The Big Mitt (A Detective Harm Queen Novel Book 1) (8 page)

“Thank you, sir. Again to my question –”

“Of course, Queen, goddammit, why wouldn’t you?” the doctor exclaimed, slamming his fist on the desk. “Why the hell wouldn’t you? You delivered allies and votes for me. Not to mention personal favors. You’re a crack fly-bob to boot! What would make you question that?”

“I saw Mike Ryan come out of your office. There isn’t a more popular man on a beat, sir, than him. If you can axe him, I don’t know who is safe.”

“Well you, for one.”

“Yes, sir. So you said.”

“And I mean it. Listen. Sit down.” Queen found a chair and obeyed. Doc took a drink from his glass, and leaned forward. His pause was drawn out and dramatic. “I mean to make this police force more fully representative of the population. We need people from all walks of life. All backgrounds.”

“So it’s because he’s Irish?”

Ames spread his hands affably. “I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body, Harm. I’ve got bigger things to think about than Mike Ryan. I’m going to set an example for the city of Minneapolis, and the entire country!”

“My brother is beloved by everyone, Detective Queen,” Colonel Ames added. “From civic leaders and businessmen to the tramps and down-and-outers. We want officers who encompass the entire scope of humanity.”

“I see,” Queen replied. He was starting to understand the full implication of the Ames brothers’ plan. Doc had never thought highly of the Irish, and was sore that a couple of their political leaders had fought against him during the election. Slashing their influence in the Police Department was the first step, although he hardly thought Mike Ryan was a political threat.

Doc Ames gave Queen a grandfatherly smile. “You look pensive, Harm. We’ve all worked hard through this campaign. I need people who will continue to hustle for me. This is politics. To the victors go the spoils. It was the same for Mayor Gray, wasn’t it? Don’t tell me you haven’t benefited from your time as a policeman? You were with me in my third term. I know full well that you’ve been well compensated for your labor. I want officers on the force who will answer to me, and who won’t be afraid to bend the rules a little to deal with certain Minneapolis industries that need a firm hand. You do understand, don’t you?”

“Yes sir, I do. It’s just that some of those men holding up the walls out there are bona fide criminals that I’ve had a part in putting away. Working with them every day –”

“Will be challenging, yes, I know. You’re up for the challenge, though. You’re loyal to me as well; that I know with every fiber of my being. That brings up another thing.” He looked a little warily at his brother.

Colonel Ames put up his hand. “If you don’t mind, Alonzo, let me give the news to Detective Queen. There has been speculation about the Chief of Detectives position. Newspapers have thrown names around, including yours. You are aware of this, right?”

“Of course, sir.” He felt the pulse in his neck start to pound.

“Anyway, to be blunt and straight to the point, Detective Queen, we’ve decided not to make that position available to anyone now. I’ll assume the responsibilities in addition to my job as police superintendent.”

Queen clenched his fists. He felt his face flush. He’d considered the possibility that he might not get the promotion, and he had put his feelings on ice about it when he considered the far worse possibility of being demoted or even fired. But he still felt an enormous sting of disappointment hearing it straight from Colonel Ames. I should be grateful I still have a job, he thought to himself. So why am I so hot under the collar?

“Damn it, Harm. You look crestfallen! Look, we’re not ruling it out in the future, and I still need you to show the new detectives the ropes.” Doc patted his hand comfortingly. “You’re our man, only not on paper right now. Perhaps in the next few months we’ll consider it again.”

“Yes, sir.” He rose from his chair, and Doc stood up as well. “You’re welcome to stay, Harm, and offer your advice as we size up our new men. Two hundred pounds average, that’s what we’re looking for. I want no man less than six-feet two-inches for our drill squad. Every man, woman and child on the streets of Minneapolis needs to feel laid up in lavender, as secure as a baby on a teat, and picking prime physical specimens will guarantee this. Apple pie order, I say.”

Six-foot-two? Most of the officers he knew weren’t over five-foot-seven, Queen thought. Ol’ Doc was dreaming up much bigger men than the city could produce. This was typical Doc Ames, though. He always had difficulty living up to his grandiose promises.

“No thank you, sir. I have to go down to the jail to question someone,” the detective replied. He knew what was coming but didn’t care.

“Detective Norbeck filled us in, assuming you’re referring to Emil Dander,” said Colonel Ames. “The courts will take care of him, this I assure you.”

“As you know, I’m not mayor officially until Tuesday.” Doc Ames leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. “I just want to say that I think you and Chris are doing a crack job on that case of the murdered prostitute. Low-browed criminals like him, shooting up girls, are not something we need, to turn citizens against the law-abiding resort owners who properly pay their fees.”

“Frankly, sir, I’m not one hundred percent sure that Emil Dander did the murder.”

“Of course he did, detective. It was his house and he certainly makes the obvious culprit. When she tried to flee, he shot her. Respectable resorts gain a black eye when sordid situations like this reach the public ear.”

“You’re right, sir. The facts and motives so far, without question, point to Emil Dander. It’s just that I think there was a witness to what actually happened.”

“Really?” asked Colonel Ames, staring at Queen over his glasses. “Who?”

“One of the girls who worked for him. Her room would have given her the perfect vantage point to see everything.”

“And where are these prostitutes now? Detective Norbeck never mentioned them.”

“They weren’t with Dander at his arrest. If he knows where they are, I can get it out of him.”

“Why would he tell you where they are?” asked Doc, with a wry look on his face. “From everything I’ve heard about this Dander character, he’s a bit smarter than that. He won’t help put the final nail in his own coffin.”

“A good point, sir. He’s got to be sitting in that cell right now contemplating the possibility of his own execution. And if he doesn’t cooperate with me after I explain to him how this young woman might help clear his name,” Queen held up his hands as if to surrender, “it’s a sure sign he’s responsible for her death. But on the other hand, his eagerness to help find her would point to his innocence.”

“That makes good sense.” The Mayor-elect nodded. “What do you think about this, Fred?”

“I think that you don’t need to concern yourself about this,” the colonel said, “with the inauguration around the corner. Let the detective do his job, brother.” Colonel Ames opened the door, and his secretary came in. “Tom, would you kindly wait until I return before bringing in the next prospect? We haven’t eaten for a while. Perhaps you can send for some steaks from the West Hotel?”

“Very good, Colonel.”

The police superintendant eyed Fred Connor, who stood near the door with a watchful expression and arms crossed. “Can you go in and talk to him, Connor? He’s partial to your company.” The bodyguard nodded and slipped in. He winked at Queen as he passed, and Queen returned with a smile, despite his foul mood.

Colonel Ames turned to Queen. “Please follow me, detective.” Queen followed him past the staring eyes in the waiting room and into the hall. “We need to speak privately,” he said as they walked.

“Is this about what I just said?”

“Among other things. Let’s go in here.” He pulled out a set of keys, and unlocked a room. As they entered, Queen noticed a young man sitting in a chair, reading a book. He wore spectacles and a silly, enraptured look on his face. The book fell out of his hands when he stood up to meet them.

“Detective Queen, I’d like you to meet Tom Cahill.”

“How do you do?” the man said. He was barely taller than five feet, with muscular arms and a thick neck. Queen could usually size up a man with a glance, but was struck by the oddity of this fellow.

“Middling,” Queen replied stiffly. He turned to Ames. “Who is this?”

“We’ve hired new detectives, and this is one of them. You’re to take him under your wing and show him the job.”

“Frankly, sir, and no disrespect, but I’d like to decline. If you’re requiring teams now, put me with Kensington or Hall, or Norbeck at least. He annoys the hell out of me, but I’m used to him anyway. I’d rather not be encumbered, though, if I have a say.”

“My brother told you that acting as a mentor will be a major part of your job from now on. We have other plans for Detective Norbeck. I’d appreciate you accepting this without argument.”

“I’d appreciate it as well, Detective Queen,” Cahill chimed in buoyantly.

Queen wheeled towards Cahill, who stumbled backwards in surprise.

“Do you have any policing experience?” Queen growled.

“Well, n-no sir. I was in the Army, though. I served under Colonel Ames.”

“What rank did you hold?”

“I was a private, sir.”

“He’s a crack shot, detective.”

“Most of what we do isn’t shooting. Being a fly means knowing how to sleuth. He’s going to find himself in some rough situations, and he needs to be quick with his tongue and his fists. It’s not often that I’ve had to use my pistol.”

“Regardless, he is now a Minneapolis detective.”

“If you say so, sir.” Queen was rankled beyond words, but held his tongue.

“Something else. Tom, do you mind leaving the room now? I have private words to speak with Mr. Queen.”

Cahill nodded solemnly. “Of course, sir.” He gave Ames a sloppy salute, and left.

Ames turned to Queen. “This matter of the dead prostitute. I understand your suspicions, and appreciate your diligence, but this needs to be kept close to the vest. Once I take official command of the force, I’ll deal with this personally.”

“There were reporters at the house when we found her.”

“And you haven’t read about it this week, either. Fortunately, they work for newspapers sympathetic to the new administration, and will remain silent.”

“What about Dander? Word will spread soon that he’s been arrested.”

“Yes, of course, but it won’t be for murder. He’ll be tried and convicted of serving alcohol without a liquor license.”

“He paid the license. I collected the money myself.”

“Some kind of kidnapping charge, then. Those girls were inmates, and in a far worse situation than any woman working in a legal brothel in this city. I don’t want Mayor Ames to be embroiled in a murder case, because we can’t afford public sentiment to turn against this kind of business. Both you and I will lose our livelihoods if it happens. There is money in this, as you know, lots of money. There is also a line between murder and everything else. A murder poisons the whole pot. Women’s societies will call for our heads if this gets in the papers. But they’ll make the mayor a hero if he helps to break up a kidnapping ring. Can I be any clearer on this point?”

Queen gritted his teeth. “No, you are very clear, sir.”

“What’s wrong, Detective? This cold demeanor you portray with me is unlike you, from what I’ve heard.”

“What have you heard, sir?”

“Congenial, companionable. You’ve made many friends in Minneapolis who have kind words about you.” Ames’s teeth bared into a thin smile.

“I’ve friends, like everyone, and enemies like everyone,” Queen said. “More enemies than most.”

“But your friends swear by your trustworthiness and agreeable nature.” He paused for a moment, and glanced at the door. “Mr. Cahill and I had that kind of relationship in the war. We had and have a mutual trust. I want that with you as well.”

Queen wondered what the hell kind of relationship a colonel has with a private. “I just don’t like men going around shooting young girls.” He felt his anger rising as he spoke. “How do I explain to her parents when they ask what happened? How is it possible to hide this?”

“We’re not hiding what happened. We’re just not talking about it. Have her parents come forward yet?”

“I haven’t found them.”

“Do you really think, Detective Queen, that you will? I’d wager they already believe her dead.”

“If she were my daughter I’d want to know what happened.”

Colonel Ames shook his head and opened the door. “Let it be. We have enough to worry about without a murder that instigates torch-carrying mobs. I need to go now. See to it that Mr. Cahill is given proper preparation when he’s officially salaried this week. And please…” He stared intently into Queen’s eyes. “No more of this. We shall see that Mr. Dander is punished. I’ll personally make sure he’s crushing rock in Stillwater Prison by the end of the month. It just won’t be for murder.”

“Is there nothing more I can say? I think if I explained to Mayor Ames what I believed happened, he might see the light.”

Queen caught a momentary flash of malice in the colonel’s eyes. Then Ames gave Queen a loose pat on the shoulder, like a master to his obedient lap dog. “I speak on his behalf, Detective. Let us start our professional relationship off on a good foot. From now on, he will not need to know anything from you, or any of the other detectives, about any police matters. I know your history together is long, but I will be his filter and only pass on the most necessary information. And please keep this conversation private from Cahill. I don’t want any distractions from his training.”