Page 73 of Ticket Out

James lifted his shoulders again. What could you do with a story like that.

“What do you think?” Halberd asked.

“I think Mr. Big told him to kill her, but he knows it’ll be a lot worse for him if he admits it.”

“Yes.” Halberd blew out a breath, and then his gaze came to rest on Whetford, sitting silently, looking more and more put out that he was being talked over. “Did he tell you Mr. Big’s real name?” he asked at last.

James shook his head. “He calls him ‘the boss’. Says he doesn’t know his name.”

“Unlikely.” Halberd finally leaned back in his chair. “You can identify Holler from his abduction of you and Miss Farnsworth, though, can’t you?”

“I can. He’s going away for a stretch, no matter what.”

“That’s something at least.” Halberd eyed Whetford again. “What’s next, Bob?”

Whetford straightened, and suddenly looked like a man caught with his trousers down. “Next?” he said.

Halberd dismissed him, looked back to James. “How are you going to get Mr. Big?”

“I’d like to get some cooperation from Clubs and Vice, have them put some of their undercover agents into the clubs where Mr. Big was coming up hard against Devenish’s crew, and see if we can find a trail back to him. Also, I’d like someone watching Miss Farnsworth.”

Halberd gave a nod. “Clubs and Vice will cooperate with you. I’ll make sure of it. You think he’s going to try get to the Farnsworth woman again?”

“He hasn’t let anything stop him going after her before,” James said. “We could let it be known to the press we don’t have any witnesses to Patty Little and Nealy’s murders. That we’re looking for the public to come forward. That might give him the message she’s no danger to him.”

“We surely want him to come for her,” Whetford said. “It’s the best way to catch him.”

“Only if there’s someone on her at all times. Otherwise we’re setting her up without protection.” James tried very hard to keep his tone mild.

Halberd’s gaze flicked between them. “I agree with Bob, using her to draw him out’s a good strategy, one you’ve already used to good effect, Archer. Make sure there’s a watch kept on her flat, and that whoever’s on duty knows he’s dangerous and motivated.”

James gave a nod. He’d known before he’d even entered the room how that would go. Whetford had been happy to bask in the glow of catching Russ Holler, and he wanted the praise to keep coming. Using Gabriella as bait was just the kind of strategy he’d have no problem with.

He watched Whetford stand and shake the superintendent’s hand and stepped aside as Whetford made for the door.

“Archer.”

He turned, waiting for Halberd to say his piece. The superintendent said nothing until Whetford had passed through his secretary’s antechamber and was gone.

“I know, and you know, Whetford’s capabilities. You make sure you are across Miss Farnsworth’s protection. Don’t leave it up to him.”

So Halberd had not only at least some conscience, but also eyes in his head when it came to Whetford.

James inclined his head. “I intend to.”

chapterthirty-two

It was Monday morning,and she had rounds. Thanks to the early hour of the attack on her flat, she wasn’t even late.

Gabriella had arrived at the traffic center a little early, and went straight to Mr. Greenberg’s office.

He looked up at her over the top of his glasses.

“I want to explain about Saturday,” she said, coming into the room. “I was . . .” She stopped.

“You were . . .?” Mr. Greenberg gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

She could feel her lips working, and she stumbled into the chair and then looked down at her hands, took a deep breath, then lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. “It sounds ridiculous. I just listened to my excuse in my own head, and I’m almost too embarrassed to tell you.”

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