Tenth Commandment by Lawrence Sanders

Author:Lawrence Sanders
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General, Mystery & Detective, Espionage, Fiction
ISBN: 9780425100028
Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: 1986-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

Part III

1

That night I awoke frequently, dozed off as often, and finally lost all ability to determine if I was fully conscious or dreaming. I vividly remember wondering if I had actually seen Glynis Stonehouse and Godfrey Knurr together.

My brain continued churning all night, and things were no better when I arose early Sunday morning, showered, dressed, and poked disconsolately at a bowl of sodden cornflakes. I simply didn't know what to do. It seemed to me I was in over my head and badly in need of wise counsel,

I hated to bother Percy Stilton, but what I had learned was of such moment that I wanted him to know at once. I dialled the only number I had for him and learned that he wouldn't be in the precinct until Monday morning.

'Couldn't you call him at home and ask him to contact me?' I tried to convey the urgency of the situation to the officer on the other end of the phone.

'Can't anyone else help you?' he asked, still reticent.

'No,' I said firmly. 'It's got to be Stilton. It's really very important, honest, to me and to him.'

Silence.

'A case he's on?' he said finally.

'Yes,' I said, lying valiantly. 'Just call and ask him to call Joshua Bigg. As soon as possible.'

A short silence again, then: 'What was that name — Pigg?'

'Bigg. B-i-g-g. Joshua Bigg. Tell him it's a matter of life and death.'

'I'll tell him that,' the officer said.

277

I tried to read the Sunday papers. I watched TV for a while, but didn't see it. My phone finally rang shortly before noon.

'Hello?' I said breathlessly.

The voice was low, husky, soothing. 'Mr Bigg?'

'Yes.'

'This is Maybelle Hawks,' she said pleasantly. 'I am Percy Stilton's consenting adult.'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Mr Bigg, Perce received your message, but he's really in no, ah, condition to speak intelligibly to you at the moment.'

'Is he ill?' I asked anxiously.

'You might say that,' she replied thoughtfully. 'Nothing fatal. I would judge that he will recover, in time. But right now he's somewhat unhinged. It being Sunday morning. I do hope you understand.'

'Yes, ma'am,' I said miserably. 'He's hung over.'

'Oh, Mr Bigg,' she laughed gaily, 'that is the understatement of the year. He's comatose, Mr Bigg.

Com-a-tose. He asked that I return your call and explain why it might be best if you call him at the precinct tomorrow.'

'Miss Hawks,' I said, 'is -'

'Call me Belle,' she said.

'Thank you. Belle, is there no chance of my seeing him today? It really is urgent. I wouldn't be bothering you if it wasn't. Surely Perce, and you too, of course, have to eat sometime today. It would give me great pleasure if you would both join me for dinner some place. Any place.'

'Mr Bigg, you sound to me like a sober, reasonable man.'

'Yes, ma'am,' I said, 'I mean to be.'

'Then you must realize that right now, this second, if I mention food to Percy Stilton, he's likely to give me a shot in the chops.'

278

'Oh no, ma'am,' I said hastily. 'Not right this minute.

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