“Lieutenant,” Shayne said, “I hate to tell you this, but only as a matter of enlightenment. Mr. Colletti is not only an important man in this community but in about forty-nine states as well. He happens to be one of the top men in the mafia, a suspect in several murders and a million-dollar diamond heist.”
“I can’t believe that. Mr. Colletti is highly respected, has a large importing and exporting business, is a member of the church and contributes to many charities.”
“So did Al Capone and Lucky Luciano and Lepke Buchalter, the man who ran Murder Incorporated.”
“Well,” Lieutenant Brooks hedged, “your suspicions may be valid but it’s hard to believe. Anyway, since this is our bailiwick, I think you’d better leave the matter in our hands. We’ll talk with Mr. Colletti and report our findings’ to Lieutenant Elfmont at the Miami Beach Police Department.”
“I’m sorry, Brooks, but I can’t buy that. I’ve been engaged by the Monarch Insurance Company to locate diamonds that were stolen from a salesman in the Americana Hotel in Miami Beach, one who, incidentally, was murdered. Murder One, Lieutenant. You have no idea how much heat will be generated if you make any attempt to interfere in this investigation.
“Mr. Colletti is also wanted by the FBI for crimes involving Interstate shipment of stolen goods. Furthermore, his importing and exporting business deals primarily with shipments of heroin. Get the point, Lieutenant?”
Lieutenant Brooks’ face turned crimson. Shayne knew why. His discomfiture could mean only one thing — payoffs.
Lieutenant Brooks said, “Well, at any rate, I must ask you all to follow me to the station and make out a report. This is, after all, involving a capital offense.”
“A police officer, Sergeant David Patterson here, shot and killed Allegretti in the line of duty,” Shayne replied. “Allegretti was in the act of trying to kill Mrs. Elfmont and Miss Ann Waterman after he threw them into the ocean in the midst of a school of sharks.”
“Routine, Shayne,” Brooks said. “I must insist on the report.”
“We’ll follow you,” Elfmont said. “I understand the necessity.”
In the police station, they were taken into the office of Inspector Martin Kreuger, a florid-faced, heavy-set man. The four visitors were invited to take seats.
“Which one of you is Lieutenant Elfmont?”
“I am,” Elfmont said. He then introduced the others.
Inspector Kreuger stared at Shayne with steely eyes. “I understand, Mr. Shayne, that you are a private investigator.”
Shayne nodded.
“And you are investigating a million-dollar diamond heist?”
“I’m looking into it.”
“On whose authority?” Inspector Kreuger frowned.
“The Monarch Insurance Company.”
“They have no official standing here, Mr. Shayne.”
“I understand that. I am also under instructions of Chief Painter of the Miami Beach Police Department to add to that department’s information and investigation.”
“The Miami Beach Police Department has no jurisdiction here, either.”
“I am assisting Sergeant Patterson and Detective Wilson of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. They were assigned by Chief Painter.”
Kreuger stared at both Patterson and Wilson. Then, “I was told you suspect Mr. Dominick Colletti of participation in this robbery. Is that correct?”
“Inspector, I don’t know if you were apprised of the fact that the salesman who was robbed was killed. We are thus also investigating a capital offense.”
“On what basis are you intending to annoy Mr. Colletti, a responsible citizen of this community, with your investigation?”
“Peter Allegretti. My information is that he was in the employ of Mr. Colletti.”
Elfmont was fuming. He said, “Inspector, my wife went through a harrowing experience and is in a hospital. I am very anxious to see her. I have two daughters who are only three and two years old. So, if you wish a formal statement I would appreciate it if you would call in your stenographer and get it over with. Otherwise, I am going to walk right out of here.”
Shayne said, “Everything that transpired was in the line of police business. The killing of Allegretti was demanded under the circumstances, if you haven’t been told that already. Sergeant Patterson and Detective Wilson are prudent, responsible police officers. They saved the lives of two women by their actions.”
“Well,” Inspector Kreuger said, drumming his fingers on the desk, “unfortunately, I find that the stenographer assigned to this department is in court with the district attorney. Suppose we put this off until tomorrow morning, at nine o’clock?”
“That will be fine, Inspector,” Elfmont said. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Shayne,” Kreuger said, “before you intrude yourself on Mr. Colletti or anyone else in this community, I want you to see me first. Do we understand that?”
“We sure do, Inspector,” Shayne said acidly. “You may count on it.”
In the street, Patterson asked Shayne what he thought of it.
“That big Dutchman is on the take, too. But I’ll give him a few things to think about before I’m finished with him.”
Elfmont said, “I’m going to the hospital. I’ll be in touch with you later.” He extended his hand to Patterson. “Thanks, Dave. That was good shooting. That bastard intended to kill both women.”
Shayne said, “I’ll go along to the hospital, Tommy. I want to talk to Miss Waterman.”
VI
When Shayne came into the room where Ann Waterman lay on a narrow hospital bed he saw that she was pale. Her eyes were closed and there was a curious twisted look of suffering around her mouth. A twinge of regret for what he had caused her shot through him.
He touched her cheek lightly with a foreginger. “Ann...”
She opened her eyes slowly, turned her head, recognized Shayne. Tears welled from her eyes.
“He — was going to kill me,” she said and shuddered.
“Nothing to worry about anymore, Ann. He’s dead. He’ll never bother you again.”
“He has friends. So many of them. They always came to the table. I’m sure they were Mafia.”
Shayne saw that, while Allegretto might be dead, his ghost was peculiarly alive. The redhead pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed, picked up her hand and patted it. He was surprised at how small it was — a child’s hand, soft and well tended, the nails long enough to be fashionable, rounded and with little half moons at the bases.
She was thoroughly frightened and, when she spoke, her lips trembled. All her vivacity was dissipated by fear.
Shayne pressed her hand gently. “Ann, there’s nothing to worry about, believe me. There’s a policeman outside your door at this moment — there will be one around the clock. You will be fully protected at all times.”
“I’m scared,” she murmured. “That man was a devil. He could walk through walls.”
Shayne smiled reassuringly, said, “Ann, if he’s going to walk through walls now, he’ll have to get a lot of parts for his body. He’s in the morgue, completely disassembled.”
“Yes, but his friends...” She shivered again. “They’re like him — all of them.”
Shayne felt this was the moment to make his pitch. “We want to get those friends, Ann, once and for all. Then you won’t have anything to worry about.”
“I hope not,” she said, her voice low.
“We need your help.”
“Oh, no!” she cried. “You don’t know what you’re saying. Mr. Shayne, please, don’t ask me — don’t make me. If I tell you anything at all, one of those men, one of his friends will get into this room somehow and kill me. Please, don’t. I don’t want to die yet.”