This Way for a Shroud

"You'll change your mind. Think it over. Once you're out of my hands, Weiner, I wouldn't give a dime for your life. I'm not protecting you unless you're going to do some talking."

"I don't know anything about anything," Pete said sullenly, and shifted around so his back was half turned to Conrad.

"You stupid fool!" Conrad said. "The girl will identify you. Do you think you can get out of this? You were sent to kill her weren't you? You acted on Maurer's orders."

Pete didn't say anything.

"You'll have to talk sooner or later," Conrad said quietly. "You can't spend the rest of your days suspended in space. You've got to come down on one side of the fence. You either talk and we'll protect you or you'll keep your mouth shut and we'll turn you loose. There's no other out for you."

Still Pete didn't say anything.

"We're not interested in you," Conrad went on. "We're after Maurer. Play with us and we'll take care of you."

Pete twisted around.

"Take care of me? That's a laugh! Do you imagine you can protect me? So long as I keep my mouth shut I stand a chance: not much of one, but a chance. If I talk I'm as good as dead. Neither you nor the whole goddamn police force could keep me alive!"

"Don't be a fool!" Conrad snapped. "Of course we can protect you. I'll guarantee it."

Pete stared at him for a long moment, then leaned forward and spat on the floor.

II

Van Roche was waiting as Conrad entered his office. "Did you get him?" Van Roche asked.

"I've got him," Conrad said, and walked over to his desk and sat down. "He's up on the tenth floor with a couple of guards taking care of him. What are you looking so excited about?"

"Abe Gollowitz is talking to the D.A. He's got a writ for Miss Coleman's release."

Conrad stiffened.

"You kidding?"

Van Roche shook his head.

"He blew in about ten minutes ago. The D.A.'s stalling him until you got back. He's demanding to see Miss Coleman."

Conrad got to his feet.

"I'd better see the D.A."

He walked along the passage to the D.A.'s office, tapped and pushed open the door.

Forest sat behind his desk, his hands folded on his blotter. He looked up as Conrad came in, lifted his shoulders in a resigned shrug and waved a hand towards Gollowitz who was sitting by the desk, his round swarthy face bland.

"I was just telling the D.A. that I want to see Miss Coleman," Gollowitz said as Conrad shut the door and came across to the desk.

"Why?" Conrad asked curtly.

"She is being unlawfully detained here, and I happen to be her legal representative: that's why."

"Well, well, that's news," Conrad said. "Does she know of her extraordinary good fortune? After all, I should have thought you had more important work to do than to bother about a penniless movie extra."

Gollowitz chuckled.

"As the legal representative of the Norgate Union I take under my care any of its members, and Miss Coleman happens to be a member."

"Yeah, I should have thought of that," Conrad said, and glanced over at Forest.

"He wants to see her right now," Forest said.

"And no one can stop me seeing her," Gollowitz said smoothly. "I don't have to tell you that." He got up and leaning forward tapped a paper lying on Forest's desk. "You're satisfied with this, aren't you?"

"I guess so," Forest said, shrugging. He looked over at Conrad. "You'd better ask Miss Coleman if she wants to see Mr. Gollowitz. We'll wait."

Conrad nodded and went out of the office. He was sure Frances would want to see Gollowitz, and he stood for a moment thinking. He could warn her, but was she in the mood to listen to warnings? Did she realize the danger she was in? Once Gollowitz got her away from the D.A.'s office, she would disappear. He was sure of that.

He returned to his office.

"Get me six photographs of any of our customers," he said to Van Roche, "and include in the six a picture of Maurer."

Van Roche went to the files, and after a minute or so handed Conrad six halfplate prints.

"I want you to come up with me," Conrad said. "When I give you the tip, bring Weiner into Miss Coleman's room. Okay?"

Van Roche looked startled.

"What's the idea?"

"You'll see. We haven't much time. Come on, let's get upstairs."

They rode up in the elevator to the tenth floor.

"Stick with Weiner until I send for you," Conrad said, and walked quickly down the passage to Frances's door.

Jackson and Norris, still at their posts outside the door, gave him bored nods as he rapped. The door was opened by Madge. There was an exasperated expression on her face.

"Is she being difficult?" Conrad asked, keeping his voice down.

"I'll say she is."

Conrad nodded and walked into the inner room. He was aware of a feeling of suppressed excitement to see Frances again, even after only a few hours.

She was looking out of the window. The nurse got to her feet and went out silently when she saw Conrad.

"I hope you're feeling better now, Miss Coleman," Conrad said.

She turned quickly. Her eyes were angry and she came across the room to face Conrad.

"I want to go home!" she said fiercely. "You have no right to keep me here!"