The Soft Centre

Val received him in the sitting-room of her suite.?‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Burnett,’ Terrell said as he came into the room. ‘I understand from one of my officers that you were in Hardy’s penthouse a few minutes before this shooting affair.’

Val, who had been expecting this call, had prepared her story, and although she was tense, she faced Terrell calmly enough.

‘Yes, I was there. It was very stupid of me,’ she said. ‘Do sit down. Of course you want an explanation.’

Terrell sat down.?‘I understand you told Hardy you were Mary Sherrek of the Miami Sun, Mrs. Burnett. Is that correct?’

Val sat down, facing Terrell.?‘Yes. It was like this: Miss Sherrek wanted to go home. She was short of money. I was sorry for her so I bought her press card. I suppose I had no right to do it, but I wanted an excuse to help her and I also wanted to amuse myself.’

‘She had no right to sell the card to you.’ Terrell said sharply. ‘I don’t understand: just why did you buy it?’

‘Oh, a sudden impulse.’ Val made a vague gesture with her hands. ‘I suppose it is difficult for you to understand my position. I am wealthy. I have nothing to do. I have always been fascinated by crime.’ She forced a smile. ‘This woman’s murder… Sue Parnell… more than interested me. I’ve followed the case in the papers. It suddenly occurred to me while I was talking to the girl it would be amusing and interesting to meet some of the people connected with the case. I realised if I had a press card, I could go to these people’s homes and talk to them. So I just couldn’t resist the temptation and I bought the card from this girl. I called on Mr. Hardy. You’ll probably think this is rather morbid, but people like myself who have too much money and not enough to do, do these things for—for kicks.’

Terrell stared at her. He didn’t believe a word she was saying, but he had to be careful.?‘It was a very foolish and dangerous thing to have done, Mrs. Burnett,’ he said finally.?‘Yes, wasn’t it? Well, I’m sorry if I have caused trouble. Perhaps you will be kind enough to write it off as a silly, rich woman’s whim.’

Terrell wasn’t to be taken in by this kind of humility.?‘When you were in the penthouse,’ he said, ‘had you any idea these two killers were there?’ ‘Oh. of course not!’?‘Could I have Sherrek’s press card, please?’

Val stiffened, then stared steadily at him.?‘I hope you’re not going to make trouble for the girl,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t like that. All this is entirely my fault. I destroyed the card when I got back here.’

Terrell shifted ground.?‘There’s another thing, Mrs. Burnett. It has come to my knowledge that you have given Homer Hare twenty thousand dollars. He claims it is a retainer for work to be done. I admit this isn’t my business, but I feel it is my duty to warn you that Hare is thoroughly unreliable and thoroughly dishonest.’ He hesitated, then went on, ‘On the face of it, Mrs. Burnett, it seems to me that Hare might be blackmailing you. Nothing would please me more than to put him away for fourteen years. Anything you wish to tell me that would enable me to get a conviction against him would be in the strictest confidence, I assure you of that.’ He paused, then went on. ‘Is there anything you would care to tell me?’

Val felt cold. She sat for a long moment staring at Terrell, then she said, ‘I gave this man the money because I want him to do certain very confidential work for me. There is no question of blackmail.’ She got to her feet. ‘Thank you for your offer of help, but it is quite unnecessary. Please accept my apologies for my foolishness.’

Terrell shrugged and stood up.

‘All right, Mrs. Burnett, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me. If I can be of help1 let me know.’ He moved to the door, then pausing, he said, ‘I’m sorry, but this isn’t the end of the matter. Hardy is coming up on a manslaughter charge. He could call you as a witness. I’m not satisfied you have told me the truth. Think about it. People have found it is better to have me on their side than against them.’

He went out and shut the door quietly behind him.

The time was seven-fifteen. Homer Hare, Sam Karsh and Lucille were in conference. Sam Karsh had just got back from hospital where he had been treated for bruises and shock. It had taken him more than seven hours to recover enough from the police beating to get back to the office. Even now, he held an ice-bag to his aching eye and he moaned now and then. Neither Hare, who was munching chicken sandwiches, nor Lucille paid any attention to him.

‘I said from the beginning I didn’t like it,’ Lucille said, ‘and now this.’?‘Terrell’s bluffing.’ Hare said, his mouth full. ‘He can’t prove the money isn’t a retainer. The Burnett woman won’t talk. There’s nothing to worry about.’?‘Yeah?’ Karsh whined. ‘How’s about me? Look at the way those Nazis beat me up! Know what they said? They said every time they see me in the car, they will frame me for a traffic violation and they’ll do it! Look at my eye!’