5 Detective Novels Magazine Cover — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 Harry Short’s dazed expression turned to malevolence, but he made no attempt to regain his feet. Amid the silent scrut- iny of the horse-players, Tony stalked to the stair head and went on down the steps. Five minutes later when he entered the hotel lobby and passed the desk, he was stopped by the day clerk. “Mr. Ransome,” the clerk said. “Is it true the police think the Missouri Cafe robbery was a put up job by some local person?” “T wouldn’t know,” Tony said. “You’d have to ask Chief Murphy.” After dinner the little man sat in his room and waited for the moving tide of gossip to flow over the town. He had no idea what effect his plan would have, merely having proceeded on the prin- ciple that stirring a muddy pond could not make it muddier, and might bring something to the surface. At eight o’clock the first tangible effects ap- peared in the persons of the mayor and the chief of police. Politely offering His Honor the lone easy chair, and the fat chief the only other chair, an uncomfortable straight- back, Tony seated himself on the bed. “You been misrepresenting the truth, Ransome,” Chief Murphy said reproach- fully. “You been creating the impres- sion you got my backing in your poking around.” Tony raised innocent eyebrows. “I merely said I had your permission to ask questions.” “But people got the idea I put you up to it. Thought I made it clear you was on your own.” “That’s unimportant now,” Ainslie broke in. “Sergeant Ransome, your rather loose talk around town has start- ed a lot of gossip I resent exceedingly.” Tony turned his head to survey the mayor and was surprised to note the man’s thin face was pale and pinched, not with anger, but with fright. “What kind of gossip?” he asked. “You know very well what kind of gossip, since you started it,” Ainslie said irritably. “The whole town is sud- denly convinced that man Stone was hired to kill Larson by someone local. Opinion on who did the hiring seems divided between the team of Erickson FIVE DETECTIVE NOVELS MAGAZINE and Mrs. Larson and the team of Art Jason, Harry Short and myself.” “Tough,” Tony said unfeelingly. “Wouldn’t be surprised if one of those views is correct.” The mayor raised a hand that shook slightly. “I wouldn’t so much resent speculation that I hired the killer my- self, since it’s public knowledge Larson wanted me impeached. But linking me with Jason and Short is hitting below the belt. People are saying they pay me protection money to let them operate unmolested, the implication being we constitute some kind of criminal organ- ization. But I assure you my five-hun- dred a year salary is every cent I receive from the mayor’s office, directly or in- directly.” Tony said, “That story must have been kicking around before Larson was killed, else why the petition to impeach you?” ° The mayor said indignantly, “There was no question of dishonesty behind that. Even the Citizens’ Committee never accused me of anything but dere- liction of duty. The whole argument on gambling is simply a difference of opin- ion about what is best for the town. My own opinion is that it stimulates trade and benefits the merchants. The gam- bling enterprises draw people from all over the county, and aside from my the- atre, there certainly is nothing else in St. Michael to attract visitors. Many business men agree with me, and the Citizens’ Committee simply represents the blue-nosed faction which doesn’t.” Ae THIS Tony absorbed in silence. ‘& §6Finally he said, “If I understand you straight, you don’t mind being ac- cused of hiring a guy murdered, but you resent being accused of accepting bribes.” “You’re twisting my meaning,” Ains- lie objected. “I meant I could under- stand why people think I had a motive to kill Larson, mistaken as their opin- ion is, but linking me with Jason and Short is the most vicious kind of specu- lation without the slightest foundation.” Tony said, “This is all very interest- ing, but just what do you expect me to do about it?” Mayor Ainslie cleared his throat and MICOO® (CO) SJ (CC)