Night Extra

“Now let’s get squared away,” Ticknor said, still smiling at Terrell. “I guess Duggan’s made our point by now — long-winded as he is. Somebody peddled you a bum story. The least you can do is print a retraction. Just a line or two. I don’t go for volume when I’m breast-beating myself. And then tell me where you got the story from.”

“That’s all, eh?”

“I hope you’re not being sarcastic,” Ticknor said, and he wasn’t smiling any more. “You heard what I want done. What’s your answer?”

“I don’t have much choice,” Terrell said. “If the police aren’t looking for anyone, then I’m obviously wrong.”

“That’s half of it. Now who gave you the tip?”

“It was phoned in,” Terrell said. “Anonymously.”

“You wouldn’t print a story you got that way. Now you listen to me: you play cute and I’ll issue a statement that you’re an irresponsible liar whose column shouldn’t be in any respectable newspaper.”

“And that would wound me all to hell,” Terrell said drily.

“Maybe Mike Karsh would back you up,” Ticknor said, beginning to shout. “He’s contrary enough to. But there are papers downstate who take your column, and they’ll do what I tell ’em to. Don’t you forget that.”

“Let’s don’t lose our heads now,” Duggan said.

“You speak when you’re spoken to,” Ticknor said. “I put that monkey suit on your back and I’ll take it off when I please. Sam, you’re heading for trouble. I’ve been mayor of this city for twelve years, and I’m not letting you throw mud at my work and my reputation. There’s nothing wrong here — but you’re trying to stir up dirt. Well, you’ll find that doesn’t pay off here. Not in my city.”

Terrell glanced at his watch. “That all you have to say?”

“Now listen to me,” Ticknor said slowly. He had brought his temper under control. “I want to know where you got that phony story about a man with a scarred forehead and so faith. I’m going to get it, Sam. Or you’ll wish you’d never crossed me.”

“Why not lock me up? Beat it out of me?” Terrell’s own temper was getting short. “There was a man — but he doesn’t exist in your files and reports any more. He’s been dematerialized. But I know about him.”

“And you’re going to tell me where you heard that lie,” Ticknor said.

“There’s an aroma about this case the citizens may notice one of these days,” Terrell said. “You should order gas masks to be worn until after elections. That might save the day.”

As Terrell turned to the door Mayor Ticknor began to curse him quietly and deliberately, using the string of obscenities as he would a whip, trying to make every stroke cut to the bone. Terrell waited with his hand on the knob, looking thoughtfully at the temper working in Ticknor’s face. The tirade was lengthy and definitive, but when the Mayor finished Terrell said casually, “I’m double parked so you’ll have to excuse me. I don’t want to get in real trouble.” He glanced for a second at Duggan who was staring at the backs of his hands, an expression of shame and anger on his face. Then he opened the door and walked out.

12

When Terrell returned to the paper it was almost ten o’clock; the second edition was nearing its deadline and tension was building through the long room. Everyone was conscious of the big clock above the city desk. Karsh waved to him from his office, and Terrell crossed the floor and joined him in that sound-proofed command post.

“Don’t tell me,” Karsh said. “His Honor just hung up.” He shook his head. “Corn-fed ass.”

“They’re worried sick,” Terrell said. “Even Duggan. I’ve never seen them this way before, Mike.”

“More bad news is on the way.” There was a gleam of devil’s humor in Karsh’s eyes. “Paddy Coglan’s wife came in a while ago. She’s waiting upstairs to tell you her story. It’s a beaut, a fat, cream-fed beaut. Come on.”

Mrs. Coglan was waiting for them in an empty office on the ninth floor. She stood awkwardly when they entered and began plucking at the skirt of her rusty black dress. Terrell could see that she had been weeping; behind the rimless glasses her eyes were red and swollen. She smiled weakly at him and her expression was confused and supplicating. “I didn’t know where else to come, as I was explaining to this gentleman.” She put a wadded handkerchief to her nose. “You knew Paddy was in trouble, didn’t you, Mr. Terrell? When you came to the house the other day, you knew it.”

“Yes, I knew it,” Terrell said. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

“Thank you. It’s all over with him now, all over with the poor man.”

Karsh said, “Please sit down, Mrs. Coglan, and tell Sam what you’ve just been telling me.”

“They asked me to come in yesterday, to the Hall,” Mrs. Coglan said. She was in control of herself now; the importance of her role seemed to steady her nerves. “They were full of polite talk and sympathy, but they got around to the pension soon enough.”

“Who was ‘they’?” Terrell asked her.

“Lieutenant Clark and Sergeant Millerton.”

“You know them?” Karsh said, glancing at Terrell.

“Chief Clerk’s office. Records, medical exams, insurance, paper work. Go on, Mrs. Coglan.”