Blood Money : A Novel (2009) by Bradby Tom

Author:Bradby, Tom [Bradby, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

THE BULL’S TEAM LOOKED LIKE ALLEY CATS IN A CREAMERY. BRANDON had his feet on the desk and was waving a newspaper with his own grinning face plastered across the front page. O’Reilly and the others sat in a circle around him, drinking coffee and smoking. Schneider hurried past them. ‘Mrs Duncan, I appreciate this. We’re real sorry to trouble you at this time.’

‘I understand.’

He ushered her into his office.

The uniformed officer on the floor below was grinning from ear to ear. ‘The Bull’s sure hit the jackpot this time!’

Quinn lit a cigarette and offered him the packet. ‘You’re Ralph, right?’

‘Seamus – Seamus Carrigan.’

‘Are they in position, Seamus?’

‘Sure are. Schneider said Mrs D was on her way, so we got them lined up. They ain’t too happy.’

‘Mind if we take a look?’

‘Be my guest.’

‘Which one is he?’

‘Second from left. Seems pretty cool for a guy bound for the Chair.’

Quinn forced a smile. ‘What’s his name?’

‘They call him Chile. Chile Acuna.’

Carrigan leant forward conspiratorially. ‘They say he’s a strong-arm guy, used to hang around the Bowery. They figure it’s a carbon copy of Rothstein. Duncan fell out with this guy over a poker game and Acuna comes looking for his dough. One of the Bull’s stoolies gave him the tip-off.’

Quinn and Caprisi stepped into the narrow corridor and pulled back the hatch. Chile Acuna was a sallow young man in a cheap suit and a slouch hat. ‘Looks pretty relaxed, considering,’ Quinn said. There wasn’t a hood within striking distance of the Bowery who didn’t know what it meant to be brought in by the Bull. Conviction always followed, guilty or not.

They heard voices and retreated down the corridor as McCredie and Brandon ushered Mrs Duncan through. The chief of detectives gave them a nod. ‘You okay, boys?’

‘Yes, sir. Just came to see how the real work’s done.’

McCredie whispered a few words of reassurance to Mrs Duncan before he pulled back the hatch. She had to stoop a little to look through. ‘Take your time,’ McCredie murmured. ‘There’s no hurry. You’ve just got to be sure.’

They waited in silence. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘That’s him. Second from left.’

McCredie slammed the hatch shut. ‘You’re certain?’

‘Couldn’t be more so.’

‘You want to take another look?’

‘No.’

‘You’re sure, ma’am?’ Brandon asked. ‘I don’t like to press you, but with the newspaper interest and all … I mean, we know he’s the guy, but—’

‘I’m sure,’ she said.

Quinn followed them out. ‘You want us to take Mrs Duncan home?’

‘No,’ Brandon said.

‘I’m all right, thank you,’ she said. ‘I have some business close by.’

‘Are you sure, ma’am?’ McCredie asked. ‘Johnny here would be only too happy to—’

‘I asked my driver to wait. But thank you for your assistance.’ She glanced from one to the other. ‘I’m glad the matter is resolved.’

Gloria Duncan made her way to the elevator. McCredie and Brandon followed at a discreet distance.

‘I’ll see you upstairs,’ Quinn muttered to his partner.

‘Where are you going?’ Caprisi asked.

‘I’ll tell you later.’

Quinn whipped around to the Centre Street entrance in time to intercept her as she reached the Lincoln.

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