Tiger By The Tail

"I happen to be in the opposition camp. I guess I must be crazy to stick my neck out, but that's the way it is. If I could pull the rug from under O'Brien I would do it. I have an idea I might do it through you. If I can prove Dorman killed this Carson girl, I might force O'Brien to show his hand. Dorman's sister would put pressure on O'Brien, and he might make a false move. I want my men to be hunting you so I can hunt Dorman. That's why I've brought you here. It's essential they don't catch you before I catch him. I want to get Lindsay Burt interested in you. He'll take care of you if I can convince him you are being framed. But you've got to have patience. This could take a few days, even a few weeks. You're safe here, but don't go showing yourself on the streets. My men are efficient. They're looking for you, and they'll find you if you show yourself."

"But my wife will be coming home soon," Ken said anxiously. "I've my job to think of. You can't expect me . . ."

Adams raised his hand.

"Wait a minute. I've told you already: you're in a jam. Your wife and your job aren't important. It's your life you have to think of. If they catch you, you're through, and don't forget it!"

"But this is fantastic! Suppose you don't find Dorman? What happens to me?"

"We'll think about that when the time comes."

"What about my wife?"

"You should have thought about her before you played around with Fay Carson." Adams finished his drink and set down his glass. "Now, take it easy. You stay here. I'm going back to headquarters. I want to find out what they are doing."

"I forgot to tell you I saw Gilda Dorman at the Blue Rose that night," Ken said. "Did you know she and Fay Carson once shared an apartment together?"

Adams put on his hat.

"I didn't know, but I can't see it has anything to do with our problem. You take it easy. Leave this to me."

"I'd better see a lawyer," Ken said uneasily.

"Plenty of time to see a lawyer. Relax, can't you? You're safe here. Go to bed. The spare room is through that door. I've got to go," Adams said, and nodding, he left the apartment.

Ken got to his feet, went over to the window and watched the Lieutenant drive away. His mind was in a whirl. This was an incredible position to be in. He had a disturbing idea that Adams was only using him as a political pawn. If the gamble came off, all would be well, but if it didn't, then Adams might wash his hands of him.

He thought of Ann returning to the empty bungalow. He couldn't remain in this apartment indefinitely. The best thing he could do was to consult a

first-class attorney and put himself into his hands.

He was still trying to make up his mind which attorney to go to when the telephone bell rang. He hesitated for a moment, then, thinking it might be Adams to tell him what was happening at headquarters, he lifted the receiver.

"That you, Lieutenant?" A deep, rich voice, which Ken instantly recognized as Sam Darcy's, whispered in his ear. "The Lieutenant's out. I think he's at headquarters." There was a pause, then Darcy said, "Can you take a message?"

"I guess so."

"Okay, tell him a guy who looked like Johnny Dorman was seen on Tux's cruiser, Willow Point. My man only caught a glimpse of him and he won't swear it was Johnny."

Ken felt a tingle of excitement run up his spine.

"I'll tell him."

"The cruiser's anchored in the estuary. He'll know."

"Okay," Ken said, and hung up.

For a long moment he stood thinking, then he put a call through to police headquarters.

"Give me Lieutenant Adams," he said to the desk sergeant.

"He's not here. Who's calling?"

"He's on his way down. Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"He's been in and he's gone out again. What is it?"

Ken replaced the receiver.

Suppose Dorman left the cruiser before he could tell Adams where he was? he thought. If he were to get out of this jam, he had to help himself.

He would go to the waterfront and watch the cruiser until Adams came.

He went to Adams' desk, wrote down Darcy's message, added that he was going to try to find the Willow Point and urged Adams to come as quickly as he could. He left the message on the table, grabbed his hat and left the apartment. He cautiously opened the front door.

Rain was falling, and the wet darkness gave him a feeling of security. He went down the steps and, turning left, he walked as quickly as he could towards the river.

CHAPTER VI

I

Sean O'Brien tapped on Gilda's dressing-room door, waited a moment, then turned the handle and entered.

Gilda was changing. She reached hurriedly for her wrap, then changed her mind when she saw O'Brien, and went to him quickly.

"Sorry," he said, smiling at her. "I should have waited a little longer."

"Is it all right, Sean?" she asked, her great green eyes dark with anxiety.

"Of course." He took her in his arms and kissed her. "You should lock the door, kid. Anyone could have walked in."

"I thought I had. What happened, Sean?" She moved back to the dressingtable while he watched her, thinking how beautiful she was.