The Con Man (Paul Rivington Book 1) by Gerald Verner

Author:Gerald Verner [Verner, Gerald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2019-06-19T22:00:00+00:00

“I guess I’ve got news for you, Mr Rivington,” he said, leading the way into his office. “We’ve succeeded in getting pictures of those two crooks of yours.”

“They’re not my special property, you know,” said Paul, smiling.

Benson’s large face creased into a grin.

“Sure they’re not,” he answered. “I guess they knew all about them in Chicago, and nothing to their credit. He displayed one of the photographs that had arrived by telegraph. “The smaller man is Spike Munro and the big ’un is Lefty Guinan. They’ve been mixed up in all sorts of shady business, and were well in with Lew Healey and the rum-runners for some time.”

“Well, that’s good work,” said Paul, “and the next thing to do is to pull them in.”

“And I guess it won’t be long before we do that,” declared Benson confidently. “I’ve got men stationed at the railroad stations so they can’t very well leave the city. And I’ve got a whole squad of men combing the apartment houses and the hotels. I don’t reckon it’ll be long before they’re run to earth.” He pushed a box of black cigars across to Paul, but the other declined the invitation.

“I’d rather have a cigarette, if you don’t mind,” he said, producing his case and taking one out. “Tell me, have you ever heard of a man called Tommy Spearman?”

Benson helped himself to a cigar, bit off the end, frowned and shook his head.

“No,” he replied. “Who is he?”

“He’s an English crook,” said the detective. “One of the cleverest confident men I know, and he’s in Hollywood staying at the Beverley Wilshire under the name of Captain Chase.”

“Oh, is that the guy?” said Benson. “Of course, we know of his arrival. We check up all strangers that come to the city, but we couldn’t find anything wrong with him.”

“You wouldn’t,” declared Paul. “Tommy Spearman would take care of that. But the fact that he’s here rather interests me.”

He told the other under what conditions he had seen Mr Spearman, and Benson scratched the lowest of his many chins.

“I guess it sounds a bit complicated,” he remarked. “Here are these two fellers, Munro and Guinan, who we know killed Levenstein and did the bust at Mammoth Studios. Here’s Rennit, who swears he killed Lamont, and now here’s this guy you’re talkin’ about, all friendly with Rennit’s girl. How many more of them are in this business, and who’s got the film?”

“That,” said Paul, “is a question that interests me, since it’s my job to find it. I don’t know how they all come into it, but I don’t mind betting that Spearman’s got the film.”

“What makes you think that?” asked Benson.

“Well, who else can have it?” said Paul. “It was never given to Levenstein, and he never stole it from Guinan. I’m certain of that, and equally certain that Guinan hasn’t got it. There’s a chance that Rennit might have it, but I don’t think so. And, anyhow, knowing Spearman as I do, he’s the most likely.

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