The Mike Hammer Collection by SPILLANE MICKEY

Author:SPILLANE, MICKEY [SPILLANE, MICKEY]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Murray Candid had two listings: one at the club and the other in a fancy residential section of Brooklyn. I didn’t like either one of them. I tried the one in Brooklyn and a butler with a British accent answered and told me Mr. Candid was out and wasn’t expected back until the club had closed for the night and could I leave a message. I told him never mind and hung up.

A butler yet. Probably golden candelabras and rare Ming vases, too.

I held my hand over the dial and on second thought punched Lola’s number out. She recognized my voice and smiled over the phone. “Hello, darling. Where are you?”

“Home.”

“Am I going to see you?”

She made me feel nice and warm with just a few words. “In a little while maybe. Right now I’m up to my ears in something. I thought you might be able to help.”

“Of course, Mike. What ... ?”

“Did you know Ann Minor? She worked for Murray.”

“Certainly. I’ve known her for years. Why?”

“She’s dead.”

“No!”

“Yes. She was murdered and I know why. It had to do with Nancy, only the cops are in on this one.”

“Oh, Mike ... what makes these things happen? Ann wasn’t one ... one of us. She never did anything wrong. Why, she used to take care of the kids in the racket ... try to help them. Oh, Mike ... why? Why?”

“When I know that I’ll know who killed her, honey. But that’s not the point. Do you know where Murray might have a private hangout? Not his place in Brooklyn, but someplace where he could do some trick entertaining or contact business associates?”

“Y-yes. He used to have a place in the Village. It won’t be the same one I knew because he changed the spots regularly. He didn’t like to stay in one place too long, but he favored the Village. I ... was up there once ... a party. It wasn’t nice, Mike; I’d rather not speak about it.”

“You don’t have to. Where was the place?”

She gave me the location and I scribbled it down. “You’d have to ask around to see where he is now. I could find it, I guess, but....”

“You sit pat. I’ll find it myself. I don’t want you sticking your neck out.”

“All right, Mike. Please don’t get hurt ... please.”

I grinned. Not many people worried about me and it was a nice feeling. “I’ll be real careful, sugar. In fact, I’ll call you back later so you’ll know everything is all right. Okay?”

“If you don’t I’ll never forgive you. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I put the phone back easy and patted it.

The evening was well on its way when I finished dressing. I had on the made-to-order suit with space built in for my armory, looking like something out of the Prohibition era. I found my raincoat under the rest of the other stuff and climbed into it, stuffing a pack of butts in each pocket.

When I took one last look around the mess I went out the door and down to the garage for my car.

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