As Ken began to ask him what he meant, the telephone bell rang.
'Let me get this,' Adams said, and picked up the receiver.
'Yeah? What is it?' he said into the mouthpiece. He lay back in the easy chair, listening to the excited voice that came over the line. 'Okay, sergeant. I'll be right over. Yeah, if Donovan isn't there, someone's got to be. Okay, I'm coming,' and he hung up. He looked at Ken and grimaced. 'There's a general call out for you. They've found your suit and shoes at Gaza's store. My two bright assistants have also found your car and the card Parker gave you with Carson's telephone number on it. Right now every cop in town is looking for you.'
Ken sat rigid.
'But they can't prove I killed her!' he exclaimed. 'You believe me! You've just said so. You can call them off . . .'
Adams lit his cigarette, stretched out his short legs and shook his head.
'Know anything about politics, Mr. Holland?' he asked.
'What has politics to do with this?'
'Everything. You'd better get a picture of the set-up.' He sank further into the chair. 'The boss behind the present Administration is a guy named Sean O'Brien. He intends to marry Gilda Dorman, a nightclub crooner. O'Brien has money, power and ability. If he wants anything, he has it, and nothing stands in his way. He wants this woman. Her brother is Johnny Dorman who was Fay Carson's lover before he was put in a nut-house. He came out yesterday. He was the guy who killed Fay Carson. I can't prove it yet, but I'll bet my last buck he was the guy. O'Brien isn't likely to let him go to the chair for murder. He'll cover him up, and he can do it. He'll look around for a fall guy, and the fall guy is you.'
Ken stared at him.
'You must be joking,' he said blankly.
'It's no joke. You'll find that out fast enough. What O'Brien says goes in this town. Sergeant Donovan will turn in a report. The Commissioner will hand it over to O'Brien. They have a certain amount of evidence against you. Any other evidence in your favour will be suppressed. They have enough on you to put you into the chair right now.'
Ken grappled with the feeling of rising panic.
'Then why are you telling me this? Why don't you go ahead and arrest me?' he said angrily. 'You're a member of the police. Why bring me here?'
Adams crossed and uncrossed his legs.
'I happen to be in the opposition camp. I guess I must be crazy to stick my neck out, but that's the way it is. If I could pull the rug from under O'Brien I would do it. I have an idea I might do it through you. If I can prove Dorman killed this Carson girl, I might force O'Brien to show his hand. Dorman's sister would put pressure on O'Brien, and he might make a false move. I want my men to be hunting you so I can hunt Dorman. That's why I've brought you here. It's essential they don't catch you before I catch him. I want to get Lindsay Burt interested in you. He'll take care of you if I can convince him you are being framed. But you've got to have patience. This could take a few days, even a few weeks. You're safe here, but don't go showing yourself on the streets. My men are efficient. They're looking for you, and they'll find you if you show yourself.'
'But my wife will be coming home soon,' Ken said anxiously. 'I've my job to think of. You can't expect me . . .'
Adams raised his hand.
'Wait a minute. I've told you already: you're in a jam. Your wife and your job aren't important. It's your life you have to think of. If they catch you, you're through, and don't forget it!'
'But this is fantastic! Suppose you don't find Dorman? What happens to me?'
'We'll think about that when the time comes.'
'What about my wife?'
'You should have thought about her before you played around with Fay Carson.' Adams finished his drink and set down his glass. 'Now, take it easy. You stay here. I'm going back to headquarters. I want to find out what they are doing.'
'I forgot to tell you I saw Gilda Dorman at the Blue Rose that night,' Ken said. 'Did you know she and Fay Carson once shared an apartment together?'
Adams put on his hat.
'I didn't know, but I can't see it has anything to do with our problem. You take it easy. Leave this to me.'
'I'd better see a lawyer,' Ken said uneasily.
'Plenty of time to see a lawyer. Relax, can't you? You're safe here. Go to bed. The spare room is through that door. I've got to go,' Adams said, and nodding, he left the apartment.
Ken got to his feet, went over to the window and watched the Lieutenant drive away. His mind was in a whirl. This was an incredible position to be in. He had a disturbing idea that Adams was only using him as a political pawn. If the gamble came off, all would be well, but if it didn't, then Adams might wash his hands of him.
He thought of Ann returning to the empty bungalow. He couldn't remain in this apartment indefinitely. The best thing he could do was to consult a
first-class attorney and put himself into his hands.
He was still trying to make up his mind which attorney to go to when the telephone bell rang. He hesitated for a moment, then, thinking it might be Adams to tell him what was happening at headquarters, he lifted the receiver.
