True Detective

Chicago,' to restore her good name. To put an end to all gangster operations during the fair.'

'Did you really believe that?'

'Yes, within reason. As we've both said, gangsters will always be with us. The people who come to our fair will occasionally seek that which is not offered there. So I would not expect, for example, a gentleman from Des Moines having a great deal of difficulty finding a glass of beer to drink while in Chicago this summer.'

'Cermak's declared war on crime. Isn't that what you want?'

'Bloody headlines are not what any of us want. The fair is designed to paint a whole new picture of Chicago. And blood is not the sort of paint we have in mind.'

'I can see that,' I admitted.

'Now. You may be wondering where you fit into all this.'

'Yes.'

'I'm merely hoping you'll be civic-minded when Mr. Nitti's trial comes up, before too long.'

'Civic-minded?'

'Yes. I would hope you would take the stand and tell the truth.'

'Which truth is that?'

Dawes looked at me hard. 'The truth, man! The truth. Whatever it is. Wherever the chips may fall.'

'Okay.' I said, unsurely.

'Like the city- council.' he said, with humor. 'I believe a sense of civic duty should be rewarded.'

'That's nice. How?'

'I understand you've opened a private agency.'

'That's correct.'

'I understand further that you were a member of the pickpocket detail.'

'Yes.'

'We'll have our own security force, at the fair. I would like them instructed in the ways and means of the pickpocket. I would like you to do that. And I would like you to spend a day or two at the fair, each week, yourself, when your schedule allows, to supervise them, doing spot checks, perhaps nabbing an occasional pickpocket personally.'

'Fine,' I said.

¦

'Would a retainer of three thousand dollars be sufficient?'

'Oh, yes.'

'Good. Now this is all tentative, mind you. Contingent upon your performance at the trial.'

'Oh.'

'Come and see me afterward. And we'll draw up a contract.' He stood. So did my uncle Louis. So did I.

He offered his hand for another shake, and I shook it, and said, 'Well, thanks for the offer. It's very kind of you.'

'Most of my troubles have come from attempted acts of kindness,' he said. 'But most of my happiness has come from the same endeavor. It will be illuminating to see into which category you fall.'

Right.' I said.

Out on the street I said to Uncle Louis, 'What was that all about?'

'Isn't it self-evident? He wants you to tell the truth at the trial.'

'We're talking about the truth, here? As in. what really happened?'

'Of course.'

We walked with hands in topcoat pockets; the wind off the lake was finally kicking in. It was down in the mid- thirties now.

'He wants to expose Cermak?' I said. 'I don't get it. That's just more bad Chicago publicity.'

'Exposing Cermak would be the best thing in the world for the General and his high-hat friends. Nate. The bad publicity could force Cermak to resign, on account of 'health problems.' He has 'em, you know.'

I had a sudden image of Cermak getting up and heading for the toilet.

'Yeah, I know,' I said.

'And if he doesn't resign, it'll scare him into cleaning up his act. He won't send his hooligan squads around assassinating gangsters anymore. And he may keep his own associations with gangsters a bit closer to his vest.'

'Maybe you're right.' I said.

'Besides.' Uncle Louis went on. 'Cermak is a Democrat. This'll provide a nice cloud to hang over him when