The Bad Blonde by Jack Webb

Author:Jack Webb [Webb, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4405-4143-8
Publisher: Prologue Books
Published: 1984-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Sammy finished his pie and reached a cigarette. “I wouldn’t doubt it. Dan and I went to hear him play last night. He’s good, Father, he’s got it.

“What’s more important, his boss, Orestes, for reasons of his own, is on our side. He gave us a tip. We know what we’re hunting for now. We know why the chemicals were stolen. It’s something new and nasty, synthetic narcotics. It’s going to be a rough show. But to make this stuff, they have to make a smell. The whole department’s been alerted. So have the Treasury Department boys. Even Smog Control.

“This is between you and me,” Sammy added.

Father Shanley nodded.

“One more thing, also off the record, Father, we’re looking for a woman. There’s a bright accountant out at Barrington’s who paid off a lot of debts in the last couple of months and also bought himself four-thousand dollars’ worth of new automobile. From a bartender out in his home stamping grounds, we have a name and a description. The name’s a phony as far as we can check, Randy Richards, but the description’s pretty authentic, we believe. She met him several times in this same bar. The bartender was pretty struck with her.”

“Sammy.”

“Yeah?”

“Ever hear of a girl with the first name of Randy?”

“We have one on record, a stage name.”

“Miranda, I suppose,” the priest said reflectively, “though it scarcely seems likely.”

“Hadn’t thought of that one,” Sammy said. He found his note book and made a note. “Wouldn’t hurt to crosscheck the Richards if it turns into a quiet night,” he said.

“This girl,” Father Shanley said slowly, “what’s she like?”

Sammy grinned at him. “Old detective Shanley.”

“Come along, now, what’s she like?”

“Well,” Sammy said, “you might say she was my type, golden blonde, over thirty, expensive, a little tall for me, five-seven or eight. That’d put her close to six feet in high heels. Hundred twenty-five, thirty pounds, all in the proper organization. Lots of clothes, lots of good taste.”

Father Shanley was staring at the ceiling. “Any jewelry?” He was remembering shaking hands.

“You’ll make a cop yet,” Sammy said. “One definite piece, diamond ring on the right hand. Big stone in the center, carat and a half or more. Small stones around it.”

“And that’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“And finding her might beat Luis to the punch?”

Sammy glanced at his friend curiously. “I’d think so, Father. She sounds too high priced to have been among the cheap hired help like Rikker and Jackson.” He glanced at his watch. “My gosh, I’ve got to run.”

Father Shanley took him to the door.

“Thanks for the pie and coffee.”

“Sure, Sammy, any time.”

He watched the detective go down the steps and into his car. It’s not possible, he said to himself. It’s simply not possible. What would that girl be doing with Luis?

Mrs. Mulvaney came into the hall. She stared at the preoccupied priest. “That policeman!” she said aggressively. “He’s upset you again, Father.”

“Mrs. Mulvaney,” Father Shanley said sharply, “we are quite through with the subject of Sergeant Golden. He has been my friend for a number of years.

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