Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 124, Nos. 3 & 4. Whole Nos. 757 & 758, September/October 2004

“Plus ten percent. It’s a very generous offer.”

“It sure is. But I don’t understand. Why do you want to buy me out?”

“That needn’t concern you, Mr. Shea—”

“But it does. I’ve got a contract with Mrs. Belknap. Since you’re asking me to break it, I’d like to know why.”

R.J. flushed, visibly trying to control his temper. “Very well. Since you’ve been working on the building, I’m sure you’ve heard some ugly rumors, of... illicit liquor sales and—”

“I’ve heard some stories. We’ve also found the stills. So?”

“They say behind every great fortune is a great crime,” R.J. continued uncomfortably. “The family bootlegging business is not a story I care to have revived at this point in my career. Pia’s a wealthy woman, Mr. Shea, I don’t think she realizes what having real money means yet. There’s certainly no need for her to become a saloonkeeper—”

“I’m not opening the Gin Mill, R.J.,” Pia snapped, “I’m reopening it! It’s already there, in perfect shape, and I’d be a fool not to make use of it. Maybe I’ll even put a few bottles of Belknap’s Best on the bar—”

“You snotty little bitch!” Cy spat. “You got no right—”

“Dad, stay out of this, please! Pia, you can see how upsetting this is to my father. You must understand—”

“I only understand that when Bob died, I nearly did, too. I started this project just to keep busy, but rebuilding the Gin Mill is important to me now, R.J. If having a saloonkeeper in the family embarrasses you and Cyrus, I’m sorry. At least I’ll be a legal one. As for buying me out, the Belknap Building isn’t for sale. Period.”

“Very well, if you intend to ignore my wishes, I guess the matter rests with Mr. Shea. My offer is still on the table, sir, full price plus ten percent. What do you say?”

“Damn,” I said, shaking my head. “Your offer’s tempting, Mr. Belknap. The problem is, I’ve got a contract, and more importantly, I gave my word. The only escape clause is an act of God and since you’re not Him, I guess I’m stuck.”

“You’ll regret this, Shea.”

“Mr. Belknap, I regret it already. Now if you folks will excuse me, I have to get back to work.”

“Thanks!” Pia Belknap shouted. We were in my rat-hole second-floor office later that day. I could barely hear her over the hammering and Skilsaw whine from down the hall.

“For what?”

“Don’t be coy, Shea. For standing up for me.”

“Yeah, well, I’d like to play the hero but I can’t. I didn’t do it for you. Will your father-in-law cause trouble?”

“Probably. He’s obsessed with protecting his career and reputation. Claims reopening the Gin Mill could damage his prospects in Washington.”

“Maybe he’s right. I don’t know much about politics.”

“I gathered that from the way you roughed up the union rep,” she said drily. “But R.J. can bring more pressure than Romanik. Licensing boards, inspectors. He wasn’t kidding when he said he’s a bad man to cross.”

“Then why cross him? Why are you doing this? I take it you don’t need the money, right?”

“This isn’t about money. My husband was a good man, too good in some ways. He handled all our financial affairs, every dime. But now I’m alone and this project is the first thing I’ve tried since Bob’s death. If I don’t see it through to the finish, I’ll end up like Cyrus, just another ghost drifting around that mausoleum on the hill.”

“Then we won’t let that happen.”

“No,” she said, gathering herself, “we damned well won’t. I want you to pick up the pace, Mr. Shea. Hire more men, do whatever you have to, but I want this project finished before my father-in-law finds a way to stop it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said. “Whatever you say.”

But it was a lot easier said than done.

For openers, I stretched our shifts from nine hours to twelve. Nobody griped. Most of the men were bored with motel living anyway. Longer days for overtime pay? Where do we sign up?

Adding more crew was a tougher nut to crack.

Swallowing my pride, I called the union rep, Jack Romanik, and asked for his help. He told me to screw myself. Big surprise.

I found Guyton Crowell in the basement, leveling the jack posts. Told him the situation and asked if he knew any local men who might be willing to sign on.

“I can find a few. They aren’t in the union, but they’re good workers. All from Idlewild. Black. Any problem with that?”

“Not as long as they can swing a hammer.”

“Good. I’ll see to it, then. Need a favor, though.”

“Name it.”

“It’s my grandfather. He’s a cabinetmaker, did some of the finish work in that portfolio I showed you. He worked in the Gin Mill as a boy and he really wants to be a part of reopening the place. I could use his help on the kitchen remodels once we hit the second floor.”

“Didn’t you tell me he lost his sight?”

“He won’t be any trouble. He’s worked construction his whole life, Mr. Shea. He’s not a civilian. I’ll look out for him.”

“You’d better. Okay, we’ll try it, but if there are any problems...”

“There won’t be.”