The Man in the Middle by Ferguson Findley

Author:Ferguson Findley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Published: 2022-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Big Vince MacLowerie came out of the subway and walked down Broadway until he came to the number his friend had given him. It marked a building no different than the others in that part of Manhattan. The first floor was occupied by a wholesaler of fabrics, and the window display was long undusted. There was a narrow entryway, filled with business signs, and one of them said:

CONRAD VROOM

Manufacturers’ Agent

3rd Floor

He stepped into the ancient elevator and the operator, who must have come with the machine, pushed a clanking handle into position. Slowly the elevator went up, protesting and rattling every inch of the way, until eventually its attendant reversed the handle and stopped it at the third floor. “Mr. Vroom’s to the right,” the operator volunteered.

The hall was as dingy as the rest of the building, and MacLowerie was so poorly impressed that he was on the verge of turning back without going any further. What kind of job could it be, he wondered, that took place in, such poor quarters? Eventually, of course, he would learn that a large number of New York’s millions and millionaires are to be found in buildings that are little more than lofts. At the time, however, he was doubtful and apprehensive as he approached the door marked CONRAD VROOM.

Vince turned the knob and pushed the door open, and found himself in a small, spotlessly clean and attractively furnished reception room. The change from the hall outside was so remarkable that he blinked like a man emerging from a cave.

Just then a pleasant, female voice to his left said, “Good morning. Can I help you?”

He turned and for the first time saw that the room contained a receptionist. She was an almost tiny girl, very blonde and blue-eyed, and strikingly pretty behind a desk that held a telephone, a vase of flowers, and a typewriter.

“Hello there,” he replied. “I’m Vincent MacLowerie. Is Mr. Vroom in?”

“What did you want to see him about, please?”

“I believe he was talking to a Lieutenant Adams, a friend of mine, this morning. Anyhow, Mr. Adams suggested that I come down to see Mr. Vroom right away—and here I am.”

“Just a minute, please.” She pushed a button on the side of the desk, and picked up the phone. “There’s a Mr. MacLowerie to see you. He says that a Lieuten—yes, I will.” The receptionist replaced the phone and smiled at Vince. “Mr. Vroom says come right in. His office is through that door.”

Before he could cross the reception room the door opened from the other side, and Conrad Vroom stepped out. “Captain MacLowerie?” he asked. “My name’s Vroom. Awfully glad to see you.” He extended his left hand and Vince felt a firm and purposeful grip. “Come right in, Captain.”

MacLowerie followed Conrad Vroom into a handsome office with paneled walls, a few attractive pictures, deep carpet, and polished furniture. “Sit down, Captain,” Vroom said and he indicated an overstuffed leather chair. “Have a cigarette.” He extended a silver case and was quick with a light.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.