Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine, Vol. 41, No. 4, October 1977

“On the contrary,” Patterson said. “You broke the case wide open. We just may solve the whole business.”

“I suppose I should feel some satisfaction that it all wasn’t for nothing.”

“That’s right,” Shayne said. “You should. We owe you a lot.”

“At the Diplomat, Shayne asked Mary Lou, the manager’s secretary, if Al Wexler was in.”

“Yes, he’s in, Mike. Just a moment. I’ll get him.”

Wexler came out. He was a tall, prepossessing young man in his early thirties. He was delighted to see Shayne again, was in awe of the big redhead who had solved so many sensational cases.

“What can I do for you, Mike?”

“It’s about Jerry Trane, one of your tenants. I’d like to know if he made any calls yesterday or received any?”

“I’ll check with the operator.” Wexler returned a few moments later and handed Shayne a note. “This message came in yesterday. The operator keeps copies of all incoming calls with messages. Mean a thing to you?”

Shayne studied the message. “Sure does. Thanks, Al.” To Mary Lou he said, “How’s your love life, sweetheart? I mean lately?”

“Read it in my memoirs.” She gave him a provocative look. “I still hope you’ll be turning up in them.”

“Okay,” Shayne flipped back. “I’ll see to it that you get a real sizzling chapter. Tomorrow for dinner?”

“The last time you talked of sizzling chapters in my love-life the fire went out on the first line.”

“I asked for a raincheck.”

“I know, and I said you had a season pass. So what happened? Nothing!”

“Don’t give up on me,” Shayne urged. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Mike Shayne drove directly to Colletti’s home. His was admitted by Colletti himself and was led into the library. They took chairs opposite each other.

“I heard it on the news this morning, Shayne. Okay, if there’s a price, name it.”

“I told you yesterday, Dom. I want all the diamonds, and a few names. That’s the only way we can deal.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Shayne.”

“On the contrary. The D.A. would like to put you away for about twenty years and break up the mob you control. There’s a fat dossier on you, gambling, prostitution, narcotics, extortion, and very likely some unsolved murders. I’d say you’re getting the biggest break of your life, and you’ll save that lovely daughter of yours a lot of grief and heartache.

“For your information, Ann Waterman is willing to testify that she delivered the packets of diamonds to you and that you gave her money to deliver to Allegretti, which she did. Allegretti gave her some of the diamonds. A federal D.A. has those, and some we found in Allegretto’s car which match them. Loot from the heist.

“Furthermore, my information is that Trane is willing to testify, too. Patterson said he has Trane cold. I have a copy of the call you made yesterday to Trane and one of his call back to you. That’s pretty strong evidence, and we’re going to confront Trane with it. Okay?”

Colletti’s face was pale. His lips twitched. He realized his entire house of cards was falling down. The law of the jungle, self-preservation, filtered through Colletti’s mind. Above it all, however, was the thought of Angelina. She was the pawn and the prize.

He said, “What assurance have I that I won’t be exposed by the news media?”

“Secret appearances before the Grand Jury, and statements to the D.A. No one will ever know. You have my word.”

Colletti sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to break up my organization. That will take time — you understand, Shayne?”

Shayne nodded. “But quickly. That will be part of the deal. And, Marshal Walsh, Lieutenant Elfmont and Sergeant Patterson want Inspector Kreuger. He’s been on the take and they want him out of business.”

Colletti nodded. “I understand. Come back tomorrow morning and we’ll finish up.”

“I’ll want some names.”

Colletti let out a heavy sigh. “Well, if I go that far, I may as well go all the way. At ten tomorrow morning?”

“That will be fine.” Shayne got up and Colletti led him to the door.

A Matter of Inches by Philip Segal

The detective who came to take Jim to the courthouse, where he was to testify in a murder case, carried every qualification — except for one.

* * *

Jim sat at the kitchen table, eating his breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee. As he ate, he scanned the news in the morning paper.

Across the top of page one was the headline murder trial starts today. Grocery-store robber to face trial in storekeeper slaying.

Further down the page were the usual accident and fire stories, an article on a proposed tax increase, the beginning of a new feature series on China.

But what caught Jim’s eye was the story headed WOMEN’S GROUP TO SUE CITY — CHARGES DISCRIMINATION.