Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 6, May 1961

Marie Cole managed to say in a strained voice, “Barry Trimble.”

Shayne’s eyebrows went up again. “The ex-fighter? I remember that case.”

“Then you can readily understand why my wife is worried,” Cole said. “Barry has an insane temper and he never forgets a grudge. I know. I grew up with him and I owned a piece of him when he was fighting professionally. That investment blew up in my face. He was barred from the ring after his first conviction for assault. He put a reporter in the hospital for writing that he was a dirty fighter.”

Shayne asked, “Why did he threaten you when he was sent away, Mrs. Cole?”

Her husband answered for her. “It was Marie who had him arrested for beating up her brother. She brought a divorce action before he came to trial and got her decree the day before he was sentenced. He told her right after the sentencing, just before they led him away, that he was going to kill her when he got out.”

Shayne pursed his lips. “Convicted felons often make threats,” he said. “He’s had five years to simmer down. What makes you think he still holds a grudge strong enough to make him carry out the threat?”

The platinum blonde whispered, “I know Barry. He never forgets.”

“Barry wouldn’t forget a resentment like that in fifty years,” Cole concurred. “I know him even better than Marie does.”

“Have you heard from him while he was in prison?” Shayne asked the woman. “Has be ever renewed the threat?”

She shook her head. “Barry’s not a letter writer. But that doesn’t mean anything. I know he’s been sitting in his cell letting the wound fester for five years. I know he still means to kill me.”

Shayne looked thoughtfully from one to the other. “How long have you two been married?” he inquired.

The blonde said, “Norbert and I were married four years ago, Mr. Shayne. About a year after Harry went to prison.”

Shayne gave his earlobe another tug. “Has it occurred to you that he might have a grudge against you too, Mr. Cole?”

“For marrying Marie?” He shrugged. “I’ve thought of it. Barry and I were pretty close once, and he might consider it a betrayal of friendship. On the other hand, Barry isn’t a jealous man. He’s just vindictive. Marie rather doubts that he ever really loved her. He was more angry at her for having him arrested than for divorcing him.”

After a thoughtful pause, Shayne asked, “What do you expect me to do about this? As my secretary told you, I don’t hire out as a bodyguard. Seems to me you ought to ask for police protection.”

The platinum blonde said quickly, “Oh, we couldn’t go to the police, Mr. Shayne. It would all be in the papers again. And we can’t stand any bad publicity at this point.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t you watch daytime television?” Cole asked.

“I’m too busy during the day,” Shayne said dryly.

The man looked a trifle hurt. “Marie and I have a daily program called Breakfast with the Coles. It’s a conversation thing where we sit around the breakfast table and discuss current events, local news and what department store sales are going on in Miami. The stores sponsor us, you see.”

“I knew who you were,” Shayne said. “But I don’t see the connection with not wanting the police in on it.”

“We’re supposed to be a normal, happily married couple,” Cole explained. “Having it spread all over the papers that an ex-convict former husband is out to kill Marie would destroy our public image. The public isn’t even aware that she was married once before. Since our contract renewal comes up in two weeks, we simply can’t afford that kind of publicity.”

The redhead grunted. “I still don’t see what I can do for you.”

“We hoped you’d agree to act as my bodyguard for a time,” Marie Cole said. “But if you won’t do that, perhaps you could at least see Barry and discourage any violent intentions he has.”

“What makes you think I could discourage him?” Shayne asked curiously.

“Well, you have the reputation of being a rather... ah... bad man to cross. Perhaps if Barry knew I was under your protection, he’d at least think twice before attempting anything.”

Shayne said dubiously, “If he actually plans to kill you for the motive you say, he must be insane. You can seldom deter insane people from revenge with threats, because they seldom worry about consequences. I’d be willing to see him in order to form an opinion about just how serious his intentions are. But I won’t guarantee that I can discourage any homicidal plans he has. Where do I find him?”

“Oh, we have no idea where he is,” Marie Cole said.

The redhead looked at her.

“All we know is that he was released yesterday,” Cole said. “We knew his release was pending, and we’ve been worried about it. I phoned the prison office and learned that he had been released as scheduled. However, when I wouldn’t give my name, they refused to give me his address.”

“Why wouldn’t you give your name?” Shayne asked.