You Find Him – I'll Fix Him

  "I'm going to tell them I killed her. The case will be closed," Carlo said. Every word made him sweat. "Look at the film yourself. You'll see what I mean after you've looked at it. It's not evidence. When you've seen it, destroy it. Will you do that?"

  "Okay. If I'm satisfied that it isn't evidence, I'll destroy it."

  "You'll give me your word?"

  "Yes, but I must be sure it isn't evidence."

  He managed to grin.

"Oksy, shoot them in. I'll give them a confession – the full treatment."

"So long, Carlo," I said and gripped his hand.

  "So long, pally. I was a sucker to involve you in this. I didn't think you had so much on the ball. Get them in here and hurry."

  I went out and told Carlotti Manchini wanted him. He and the two detectives went into the room and closed the door. I walked down the passage to the entrance hall. I waited there for Carlotti.

  Twenty minutes later, he came into the hall.

  "He's gone," he said soberly. "Suppose we go to your apartment? I want to talk to you."

  Well, at least, he wasn't taking me to the police station. We drove in silence to my apartment.

  "You might like a drink?" I said as soon as we were in ray lounge.

  "I'll have a campari," Cariotti said.

  As I knew he never drank on duty, I felt easier in my mind. I fixed a campari and a whisky and soda for myself and we sat down.

  "Well, now," he said. "Manchini has given me a signed confession that he killed la Signorina Chalmers. I have reason to believe that you were also at the villa at the time of her death. You have been identified by two witnesses. I should like your explanation."

  I didn't hesitate. I gave him the whole story without holding a thing back. The only thing I didn't tell him was that June Chalmers had hired Sarti to watch Helen. I said I thought Sarti's client had been Chalmers himself.

  Carlotti listened without interrupting me. When I had finally finished, he stared at me for a long moment before saying, "I think you have behaved very foolishly, signor."

  It was such an anticlimax that I grinned at him.

  "I guess I have, but if you bad been in my place, I think you would have done the same. As it is, I've lost my new job. All this is bound to come out at the inquest."

  Carlotti stroked his nose.

  "Not necessarily," he said. "Manchini said that he was the man la signorina planned to spend a month with at the villa. I see no reason why I shouldn't accept that story. After all, you gave us the information about Setti and you have always been helpful in the past. I am satisfied that your story is true. I don't see why you should be penalized. Manchini said he caught la signorina taking a film of Setti's villa. Apparently, Setti was on the terrace. Manchini realized that this film could be used as a blackmail weapon against Setti. He got the camera from la signorina and ripped out the film. To teach her a lesson, so he said, he slapped her. She jumped back and fell over the cliff. This explanation will satisfy the coroner if I tell him we are satisfied. I don't think you should suffer for a woman of that kind. My advice to you is to say nothing that will involve yourself with il Signor Chalmers."

  "It's not as easy as that," I said. "Now Manchini is dead, there is nothing to stop Sarti trying to blackmail me again. He could tell Chalmers."

  Carlotti gave a wintry smile.

  "You don't have to worry about Sarti. Manchini gave me enough evidence to put Sarti away for years. He has already been arrested.''

  I suddenly realized that I was in the clear. I was out of the jam I thought was impossible ever to get out of.

  "Thank you, Lieutenant," I said. "All right. I won't say anything to Chalmers. You won't be worried with me for much longer. If I have any luck I'll be going to New York."

  He got to his feet

  "You don't worry me, signor. There are times when it is good to be able to help one's friends."

  When he had gone I took from my pocket the carton of film and turned it over in my hand. What did it contain? I wondered. Why had Carlo been so anxious to make a deal with me? I stood thinking for a long moment. Then, remembering that Giuseppe Frenzi had a 16 mm. projector, I called him and asked him if he would give me the loan of it for an hour.

  "It's all set up in my apartment, Ed," he said. "Go around there and help yourself. The janitor will let you in. I'm up to my eyes in work and can't get away until late or I'd come around and show you how it works."

  "I can manage it," I said. "Thanks, Giuseppe," and I hung up.

  A half hour later, I was in Frenzi's apartment with Helen's film threaded into the projector. I turned off the lights and started the film.