around a big table playing dominoes and drinking beer. The red-headed street walker who had identified Rico’s car, was sitting on a high stool at the bar, showing off her legs in the hope of drumming up some trade. None of the dockers seemed interested. She smiled archly at Dallas when he came in, but he went past her like a miniature hurricane and dived into a phone booth at the end of the room.
He caught Olin as he was leaving for the night.
‘I can hand you Baird on a plate,’ he said urgently. ‘Listen: it’s a safe bet Baird’s just knocked off one of Rico’s taxi-dancers. Rico’s in it, too. They’ve slung her in the river. I spot ed their car leaving and took a shot at them. I think I smashed a window. If you get moving fast there’s a chance of recovering the body before the tide gets it.’
Olin knew Dallas didn’t make mistakes. He had worked with him a lot in the past, and to Dal as’s delight he didn’t waste time asking questions.
‘If you’re pul ing me out on a false alarm I’l slap a charge on you,’ Olin said. ‘Is this the McCoy?’
‘This isn’t a false alarm, George,’ Dallas said, and the grimness in his voice convinced Olin. ‘Get some boys and come down to West and Union fast.’
‘Stick where you are,’ Olin said. ‘I’l be right with you.’
Dallas hung up and went to the bar. He ordered a double Scotch.
‘Did you find him?’ the red-head asked, hitching up her skirt so he could see the top of her stocking.
The bartender leaned over the bar.
‘Hey, you! Take it outside and peddle it in the rain,’ he said, ‘or you’l get bounced out on your fanny.’
Dallas said, ‘Pipe down. She’s a friend of mine. Give her a Scotch.’
The red-head sneered at the bartender and gave a little wiggle inside her clothes for Dallas’s benefit.
‘Let’s get out of this hole,’ she said. ‘I’ve got a swell apartment you’l love.’
‘Drink your Scotch and shut up,’ Dal as said. He finished his drink, pat ed her on the shoulder and went out into the rain.
Four minutes later he heard the first of the sirens. In another minute West Street was alive with noise and black and white police cars.
Olin leaned out of the front car and waved to Dallas.
‘Wel , you’ve certainly started something,’ Olin said, as Dallas scrambled into the car. ‘I hope for your sake you can finish it. Let’s have it quick as we go.’
‘Make for Pinder’s End,’ Dal as told the driver, and while the car shot down West Street, he gave Olin his prepared story.
‘The girl’s name is Zoe Norton,’ he said rapidly. ‘She and I sleep together when we’ve nothing bet er to do. Nothing serious, but I like her and she likes me.’
‘Okay, okay,’ Olin said impatiently, ‘never mind about your love-life. Where’s Baird fit in this?’
‘I don’t know,’ Dal as lied. ‘I went to the club to see Zoe tonight. Like I told you, she works for Rico.
She was missing. She’d been in the club; her hat and coat were in her dressing-room, but she had disappeared. I found her bag in Rico’s office. He had vanished, too. I found out he and Baird had taken Rico’s car and had gone off together. I traced them to Pinder’s End on the waterfront. Then I lost them. I was nosing around when I heard a shot. I was in time to see Rico’s Buick driving away like a bat out of hell. I took a shot at it, and smashed one of the windows. It’s my bet Zoe found out something about those two and they’ve silenced her.’
‘Found out what?’ Olin barked.
‘No idea, but it could be something to do with the Bruce kil ing.’
Olin snorted.
‘You don’t even know if they had her in the car.’
‘Where else is she, then?’
‘Anywhere. You’re sure about the shot?’
‘Yeah, I’m sure about that.’
‘Maybe Baird has rubbed Rico out,’ Olin said hopeful y. ‘I’l get myself good and drunk if he has.’
‘It’s Zoe al right,’ Dal as said. ‘I’m sure of it.’
‘Why the hell should they want to knock off a taxi-dancer?’ Olin asked. ‘Talk sense.’ He gave Dal as a sharp look. ‘Or are you keeping anything back?’
‘You know as wel as I do the whole of my life’s spread out for you to pick over,’ Dallas said. ‘Don’t be so damned suspicious.’
The car skidded to a standstill.
‘This is it,’ the driver said.
Dallas and Olin got out. The three other police cars emptied. The prowl boys stood around in the rain expectantly, looking at Olin for orders.
‘Where did you hear the shot?’ Olin asked.
‘Right here. It seemed to come from those buildings.’ Dal as waved at the high, dark warehouses.
‘Okay, boys,’ Olin said. ‘Get busy. Look these joints over. If you find anything, sound your whistles.’
The prowl boys broke up into parties of twos and began a systematic search of the warehouses.
