Nothing More Than Murder

'That's right. Borrowed a car for a joy ride, and the cops caught me. My old man wasn't very fond of me, anyhow, so I went right on over the road. No, things like that don't need to mean any more than we let 'em.'

'But you said your company-'

'It's a fact they have to consider, certainly. It's tough, but that's the way it is. He sat brushing at his knee, looking down. 'I'm sorry, Joe. I know pretty well how you feel. Can't you think of some logical explanation-some explanation that would be acceptable to the company-for the fire?'

'No, I can't.'

'The motor was in good condition? There wasn't any possibility of a short?'

'Not a chance. If there had been any I'd have had it repaired.'

'Sure. Naturally.'

'It isn't the money so much,' I said. 'I'd just like to get things settled.'

'Sure you would.' He nodded sympathetically, studying me. 'I'll tell you something, Joe, if you'll keep your mouth shut. I've been stringing you along a little. I've recommended payment on this case. I'm just waiting to mail my report.'

'Waiting?'

'Orders.' He smiled out of the corner of his mouth. 'You're running in hard luck, Joe. You remember that missing dame I told you about?'

'Yes.'

'Well, there's the rub. I've got to turn her up, and as long as I'm here and it isn't costing them anything extra the company's having me keep your case open. At least they think they are. As far as I'm concerned it's already closed. As soon as I find this woman I'll put a date on the report and shoot it in.'

'Well,' I said, 'that's something.' I wished I had been outside so that I could have taken a deep breath. Or let out a yell. Just of pure relief.

I didn't care if I never got the money. I was going to have plenty without it.

We talked until midnight about show business, and the war, and things in general. Finally I figured it was time for me to go.

We shook hands. 'Got any leads on the woman yet?' I said.

'Oh, one or two, Joe. I'm expecting a break in the case any minute.'

'Well, luck to you,' I said.

'And to you, Joe. And, Joe-'

'Yeah?' I said. He'd opened the door and I was standing halfway out in the hall.

'Do yourself a favor. Do a little deep thinking about some of the stuff we've discussed here tonight. It may make you feel bad for a time, but you'll profit by it in the long run. It'll make it a hell of a lot easier for you to get along with yourself.'

'You're not telling me much,' I said.

'It's something you'll have to see, Joe. Good night, and take it easy.'

'I'll do that,' I said.

24

The front of the building was dark, but I could see a faint light in the back. I tapped on the window and rattled the doorknob. And in a couple of minutes Andy Taylor came shuffling around from behind the screen that separates his so-called office from his living quarters.

I don't know whether he'd been in bed or not. He still had his clothes on, but I'd always had the idea he slept with them on most of the time.

'Kinda took your time about gettin' here, didn't you?' he said. 'Come on in.'

I followed him back to the rear of the building, and he put the coal-oil lamp he'd been carrying down on a packing-box. He didn't have any real furniture. Just a cot and some boxes and a little monkey stove. I sat down on the cot.

'So you decided to take me up,' he said. 'Well, well.'

He moved a dirty pie plate and a coffee cup off of one of the boxes and sat down across from me. The light from the lamp made his beard seem redder than usual. He looked like the devil with a hat on.

'Not so fast,' I said. 'Take you up on what?'

'I don't know, Joe. I don't know.'

'I got a burn on my hand,' I said, 'that's all. Anyone that works around electricity as much as I do is bound to get burned.'

'Sure they are.'

'Well?' I said.

'You were willing to cancel the lease on the Bower.'

'I was willing to do that, anyway. I've been thinking for a long time that I hadn't treated you right on that lease.'

'Yeah. I bet you did.'

He rubbed his chin, looking straight into the flame from the lamp. For a minute I was afraid that I'd been too independent, that he wasn't going to walk into the trap.

Then he laughed, just with his mouth, and I knew everything was all right.

All he needed was a little steering.

'All right, Joe,' he said. 'I ain't got a thing on you. Not a thing. Why don't you just get up and walk out of here?'

'Okay,' I said. 'I will.'

I got up slow, brushing at my clothes, and turned toward the door. He watched me, the grin on his wrinkled old face getting wider and wider.

'O' course,' he said. 'You know I'm going to tell Appleton about that burn.'

'What for?' I said. 'Why do you want to do that, Andy?'

'What do you care? As long as it don't mean nothing.'

I shrugged and took a step toward the door. Then I let my face fall and I sank back down on the cot.

I heaved a sigh. 'Okay, Andy. You win.'

He nodded, his eyes puzzled. 'Thought I would,' he said. 'Wonder why, though?'

I didn't say anything.

'That motor was in good condition. Elizabeth wouldn't have been foolin' around with it if it wasn't. Not Elizabeth.'

'No,' I said.

'And we know the fire wasn't set. There's proof positive of that.'

'No,' I said, 'it wasn't set.'

'And you were in the city when it happened.'

'That's right. I was in the city.'

'But there was something wrong, mighty wrong. So wrong that you're willin' to give me-how much are you willin' to give me, Joe?'

'What do you want?'

'Make me an offer.'

'Well, I'm short of cash right now. But I could give you part of the money from the insurance.'

'Not part, Joe. All.'

'But, Jesus,' I said. 'All right, goddamit. All!' He cackled and shook his head. 'Huh-uh, Joe. I wouldn't touch that money. How would it look for me to plunk twenty-five thousand in the bank after a deal like this? Huh-uh! I just wanted to get some idea of what it was worth to you for me to keep quiet. Some basis for tradin'.'

'Well, now you've got it.'

'Yeah, now I've got it. And you know what I'm goin' to do with it, Joe? Somethin' I've been wanting to do for years.'

'Spit it out,' I said. 'For God's sake, you know I've got to come across. What is it you want?'

'Nothing more than what you owe me, Joe. I had a good thing once, and you ruined it for me. Now I'm handin' you back the ruins and takin' your good thing.'