03:32:00.959 --> 03:32:04.360 he made an effort to pull himself together. You're wrong, Mugs. 3896 03:32:04.440 --> 03:32:07.040 He has been using a needle. But there was a 3897 03:32:07.040 --> 03:32:11.360 look of indecision on his face. So there's your murder 3898 03:32:11.399 --> 03:32:14.920 and your opportunity. Wait a minute, you didn't explain how 3899 03:32:14.920 --> 03:32:17.559 you knew where to look for that bullet, Travin protested, 3900 03:32:18.280 --> 03:32:19.920 I knew if he had shot himself through the mouth, 3901 03:32:19.959 --> 03:32:22.280 the bullet would be in the ceiling. Now, if the 3902 03:32:22.280 --> 03:32:24.959 dock was pretending to examine the throat, Merritt would throw 3903 03:32:25.000 --> 03:32:29.959 his head back right. The medical examiner nodded gloomily. He 3904 03:32:30.040 --> 03:32:32.440 was standing when he got it. The only direct light 3905 03:32:32.440 --> 03:32:34.040 in the room was on the desk, so he was 3906 03:32:34.079 --> 03:32:36.479 facing the desk with his head thrown back. There was 3907 03:32:36.520 --> 03:32:40.559 only one place the bullet could go. The medical examiner 3908 03:32:40.600 --> 03:32:42.920 rubbed his hand across his mouth, tried to punch a 3909 03:32:42.959 --> 03:32:48.200 hole in the theory failed. The killer Johnny, Doc Saville, 3910 03:32:49.440 --> 03:32:53.319 what was his motive? Travin wanted to know Merritt's money. 3911 03:32:53.360 --> 03:32:56.879 Of course, Lydel reached over, took one of the paper containers, 3912 03:32:57.000 --> 03:32:59.879 handed one to Muggsy. He was slated to Mary Jean, 3913 03:33:00.040 --> 03:33:02.920 the old man's only heir. He gouged the top out 3914 03:33:02.959 --> 03:33:05.959 of his container. Savell killed him. But I can't prove it, 3915 03:33:06.000 --> 03:33:08.760 and I don't think you can either, Doc. Why should 3916 03:33:08.840 --> 03:33:11.280 he kill him? The old man thought a lot of him. 3917 03:33:11.559 --> 03:33:13.760 He could still have married the girl and eventually inherited 3918 03:33:13.760 --> 03:33:17.559 the money. The medical examiner argued, maybe Merritt found out 3919 03:33:17.559 --> 03:33:20.399 that Tony Seville of Park Avenue and Anthony and Savalaro 3920 03:33:20.520 --> 03:33:23.319 of Mulberry Street were one and the same guy. Maybe 3921 03:33:23.360 --> 03:33:26.040 he also found out that Anne Savalaro had been married 3922 03:33:26.040 --> 03:33:28.639 to a nurse named Mellison. Maybe he was figuring on 3923 03:33:28.719 --> 03:33:34.000 breaking up the marriage. What's this and Sevalaro business? That's 3924 03:33:34.000 --> 03:33:36.559 Savell's right name, the one he went through medical school 3925 03:33:36.600 --> 03:33:40.159 and internship with, the one he was married under. He 3926 03:33:40.200 --> 03:33:42.959 took an experimental sip of his coffee. He was a 3927 03:33:43.000 --> 03:33:45.559 little Eastside kid with no future and plenty of plans. 3928 03:33:46.159 --> 03:33:48.120 He ended up as a fifteen dollar a month intern 3929 03:33:48.159 --> 03:33:50.440 in a city hospital without a dream of raising enough 3930 03:33:50.479 --> 03:33:54.079 money to open his own office. Doc Travin pulled a 3931 03:33:54.120 --> 03:33:57.280 desk pat over, scribbled a few notes on it. Go ahead, 3932 03:33:57.799 --> 03:34:01.040 he nodded Lydell settled back in his chair, took another 3933 03:34:01.040 --> 03:34:03.559 sip of coffee. One day, he gets what looks like 3934 03:34:03.559 --> 03:34:06.479 a big break. Pete Vailey, top racket boy on the 3935 03:34:06.479 --> 03:34:09.319 East Side, gets himself shot up in the Governeur district, 3936 03:34:10.120 --> 03:34:13.000 and Savalaro is riding bus that day, does an extra 3937 03:34:13.040 --> 03:34:15.159 special job of patching Pete up before he takes him 3938 03:34:15.159 --> 03:34:20.239 into the hospital. Doc Travin looked disappointed. So what's that 3939 03:34:20.239 --> 03:34:23.360 got to do with Mett Merritt and his daughter? Let 3940 03:34:23.399 --> 03:34:26.000 me tell it my own way. Lydell held up his hand. 3941 03:34:26.559 --> 03:34:28.559 After he finishes a stretch on the bus, he goes 3942 03:34:28.600 --> 03:34:31.440 into mail surgery, starts to drop by Pete's room more 3943 03:34:31.440 --> 03:34:35.040 and more often. Maybe Laura Melleson, who's in charge of 3944 03:34:35.040 --> 03:34:37.280 male surgery at that time, sets it up for him. 3945 03:34:37.399 --> 03:34:39.959 I don't know. Anyway, pretty soon he and Pete are 3946 03:34:39.959 --> 03:34:44.079 telling each other they are troubles, such as Lydell shrugged. 3947 03:34:45.000 --> 03:34:47.639 Pete had plenty of troubles in those days. He was 3948 03:34:47.680 --> 03:34:51.559 just building up his organization, and he's got competition. Competition 3949 03:34:51.639 --> 03:34:54.200 means a little rough stuff. And sometimes Pete and his 3950 03:34:54.280 --> 03:34:58.440 boys need medical care, discreet medical care which they can't 3951 03:34:58.440 --> 03:35:02.280 get the reported. Every time he or his boy show 3952 03:35:02.360 --> 03:35:06.399 up for treatment, the medical examiner nodded, doodled on his desk. 3953 03:35:06.440 --> 03:35:10.000 Pad Pete scared a death to ignore wound because his 3954 03:35:10.120 --> 03:35:13.120 kid brother Micky, died from an infected wound. So when 3955 03:35:13.159 --> 03:35:16.840 Anne Savalaro makes his proposition, Pete is plenty ready for it. 3956 03:35:18.360 --> 03:35:21.520 Stop making like you read Crystal balls, Muggsy grinned pop 3957 03:35:21.600 --> 03:35:25.600 Michaels told you that. Lydell nodded. I don't know who 3958 03:35:25.639 --> 03:35:28.760 made whom the proposition, actually, but the upshot of it 3959 03:35:28.799 --> 03:35:31.799 is that Anne Savalaro got a fancy uptown office and 3960 03:35:31.840 --> 03:35:35.079 a private hospital in Westchester and Valley and his boys 3961 03:35:35.120 --> 03:35:39.760 get constant and discreet medical care. Doc Travin stirred unhappily 3962 03:35:39.799 --> 03:35:43.479 in his chair. These are serious charges you're making, Johnny, 3963 03:35:43.959 --> 03:35:46.840 can you make them stick? I can't prove a bit 3964 03:35:46.879 --> 03:35:50.959 of it, Doc, that's your job, Lydell admitted, cheerfully. All 3965 03:35:50.959 --> 03:35:53.120 it can prove is that Anne Savalaro became sebil in 3966 03:35:53.200 --> 03:35:56.840 nineteen forty and that as Anne Savalaro he married Laura Malleson, 3967 03:35:57.040 --> 03:36:00.440 who conveniently died in nineteen forty five. For him to 3968 03:36:00.479 --> 03:36:03.760 make an all out pitch for Jean Merritt, Doc Travin 3969 03:36:03.760 --> 03:36:06.360 made a few more notes, Well, it won't be hard 3970 03:36:06.360 --> 03:36:09.000 to establish when he opened that Park Avenue office and 3971 03:36:09.120 --> 03:36:12.399 his Westchester set up. It will be to find out 3972 03:36:12.399 --> 03:36:14.920 where he got the money to do it. You think 3973 03:36:14.959 --> 03:36:19.120 Vailey underwrote it, Lydell shrugged, and may be a coincidence, 3974 03:36:19.360 --> 03:36:21.840 But from that day to this neither Vailey nor any 3975 03:36:21.840 --> 03:36:24.479 of his men have ever shown up for gunshot wound treatment. 3976 03:36:25.879 --> 03:36:29.920 Oh kay, so Vailey sets him up. Then what Sidell's 3977 03:36:29.920 --> 03:36:32.680 a good lucking boy, and with the front, Valley's money 3978 03:36:32.719 --> 03:36:34.799 pays for Pretty soon he's doing all right with the 3979 03:36:34.799 --> 03:36:37.399 debs all this time. Of course, he's married to Laura. 3980 03:36:37.840 --> 03:36:41.600 Maybe she objects, maybe she doesn't. Anyway, there's no crisis 3981 03:36:41.639 --> 03:36:44.200 until Seville meets Jean Merritt and falls hook line and 3982 03:36:44.280 --> 03:36:47.479 sinker for the old man's bank account. Lydel drained his 3983 03:36:47.479 --> 03:36:50.319 paper cup, crushed it with his fist, tossed it at 3984 03:36:50.319 --> 03:36:53.399 the waste basket. Laura is now a handicap, so she's 3985 03:36:53.399 --> 03:36:57.159 got to go. In nineteen forty five, she conveniently dies, 3986 03:36:57.319 --> 03:37:00.719 clearing the way for Saville to marry Jean Merritt. If 3987 03:37:00.719 --> 03:37:02.600 he has Vali's money in back of him, why I 3988 03:37:02.639 --> 03:37:04.360 take the risk of getting rid of Laura just to 3989 03:37:04.399 --> 03:37:07.600 marry more money. By nineteen forty five, Pete Valley is 3990 03:37:07.639 --> 03:37:10.159 well organized and he's getting less and less action out 3991 03:37:10.159 --> 03:37:12.319 of the dock for his money. He sees a chance 3992 03:37:12.319 --> 03:37:15.079 of getting back some of his investment in Seville, so 3993 03:37:15.280 --> 03:37:18.280 he backs the doc's play for Jean, he ran a 3994 03:37:18.319 --> 03:37:21.559 hand across his eyes. There you are, Doc, It's all yours, 3995 03:37:21.799 --> 03:37:25.440 the murder, the murderer, the means, and the motive. I'm 3996 03:37:25.479 --> 03:37:29.200 not boring you, am I Doc. The medical examiner forced 3997 03:37:29.239 --> 03:37:33.879 a grin that his eyes didn't join into Not a bit, Johnny. 3998 03:37:34.000 --> 03:37:36.799 It's more soothing than mother Goose, if a little less probable, 3999 03:37:37.399 --> 03:37:40.120 even if we can't move in on a reputable physician 4000 03:37:40.159 --> 03:37:42.840 on the alcoholic day dreams of a punch drunk private Eye, 4001 03:37:42.920 --> 03:37:45.319 go ahead anyway. I can't wait to hear how it 4002 03:37:45.360 --> 03:37:48.760 turns out. I can tell you that too. Seville gets 4003 03:37:48.760 --> 03:37:51.360 away with it and manages to muscle the district attorney 4004 03:37:51.399 --> 03:37:54.239 into lifting my license for persecuting him. When things go 4005 03:37:54.319 --> 03:37:57.079 quiet down a little, he'll marry Jean inherit the old 4006 03:37:57.079 --> 03:37:59.680 man's dough and kick the kid around until she wears out. 4007 03:38:00.520 --> 03:38:03.360 Where'd you come into this picture? Travin wanted to know, 4008 03:38:04.319 --> 03:38:06.280 just in time to get my ears half shot off. 4009 03:38:06.719 --> 03:38:08.520 The girl must have gotten suspicious of the way her 4010 03:38:08.520 --> 03:38:11.719 father died, contacted the agency to dig into it, and 4011 03:38:11.799 --> 03:38:14.280 some way Saville tumbled to what she did, sent a 4012 03:38:14.280 --> 03:38:18.200 couple of Ailey's boys to discourage me muggs Achille was 4013 03:38:18.239 --> 03:38:21.239 biting on her finger nails with concentrated energy. There's one 4014 03:38:21.239 --> 03:38:23.440 thing about the whole picture I think you've got wrong, Johnny, 4015 03:38:24.000 --> 03:38:25.559 the way you set it up. The doc waited for 4016 03:38:25.600 --> 03:38:28.239 a night when nobody was home. There was somebody home 4017 03:38:28.280 --> 03:38:33.159 that night, missus Merritt. That was her tough luck. Lightel nodded. 4018 03:38:33.559 --> 03:38:36.159 She heard the shot, came running, found the dock leaning 4019 03:38:36.159 --> 03:38:38.920 over her husband's body. She started to yell, and he 4020 03:38:39.000 --> 03:38:40.840 must have slammed her over the head with his rod. 4021 03:38:41.479 --> 03:38:43.520 His story that she got those injuries falling down the 4022 03:38:43.520 --> 03:38:46.079 stairs wouldn't hold up. The carpeting on the stairs was 4023 03:38:46.120 --> 03:38:50.879 too thick. Why didn't he kill her right there? Travin argued, 4024 03:38:51.600 --> 03:38:54.280 that would ruin the suicide theory. Of course, he might 4025 03:38:54.280 --> 03:38:56.360 have staged a suicide and murder, but that might have 4026 03:38:56.399 --> 03:38:59.079 stirred up an inquiry. So he did it the easy way. 4027 03:38:59.479 --> 03:39:01.799 Set the old guy up as a suicide. Lugged the 4028 03:39:01.799 --> 03:39:03.680 old lady to the head of the stairs and pitched 4029 03:39:03.680 --> 03:39:07.680 her down. Doc Travin pinched at his lower lip. She 4030 03:39:08.159 --> 03:39:11.200 could have been killed by the fall, Well, that would 4031 03:39:11.200 --> 03:39:13.000 have been all right. It would have looked as though 4032 03:39:13.000 --> 03:39:15.680 she had started for help, fainted and was accidentally killed 4033 03:39:15.680 --> 03:39:18.399 by a fall down the stairs. If she didn't die, 4034 03:39:18.559 --> 03:39:20.600 as the family physician, he could lug her off to 4035 03:39:20.639 --> 03:39:22.920 his private hospital, where he could see to it that 4036 03:39:23.000 --> 03:39:28.040 she didn't do any talking. Doc Travin nodded. It all fits, 4037 03:39:28.319 --> 03:39:33.680 he conceded, But where's the girl now? Saville has her someplace. 4038 03:39:34.159 --> 03:39:36.399 She was afraid to be seen talking to me. Wouldn't 4039 03:39:36.440 --> 03:39:38.600 come to the office, wouldn't let me come to the hotel. 4040 03:39:39.200 --> 03:39:41.360 When Savill's boys grabbed her, they found out she was 4041 03:39:41.399 --> 03:39:43.440 supposed to meet me at the drug store, sent a 4042 03:39:43.479 --> 03:39:47.120 delegation to scare me off. Maybe they did get her, 4043 03:39:47.440 --> 03:39:50.159 but she went peacefully enough. It seems to me, Muggsy 4044 03:39:50.200 --> 03:39:52.239 put In, she could have kicked up a fuss at 4045 03:39:52.280 --> 03:39:54.280 the hotel if they were taking her away against her will. 4046 03:39:55.360 --> 03:39:57.959 Don't forget they had her mother in their hands. They 4047 03:39:58.040 --> 03:39:59.760 might have told her the old lady would suffer if 4048 03:39:59.760 --> 03:40:02.799 she coul gave them any trouble. Doc Travin chewed on 4049 03:40:02.840 --> 03:40:06.440 his pencil, considered the picture lydel a drawn you figure. 4050 03:40:06.520 --> 03:40:08.520 The reason they tried to get you is because the 4051 03:40:08.520 --> 03:40:12.360 girl might have told you too much. Lydell nodded. Maybe 4052 03:40:12.360 --> 03:40:14.319 they were only figuring on throwing a scare into me 4053 03:40:14.399 --> 03:40:16.719 that first night, But Skota didn't look as if he 4054 03:40:16.799 --> 03:40:20.000 was fooling without thirty eight in his fist. From what 4055 03:40:20.079 --> 03:40:23.000 I heard, they weren't fulling that second time. Johnny muggs 4056 03:40:23.040 --> 03:40:26.319 he put in Ricci was a killer. That was Doc 4057 03:40:26.360 --> 03:40:29.559 Saville's work for suret Mugs. After I talked to him 4058 03:40:29.600 --> 03:40:32.559 the morning after Jean Merritt disappeared, he realized I wasn't 4059 03:40:32.559 --> 03:40:35.200 going to be scared off. He figured I knew more 4060 03:40:35.280 --> 03:40:37.600 than I was admitting, so he sent Riccie to blast 4061 03:40:37.680 --> 03:40:41.000 me right out of my hotel room. Doc Travin slammed 4062 03:40:41.000 --> 03:40:44.319 his pencil down, hopped off the desk. Let's go get them, 4063 03:40:44.719 --> 03:40:49.879 Lydell didn't move. Get home for what he asked, If 4064 03:40:49.879 --> 03:40:51.920 you went into court with a story like this, you'd 4065 03:40:51.959 --> 03:40:55.040 be laughed right onto the retirement list. Haven't you ever 4066 03:40:55.040 --> 03:40:57.680 heard what happens to police officials who make false arrests 4067 03:40:58.040 --> 03:41:00.280 and to private detectives who aid in a bet them. 4068 03:41:01.520 --> 03:41:03.200 You don't think they can get away with this, Johnny 4069 03:41:03.559 --> 03:41:07.120 Muggsy looked worried they're doing it, Mugs. We may know 4070 03:41:07.159 --> 03:41:09.280 a lot of things, but proving them as another story. 4071 03:41:10.360 --> 03:41:14.600 How about the old lady, Johnny Travin demanded. She's the 4072 03:41:14.600 --> 03:41:17.319 weak link in Seville's armor. If you're right, she may 4073 03:41:17.319 --> 03:41:18.760 be able to put the doc in the house the 4074 03:41:18.879 --> 03:41:22.280 night Merit died. How are you going to get her testimony, 4075 03:41:23.280 --> 03:41:26.719 get a warrant and raid the sanitarium? On what grounds? 4076 03:41:27.360 --> 03:41:30.040 You can't move her without physicians? Okay, and that's Saville. 4077 03:41:30.559 --> 03:41:32.840 You can't even bring in another doc to examine her 4078 03:41:32.840 --> 03:41:36.840 because that's unethical or something, Idel growled. Get used to it. 4079 03:41:36.959 --> 03:41:40.440 Doc Saville's holding all the aces. The little man took 4080 03:41:40.479 --> 03:41:44.319 a deep breath. Let it whistle between his teeth. What 4081 03:41:44.440 --> 03:41:46.680 do we do? Sit here and let him get away 4082 03:41:46.680 --> 03:41:50.120 with it? Looks like he's doing it anyway, so we 4083 03:41:50.200 --> 03:41:53.639 might just as well relax and enjoy it. Wouldn't it 4084 03:41:53.639 --> 03:41:55.680 be worth while taking a chance on getting a search 4085 03:41:55.719 --> 03:41:59.280 warrant like the doc suggests. Johnny Muggsy wanted to know. 4086 03:42:00.440 --> 03:42:02.639 He'd hear about it, and the chances are that by 4087 03:42:02.680 --> 03:42:04.600 the time the writ was issued, the old Lady would 4088 03:42:04.639 --> 03:42:07.920 be dead from natural causes. As it is, the chances 4089 03:42:07.959 --> 03:42:10.360 are that my license is just a memory. But the 4090 03:42:10.399 --> 03:42:13.440 doc would be back wiping running noses and giving penicillin 4091 03:42:13.479 --> 03:42:15.639 shots so far in the sticks that even a rumor 4092 03:42:15.639 --> 03:42:19.600 could only reach him by carrier pigeon. Buggs Achilly dug 4093 03:42:19.600 --> 03:42:22.159 a cigarette from the voluminous depths of her hand bag. 4094 03:42:23.079 --> 03:42:26.079 If we could only find Jean, she must know something. 4095 03:42:27.079 --> 03:42:31.040 Doc Travin grinned humorlessly. If Johnny's right, Bailey's boys have 4096 03:42:31.079 --> 03:42:32.840 her on ice, and if we push too hard, it 4097 03:42:32.840 --> 03:42:36.799 may be curtains for her too, write Johnny, I doubt it, Doc. 4098 03:42:37.000 --> 03:42:38.680 They've taken too many risks to get their hands on 4099 03:42:38.719 --> 03:42:41.440 that money. Their best bet is to rush the schedule 4100 03:42:41.479 --> 03:42:44.120 and push the marriage through. After all, a wife can't 4101 03:42:44.159 --> 03:42:48.399 testify against her husband. Blydell shook his head slowly. They 4102 03:42:48.440 --> 03:42:50.920 may knock the old lady off, but not the girl. 4103 03:42:52.000 --> 03:42:54.600 Doc Travin tore the top off his container of coffee, 4104 03:42:54.719 --> 03:42:58.680 tested it with his finger. Damn near ice cold, he growled. 4105 03:42:59.000 --> 03:43:02.600 You make your fairy story too interesting. What's with you 4106 03:43:02.639 --> 03:43:06.200 two characters, Muggsy asked, in a shocked tone. You sound 4107 03:43:06.239 --> 03:43:07.719 like you're gonna sit there and let them get away 4108 03:43:07.719 --> 03:43:11.719 with this. I didn't say that exactly, muggs. Lydell told her, 4109 03:43:12.040 --> 03:43:16.559 I said, Doc has all the aces, but Lightell shrugged. 4110 03:43:17.040 --> 03:43:19.399 Sometimes a trump can take an ace. I think I 4111 03:43:19.440 --> 03:43:22.680 have a couple of trumps. Then what are we waiting for? 4112 03:43:23.399 --> 03:43:28.559 Lydell pursed his lips. It may be slightly illegal, he 4113 03:43:28.600 --> 03:43:34.680 looked at Doc Travin, speculatively illegal and dangerous. Doc Travin 4114 03:43:34.760 --> 03:43:37.360 stirred his coffee around the sonky container with his finger. 4115 03:43:38.360 --> 03:43:45.200 How illegal, illegal entry, house breaking, robbery? What for? Lydell shrugged, 4116 03:43:45.719 --> 03:43:47.600 evidence that may give us a foot in the door. 4117 03:43:49.040 --> 03:43:52.639 Doc Travin drank his cold coffee, crushed the cup, dropped 4118 03:43:52.680 --> 03:43:56.719 it into the waste basket. He leaned back, avoided Lydell's eyes. 4119 03:43:58.040 --> 03:44:00.319 What a blessing to be deaf that way? You can't 4120 03:44:00.319 --> 03:44:05.079 hear any illegal proposal. Lydell stared at him for a second, nodded, 4121 03:44:06.159 --> 03:44:08.239 I mean you're right. Maybe it's a good thing you 4122 03:44:08.319 --> 03:44:11.000 didn't hear me, because I'm going through with it. But 4123 03:44:11.079 --> 03:44:13.159 you'd better stay out of it. Doc, You've got a 4124 03:44:13.239 --> 03:44:16.600 job to worry about, that's right. I've got a job, 4125 03:44:16.760 --> 03:44:19.159 and you've got a license. If he get caught at 4126 03:44:19.159 --> 03:44:22.000 this caper, your license is gone. You'll be blackballed in 4127 03:44:22.000 --> 03:44:23.799 every state of the Union and serve time on top 4128 03:44:23.840 --> 03:44:27.159 of it. Muggsy got up, Come on, Johnny, what are 4129 03:44:27.159 --> 03:44:31.760 we waiting for. Doc Travin shook his head. You're not going, Mugs. 4130 03:44:31.879 --> 03:44:33.559 It's bad enough he's out of his mind and is 4131 03:44:33.600 --> 03:44:35.319 going to bowl himself into his cell for the next 4132 03:44:35.319 --> 03:44:38.840 five years. But you're too pretty to be cooped up. Besides, 4133 03:44:38.879 --> 03:44:40.920 you wouldn't care for the styles they're wearing in there. Now. 4134 03:44:42.360 --> 03:44:44.879 I'm going with him, Doc Muggsy stuck her chin out, 4135 03:44:44.920 --> 03:44:48.280 her blue eyes flashing defiance. I'm not letting him go 4136 03:44:48.319 --> 03:44:51.840 into this alone. Doc Travin grinned, who said he's going 4137 03:44:51.879 --> 03:44:56.319 to do it alone. Muggsy blinked, you mean you're in, 4138 03:44:57.159 --> 03:45:00.920 of course, I'm in, lydel grinned. I'll be crazy, Doc, 4139 03:45:00.920 --> 03:45:02.799 A guy in your position can't afford to get fouled 4140 03:45:02.840 --> 03:45:05.360 up in a mess like this. Ain't in a fact, 4141 03:45:06.079 --> 03:45:09.479 Doc Travin's sighed, I've got a feeling I'm gonna hate 4142 03:45:09.520 --> 03:45:12.680 myself in the morning, but I bet tonight's going to 4143 03:45:12.680 --> 03:45:20.559 be fun. End of chapter fourteen. Chapter fifteen, Doc Travin drove. 4144 03:45:20.600 --> 03:45:23.520 On the ride back to the city. Muggsy Keeley sat 4145 03:45:23.559 --> 03:45:26.479 between him and Johnny Lidell on the front seat. Nobody 4146 03:45:26.520 --> 03:45:29.399 did much talking until the car approached the Queensboro Bridge. 4147 03:45:30.319 --> 03:45:32.920 How are we gonna work this, Johnny? Doc Travin wanted 4148 03:45:32.959 --> 03:45:35.360 to know. He swung the sedan into a line of 4149 03:45:35.360 --> 03:45:39.399 trucks and cars converging on the bridge entrance. I don't know, 4150 03:45:39.479 --> 03:45:42.680 Doc Lydell grunted. I've got to keep away from the 4151 03:45:42.719 --> 03:45:45.440 DA's man until we've got something to fight with. If 4152 03:45:45.440 --> 03:45:47.920 they serve me any kind of papers before then, I'm done. 4153 03:45:49.239 --> 03:45:50.879 Why don't you hold up at my apartment until you're 4154 03:45:50.920 --> 03:45:54.559 ready to go up against eatch Johnny Muggsy suggested, I 4155 03:45:54.559 --> 03:45:56.600 don't think he'd be crazy enough to try to crash there. 4156 03:45:58.079 --> 03:46:03.440 Okay with you, Johnny Travin asked Lydel nodded, okay, No, 4157 03:46:03.520 --> 03:46:07.840 id to go Crosstown It fifty ninth, make it sixtieth, 4158 03:46:07.920 --> 03:46:11.040 then you can hit Central Park South at fifth. Conversation 4159 03:46:11.159 --> 03:46:13.319 lagged again as the car separated from the stream of 4160 03:46:13.360 --> 03:46:16.280 cars on the second Avenue side of the bridge. Fifteen 4161 03:46:16.280 --> 03:46:18.479 minutes later, Doc Travin pulled his car to the curb 4162 03:46:18.520 --> 03:46:22.000 in front of Muggsy's apartment. He leaned past Muggsy, opened 4163 03:46:22.000 --> 03:46:25.239 the door. Suppose you two go up and have a sandwich. 4164 03:46:25.399 --> 03:46:27.799 I'll be back in an hour or so, he consulted 4165 03:46:27.799 --> 03:46:30.559 his watch. No self respecting burglar would break an enter 4166 03:46:30.639 --> 03:46:34.600 much before midnight. Anyway, Where are you going? Lydell wanted 4167 03:46:34.639 --> 03:46:36.479 to know. I think I'm gonna have a talk with 4168 03:46:36.520 --> 03:46:39.000 Inspector Hurley he at headquarters and tell him what you 4169 03:46:39.040 --> 03:46:41.000 told me. He's a good guy to have on your 4170 03:46:41.000 --> 03:46:44.559 side at a time like this. Lydell nodded, I'll go 4171 03:46:44.639 --> 03:46:48.840 with you better not Johnny, the medical Examiner shook his head. 4172 03:46:49.440 --> 03:46:51.680 Right now, You're in no spot to win any popularity 4173 03:46:51.719 --> 03:46:54.239 contests down there. What's more, of the DA may get 4174 03:46:54.280 --> 03:46:56.799 a brainstorm, pick you up and jug you just long 4175 03:46:56.879 --> 03:46:58.920 enough for Docsville to sweep up all the loose ends. 4176 03:46:59.280 --> 03:47:02.719 I'll be back around to eleven. Lydel permitted himself to 4177 03:47:02.760 --> 03:47:04.840 be shoved out the door, stood on the curb and 4178 03:47:04.840 --> 03:47:07.360 watched Doc Travin sedan Melton to the stream of traffic. 4179 03:47:08.040 --> 03:47:11.040 Come on, Johnny, I'll fix you a drink. Muggsy invited 4180 03:47:11.680 --> 03:47:14.440 you going up. Mugs He told her, I'll be back 4181 03:47:14.479 --> 03:47:18.280 in about an hour. Where are you going? I'm going 4182 03:47:18.319 --> 03:47:21.159 on that expedition I mentioned, you don't think i'd let 4183 03:47:21.239 --> 03:47:23.479 Doc take the risk of going along. I'm already a 4184 03:47:23.479 --> 03:47:25.760 dead duck as soon as deets can tag me. The 4185 03:47:25.799 --> 03:47:27.319 worst that can happen to me now is that they 4186 03:47:27.360 --> 03:47:29.399 throw the book at me. But it's worth to try. 4187 03:47:30.280 --> 03:47:33.639 You're crazy, Johnny Muggsy argued, Why don't you let Doc 4188 03:47:33.680 --> 03:47:35.479 come all the way in from carport unless you're going 4189 03:47:35.479 --> 03:47:39.840 to let him go along. I need Doc, If my 4190 03:47:39.959 --> 03:47:42.360 hunch is right, his being medical examiner of the old 4191 03:47:42.399 --> 03:47:45.840 lady's hometown might speed things up. What about Hurley, he 4192 03:47:46.520 --> 03:47:49.639 lightell shrugged. I'll worry about Hurley. He when we get 4193 03:47:49.639 --> 03:47:52.680 to him, he signaled. A cruising cab winced as it 4194 03:47:52.680 --> 03:47:55.760 screeched to a stop at the curb. Have that drink ready, 4195 03:47:55.799 --> 03:47:57.479 I'll probably need it by the time I get back. 4196 03:47:58.440 --> 03:48:00.159 The cab dropped him at the corner of six the 4197 03:48:00.200 --> 03:48:03.399 fourth and Park, a block from the building housing Dxaville's office. 4198 03:48:03.920 --> 03:48:05.719 There was nobody in the lobby as he walked in. 4199 03:48:05.959 --> 03:48:08.559 He avoided the elevator, climbed three flights of stairs to 4200 03:48:08.600 --> 03:48:11.559 the office he had visited several days before. It was 4201 03:48:11.559 --> 03:48:14.920 completely dark. He took out a ring of keys, tried several, 4202 03:48:15.040 --> 03:48:18.639 found one that turned easily, walked into the doctor's office. 4203 03:48:18.799 --> 03:48:21.559 He went through the door beside the receptionist's desk, walked 4204 03:48:21.600 --> 03:48:23.840 straight to the cabinet where he had seen Duxaville place 4205 03:48:23.879 --> 03:48:27.319 the X rays on Missus Merritt. With the questionable assistance 4206 03:48:27.319 --> 03:48:30.239 of a cigarette lighter, he selected the proper envelope, stuck 4207 03:48:30.239 --> 03:48:32.600 it in the waistband of his trousers, buttoned his coat 4208 03:48:32.639 --> 03:48:34.959 over it. He closed the drawer, made sure there was 4209 03:48:35.000 --> 03:48:37.440 no sign of his presence, walked through the two offices 4210 03:48:37.479 --> 03:48:40.879 into the corridor. A half hour later, he was fitting 4211 03:48:40.879 --> 03:48:43.959 his key into the lock on Muggsy Kielly's door. Muggsy 4212 03:48:44.000 --> 03:48:45.760 came out of the kitchen to meet him. She had 4213 03:48:45.799 --> 03:48:48.280 changed the royal blue house coat. Her thick blonde hair 4214 03:48:48.360 --> 03:48:51.120 was caught behind the ears, with a matching ribbon allowed 4215 03:48:51.120 --> 03:48:55.920 to cascade over her shoulders. Everything all right, Johnny Lydel nodded, 4216 03:48:56.159 --> 03:49:00.440 tossed the Manila envelope on the table. So far, insulted 4217 03:49:00.440 --> 03:49:03.920 his watch. Trave and call here. It's only nine thirty, 4218 03:49:03.959 --> 03:49:06.680 he said, he wouldn't be here until midnight. Led El 4219 03:49:06.719 --> 03:49:09.479 grinned crookedly. I have an idea that when he tells 4220 03:49:09.479 --> 03:49:12.280 the story to Hurley, he'll get faster action than he expects. 4221 03:49:13.399 --> 03:49:15.719 He walked into the living room, sank onto the couch 4222 03:49:15.760 --> 03:49:18.360 with a sigh. How about that drink you started out 4223 03:49:18.399 --> 03:49:21.760 to make an hour ago? Come in right up, Muggsy promised. 4224 03:49:22.360 --> 03:49:24.879 She disappeared into the kitchen, returned with a tray loaded 4225 03:49:24.879 --> 03:49:26.959 down with ice and glasses and a bottle of bourbon. 4226 03:49:27.600 --> 03:49:29.959 She set it on the inn table, dumped some ice 4227 03:49:30.000 --> 03:49:32.639 into each of the glasses, spilled a generous slug of 4228 03:49:32.680 --> 03:49:36.719 bourbon over them. Get what you were after, lyedel nodded. 4229 03:49:37.559 --> 03:49:39.760 I got what I was after. Whether it's what I 4230 03:49:39.840 --> 03:49:43.159 need or not, it's a different story. He reached out, 4231 03:49:43.239 --> 03:49:45.399 caught the girl by the hand, pulled her down into 4232 03:49:45.399 --> 03:49:48.440 his lap. This may not go the way we hope 4233 03:49:48.440 --> 03:49:52.120 it will, muggs, He told her. So far the dice 4234 03:49:52.120 --> 03:49:55.920 have all been loaded against us. If our luck doesn't change, 4235 03:49:56.000 --> 03:49:58.959 he shrugged, grinned at her, kissed the side of her neck. 4236 03:49:59.600 --> 03:50:01.879 She reached over, placed one of the glasses in his hand, 4237 03:50:02.239 --> 03:50:05.799 took one for herself. In that case, maybe I'll get 4238 03:50:05.840 --> 03:50:07.920 some attention. Ever since you've been on this one, I've 4239 03:50:07.959 --> 03:50:11.520 gotten about as much attention as last week's newspaper. Lydell 4240 03:50:11.559 --> 03:50:14.360 looked at his watch. It's only nine thirty and Doc 4241 03:50:14.399 --> 03:50:19.479 doesn't due back until twelve. That soon, she pouted. She 4242 03:50:19.600 --> 03:50:24.120 reached up, opened his collar, loosened his tie. He certainly 4243 03:50:24.120 --> 03:50:26.319 doesn't expect us to sit here and twil our thumbs 4244 03:50:26.399 --> 03:50:31.239 until he gets here. They didn't. It was actually a 4245 03:50:31.280 --> 03:50:34.440 quarter to twelve when the buzzer sounded. Lydell got up 4246 03:50:34.479 --> 03:50:36.959 off the couch, walked to the phone, lifted the receiver 4247 03:50:37.040 --> 03:50:42.200 off its hook. Yeah, he grunted. Okay, let him come up. 4248 03:50:43.239 --> 03:50:45.600 He walked into the kitchen, ran the tap water, held 4249 03:50:45.600 --> 03:50:49.440 a glass to his head. Who was it, Johnny Muggsy 4250 03:50:49.479 --> 03:50:52.479 called in from the couch. Doc, he's on his way up. 4251 03:50:52.760 --> 03:50:57.120 Water please. Muggy reached over, snapped on the light, spilled 4252 03:50:57.120 --> 03:51:00.120 a yellow gleam into the room. Lydell brought the glass 4253 03:51:00.159 --> 03:51:02.120 to her, picked up the bottle from the end table, 4254 03:51:02.399 --> 03:51:06.000 spilled a little into his glass. A hair off the dog, 4255 03:51:06.399 --> 03:51:11.360 he explained, down it shuddered, tastes like it too. Muggsies 4256 03:51:11.360 --> 03:51:15.159 stifled a yawn, pulled her robe together. I'd better clean 4257 03:51:15.239 --> 03:51:18.360 this up. She picked up the glasses. The melted bowl 4258 03:51:18.360 --> 03:51:21.600 of eyes the almost empty bottle. Took them to the kitchen. 4259 03:51:22.799 --> 03:51:24.920 Lydell had time to run his fingers through his hair, 4260 03:51:25.280 --> 03:51:27.520 adjust his tie, and get back into his jacket. By 4261 03:51:27.520 --> 03:51:30.760 the time the doorbell sounded. He walked over threw open 4262 03:51:30.799 --> 03:51:34.879 the door. Inspector Hurley he stood, towering over Doc Travin 4263 03:51:34.920 --> 03:51:37.959 in the corridor. He pushed past. Lydell stalked into the 4264 03:51:38.040 --> 03:51:42.200 living room. The little medical examiner followed him in. Well, 4265 03:51:42.280 --> 03:51:45.879 this is a surprise, Lydell grunted. I suppose you're all 4266 03:51:45.920 --> 03:51:50.959 loaded down with warrants and everything. Stop, dog is Stupidlydell Hurly, 4267 03:51:51.000 --> 03:51:54.000 he growled, deeds is after your hid, not me. I 4268 03:51:54.040 --> 03:51:55.799 would have been over here hours ago if I wanted 4269 03:51:55.799 --> 03:51:59.159 to find you Early. He's on our side, Johnny. I 4270 03:51:59.200 --> 03:52:02.520 told him the whole story, Sorry, Doc Travin said. Lydell's 4271 03:52:02.520 --> 03:52:07.200 eyes shifted back to Hurley. He believe it, Early, he growled, 4272 03:52:07.280 --> 03:52:09.719 threw his hat on the couch, dropped down with a grunt. 4273 03:52:10.479 --> 03:52:13.479 This sounds screwy, screwy enough to make sense. Why didn't 4274 03:52:13.520 --> 03:52:15.920 you tell me all this? You didn't give me a 4275 03:52:16.000 --> 03:52:18.200 chance anytime I tried to give you the score. You 4276 03:52:18.239 --> 03:52:20.639 accused me of snowing you. You even tossed me to 4277 03:52:20.680 --> 03:52:24.840 the da Okay, okay, so maybe I was wrong, Maybe 4278 03:52:24.879 --> 03:52:27.600 you were leveling. The inspector found a fresh piece of 4279 03:52:27.600 --> 03:52:30.760 gum in his pocket, denuded it of its wrapper. He 4280 03:52:30.799 --> 03:52:33.600 nodded to Muggsy as she returned tray, fresh eyes and 4281 03:52:33.600 --> 03:52:36.399 fresh bottle in hand. According to the doc, you got 4282 03:52:36.440 --> 03:52:40.760 Seville Peggs, Matt Merrit's killer. Right Lydell nodded, But there's 4283 03:52:40.799 --> 03:52:42.360 not a thing in what you gave, Doc that lets 4284 03:52:42.440 --> 03:52:45.319 us move in on him. Not a shred of evidence. Hurly, 4285 03:52:45.399 --> 03:52:49.239 he growled, that's what we're going after, Hurly, he Doc 4286 03:52:49.280 --> 03:52:52.000 Travin put in. Hurly, he growled. Let Muggsy pour him 4287 03:52:52.000 --> 03:52:54.760 a drink, accepted it. It won't do you any good, Doc, 4288 03:52:55.200 --> 03:52:57.520 This guy's too smart. The way he's covered up, he's 4289 03:52:57.559 --> 03:53:00.959 left us nothing. Lydell walked out to the foyer, came 4290 03:53:01.000 --> 03:53:03.559 back with four X ray negatives, handed them to Travin. 4291 03:53:04.200 --> 03:53:07.319 What do you make of these, doc? Doc Travin muttered 4292 03:53:07.360 --> 03:53:10.000 under his breath, stood up, flattened the negatives against the 4293 03:53:10.040 --> 03:53:12.879 lamp shade. He studied each one, carefully, put them down. 4294 03:53:13.719 --> 03:53:15.920 What the hell's this got to do with it? What 4295 03:53:16.079 --> 03:53:18.959 about them? Travin picked them up, held them to the 4296 03:53:19.040 --> 03:53:21.520 light again. Must have been a bad accident. The old 4297 03:53:21.520 --> 03:53:23.920 woman's got a bad concussion over the right ear. The 4298 03:53:23.920 --> 03:53:26.360 oldest kid's jaw is a bad fracture. The other kids 4299 03:53:26.360 --> 03:53:29.159 a compound. Lydell caught the medical examiner by the shoulder. 4300 03:53:29.799 --> 03:53:31.479 What do you mean the old woman, the young kid, 4301 03:53:31.520 --> 03:53:33.559 and the other kid, Doc, they're all x rays of 4302 03:53:33.600 --> 03:53:37.600 the same person. The medical Examiner's eyes didn't leave Lydell. 4303 03:53:38.000 --> 03:53:40.760 He picked the plates up, subjected them to another scrutiny, 4304 03:53:41.200 --> 03:53:43.280 your nuts, lydel This one is the skull of an 4305 03:53:43.319 --> 03:53:46.040 elderly person, probably a woman. This is the jaw an 4306 03:53:46.159 --> 03:53:49.000 entirely different person, less than half the age of the first. 4307 03:53:49.200 --> 03:53:51.840 And this is obviously the forearm of a youngster. He 4308 03:53:51.879 --> 03:53:54.200 tossed the x rays on the table. What is all this? 4309 03:53:55.239 --> 03:53:57.639 Those are the x rays Docsaville claims he took of 4310 03:53:57.719 --> 03:54:00.520 missus Merritt right after he took her into the Hut Hospital, 4311 03:54:01.159 --> 03:54:04.000 Inspector Hurley. He looked from lightel to Travian and back again. 4312 03:54:05.040 --> 03:54:09.559 These facular injuries. Why Lydell snapped his fingers. Take a 4313 03:54:09.600 --> 03:54:12.360 look at them? A broken jaw so she can't talk, 4314 03:54:12.760 --> 03:54:16.479 a skull fracture so he can claim she's unconscious, even 4315 03:54:16.520 --> 03:54:18.799 a compound fracture of the right arm so she can't 4316 03:54:18.799 --> 03:54:22.280 write the answers to any questions. It's as clear as 4317 03:54:22.280 --> 03:54:25.440 the nose on my face. Inspector missus Merrick knows something 4318 03:54:25.479 --> 03:54:29.479 that Doc Saville doesn't want her to spell. Doc Travin groaned, 4319 03:54:29.879 --> 03:54:32.280 what are we doing here? She's probably dead right now, 4320 03:54:33.120 --> 03:54:36.159 Inspector Hurley, he looked worried. Why should they kill her? 4321 03:54:36.479 --> 03:54:38.840 They think they're in the clear. They'd be better off 4322 03:54:38.840 --> 03:54:40.479 waiting a couple of months and then letting her dive 4323 03:54:40.520 --> 03:54:45.200 of natural causes. Doc Travin stamped the floor swore why 4324 03:54:45.239 --> 03:54:48.600 should they She has no close relatives to ask embarrassing questions. 4325 03:54:48.920 --> 03:54:51.680 Docxaville will just sign the desk certificate and the daughter 4326 03:54:51.719 --> 03:54:54.840 will sign the burial for him. Then some undertaker pal 4327 03:54:54.879 --> 03:54:58.200 of Saville's will cremate her, and who's the wiser Later on, 4328 03:54:58.280 --> 03:55:00.120 if any questions are asked, they can always say as 4329 03:55:00.200 --> 03:55:02.159 the old girls wished that the services be quiet and 4330 03:55:02.159 --> 03:55:05.559 bribed hurly. He walked out to the foyer, picked up 4331 03:55:05.559 --> 03:55:08.920 the phone, dialed headquarters never thought of that she might 4332 03:55:08.959 --> 03:55:11.799 be dead already. He dropped his lip to the mouthpiece, 4333 03:55:11.920 --> 03:55:15.479 gave an extension number. Then this is Inspector Hurley. Put 4334 03:55:15.479 --> 03:55:17.719 a man to check vital statistics. See if a death 4335 03:55:17.719 --> 03:55:19.680 certificate has been filed in the past week or ten 4336 03:55:19.760 --> 03:55:22.559 days on Emma Merrit, Snap to it and call me 4337 03:55:22.600 --> 03:55:25.280 at this number. He read the number off the instrument. 4338 03:55:26.079 --> 03:55:29.360 He hung up the phone, sat twirling his thumbs. Nobody 4339 03:55:29.399 --> 03:55:32.479 in the room spoke for the next ten minutes. Hurley 4340 03:55:32.559 --> 03:55:35.120 he left the phone, started to pace the room, stopping 4341 03:55:35.159 --> 03:55:37.760 only long enough to walk out onto the terrace, stared 4342 03:55:37.760 --> 03:55:40.079 down at the network of lights that identified Central Park. 4343 03:55:41.200 --> 03:55:43.520 Muggsy went into the bedroom to apply a fresh coat 4344 03:55:43.520 --> 03:55:46.639 of makeup. Doc Travin sat staring moodily at the ceiling, 4345 03:55:46.760 --> 03:55:49.479 and Lidell applied himself to a morose inspection of the 4346 03:55:49.520 --> 03:55:52.319 tips of his shoes. The phone rang with a sudden, 4347 03:55:52.319 --> 03:55:55.719 piercing sharpness. Hurly, he grabbed it from its hook, held 4348 03:55:55.719 --> 03:55:59.319 it to his ear. You're sure of that, he demanded, 4349 03:55:59.520 --> 03:56:02.360 Half far back, did you go good? Stand By a moment, 4350 03:56:02.920 --> 03:56:05.360 he held his hand over the mouthpiece. He hasn't been 4351 03:56:05.360 --> 03:56:07.600 filed yet. That means the old guile is still alive. 4352 03:56:08.959 --> 03:56:10.879 We'd better get up to that sanitarium of his and 4353 03:56:11.040 --> 03:56:16.000 make sure Seville doesn't rectify that oversight right away, Lydell growled. Hurley. 4354 03:56:16.040 --> 03:56:18.920 He nodded, removed his hand from the phone. I want 4355 03:56:18.920 --> 03:56:21.120 a car. Four men ride away. We'll pick them up 4356 03:56:21.120 --> 03:56:23.319 at the fifty seventh Street entrance to the West Side Drive, 4357 03:56:23.399 --> 03:56:27.479 Lieutenant hop to it. The Seville Sanitarium was a trim, 4358 03:56:27.520 --> 03:56:30.799 two story stucco building sat behind a well manicured lawn 4359 03:56:30.840 --> 03:56:34.000 on the outskirts of Bronxville. The big police sedan skidded 4360 03:56:34.000 --> 03:56:37.600 to a stop in the crushed bluestone driveway. Inspector Hurley 4361 03:56:37.680 --> 03:56:40.120 he jumped out, followed by Johnny Lydell and the medical 4362 03:56:40.159 --> 03:56:43.319 examiner muggs Achielle followed them up the stairs. More leisurely, 4363 03:56:44.200 --> 03:56:46.799 Hurley he strode purposefully across the small lobby to where 4364 03:56:46.799 --> 03:56:50.360 a colored boy sat behind a small switchboard. Sorry, mister, 4365 03:56:50.680 --> 03:56:53.399 he said, visiting hours over long ago. You can't come 4366 03:56:53.399 --> 03:56:58.040 in here this hour. What room's missus, Meriden, Hurley, he demanded. 4367 03:56:58.360 --> 03:57:00.760 He flashed his shield under the boy's sauce or sized eyes. 4368 03:57:01.000 --> 03:57:04.559 This is police business. I don't know nothing about any 4369 03:57:04.559 --> 03:57:07.479 police business, mister, he protested. I can't let you in 4370 03:57:07.520 --> 03:57:10.319 without doctor Seville. Hurly. He reached over, caught the boy 4371 03:57:10.360 --> 03:57:12.799 by the lapels of his white jacket, lifted him clear 4372 03:57:12.799 --> 03:57:15.799 off his seat. I don't want to see doctor Seville, sonny. 4373 03:57:16.040 --> 03:57:18.520 I ask what room, Missus Merritt is in. What is it? 4374 03:57:19.680 --> 03:57:21.520 The whites of the boy's eyes stood out against the 4375 03:57:21.520 --> 03:57:24.239 blackness of his skin. His eyes rolled from face to face, 4376 03:57:24.360 --> 03:57:27.319 ended on Hurley. He's I don't know. I'm only the 4377 03:57:27.360 --> 03:57:30.840 relief man, mister Hurly. He pushed him back in his chair. 4378 03:57:31.159 --> 03:57:34.399 Find out you've got a register of some kind of round. 4379 03:57:34.719 --> 03:57:37.280 The boy nodded, opened the card file with shaking fingers, 4380 03:57:37.280 --> 03:57:42.440 went through it. Missus Merritt, she's in sixty two. Mister, yes, sir, 4381 03:57:42.520 --> 03:57:45.680 it's sixty two Hurly. He nodded, spun on his heel 4382 03:57:45.799 --> 03:57:48.920 started down the corridor. The boy behind the switchboard watched 4383 03:57:48.959 --> 03:57:51.200 the four across the lobby. As soon as they had 4384 03:57:51.239 --> 03:57:53.239 turned down the far corridor, he spun on his chair 4385 03:57:53.280 --> 03:57:56.280 started plugging wires on the board. Room sixty two was 4386 03:57:56.319 --> 03:57:59.200 almost in complete darkness. On the bed, a heavily bandaged 4387 03:57:59.200 --> 03:58:01.959 figure lay, his features completely covered by white gauze, with 4388 03:58:02.000 --> 03:58:04.799 only thin slits for eyes. The sheet rose and fell 4389 03:58:04.840 --> 03:58:06.799 slightly with her breathing, but there was no other sign 4390 03:58:06.840 --> 03:58:10.879 of life. Doctor Travin turned on the light over the bed. 4391 03:58:11.680 --> 03:58:14.879 She's alive, isn't she, Doc, Lighthel demanded fiercely in a 4392 03:58:14.920 --> 03:58:18.079 low voice. Travin nodded, caught the limp arm that hung 4393 03:58:18.120 --> 03:58:21.319 over the side of the bed, counted the pulse. He scowled, 4394 03:58:21.440 --> 03:58:23.200 walked to the foot of the bed, read the chart, 4395 03:58:23.319 --> 03:58:27.479 replaced it. Fracture the right arm, fracture jaw, and lateral 4396 03:58:27.520 --> 03:58:30.520 fracture of the skull. He looked a hurry. He if 4397 03:58:30.520 --> 03:58:32.280 any one of those injuries is a phony, as the 4398 03:58:32.319 --> 03:58:36.040 fake X rays would indicate, we've got enough on Seville 4399 03:58:36.040 --> 03:58:39.879 to warrant our taking any necessary steps. Well, let's stop 4400 03:58:39.920 --> 03:58:43.959 talking and do something. Travin looked down to the right arm. 4401 03:58:44.200 --> 03:58:46.399 It's in a cast. Ethically, I have no right to 4402 03:58:46.440 --> 03:58:50.079 remove it without the consent of her physician. Ethics be damned. 4403 03:58:50.120 --> 03:58:52.440 You have every moral and legal right take it off, Doc. 4404 03:58:52.479 --> 03:58:56.840 I'll assume all responsibility, Hurley, he said. The medical examiner 4405 03:58:56.879 --> 03:59:00.360 looked at him, frowned, shrugged his shoulders. From an inside pocket, 4406 03:59:00.360 --> 03:59:02.760 he pulled out a scalpel in a leather case. I'm 4407 03:59:02.799 --> 03:59:05.399 not too sure about what's cooking, but from the smell, 4408 03:59:05.399 --> 03:59:07.879 I'd say somebody's goose is being cooked. I hope it's 4409 03:59:07.920 --> 03:59:10.760 not ours. The only sound in the room was the 4410 03:59:10.799 --> 03:59:14.000 tearing sound of the scalpel ripping through the cast Lightel 4411 03:59:14.040 --> 03:59:16.600 scuffled his shoe nervously. As the cast fell to the ground, 4412 03:59:17.000 --> 03:59:20.520 they all leaned forward. Doc Travin took the woman's arm 4413 03:59:20.559 --> 03:59:23.399 between his fingers, probed gently, then looked up at Hurley. 4414 03:59:23.479 --> 03:59:26.440 He there's no more fracture here than I've got. He 4415 03:59:26.520 --> 03:59:29.959 massaged the arm gently, held it under the light. But 4416 03:59:30.120 --> 03:59:33.040 take a look here. The whiteness of the flesh was 4417 03:59:33.079 --> 03:59:37.920 scarred by a score more tiny dots. Dope, hurly, he asked. 4418 03:59:38.280 --> 03:59:42.600 Doc Travin nodded. I thought her pulse was funny. She's 4419 03:59:42.600 --> 03:59:46.120 probably got a skinful of it. Let's do it inspect 4420 03:59:46.120 --> 03:59:50.440 her Lydell demanded. Hurly. He nodded, Mord enough, Johnny, even 4421 03:59:50.479 --> 03:59:53.760 deets will be satisfied with this one. He turned to Travin, 4422 03:59:54.280 --> 03:59:56.239 tacked the bandages off her head. Dock and see how 4423 03:59:56.280 --> 03:59:59.959 bad or skull and jaw really are. If the jaws 4424 04:00:00.040 --> 04:00:01.840 I'm broken, she'll be able to tell us what did 4425 04:00:01.879 --> 04:00:06.600 happen that night. Lydell exalted, I wouldn't count on it. 4426 04:00:07.079 --> 04:00:10.559 A new voice interrupted, No, Doctor, I wouldn't move if 4427 04:00:10.600 --> 04:00:14.200 I were you. Lydell went for his forty five, thought 4428 04:00:14.200 --> 04:00:15.680 better of it at the sight of the thirty eight 4429 04:00:15.719 --> 04:00:18.840 in Saville's hand. The hand was steady, the muzzle of 4430 04:00:18.879 --> 04:00:21.120 the gun loomed as big as a cannon, pointed right 4431 04:00:21.159 --> 04:00:25.280 at his belly. His hand frozen midair. Doctor Seville's thick 4432 04:00:25.319 --> 04:00:28.639 black hair was slightly disarranged, and a thin film of 4433 04:00:28.639 --> 04:00:32.079 perspiration beat at his forehead. He showed no other signs 4434 04:00:32.079 --> 04:00:36.319 of apprehension. I suppose you realize that his trespassers. I'm 4435 04:00:36.319 --> 04:00:39.920 perfectly within my rights to shoot you. You, inspector, have 4436 04:00:40.000 --> 04:00:43.920 no right to invade my privacy without a search warrant. You, doctor, 4437 04:00:44.000 --> 04:00:47.200 have no right, either medical or legal, to interfere with 4438 04:00:47.239 --> 04:00:51.000 my patient, Inspector Hurley, he motioned to the figure on 4439 04:00:51.040 --> 04:00:54.479 the bed, right or no right. We're removing your patient 4440 04:00:54.520 --> 04:00:57.040 to another hospital, doctor, and we'd taken you one on 4441 04:00:57.120 --> 04:01:02.000 suspicion of murder. I would bake on that inspector. The 4442 04:01:02.079 --> 04:01:04.280 dark man raised his gun until the blank eye of 4443 04:01:04.319 --> 04:01:07.360 its barrel looked hurry he in the eye. I'm afraid 4444 04:01:07.360 --> 04:01:09.760 that neither you nor the bark of the gun. In 4445 04:01:09.799 --> 04:01:12.399 the small room was a sharp, malicious spat. The slug 4446 04:01:12.440 --> 04:01:14.479 caught Seville in the side of the head, spun him 4447 04:01:14.479 --> 04:01:17.159 half around. He tried to regain his balance. There was 4448 04:01:17.200 --> 04:01:19.159 a second spat, and he was slammed back against the 4449 04:01:19.200 --> 04:01:22.239 wall to slide to a sitting position. He was dead 4450 04:01:22.280 --> 04:01:25.239 by the time Doc Travin reached him. Who did it? 4451 04:01:26.120 --> 04:01:30.159 Travin demanded lydel pointed to the figure on the bed, 4452 04:01:30.280 --> 04:01:32.520 a thirty two in hand, holding herself half erect on 4453 04:01:32.520 --> 04:01:36.120 her elbow. Hurly, he picked the telephone off the night table, 4454 04:01:36.360 --> 04:01:39.680 barked a few instructions in it. Better get the bandages 4455 04:01:39.719 --> 04:01:43.319 off of face, doc, he ordered. Doc Travin nodded, helped 4456 04:01:43.319 --> 04:01:46.319 the woman on the bed to a sitting position. He 4457 04:01:46.360 --> 04:01:48.719 took the thirty two from her nerveless fingers, laid it 4458 04:01:48.760 --> 04:01:51.120 on the night table. From a pocket, he brought out 4459 04:01:51.120 --> 04:01:53.879 a pair of surgical scissors, inserted the blunt end under 4460 04:01:53.879 --> 04:01:56.399 the bandages and cut them away. The open like the 4461 04:01:56.399 --> 04:01:59.920 shell of an egg fell away to reveal a youthful face. Hi, 4462 04:02:00.000 --> 04:02:03.239 it's not missus Merrit. Who is it? Lydell demanded. The 4463 04:02:03.280 --> 04:02:06.440 girl on the bed shook her head. I'm Jean Merritt. 4464 04:02:06.760 --> 04:02:08.440 They kept me here so I couldn't go through with 4465 04:02:08.520 --> 04:02:12.959 the investigation. Lydell cursed under his breath. What a perfect 4466 04:02:12.959 --> 04:02:15.040 place to hide her. Why didn't I think o that? 4467 04:02:16.360 --> 04:02:19.680 Thank god you came, Thank god you came. The girl 4468 04:02:19.719 --> 04:02:22.280 in the bed murmured. Her shoulders shook as she wept. 4469 04:02:23.239 --> 04:02:27.440 Yer mother, miss Merritt, where is she dead? They killed her? 4470 04:02:27.959 --> 04:02:30.280 She pointed to the dead man on the floor. He 4471 04:02:30.319 --> 04:02:32.639 did it. He killed her, just like he killed my father. 4472 04:02:33.840 --> 04:02:37.079 You're sure what you say, miss Merrit? Hurley, he asked gently. 4473 04:02:37.639 --> 04:02:40.559 The girl nodded. My mother caught him. He had to 4474 04:02:40.559 --> 04:02:42.920 fix it so she couldn't talk. He threw her down 4475 04:02:42.920 --> 04:02:44.799 the stairs and brought her here so she couldn't tell 4476 04:02:44.799 --> 04:02:48.079 what she knew. She lifted a tear stained face to Hurley. 4477 04:02:48.079 --> 04:02:50.959 He they told me if I didn't come, they'd kill her. 4478 04:02:51.120 --> 04:02:53.239 But when I got here, she was already dead. They 4479 04:02:53.280 --> 04:02:55.479 put the bandages on me and kept me here. She 4480 04:02:55.559 --> 04:02:58.760 dropped her face, covered it with her hands. It was 4481 04:02:58.799 --> 04:03:02.000 a nightmare. Lydell sat on the edge of the bed. 4482 04:03:02.760 --> 04:03:05.639 I'm Lydell, miss Merrit. You hired my agency to look 4483 04:03:05.680 --> 04:03:08.760 into this for you. The girl nodded. I thought they 4484 04:03:08.840 --> 04:03:11.200 killed you. I heard Seville tell those others to do it. 4485 04:03:11.879 --> 04:03:14.920 She shook her head helplessly. I thought I was all alone. 4486 04:03:15.319 --> 04:03:19.440 I I had no one else to turn to, no one. 4487 04:03:19.680 --> 04:03:22.440 Where'd you get the gun you used on Saville, Miss Merritt, Hurley, 4488 04:03:22.479 --> 04:03:25.200 he asked. He picked it up with a handkerchief, wrapped it, 4489 04:03:25.520 --> 04:03:29.319 dropped it into his jacket pocket. It was his. I 4490 04:03:29.319 --> 04:03:30.920 I saw him put it in the desk one night. 4491 04:03:31.479 --> 04:03:33.239 I've had it here, trying to get up enough nerve 4492 04:03:33.319 --> 04:03:36.879 to kill myself, but but I didn't have the courage. 4493 04:03:37.200 --> 04:03:39.280 She stole a terrified look at the bulge and Hurley 4494 04:03:39.319 --> 04:03:43.200 his pocket. I I never handled a gun before. I'm 4495 04:03:43.280 --> 04:03:45.719 terrified of them. But when I saw that he was 4496 04:03:45.760 --> 04:03:48.280 going to get away with it again, I just pulled 4497 04:03:48.280 --> 04:03:53.040 the trigger. Doc Travin stepped in motioned them back. I 4498 04:03:53.200 --> 04:03:55.959 think miss Merritt needs a little rest. Gentlemen, you can 4499 04:03:55.959 --> 04:03:57.719 talk to her in a day or two. But She's 4500 04:03:57.760 --> 04:04:00.760 in no condition to answer your questions now. He herded 4501 04:04:00.799 --> 04:04:03.760 them to the door. I'll stay on here until everything 4502 04:04:03.840 --> 04:04:11.680 is cleared away. End of chapter fifteen, Chapter sixteen. Two 4503 04:04:11.719 --> 04:04:14.319 days later, Johnny Lydell walked through the doors that said 4504 04:04:14.440 --> 04:04:17.959 Wilson Death's District Attorney in private. This time he did 4505 04:04:18.000 --> 04:04:21.479 not have a uniformed escort. Muggsychielle sat in a chair 4506 04:04:21.520 --> 04:04:24.479 near the window, a stenographer's notebook balanced on her knee. 4507 04:04:24.920 --> 04:04:27.000 She was staring out onto the tree lined street below. 4508 04:04:27.040 --> 04:04:30.440 When Johnny Lydell walked in. Inspector Hurley. He sat at 4509 04:04:30.479 --> 04:04:33.319 Deed's right, pounding on the ever present wat of gum. 4510 04:04:33.639 --> 04:04:35.200 On the other side of the desk was a breath 4511 04:04:35.280 --> 04:04:38.760 takingly beautiful blonde, her coloring complimented by the dark black 4512 04:04:38.760 --> 04:04:41.520 of her suit. As Lydell came in, she walked over 4513 04:04:41.559 --> 04:04:45.000 to him, held out her hand. I understand. I owe 4514 04:04:45.000 --> 04:04:48.440 my life to you, mister Lydell. Her voice was warm, caressing, 4515 04:04:48.680 --> 04:04:53.600 even promising, you won't find me ungrateful. Her eyes smiled 4516 04:04:53.680 --> 04:04:57.239 up at him. She turned returned to her chair. The 4517 04:04:57.280 --> 04:05:00.680 district attorney, unwound his long, loose jointed frame from his chair, 4518 04:05:01.040 --> 04:05:04.520 approached Lydell with outstretched hand, Nor will you find the 4519 04:05:04.520 --> 04:05:08.319 District Attorney's office ungrateful, Lidell, Inspector Hurley, He's told me 4520 04:05:08.360 --> 04:05:10.600 of the role you played in wrapping this case up. 4521 04:05:11.600 --> 04:05:14.600 He wrapped a clammy hand around Lydell's I must say 4522 04:05:14.639 --> 04:05:18.079 that to some extent, I disapprove of the extra legal 4523 04:05:18.200 --> 04:05:21.120 methods you employed, but in view of the successful termination 4524 04:05:21.200 --> 04:05:23.639 of the case, I am prepared to overlook them at 4525 04:05:23.639 --> 04:05:28.000 this time. He waved Lydell to a chair, faced the others. 4526 04:05:29.000 --> 04:05:32.280 I've asked you all here merely is a formality. He began. 4527 04:05:32.680 --> 04:05:35.719 The back Bay Boston most pronounced in his voice. I 4528 04:05:35.719 --> 04:05:38.479 think this office is about ready to close the case 4529 04:05:38.520 --> 04:05:41.479 of the death of Miss Merritt's father and the several 4530 04:05:41.520 --> 04:05:47.079 other cases. He smiled bleakly in Lydell's direction of justifiable 4531 04:05:47.200 --> 04:05:51.760 homicide that were and parcel of it. He walked around 4532 04:05:51.799 --> 04:05:54.200 his desk brought the thirty two out of his top drawer. 4533 04:05:54.920 --> 04:05:58.280 You can identify this gun as Seville's Miss Martin. The 4534 04:05:58.319 --> 04:06:01.559 girl nodded, yes, sir, in a lucid moment. I took 4535 04:06:01.559 --> 04:06:03.079 it from the desk where I saw him hide it. 4536 04:06:03.959 --> 04:06:09.079 The District attorney nodded, smiled benevolently. Thank you, lucky thing 4537 04:06:09.120 --> 04:06:11.360 for the state that miss Merit. Such a good shot, 4538 04:06:11.760 --> 04:06:16.399 Lydell grunted it. It was almost a miracle, mister Lydell, 4539 04:06:16.760 --> 04:06:19.879 I know nothing about shooting. I I don't think I've 4540 04:06:19.879 --> 04:06:22.479 ever fired a gun before in my life. The girl 4541 04:06:22.600 --> 04:06:24.879 raised a handkerchief to her lips, made an effort to 4542 04:06:24.920 --> 04:06:28.920 control herself. I'm sorry, I I guess I'm still not 4543 04:06:29.040 --> 04:06:32.959 over it. Wilsondeeds fitted a cigarette to his holder, tilted 4544 04:06:33.000 --> 04:06:36.079 it in the corner of his mouth. What exactly did 4545 04:06:36.120 --> 04:06:40.639 you mean by that, remark Lydell. Lydell shrugged. I tied 4546 04:06:40.680 --> 04:06:42.920 everything up so neatly. It might have been hard to 4547 04:06:42.959 --> 04:06:46.159 pin Seville for murder, particularly for the murder of Merit. 4548 04:06:47.079 --> 04:06:49.920 What are you talking about, early, he roared. You were 4549 04:06:49.920 --> 04:06:51.959 the one who built up the case against him. You 4550 04:06:52.040 --> 04:06:53.680 were the one who proved that it could be murdered, 4551 04:06:53.680 --> 04:06:55.760 because a man would let his doctor shove a gun 4552 04:06:55.760 --> 04:06:57.440 in his mouth if he thought he was examined in 4553 04:06:57.479 --> 04:07:02.040 his throat. Lydell nodded morosely. I didn't say his doctor 4554 04:07:02.159 --> 04:07:06.559 was the only one. There was a pregnant silence. Who else, 4555 04:07:07.959 --> 04:07:13.559 Early he demanded Lydell pinched unhappily at his nostrils. Suppose 4556 04:07:13.559 --> 04:07:15.959 it was his wife or daughter who was in the 4557 04:07:16.000 --> 04:07:19.920 habit of spraying his throat. Suppose that instead of a spray, 4558 04:07:20.040 --> 04:07:23.479 she put the muzzle of a gun between his teeth instead. 4559 04:07:23.920 --> 04:07:26.399 Jean Merritt was on her feet, her face white, her 4560 04:07:26.440 --> 04:07:29.840 handkerchief pressed against her mouth. I won't stand for this. 4561 04:07:30.239 --> 04:07:33.639 You can't believe that my mother would have not your mother, 4562 04:07:33.719 --> 04:07:38.159 miss Merrit. You you killed your father on the pretext 4563 04:07:38.159 --> 04:07:40.200 a spray in his throat. You shoved a gun in 4564 04:07:40.239 --> 04:07:44.200 his mouth and shot him. You must be crazy. Lydell, 4565 04:07:44.600 --> 04:07:47.760 the district attorney, roared. Miss Merritt was a prisoner of Seville's. 4566 04:07:47.959 --> 04:07:51.000 You saw yourself that she has been kept under narcotics. 4567 04:07:51.319 --> 04:07:55.239 Lydell shook his head. Not a prisoner, mister Dietz, checked 4568 04:07:55.239 --> 04:07:58.319 Doc Travin. They'll tell you that they are mostly old punctures. 4569 04:07:59.040 --> 04:08:01.959 Little Jeanie here has been an addict for years, haven't you, Blondie? 4570 04:08:02.360 --> 04:08:04.600 Isn't that what all the trouble with your father was about. 4571 04:08:06.040 --> 04:08:09.639 I'm warning you all. The girl muttered between clinched teeth. 4572 04:08:10.639 --> 04:08:13.479 Sure well, party to this persecution and I'm holding you 4573 04:08:13.520 --> 04:08:18.639 all responsible Lydell nodded, well, take our chances. The way 4574 04:08:18.680 --> 04:08:20.600 I figure it, your father found out you were on 4575 04:08:20.639 --> 04:08:23.799 the junk. Maybe your brother told him, the one who 4576 04:08:23.920 --> 04:08:27.799 was accidentally shot to death. He gave you an ultimatum, 4577 04:08:28.079 --> 04:08:30.680 placed you under Seville's care, fixed it so you'd have 4578 04:08:30.719 --> 04:08:32.879 to marry Seville or you wouldn't get a dime of 4579 04:08:32.879 --> 04:08:37.600 his money. But Johnny muggs Achille put in. Jean Merritt 4580 04:08:37.639 --> 04:08:39.799 hired you to prove her father was murdered. If she 4581 04:08:39.879 --> 04:08:42.040 killed him, why wasn't she satisfied to let it be 4582 04:08:42.120 --> 04:08:46.000 marked off as suicide. The blonde walked over to Lidel 4583 04:08:46.200 --> 04:08:49.520 glared at him. That's right, mister, smart guy. If I 4584 04:08:49.600 --> 04:08:51.239 killed my father, wouldn't I be glad to have it 4585 04:08:51.280 --> 04:08:55.760 called suicide? Not necessarily? A couple of things went wrong. 4586 04:08:56.319 --> 04:08:58.520 In the first place, your mother walked in on you. 4587 04:08:58.520 --> 04:08:59.920 You had to shut her up, so you hit her 4588 04:09:00.000 --> 04:09:03.079 over the head with the gun. That's a lie, the 4589 04:09:03.120 --> 04:09:06.319 blonde roared, Is it? Then? How could you have known 4590 04:09:06.360 --> 04:09:09.959 what did happen? You described it perfectly back at the hospital, 4591 04:09:10.399 --> 04:09:12.680 but you didn't see your mother. She was dead when 4592 04:09:12.680 --> 04:09:15.040 you got there, and she couldn't have told you at 4593 04:09:15.040 --> 04:09:18.360 the house that night because she was unconscious. I'm not 4594 04:09:18.440 --> 04:09:21.399 staying here to be insulted. The blonde screamed, you have 4595 04:09:21.719 --> 04:09:24.639 no right to do this to me. Deets wiped the 4596 04:09:24.680 --> 04:09:27.680 perspiration from his brow, raised a hand to stem the outburst. 4597 04:09:28.840 --> 04:09:33.280 Let him hang himself, Miss Merrit, not me, mister Deets, 4598 04:09:33.440 --> 04:09:36.760 but miss Merrit. He turned back to the girl. You 4599 04:09:36.840 --> 04:09:39.920 needed help, so you called Doc Seville. He took care 4600 04:09:39.959 --> 04:09:41.680 of things for you by setting the scene for the 4601 04:09:41.760 --> 04:09:45.360 tragic accident. You still haven't told us why she should 4602 04:09:45.360 --> 04:09:49.440 call you in, barked the district attorney. She no longer 4603 04:09:49.479 --> 04:09:52.639 wanted it called suicide. She wanted us to discover it 4604 04:09:52.680 --> 04:09:55.159 was murder, but she wanted us to saddle the murder 4605 04:09:55.159 --> 04:09:58.440 on Seville. I won't stand here and listen to these 4606 04:09:58.520 --> 04:10:02.920 ridiculous insinuations, the girl screamed, I'm leaving an nobody can 4607 04:10:02.920 --> 04:10:07.760 stop me. They're not insinuations, miss Merrit. They're facts. You 4608 04:10:07.920 --> 04:10:10.799 killed your father, were responsible for the death of your mother. 4609 04:10:11.159 --> 04:10:13.239 Then you tried to cover up by killing Tony Sablle 4610 04:10:13.280 --> 04:10:17.680 and saddling him with a guilt. The girl's face was white, haggard, 4611 04:10:17.760 --> 04:10:20.040 Her lips were drawn back from her teeth. Her cheek 4612 04:10:20.120 --> 04:10:25.639 was twitching uncontrollably. You can't prove a thing, Inspector Hurley. 4613 04:10:25.639 --> 04:10:28.600 He dropped his hand on the girl's arm. We can try, 4614 04:10:28.639 --> 04:10:33.239 miss Merrit. I'm arresting you on suspicion of murder. Murder, 4615 04:10:33.799 --> 04:10:36.760 Who's murder? There was a new shrill note of hysteria 4616 04:10:36.760 --> 04:10:39.760 in the girl's voice. My father's death is listed as 4617 04:10:39.799 --> 04:10:42.079 a suicide. No amount of talk by this Shamus will 4618 04:10:42.200 --> 04:10:45.280 change that. My mother has disappeared. Tony Sebil kidnapped me 4619 04:10:45.319 --> 04:10:47.920 and was holding me in restraint, killing him with self defense. 4620 04:10:48.680 --> 04:10:51.559 She started to laugh, very hysterically. You can't hold somebody 4621 04:10:51.559 --> 04:10:56.360 for murder unless somebody was murdered. Frankie Coppola was murdered. 4622 04:10:56.399 --> 04:11:00.559 Blondie Lidell told her. The laughter broke off on a 4623 04:11:00.600 --> 04:11:04.440 high note. What's that got to do with me? Lydell 4624 04:11:04.520 --> 04:11:07.319 turned to Hurley. He got a ballistics report on the 4625 04:11:07.319 --> 04:11:11.000 thirty two. Hurley he nodded, pulled a typewritten sheet from 4626 04:11:11.000 --> 04:11:14.959 his inside pocket. Frankie Coppola was killed with the same 4627 04:11:15.000 --> 04:11:19.319 gun that killed Seville. It was his gun, Tony's. I 4628 04:11:19.479 --> 04:11:23.319 told you that the girl screamed, he killed Frankie, not me. 4629 04:11:23.600 --> 04:11:27.319 You can't prove I did. Yes, we can. Lydell told 4630 04:11:27.360 --> 04:11:30.479 her the killer had a key to Coppola's apartment. He 4631 04:11:30.520 --> 04:11:32.959 never would have given it to a lady killer like Seville. 4632 04:11:33.440 --> 04:11:36.239 He would have given it to a girl, though, And besides, 4633 04:11:36.280 --> 04:11:38.799 I wouldn't be surprised if we could persuade Clara Rose 4634 04:11:38.840 --> 04:11:42.040 to do some talking about the times you visited Frankie there. 4635 04:11:43.239 --> 04:11:47.639 Why should she kill Cupola Deats asked. Lydell wiped the 4636 04:11:47.680 --> 04:11:49.840 thin film of perspiration off his upper lip with the 4637 04:11:49.879 --> 04:11:52.600 side of his hand, because she saw he was the 4638 04:11:52.639 --> 04:11:54.959 weak link. He could have told Seville that she had 4639 04:11:55.040 --> 04:11:57.760 hired him to shoot at me, something she knew would 4640 04:11:57.799 --> 04:11:59.840 make me determined to see the case all the way through. 4641 04:12:00.399 --> 04:12:02.319 She was also afraid he might break and tell me 4642 04:12:02.399 --> 04:12:04.440 what he knew, and she would have ended up in 4643 04:12:04.479 --> 04:12:08.559 the death house instead of Saville. All eyes were on Lydell. 4644 04:12:09.079 --> 04:12:11.040 No one could move fast enough to stop Jean Merritt 4645 04:12:11.040 --> 04:12:13.600 from getting the thirty two on Deet's desk. She leveled 4646 04:12:13.600 --> 04:12:16.319 it at Lydell. All right, maybe you can't prove it, 4647 04:12:16.520 --> 04:12:18.600 Maybe you can't, but it won't do Ye any good, 4648 04:12:19.959 --> 04:12:23.639 But you did kill mat merrit Lydell asked why not. 4649 04:12:24.079 --> 04:12:26.719 I hated him. He always blamed me for my brother's death, 4650 04:12:27.000 --> 04:12:29.040 and I wanted his money, but he tried to fix it, 4651 04:12:29.040 --> 04:12:31.120 so I had to marry Tony to get it. I 4652 04:12:31.239 --> 04:12:34.840 wanted that money, and I wanted it without Tony. What 4653 04:12:34.920 --> 04:12:38.319 about your mother, the fool? She blundered in after I 4654 04:12:38.360 --> 04:12:40.399 shot him, She was going to yell. I had to 4655 04:12:40.479 --> 04:12:42.520 hit her to keep her quiet. Then I lost my 4656 04:12:42.559 --> 04:12:44.760 head and I called Tony for help. He threw her 4657 04:12:44.760 --> 04:12:46.959 down the stairs, so it looked like an accident, But 4658 04:12:47.040 --> 04:12:49.680 from then on he knew, and I couldn't let him 4659 04:12:49.680 --> 04:12:52.799 go on living knowing that I killed my father. The 4660 04:12:52.840 --> 04:12:57.239 gun pointed unwaveringly at Lydell's mid section. Everything was going fine. 4661 04:12:57.680 --> 04:12:59.479 I had Tony all set up as a fall guy, 4662 04:13:00.079 --> 04:13:03.799 but you had to spoil everything. Her finger was tied 4663 04:13:03.799 --> 04:13:07.200 on the trigger, her knuckles white from the pressure. You 4664 04:13:07.280 --> 04:13:11.120 were too smart, Lydell, much too smart. She squeezed the 4665 04:13:11.120 --> 04:13:14.040 trigger twice. There were two metallic clicks as the hammer 4666 04:13:14.079 --> 04:13:17.360 fell on the empty cylinder. Hurly He jumped forward, pinned 4667 04:13:17.360 --> 04:13:20.959 the girl's arms to her sides. Lydell wiped the perspiration 4668 04:13:21.000 --> 04:13:25.120 from his face. None too smart, i'll admit, Blondie, but 4669 04:13:25.280 --> 04:13:27.799 just a little bit smarter than you. Smart enough to 4670 04:13:27.840 --> 04:13:29.440 know that they always take the shells out of a 4671 04:13:29.479 --> 04:13:32.440 gun when they do a ballistics check on it. The 4672 04:13:32.479 --> 04:13:34.280 City room of the Advance was in the grip of 4673 04:13:34.319 --> 04:13:37.840 the anticlimactic stupor that afflicts newspaper offices after the last 4674 04:13:37.959 --> 04:13:41.079 edition had gone to bed. Johnny Lydell picked his way 4675 04:13:41.120 --> 04:13:43.959 through the organized confusion of the desks, passed a group 4676 04:13:44.000 --> 04:13:46.559 of men in their shirt sleeves pecking away at typewriters 4677 04:13:46.559 --> 04:13:50.520 of varying ages and vintages. At other desks, men were 4678 04:13:50.559 --> 04:13:54.079 sitting back drinking coffee out of paper containers, running through 4679 04:13:54.079 --> 04:13:56.719 smeared galleys of stories they had filed. For the addition, 4680 04:13:57.399 --> 04:14:01.239 scraps of copy paper, crumpled newspaper telephones that had lost 4681 04:14:01.239 --> 04:14:04.719 their luster were scattered all over the room. Lydell headed 4682 04:14:04.760 --> 04:14:06.879 for the city desk, where a lean, gray haired man 4683 04:14:06.920 --> 04:14:10.920 with sharp inquisitive features presided. His gray eyes widened as 4684 04:14:11.000 --> 04:14:14.879 Lydell stopped in front of his desk. Hi Jem, he nodded. 4685 04:14:15.319 --> 04:14:18.600 Johnny Lydell. He got up from his chair, shoved out 4686 04:14:18.600 --> 04:14:21.319 a gnarl claw. Didn't expect to be seeing you tonight. 4687 04:14:21.719 --> 04:14:23.280 I thought the d' a would have y on ice 4688 04:14:23.360 --> 04:14:26.079 until he got the story. If Howie broke the Merrit's suicide, 4689 04:14:27.239 --> 04:14:30.159 Lydell grinned, shook his head. He can get enough of 4690 04:14:30.239 --> 04:14:33.079 me awful easy. Besides, the Merrick had cracked wide open. 4691 04:14:33.520 --> 04:14:38.360 He knew that, didn't you. Keeley nodded, where's muggs. Keeley 4692 04:14:38.399 --> 04:14:40.120 looked up at the fly specked face of the clock 4693 04:14:40.159 --> 04:14:42.280 on the far wall. Blew out O here about a 4694 04:14:42.280 --> 04:14:44.319 half an hour ago. Didn't even wait to see how 4695 04:14:44.319 --> 04:14:47.399 the story looked. He picked up a blackened briar from 4696 04:14:47.440 --> 04:14:50.399 his desk, clenched his teeth on it. She got a 4697 04:14:50.399 --> 04:14:54.280 call from the coast to night Johnny water Back. Keeley 4698 04:14:54.319 --> 04:14:56.520 pressed the tobacco down in the bowl of the pipe, 4699 04:14:56.600 --> 04:14:59.639 applied a match. It made a sucking noise when he inhaled. 4700 04:15:00.440 --> 04:15:03.559 She didn't say. He stared at Lidell with sharp gray 4701 04:15:03.639 --> 04:15:08.239 eyes goin to try to stop her. Lydell shrugged with 4702 04:15:08.399 --> 04:15:12.440 what Keeley nodded. Watched while a copy boy deposited a 4703 04:15:12.520 --> 04:15:14.719 damp proof of the front page of the Advance on 4704 04:15:14.760 --> 04:15:18.799 his desk. The merrit story was splashed blackly across the 4705 04:15:18.920 --> 04:15:22.159 entire page, Muggsy's by line over three columns and fourteen 4706 04:15:22.200 --> 04:15:24.879 point type. Keeley pointed to her name with the stem 4707 04:15:24.879 --> 04:15:27.879 of his pipe. Imagine her blowin out o here without 4708 04:15:27.920 --> 04:15:32.360 waitin to see that spread Lydell grinned, she must be sick. 4709 04:15:33.440 --> 04:15:36.319 Got Hollywood fever again, I guess, the old man grunted. 4710 04:15:36.760 --> 04:15:39.559 He pulled the page proof over, checked through it, initialed 4711 04:15:39.559 --> 04:15:41.799 it with the stub of a copy pencil, pushed it 4712 04:15:41.840 --> 04:15:44.760 at the copy boy. Tell him to run it, kid. 4713 04:15:45.399 --> 04:15:47.079 I thought she said she didn't want to stay there, 4714 04:15:47.760 --> 04:15:50.559 Keeley grunted, Who the hill knows what a woman wants, 4715 04:15:50.920 --> 04:15:54.079 especially the woman herself. He jammed the pipe stem between 4716 04:15:54.079 --> 04:15:57.200 his teeth. She probably had some blow up with somebody 4717 04:15:57.200 --> 04:15:59.360 out there. Now that she is getting her way, she's 4718 04:15:59.360 --> 04:16:02.319 on her way back. Guess she is headed back to 4719 04:16:02.399 --> 04:16:05.719 the apartment a jim. The old man nodded. That's as 4720 04:16:05.760 --> 04:16:09.239 good a place as any to start trying. Muggsy opened 4721 04:16:09.239 --> 04:16:11.559 the door in response to his knock. Her face was 4722 04:16:11.559 --> 04:16:13.959 wiped clean of all make up. The bridge of freckles 4723 04:16:13.959 --> 04:16:16.840 across her nose was prominent. I've been trying to reach 4724 04:16:16.879 --> 04:16:19.319 you every place, Johnny. She took him by the hand, 4725 04:16:19.479 --> 04:16:22.120 pulled him in, closed the door after him. The most 4726 04:16:22.360 --> 04:16:27.120 wonderful break has happened. Lydell nodded, you're going back to Hollywood. 4727 04:16:27.479 --> 04:16:30.680 How'd you know? She demanded? Did Pop tell you? I 4728 04:16:30.760 --> 04:16:32.639 dropped by the shop as soon as the DA's strong 4729 04:16:32.719 --> 04:16:35.079 arm boys were done with me. They really gave you 4730 04:16:35.120 --> 04:16:38.440 a spread on the story. You know. Muggsy's eyes were dancing. 4731 04:16:39.040 --> 04:16:41.920 Tomorrow that'll be forgotten. But the assignment they dished out 4732 04:16:41.920 --> 04:16:45.280 to me in Hollywood, Johnny, it's the biggest break of 4733 04:16:45.280 --> 04:16:48.120 the year. She led the way through the French doors 4734 04:16:48.120 --> 04:16:50.799 out to the sun deck. Muggsy pushed him into a 4735 04:16:50.799 --> 04:16:54.639 wicker armchair. Relaxed, Johnny, Well, I get us the makings 4736 04:16:54.639 --> 04:16:59.040 of a celebration. She disappeared into the living room. Lydell 4737 04:16:59.120 --> 04:17:02.200 sprawled comfortably in the armchair, squinted at the tiny black 4738 04:17:02.239 --> 04:17:04.920 dots that crept along the winding ribbon of the roads below. 4739 04:17:05.760 --> 04:17:08.159 He looked up as Mugsy reappeared at the door, two 4740 04:17:08.200 --> 04:17:12.280 glasses in hand. How's Jim taking it, Johnny? She handed 4741 04:17:12.360 --> 04:17:14.440 him a glass, sat on the arm of his chair 4742 04:17:15.239 --> 04:17:19.280 Lightell shrugged. He didn't say much. I guess all right. 4743 04:17:20.079 --> 04:17:22.440 He was always preaching that newspaper work was no job 4744 04:17:22.479 --> 04:17:25.639 for a woman anyway. He never meant a word of it, 4745 04:17:25.680 --> 04:17:28.239 and you know it. She slipped at her glass. I 4746 04:17:28.280 --> 04:17:30.200 get a bang out of the excitement and the pressure 4747 04:17:30.200 --> 04:17:32.840 and all that, Johnny. But on the coast it's more 4748 04:17:32.920 --> 04:17:35.079 than that. I don't know how to explain it, but 4749 04:17:35.120 --> 04:17:38.879 it's a terrific bang. Jim will get over it, baby. 4750 04:17:39.719 --> 04:17:42.120 He slid his arm around her waist pulled her down 4751 04:17:42.120 --> 04:17:45.280 into his lap. I was wondering how long I was 4752 04:17:45.319 --> 04:17:47.360 gonna have to ridge my fanny on that arm before 4753 04:17:47.399 --> 04:17:50.479 you'd get the idea. She grinned up at him shamelessly. 4754 04:17:51.360 --> 04:17:54.520 What do you think about my going, Johnny? It won't 4755 04:17:54.559 --> 04:17:57.559 be the same old talent mugs. I'm kind of used 4756 04:17:57.559 --> 04:18:01.479 to having you around, muggsy not that's what I thought. 4757 04:18:01.920 --> 04:18:03.360 So I fixed it so as you could come with 4758 04:18:03.479 --> 04:18:08.520 me doing what Lydell scowled. Changing the ribbons and your typewriter. 4759 04:18:09.879 --> 04:18:12.079 Give me credit for some ingenuity. I cooked up a 4760 04:18:12.159 --> 04:18:15.799 job that you'll fit like a glove. Technical adviser on 4761 04:18:15.840 --> 04:18:18.840 what don't be so thick Johnny, they're going heavy on 4762 04:18:18.879 --> 04:18:21.319 crime and gangster stuff out there. That's why they've signed 4763 04:18:21.399 --> 04:18:24.159 up reporters like said Baum of the Journal, and Martin 4764 04:18:24.200 --> 04:18:26.719 Mooney of the Old American, and me and lots of others. 4765 04:18:27.440 --> 04:18:29.799 They want the pictures to have some guts. You know 4766 04:18:29.840 --> 04:18:32.879 more about that kind of stuff than any of us. Ah, 4767 04:18:32.920 --> 04:18:36.239 there's no future in it, Lydell growled. You mean there 4768 04:18:36.319 --> 04:18:39.000 is a future in being a walking shooting gallery for 4769 04:18:39.040 --> 04:18:40.920 twelve hours a day and a punching bag for the 4770 04:18:41.000 --> 04:18:46.079 DA the other twelve. Lydel grinned, crookedly, and it's better 4771 04:18:46.120 --> 04:18:50.920 than working. Muggsy reached up, kissed him. You always wear 4772 04:18:50.920 --> 04:18:54.159 a screwball, you always will be. I guess you're right. 4773 04:18:54.680 --> 04:18:56.600 It wouldn't be the same, Johnny Lidell, if you were 4774 04:18:56.639 --> 04:19:00.440 to wear pin striped suits and punch a clock. She 4775 04:19:00.520 --> 04:19:02.799 got up from his lap walked over to the railing. 4776 04:19:03.559 --> 04:19:05.840 It won't be much fun out there without you. I 4777 04:19:05.879 --> 04:19:09.719 guess it's like you said, I'm used to having ye round. 4778 04:19:10.280 --> 04:19:13.520 I'll be around, baby when you need me. He got up, 4779 04:19:13.719 --> 04:19:17.159 walked over to her, spun her around, kissed her hard. 4780 04:19:17.639 --> 04:19:20.520 After a moment, she pushed him away. I've got a 4781 04:19:20.520 --> 04:19:24.920 funny feeling, you'll be out there, she grinned. Lido kissed 4782 04:19:24.920 --> 04:19:29.959 her again, you know, he said. Finally, I'm beginnin to 4783 04:19:30.000 --> 04:19:36.719 get a funny feeling too. End of Chapter sixteen. End 4784 04:19:36.760 --> 04:19:38.479 of Bulletproof by Frank Kine