Knocked for a Loop by Craig Rice

Author:Craig Rice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road Media
Published: 2018-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Malone kept completely quiet. Anyone looking at him might have assumed that he was deep in some important process of thought, perhaps on the verge of a monumental discovery. As a matter of fact, he was trying to remember how to count to ten.

At last von Flanagan said, “Well?” He said it a little threateningly.

Malone finally got to ten, and decided to make it up to twenty. The only thing he could think of to say was, “That’s impossible!” and he knew that wasn’t going to be the brightest remark of a lifetime, not in this circumstance. Because it was immediately going to raise the question of just how he knew it was impossible.

“So it’s finally been reported,” he said at last, feeling his way cautiously. “Any details?”

“If there are,” von Flanagan growled, “you’re the one who’d know what they are.”

The little lawyer took the cigar out again. This time he did unwrap it and light it. Then he said, “Get this through your head. I did not kidnap the Commanday child. I know nothing about the kidnaping of the Commanday child. Furthermore, I don’t expect to know anything about the kidnaping of the Commanday child. And besides,” he added icily, “it is not in your department, von Flanagan.”

It was Lily Bordreau who asked the question that got an answer. “What was the report you just got? What did it say?”

Von Flanagan turned to her, a little mellowed by the expression on her face. “The little girl disappeared from her home out in Lake Forest about two hours ago,” he said. “A search all over the neighborhood didn’t turn up anything. She’s just reported missing, but it’s logical to say she’s been kidnaped.”

The expression of disbelief on her face turned to one of complete bewilderment. Von Flanagan didn’t notice that either, because he was wearing one of his own. He turned to Malone.

“What is this, Malone?” he demanded. “What goes on? She was supposed to of been kidnaped day before yesterday. Only nothing more got said about that. Now she’s gone and gotten herself kidnaped tonight instead.”

Malone said, “Right now you know as much as I do,” and he said it honestly. “And I’m still going to take my client home, and go get a good night’s sleep myself.”

“Sleep!” von Flanagan snorted, “while a beautiful little golden-haired baby girl is in the hands of kidnapers.”

Much more of this, Malone thought, and Lily Bordreau was going to be in the hands of men with strait jackets. He said stiffly, “I have every intention of helping, but I can’t do it just sitting here making conversation.” He thought fast. “There was a rumor that I was to be the contact for the kidnapers. That may still be true. In which case, I’d better be where I can be reached in a hurry.”

To his relief, von Flanagan saw the justice of that. Indeed, the giving of statements was rushed through and Malone and Lily Bordreau were ushered out the door before an ash had formed on the little lawyer’s cigar.

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