1944 - Just the Way It Is (28 page)

Duke nodded. ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘Can’t you fight a war without dragging women into it?’

‘Where’s the dough?’ Korris said, softly. ‘I’m in a hurry, Duke.’

Duke shook his head. ‘Half way to Bentonville by now, I guess,’ he said. ‘Lorelli and the boy double-crossed me. They found it and got away.’

Korris’s white face seemed to fall to pieces. ‘Got away?’ he repeated stupidly.

Duke nodded. ‘Yeah, I tried to find a way of telling you and to call this fight off, but you were too enthusiastic. They’ve been gone a half an hour now.’

Korris said, ‘You’re lying!’ His finger tightened on his gun trigger.

‘Go upstairs and see for yourself,’ Duke said. ‘It was hidden up there.’

Korris stood away from the door. ‘Show me!’ he said.

As Duke began to walk up the stairs, Biff called down, ‘What’s the game?’

Korris said, ‘It’s all right. Take her into one of the rooms and watch her. I’m right behind him.’

Duke heard Biff drag Clare into the back room and he had difficulty in controlling himself. He half turned.

Korris said, ‘Go on up. You don’t want anything to happen to her.’

Just behind Korris, Duke saw Kells. He had a knife in his hand that caught the moonlight coming through the open front door. He moved like a shadow and had reached Korris before he could do anything.

The knife went into Korris with a faint ripping sound. Korris stiffened, then bent forward, dropping his gun, his arms clutching his middle. He gave a faint sigh as his knees folded up.

Kells caught him and grinned at Duke. ‘I’ve spoilt his suit,’ he whispered, and carried Korris quietly down the stairs.

Moving swiftly, Duke went into the room where Biff had taken Clare. He could see the silhouettes of Clare and Biff as they stood watching him. The bright moonlight that came through the chinks in the shutters let in just enough light for him to get his bearings.

‘It’s in here,’ he said, speaking over his shoulder.

He foxed Biff who thought Korris was coming in. It gave Duke just enough time to jump him. There was nothing else to do and he had to take the risk. He crashed into the two of them, feeling his shoulder hit Clare in the body. They all went over together and Biff fired his gun.

The flash scorched Duke’s face and he clubbed at Biff with his fist.

Clare rolled away from them, and Biff closed with Duke, hitting him about the body. He had a punch like a pile driver and Duke thought his ribs were going to cave in.

Shifting his hands, he fastened on Biff’s throat and squeezed. Then a violent stabbing pain came in his shoulder and he knew that he had reopened his wound. Strength left his hands and Biff began beating him about the face. He tried to hang on, but Biff was too strong for him. He suddenly caught a punch that flung him half across the room and, dazed, he saw Biff struggle to his feet.

Then Kells came in.

Biff swung round, saw Kells’ gun and gave a strangled squeal.

Kells jerked up the gun and shot him through the head. Biff went down with a crash that shook the room.

‘I thought this mob was tough,’ Kells sneered. ‘It’s as easy as knocking off sheep!’

Duke got slowly to his feet. He felt blood seeping through his coat and his ribs hurt where Biff had hit him. He looked anxiously round for Clare. She was crouched against the far wall and he went over to her.

‘Scared?’ he said, reaching out and holding her.

She felt the blood on his coat wet and sticky to her touch. ‘You’re hurt,’ she said. ‘Come downstairs where I can see.’

Duke said, ‘It’s all right.’ He felt his knees giving and he leaned against her. ‘I like your guts,’ and as he began to slide down on his knees, she called wildly to Kells.

‘He’s only fooling, lady,’ Kells said, propping Duke up. ‘Come on, you punk,’ he went on to Duke. ‘What sort of sissy are you?’

TWENTY-NINE

I
t was after twelve when Clare pulled up outside her house. They had taken the black Packard that had brought Korris to Pinder’s End, leaving Casy and the others to bury the dead.

Clare said, ‘There’s someone in there.’

They looked at the light in the window and Duke wearily groped for his gun. ‘Never a dull moment,’ he said, and got out of the car.

Kells joined him.

‘Wait here,’ Duke said to Clare. ‘We’ll just make sure.’

At that moment the front door opened and Sam Trench came down the path. ‘I thought maybe you’d be along,’ he said. ‘Come in, I’ve got some coffee for you and some food.’

‘But Sam,’ Clare was never more pleased to see anyone, ‘how did you know?’

He put his arm round her. ‘I’m clairvoyant,’ he said. ‘Now, come on in, you must want to take the weight off your feet.’

Duke hung back. He looked at Kells. ‘I guess we may as well go on. It’s getting late.’

Sam stopped and turned. ‘Come in!’ he snapped, ‘I’ve got a lot to talk about.’

‘Save it,’ Duke returned, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Tell him to come in, Clare,’ Sam said. ‘He’s waiting for an invitation.’

Clare hesitated and then said, ‘Please come.’

So they all went into the house and crowded into her little sitting room.

Clare went over and sat in the armchair. She looked white and ill. Duke sat on the table, nursing his arm while Sam poured out coffee.

‘Any hard liquor in this joint?’ Kells asked, anxiously.

Clare pulled herself together. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I’m not being much of a hostess.’ She was about to get up when Sam said, ‘I’ll fix everything,’ and went to the cupboard and produced a bottle of bourbon.

‘It licks me how you knew we’d come here,’ Duke said, looking at Sam with thoughtful eyes. The little man seemed to ooze triumph and Duke wondered what had happened.

Sam winked at him and as soon as everyone had something to drink, he took up his position before the empty fireplace.

‘Well,’ he said. ‘How did you get on?’

Duke passed his hand across his eyes. ‘We’ve wiped out Spade’s mob,’ he said. ‘Ten guys killed and the rest ran for it. Korris is dead. I don’t think there’ll be much trouble from the rest of them. It’s a pity we didn’t get Spade.’

‘And what about Pinder’s End?’ Sam demanded.

‘Well, I promised you the story, so here it is,’ Duke said. He told Sam the whole story up to date. When he wanted to skip details, Sam stopped him and made him go over the story again. By the time he had come to the part about Joe and Lorelli, Clare was dozing and Kells was getting high on the bourbon.

‘So, they got away,’ Duke said in disgust. ‘Schultz got away too. That’s my next problem tomorrow.’

Sam opened his coat and tossed the oilskin packet on the table. ‘That’s what you’re looking for, ain’t it?’ he said, beaming from ear to ear. ‘So you thought you’d leave the old man out of it, did you?’

Duke picked up the packet, glanced inside and then stared at Sam. Why - you old fox!’

‘Joe’s dead,’ Sam said. ‘Lorelli’s left town. I gave her a couple of hundred bucks and my blessing and she shot out of town like a streak of lightning.’

‘And Schultz?’ Duke asked, softly.

‘Schultz is in jail,’ Sam returned. ‘I had an interesting talk with Schultz just now. He’s been charged with the murder of Peter Cullen.’

Duke frowned at him, but Sam didn’t take any notice.

‘He doesn’t even deny it,’ he went on. ‘We shan’t have to bother with him anymore. . .’

Clare stood up. ‘Do you mind if I go to bed, Sam?’ she said. ‘I’ve had about as much as I can stand for one day.’

Sam went over to her. ‘Bed?’ he said. ‘When we’ve got the biggest inside story that’s ever broken in our hands? What sort of a newspaperman do you call yourself? I’m bringing out a special edition of the Clarion tomorrow and there’s work to be done.’

Clare stared at him. ‘But, Sam . . .’

‘But . . . hell!’ Sam snapped. ‘This is your story and you’re going to write it.’ He went up to her and gripped her arms. ‘We’ve cleaned up Bentonville between us!’ His eyes were alight with excitement. ‘It’s our own exclusive story. The Clarion’s made with a story like this! We’ve got enough money to put Fairview on its feet. We can own Fairview if we want to! Can’t you see the story we’ve got? Why, we can even get those factories going! This town won’t need to play second fiddle anymore. Bentonville’s licked!’

A little sparkle of excitement showed in Clare’s eyes. ‘But, Sam, we haven’t got Spade!’ she said. ‘So long as he’s around. . .’

‘Spade?’ Sam stared at her. ‘Spade’s dead! Schultz killed him He went after Schultz, but Schultz outsmarted him.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Clare said, bewildered.

‘I thought you had guessed.’ Sam suddenly became quiet. ‘Well, you’ve got to know sooner or later. Peter Cullen was Spade, my dear. I don’t like telling you this, but well. . .’ he stopped.

‘Peter?’ Clare took a step back.

‘Why did Timson die in Cullen’s room?’ Sam went on. ‘That made me think. I know now. He found out who Cullen was and came to trade those title deeds with him. Cullen killed him, but before he could get rid of the body, Duke, with the girl, surprised

him. I’ve found the title deeds. They were in Peter’s bank. I got the police to check on his deposits. We dug out the bank manager only a half an hour ago. He’s got three hundred thousand dollars to his credit in ready cash. Isn’t that enough proof for you? Every nickel of it was made out of the gambling rackets. It was a nice set-up for him. Korris did the work and he made the money.’

Duke said, ‘Shut up! You’ve said plenty for tonight.’

‘But she’s got to know,’ Sam returned, angrily. ‘It’ll ruin everything for her if she doesn’t know.’

Duke whipped round to Kells. ‘Get him out of here,’ he said, fiercely. ‘Go on, get out, both of you!’

Kells got to his feet, a surprised look in his eyes. ‘Sure,’ he

said. ‘Come on, pa,’ he went on to Sam, ‘It’s time you were in bed.’

‘But, what about my story?’ Sam protested as Kells hustled him out of the room.

‘Never mind about that,’ Kells said, ‘I’ll tell you a story I heard the other night, only you won’t be able to print it.’

When they had gone, the room became quiet. Clare was standing by the fireplace, her back turned and her head on her arm.

Duke went up to her and turned her. ‘Don’t you think we can call this fight off?’ he said, holding her against him ‘I guess we both need each other.’

She tried to push him away, but he held her.

‘Let me go,’ she said, fiercely. ‘I know it’s your fault . . . I know he wouldn’t have. . .’ and she stopped.

Duke shook his head at her. ‘Stop kidding yourself,’ he said. ‘I warned you. Pete was a good guy to you and me, but he was a mean citizen. I’m not much better, but Pete’s dead, so it makes me twice as good as he is. Don’t be obstinate, Clare. There’s a lot to do. There are worthwhile things to do and I want you to help me.’

She said, ‘I want to go away. I don’t want ever to see Fairview or Bentonville again. I’m so tired of it all.’

‘You won’t be tired of the new Fairview - not with me around. You don’t know your own mind. You’ve been too long on your own. Well, I’m going to take charge of you and you’ll have to learn to like it.’ He lifted her chin and kissed her.

For a brief moment, Clare tried to push him away, then her arms went round his neck and she clung to him.

‘Forgive me,’ she said, her hair against his cheek, ‘I’ve been an awful fool, but I won’t be like that anymore.’

Sam and Kells flattened their noses against the window as they watched them.

‘I knew that would happen,’ Kells said, grinning. ‘The guy never stood a chance.’

‘He won’t complain,’ Sam said. ‘I’ve known that girl for some time and she’ll make him happy.’

They watched for some time, then lifting their voices they began to sing, ‘It’s a lovely day tomorrow.’

And that’s how it ended…