“You knew Riley. For all you know, you may have the one clue that would lead the police to him.”
Anna’s eyes turned vicious.
“Yeah? Maybe Frankie did walk out on me, but I’d never give him away to the cops. What do you think I am? A squealer?”
Fenner shrugged his shoulders and got to his feet.
“If that’s your idea of a reformed character, Miss Borg,” he said. “I’m wasting my time. Well, it’s been nice meeting you. I’ll just have to tell Mr. Spewack hell have to look elsewhere for our local talent.”
“Wait a minute,” Anna said hurriedly. “If I knew anything, I’d tell you, but I don’t.”
“When did you last see Riley?” Fenner asked.
“The morning before the snatch. Bailey telephoned him about the necklace. Riley told me he was going to grab it.”
“Did he say anything about kidnapping the girl?”
“No.”
“So you didn’t hear anything from Riley after he left you on the morning of the kidnapping?”
Anna hesitated.
“Well, yes, I did. He telephoned me from Johnny Frisk’s place.”
Fenner drew in a long deep breath. Here it was at last! The new lead! Something she hadn’t told the police.
“Johnny Frisk? You mean the old rummy who lives out at Lone Tree junction?”
“That’s him.” Anna suddenly stiffened. “How do you know him?”
“I get around,” Fenner said. “So Riley was out there? And you never told the police that?”
Anna was staring suspiciously at him.
“Just who are you?” she said. “This is a gag, isn’t it? Are you a cop?”
A sound made both of them look towards the door. Someone had unlocked the front door. Quick steps sounded, then the door leading into the sitting room jerked open.
Eddie Schultz came in.
“I forgot my goddamn wallet...” he began then he saw Fenner.
“Pardon me, pal,” Fenner said quietly and uncorked a right hook that hit Eddie flush on his jaw. Eddie went down as if he was pole-axed.
Anna turned and rushed into the bedroom, but by the time she had got her gun, Fenner had vanished.
Slowly Eddie sat up, holding his jaw. He stared at Anna. Then he got to his feet.
“What’s going on?” he demanded shakily. “Hell! That punk’s nearly bust my jaw! What was a goddamn newspaperman doing in here?”
Anna stared at him in horror.
“A newspaperman?” she screamed.
Her expression sent a chill up Eddie’s spine. He had a terrible premonition that his future was about to explode in his face.
Chapter nineteen
Ma Grisson was just finishing an early lunch from a well-loaded tray on her desk when the telephone rang.
Doc Williams who was keeping her company, drinking, but not eating, picked up the receiver.
“It’s Eddie.” Eddie Schultz’s voice sounded strained. “Ma there?”
Doc offered the receiver to Ma.
“Eddie.”
She took the receiver, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
“What is it?”
“Trouble, Ma. Remember Dave Fenner who worked on the Tribune? He’s been here while I was out. He kidded Anna he could put her on Broadway if she could give him a line on the Blandish snatch. She told him the last time she had spoken to Riley was at Johnny’s place. He’s gone off like a bat out of hell.”
“What?” Ma bellowed, her raddled face turning purple. “I know that sonofabitch! He’ll hammer the truth out of Johnny! I always said we should have knocked that old drunk off!”
“That’s why I phoned, Ma.” Eddie sounded badly shaken. “Listen, Ma, we can’t blame Anna. She didn’t know what we know.”
“Come down here!” Ma snarled.
“The punk’s nearly bust my jaw,” Eddie said. “I’m feeling like hell. I thought you’d better get Flynn...”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Ma snarled and slammed down the receiver.
Doc’s face had gone grey. He looked helplessly at Ma.
“Don’t sit there like a damned old dummy!” Ma bawled at him. “Get Flynn, Woppy and Slim! Hurry!”
Doc hurried out.
Within a few minutes Flynn and Woppy came in. They both looked startled. Doc came in a moment later with Slim who was scratching his head and yawning.
“Listen,” Ma said, “we could be in trouble. That chippy of Eddie’s told a newspaperman about Johnny. This guy has probably gone out to talk to Johnny. If he gets tough with the old drunk, Johnny will talk. You three go out there fast. Wipe Johnny out. We should have done it before now. If the newspaperman’s there when you arrive, knock him off too. Bury them both. Get going!”
“It’s a four hour drive,” Flynn grumbled. “You sure...”
“You heard what I said!” Ma roared, jumping up and smashing her big fists on the desk. “And drive like hell! You’ve got to get there before Fenner does!”
Slim said, “I’m not going. To hell with it! I’ve got something better to do.”
Ma came around the desk. She looked so mad even Slim drew back.
“You’re going! You’re getting too goddamn soft! If you don’t shut that old drunk’s mouth, you’ll lose your plaything. You hear me? Now get the hell out of here!”
Muttering, Slim followed Flynn and Woppy out of the room.
“As bad as that, Ma?” Doc said feebly. He wished he hadn’t had that extra drink. He was feeling dizzy.
“Women! Women! Women!” Ma snarled, pounding on the desk. “Always the same! Barker... Karpis... Dillinger... they all went the same way... because of women! Everything I’ve planned could be shot... just because a goddamn chippy opens her goddamn mouth!”
As Woppy and Slim made for the exit, Flynn who had made a date with Maisey for the evening, paused by her as she was arranging her cloakroom counter.
“We got business, babe,” he said. “The date’s off. I’ll be lucky if I get back by nine.”
He ran on down and joined Woppy and Slim as they bundled into the Dodge.
Maisey shrugged. She wasn’t sorry the date was broken. Flynn was mean to go out with. He just wouldn’t keep his hands to himself.
She put on her coat. It was time for lunch and she was hungry. She nodded to MacGowan, the bouncer, as she went down the stairs.
“See you around nine, Mac,” she said. “I’m going to nourish my curves.”
MacGowan grinned. He watched her hips swing down the stairs into the courtyard.
Maisey always went to the same place for lunch. It sold the best hamburgers in town and it wasn’t far from the club.
Rocco knew this, and happening to be near the restaurant he decided to eat there himself. Maybe, if he talked right, he might get some information from the doll. She looked dumb enough, but maybe she might let drop something he could use against Ma.
On his way to the restaurant, he had spotted the Dodge edging its way through the heavy traffic and he was surprised to see Slim as well as Woppy and Flynn in the car. He wondered where they were going.
He found Maisey sitting at a corner table, carefully studying the menu.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said. “Mind if I buy you a lunch?”
Maisey looked up and smiled. She knew Rocco had once owned the Paradise Club. She was flattered he should pay her any attention.
“I won’t fight against it,” she said. “I’m always glad of company.”
Rocco pulled out a chair and sat down. His legs ached and his feet were sore. He had had a hard morning but at least now he was finished for the day.
He ordered the lunch special and a crab salad for Maisey.
“Well, baby, how’s the club going?” he asked. “Doing all right?”