I'll Bury My Dead Part 3

aI was seen going up the stairs. My story is I rang on the bell, and getting no answer, a.s.sumed she had gone down to the office.a aAre you sure they were lovers?a English opened a drawer, took out the photograph he had found in Mary Savittas bedroom and pushed it across the desk. He tossed the packet of letters into Crailas lap.

aThereas all the proof. If Corrine thinks she can mess up my pitch by telling a snivelling yarn like this, sheas got another think coming. Tell her to toe the line or this muck goes to the press.a Crail paused long enough to read two or three of the letters, then he put them in his briefcase, together with the photograph.

aThis is going to be a shock to her, Nick,a he said slowly. aShe was crazy about Roy.a English regarded him, his eyes hard.

aShe doesnat have to know. Thatas up to you. Persuade her to toe the line if youare all that anxious to spare her feelings.a aI guess sheall have to see these letters,a Crail said. aAll the same I donat like it.a aYou donat have to do the job,a English said. aI can always get another attorney, Sam.a Crail shrugged his fat shoulders.

aOh, Iall do it,a he said. aI wouldnat like to be as hard as you are, Nick.a aLetas skip the sentiment. Did Roy leave a will?a aYes. He left everything to Corrine. As far as I can see it amounts to a flock of debts. He had a safe deposit, and I hold the key. I havenat had time to examine it, but I donat reckon to find anything in it.a aLet me know how his estate stands before you tell Corrine,a English said. aWe could arrange to find an insurance policy in his safe deposit. Fix it that she has a couple of hundred bucks a week for life. Iall pay.a Crail grinned.

aWhoas going soft now?a he asked, getting to his feet.

aGet over to the coroneras office,a English said curtly, aand make that story stand up.a aIall make it stand up,a Crail said, nodded and crossed the room to the door. aIall call you as soon as itas over.a III.

A minute or so after Crail had gone, Lois left her desk, crossed the room to Englishas office door and tapped as she opened it. English was staring at his cigar with cold, brooding eyes. He looked up and gave her a little nod.

aCome on in and sit down,a he said, and hunched his ma.s.sive shoulders as he leaned across the desk. aWhat time did you get to bed this morning?a Lois smiled as she pulled up a chair to the desk and sat down.

aIt was after four, but I donat need much sleep.a aNonsense. Of course you do. Go home after lunch and go to bed.a aBut really, Mr. English. . .a she began.

aThatas an order,a he broke in curtly. aLet the work wait. Youare always working. Let Harry do whatas necessary.a aHarry was late, too,a she reminded him quietly. aItas all right, Mr. English. Iam not a bit tired. Weare working on the fight figures.a English ran his fingers through his dark hair and scowled.

ad.a.m.n it! Iad forgotten about the fight. What was the take?a aHarry will have the figures for you in about half an hour.a aGood. Now about last night. What did you think of the setup there?a aNot much, Mr. English. I went through all the files. Thereas been no new business since August.a English frowned.

aAre you sure? Letas see, I bought the business for him in March, didnat I?a aYes, Mr. English. Iave found correspondence dated up to July 31st, but nothing since then.a aWhat was he doing then for the past nine months?a Lois shook her head.

aThe place might just as well have been closed. Nothing came in, and nothing went out. At least, there are no copies of letters in the files.a English rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

aHow about his cases? Did he keep any record of those?a aHe handled eighteen cases from April to the end of July. Twelve of them were divorce cases, three missing people cases and three husband-and-wife watching. But after the end of July there are no records of him having any other cases.a aWhat about his books?a aThere was a set in the safe. I took copies of the details from March to July. I thought the police mightnat like it if I took the books away. I have the copies if you would like to see them.a aWhat was his net average take?a aAround seventy-five a week.a English grimaced.

aThatas nothing. Did the books show anything after July?a She shook her head.

aThen how in the world did he manage to run a house like that on seventy-five a week?a English said blankly. aYou mean to tell me that since August the business hasnat earned a dime?a aHe may have kept another set of books, Mr. English, but according to the one I found, nothing came in since August.a English shrugged.

aWell, okay. What else did you find?a aThere was a card index holder in one of his desk drawers. It had a few blank cards in it. I have an idea the cards that were in use have been taken away.a English studied her, his eyes interested.

aWhat makes you say that?a aFrom the appearance of the box. The bottom of it was very dusty, and by the marks in the dust it was pretty obvious that there had been a number of cards in the box. Iam just making a guess, but it did strike me that a number of cards had been recently removed.a aMaybe the box belonged to the previous owner.a aIt looked new to me, Mr. English.a English pushed back his chair and stood up. He began to prowl around the office, his brows wrinkling into a frown.

aItas d.a.m.ned funny, isnat it?a he said after a long silence. aSo no business at all was done in the office from August of last year to date. Is that right?a aYes, unless copies of letters and dossiers covering that period have been taken away.a aAny sign of any paper having been burned in the office?a aNo.a aWell, all right, Lois, thanks a lot. Sorry to have kept you out of bed so late. Be a good girl and go home after lunch. Whatas important for me today?a You have two interviews this afternoon - Miss Nankin and Mr. Burnstein. You are lunching with the senator at one-thirty. Thereas the mail and a number of contracts for your signature, and Harry would like you to see the balance sheet and figures of the fight.a aLetas have the mail first. Then send Harry in to me. English glanced at his watch. I have an hour and a half before I need worry about the senator.a aYes, Mr. English.a She went out and returned almost immediately with the mail. She sat down at the desk with her notebook ready for his dictation.

Working with his usual speed, English polished off the mail, glanced through a number of contracts that had been initialled by Sam Crail, signed them, then pushed the pile of papers over to Lois.

aLetas have Harry in now,a he said.

Harry Vince came in with slightly dragging feet. He looked pale, and there were smudges under his eyes.

English gave him a quick glance, then grinned.

aLate hours donat seem to suit you, Harry,a he said. aYou look like something the cat dragged in.a aI guess I feel like it, too,a Harry said with a wan smile. aI have the figures for you. We have a net take of two hundred and seventy-five thousand.a English nodded.

aThatas not so bad. Did you put a bet on Joey, Harry?a Harry shook his head.

aI guess I forgot.a English gave him a sharp look.

aWhatas the matter with you? Donat you want to pick up some free money? I told you you couldnat go wrong.a aI meant to, Mr. English,a Harry said, flus.h.i.+ng, abut in the rush it went out of my mind.a aChuck made himself a thousand. Didnat Lois back Joey?a aI donat think she did.a aYou two are hopeless,a English said with a resigned shrug. aWell, itas your own funeral. I canat do more than put the opportunity to make some money in front of you. That reminds me. Morilli will look in some time this morning. Give him three hundred out of my expense account. Heas supposed to have won it on the fight.a aYes, Mr. English.a English stubbed out his cigar.

aEver thought of getting married, Harry?a he asked abruptly.

Harry stiffened. His eyes s.h.i.+fted away from English.

aWhy, no. I guess I haven t.a aHavenat you even got a girl?a English asked, smiling.

aI just havenat had time to get around to girls yet,a Harry said in a low, flat voice.

aWell, for G.o.das sake! You re - what? Thirty-two or three?a aThirty-two.a aYouad better buck up,a English said, and laughed. aWhy, when I was half your age I had a string of girls.a aYes, Mr. English.a aMaybe Iam working you too hard. Is that it?a aOh, no, Mr. English. Nothing like that.a English stared at him, puzzled, then he shrugged.

aWell, itas your life. Better send that balance sheet over to Asprey, and get him to certify it. I have a lunch date with the senator, worse luck.a As Harry moved to the door, the buzzer on the desk sounded. English pressed down the switch.

aLieutenant Morilli is here, Mr. English,a Lois said. aHe would like a word.a aHarry will see him,a English said. aIam going to lunch.a aHe particularly wants to see you, Mr. English. He says itas important and urgent.a English hesitated, frowning.

aOkay, send him in. Iave still got ten minutes. Tell Chuck to have the car ready.a As he released the switch, he said to Harry, aGet his money ready and give it to him as he goes out.a aYes, Mr. English,a Harry said and opened the door and stood aside to let Morilli enter the office.

aYouave caught me at a bad time,a English said as Harry went out, shutting the door behind him.a Iave got to go out in five minutes. Whatas on your mind?a aI thought I ought to have a word with you,a Morilli said, coming over to the desk. aWeave located your brotheras secretary. A girl named Mary Savitt.a English looked at him, his darkly tanned face expressionless.

aSo what?a aSheas dead.a English frowned and stared at Morilli, who stared back at him.

aDead? What - suicide?a Morilli lifted his shoulders.

aThatas what Iave come to see you about. It could be murder.a IV.

For a long second, English stared at Morilli, then waved him to a chair. aSit down, and letas hear about it.a Morilli sat down.

aI telephoned Mrs. English this morning,a he said, ato find out if Mr. English had a secretary. She gave me the girlas name and address. I and a sergeant went down there. She has an apartment on 45th East Place.a He paused and looked hard at English.

aI know,a English said, taking his cue from Morillias look. aI went there myself this morning. I couldnat get an answer. I thought she must have gone down to the office.a Morilli nodded.

aThatas right,a he said. aMiss Hopper, who lives in the apartment above Miss Savittas, said she had seen you.a aWell, go on,a English said curtly. aWhat happened?a aWe didnat get an answer to our buzz. There was a bottle of milk and a newspaper outside the door, and that made me suspicious. We got a pa.s.skey and found her hanging on the bathroom door.a English pushed his cigar box across the desk after taking one himself.

aGo ahead and help yourself,a he said. aWhatas this about murder?a aOn the face of it, it looked like suicide,a Morilli said. aThe police surgeon said it was a typical suicide.a He rubbed his bony nose and added softly, aAnd he still thinks itas suicide.a Then he went on. aAfter the body was removed, I had a look around the room. I was on my own, Mr. English, and I made a discovery. Near the bed was a damp patch on the carpet as if it had been recently washed. When I examined it carefully I found a small stain. I gave it a benzidine test. It was a bloodstain.a English took his cigar from between his lips and frowned at the glowing end.

aI donat reckon to be as smart as you, Lieutenant, but I fail to see how that makes it murder.a Morilli smiled.

aA faked suicide is very often difficult to spot, Mr. English,a he said. aWeare trained to look for the giveaway. That stain on the carpet was a pretty complete giveaway. You see, when I cut the girl down I noticed she had bled from the nose. There were no marks on her nightdress, and I expected to find at least a drop or two of blood somewhere about her clothes. Then I find a stain on the floor. That tells me she died on the floor, and not hanging from the door.a aYou mean she was strangled on the floor?a aThatas right. If someone surprised her, slipped the dressing gown cord around her throat and tightened it she would have lost consciousness very quickly. She would have fallen face down on the carpet, and while the killer was exerting pressure on the cord, it is likely she would bleed from the nose, making a stain on the carpet. Having killed her, it would be simple for him to string her up against the bathroom door to give the appearance of suicide.a English thought about this, then nodded.

aI guess thatas right. So you think itas murder?a aI wonat swear to it, but how else did the stain get on the carpet?a aYouare sure itas blood?a aNo doubt about it.a English glanced at his wrist.w.a.tch. He was already four minutes late for his appointment.

aWell, thanks for telling me, Lieutenant,a he said. aThis is unexpected. I donat know what to make of it. Maybe we can talk about it later on. Right now I have a date with the senator. He got to his feet. Iave got to be running along.a Morilli didnat move. He sat looking up at English, an odd expression in his eyes that English didnat like.

aWhatas on your mind?a English asked curtly.

aItas up to you, Mr. English, but I should have thought you would have wanted to settle this business right now. I havenat put my report in yet, but Iall have to within the next half-hour.a English frowned.

aWhatas your report got to do with me?a aThatas for you to say,a Morilli returned carefully. aI like to help you where I can, Mr. English. Youave always been pretty good to me.a English had a sudden idea that there was something very wrong behind Morillias visit.

He leaned forward and flicked down the intercom switch.

aLois? Get hold of the senator and tell him Iam going to be late. I shanat be with him until two oaclock.a aYes, Mr. English.a He released the switch and sat down again.

aGo ahead, Lieutenant. Do some talking,a he said, his voice hard and quiet.

Morilli hitched his chair forward, and looking English straight in the face, said, aI donat have to tell you how the D.A. feels about Senator Beaumont. Theyave been sworn enemies ever since the senator got into office. If the D.A. can do anything to discredit the senator heas going to do it. Everyone knows youare behind the senator. If the D.A. can make things tough for you, heall do it in the hope itall eventually hit the senator. If he can involve you in a scandal, heas not going to be too particular how he does it.a aFor a lieutenant of homicide, you keep remarkably well informed about politics,a English said. aAll right, weall take that as read. What has it got to do with Mary Savitt?a aIt could have plenty to do with her,a Morilli said. aDoc Richards told me your brother died between nine and half past ten last night. He couldnat put it nearer than that. He says Mary Savitt died between ten oaclock and midnight. Miss Hopper tells me she saw your brother leave Mary Savittas apartment at nine forty-five last night. Itas not going to take the D.A. long to arrive at the conclusion these two had a suicide pact. That your brother murdered the girl, then went down to his office and shot himself. If he does arrive at that conclusion thereas going to be quite a stink in the press, and itas going to come this way and bound off you onto the senator.a English sat still for a long moment, staring at Morilli, his eyes like granite.

aWhy are you telling me all this, Lieutenant?a he asked at last.

Morilli lifted his shoulders; his small dark eyes s.h.i.+fted away from Englishas face.

aNo one but me knows itas murder, Mr. English. Doc Richards says itas suicide, but then he didnat see the stain on the carpet. If he knew about that, head change his mind, but he doesnat know, nor does the D.A.a aBut theyall know when youave put in your report,a English said.

aI guess they will, unless I forget to mention the bloodstain.a English studied Morillias white, expressionless face.

aThereas Miss Hopperas evidence,a he said. aYou say she saw Roy leave the apartment. If she starts talking, the D.A. will investigate. He might even find the stain.a Morilli smiled.

aYou donat have to worry about Miss Hopper,a he said. aIave taken care of her. I happen to know what she does in her spare time. She wouldnat want to go into the box and give evidence. Some smart attorney like Sam Crail might turn her inside out. I mentioned that fact to her. She isnat going to talk.a English leaned forward to knock ash off his cigar.

aYou realize the chances are a hundred to one that Roy killed the girl, donat you?a he said quietly. aIf she was murdered, then someone is going to get away with it, if it wasnat Roy.a Morilli shrugged.

aItall be your brother who murdered her if the D.A. hears about the stain, Mr. English. You can bet your bottom dollar on it. Either way the killer gets away with it. He made a little gesture with his hand. Itas up to you. Iall put the stain in my report on your say-so, but since youave taken care of me in the past, I thought it was only right I should give you a break when the chance came my way.a English looked at him.

aThatas pretty nice of you, Lieutenant. I shanat forget it. Maybe it would be better to forget about the stain.a aJust as you say,a Morilli said, getting to his feet. aOnly too glad to be of help, Mr. English.a aLet me see,a English said absently, ayou have a bet to collect, havenat you? How much was it, Lieutenant?a Morilli ran his thumbnail along his narrow, starkly black moustache before saying, aFive thousand, Mr. English.a English smiled.

aWas it as much as that?a aI guess that was the sum,a Morilli returned, his face expressionless.

aIn that case Iad better pay you. I always believe in paying my debts. I guess thatas right, and I always believe in giving value for money. You would prefer cash I expect?a aIt would come in handy.a English leaned forward and pushed down a switch on the intercom.

aHarry? Never mind about that little matter I mentioned to you just now. Iam looking after Lieutenant Morilli.a aYes, Mr. English.a English released the switch, stood up and went over to the wall safe.

aYouave a pretty good organization here Mr. English,a Morilli said.

aNice to know you approve,a English said dryly. He opened the safe and took out two bundles of notes and tossed them on the desk. I wonat ask for a receipt.a aYou wonat need one,a Morilli returned, picked up the two bundles, checked the amount with a quick flick of his fingers and stowed them away in his overcoat pockets.

aOf course the D.A. might not trust your report,a English said, going back to the desk and sitting down. aHe might send up one of his people to check the room, and he might find the stain.a Morilli smiled.

aI like to kid myself that my service to you, Mr. English, is a pretty good one. The stain doesnat exist anymore. Iave fixed it.a He moved over to the door. aWell, I guess I mustnat hold you up any longer. Iad better get over to the stationhouse and write my report.a aSo long, Lieutenant,a English said. When Morilli had gone, English drew in a deep breath. aWell, Iall be double d.a.m.ned!a he said softly. aThe blackmailing sonofab.i.t.c.h!a V.

From the door of the restaurant, English spotted the senator sitting alone at a corner table, his thin elfish face puckered in a frown of impatience and irritation.

Senator Henry Beaumont was sixty-five years old, small, wiry and thin. His face was wrinkled and the colour of old leather, and his eyes were steel-grey and as sharp as needles. He was a man of insatiable ambition; his ultimate aim was to become president. He had started life was.h.i.+ng bottles in a drug store, and he was inordinately proud of the fact. World War I had given him the chance he was looking for, and he proved himself an able leader of men, coming out of the Army with the rank of major and two minor decorations. By chance he had been taken up by the boss of the Democratic machine ruling Chicago at that time, and had been given the job of overseer of highways in recognition of his war service. It was while he was holding this appointment that he met Nick English, who was trying to finance his gyroscope compa.s.s. Beaumont introduced him to his circle of wealthy businessmen. It was through Beaumontas introduction that English financed his compa.s.s. When English finally settled in Ess.e.x City, he remembered Beaumont and wrote to him, offering to finance him if he cared to run for the post of county judge. Beaumont jumped at the offer, and with Englishas money behind him, he was elected.

English was quick to realize that as his business expanded and his kingdom grew, it was essential to have a powerful friend in the political machine. Although Beaumont was no ball of fire, he was at least sharply aware of his debt to English, and was willing to pull strings when English wanted them pulled.

The next move, English had decided, was to get Beaumont elected senator. The opposition was stiff, but again with Englishas money and coupled with his ruthless determination, Beaumont became senator. Now, he was to come up for reelection in another six monthsa time, and English knew Beaumont was uneasy as to what the results would be.

The matre dah'tel came hurrying over to English as he stood in the doorway, and deferentially led him down the long aisle to the senatoras table. As he followed the matre dah'tel, English was aware that everyone in the luxury restaurant had stopped talking and was looking at him with curious eyes.

He was used to being stared at, but today he felt those stares were accentuated by something more than curiosity. The news of his brotheras suicide had caused a sensation, and people were already beginning to gossip about the reason for the suicide.

The senator half rose from his seat at English joined him.

aI thought you were never coming,a he said in his shrill, waspish voice.

English gave him a hard, cold look and sat down.

aI got held up,a he said shortly. aWhat are we going to eat?a While the senator was choosing his meal, the matre dah'tel slipped an envelope into Englishas hand.

aThis came for you about ten minutes ago,a Mr. English, he murmured.

English nodded, ordered a rare steak and green peas and half a bottle of claret, then ripped open the envelope and glanced at the scrawled message.

Everything under control. Corrine put on a beautiful performance. Verdict: suicide while mind was unbalanced. Thereall be no kickback. Sam.

English slipped the note into his pocket, a hard little smile lighting his face.

aWhatas this I hear about your brother?a the senator asked as soon as the matre dah'tel had gone away. aWhat the h.e.l.l was he playing at?a English looked at him, a surprised expression on his face.

aRoyas been heading for a breakdown for weeks now,a he said quietly. aI warned him he was working too hard. Well, it got too much for him, and he took the easy way out.a The senator snorted. His leathery complexion turned a dark red.

aDonat feed me that c.r.a.p!a he said fiercely, keeping his voice down. aRoy never did a hard dayas work in his life. Whatas this about blackmail?a English shrugged.

aThereas bound to be all kinds of rumours,a he said indifferently. aThere are plenty of people who would like to make a stink out of it. You donat have to get hot under the collar. Roy shot himself because he was worried about his business. Thatas all thereas to it.a aIs it?a Beaumont said, leaning forward to glare at English. aThereas talk he tried to blackmail some woman, and he was going to lose his licence. How true is that?a aEvery word of it,a English said, abut no oneas going to say so unless he wants a lawsuit with me about it.a Beaumont blinked and sat back.

aLike that, is it?a he said, a look of admiration coming to his eyes.

English nodded.

aThe police commissioner started this. Iave had a word with him. Heas not taking it any further. Youave got nothing to worry about, Beaumont.a The waiter brought the steaks, and after he had gone, Beaumont said, aMaybe I havenat anything to worry about, but you have. Thisall kill the hospital business.a English cut his steak, then glanced up.

aWhat makes you say that? If the commission thinks they can double-cross me, they have another thing coming.a aNow look, Nick, youave got to be reasonable,a Beaumont said anxiously. aYou canat get away from it. This rumour is going the rounds, and itas a d.a.m.ned ugly rumour. You know what the commissionas like. Theyall throw a fit if I tell them you want the hospital named after you.a aThen donat tell them until this has blown over. Itall blow over in a few weeks.a aBut theyave called a meeting next week to choose a name for the hospital.a aTell them to postpone the meeting,a English said, and reached for his winegla.s.s. aThis is d.a.m.ned good claret. You should try it instead of drinking Scotch at every meal.a aNever mind the claret,a Beaumont said, s.h.i.+fting uneasily on his chair. aThe meeting canat be postponed. You know that as well as I do.a aItas going to be postponed,a English said. aWho built the hospital? Who financed it? What do you mean - the meeting canat be postponed? I say itas going to be postponed, and you can tell them I said so!a Beaumont ran his finger around his collar.

aNow look, Nick, you canat treat the commission like that. Theyave called the meeting, and you canat do anything about it. You canat treat them like a bunch of schoolboys. Why, d.a.m.n it! Theyare the most important and influential people in this city.a English grinned.

aAre they? Thatas very funny. Then why couldnat they finance the hospital? Why did they have to come to me? Important? Donat make me laugh! Theyare a bunch of stuffed s.h.i.+rts. Now listen to me, Beaumont, you are going to see Rees and tell him to call the meeting off. Tell him I said so. If he tries to kick, tell him Iall withdraw my support. See how he likes that. Heas in this up to his neck, and so are the rest of them. They are committed up to a million and a half dollars. Whereas the money coming from without my guarantee? Let them work that out. Do you think the banks would advance all that dough on the security that bunch of dumb clucks can offer? Not d.a.m.ned likely! The meeting is to be postponed until I say it can go ahead. Do you understand?a The senator started to say something, then caught the look in Englishas eyes. He lifted his shoulders in a despairing shrug.

aWell, all right, Iall see what I can do, but I warn you, Nick, they wonat like it.a English laughed.

aDo you think I care what those deadbeats like or dislike? To h.e.l.l with them!a aNow look, Nick,a Beaumont said, leaning forward. aI know youare flying high, and I admire you for it. Iam flying high myself. I know youare not going to stop at this hospital business. You have other ideas. Youare going to make Ess.e.x City remember you. Iave been watching you for a long time now, and Iam getting to know your methods. Thereas the Westside bridge project you have your eyes on, and if I remember rightly, youave been thinking about building an opera house. Well, okay. A hospital, a bridge and an opera house is pretty good going for one man, but the commission wonat like it. Theyave lived here a d.a.m.n sight longer than you have. Their fathers, their grandfathers and their great grandfathers were here long before you were ever thought of. Money isnat everything. In this straight-laced city a sound reputation is more important than money, and scandal is as lethal as poison gas to anyone who gets into the limelight. Up to now, youave got by, but watch out. Rees, the D.A. and the commission hate your guts. If they can pin anything on you, they will, and if they do, bang will go your hospital, your bridge and your opera house.a English pushed aside his plate, and took out his cigar case. He offered it to Beaumont.

aDonat worry about me, Beaumont,a he said quietly, aIam big enough to look after myself.a aMaybe you are, but Iam hooked up with you, and if anything happens to you, itall automatically happen to me,a Beaumont said gravely. aI canat afford to stick my neck out, even if you can.a aWhatas the matter with you - cold feet?

Beaumont shrugged.