Abel Baker Charley (26 page)
Pinchot answered with a tolerant smile. “I'm hardly an
amateur, Mr. Fenton. Naturally, I waited until the policeman
was gone.”
amateur, Mr. Fenton. Naturally, I waited until the policeman
was gone.”
“Naturally.” Harrigan nodded. “And where did he go, by
the way?”
the way?”
”I haven't the foggiest. He walked past the Palm Court
toward Fifth Avenue. Toward his beat,
I rather assume.”
toward Fifth Avenue. Toward his beat,
I rather assume.”
Harrigan picked up his identification card and returned it
to its case. He rested both elbows on the night manager's
desk.
to its case. He rested both elbows on the night manager's
desk.
“Now, Mr. Pinchot darlin'. I want you to listen carefully.
Miss Burke's room number which you don't want to share with me is very probably 1502. It's a suite facing the park.
And your bashful policeman didn't leave right away, either. He would have come back one more time, perhaps to thank you again, or to ask for a match, or to tell you when he'd re
turn for his autograph, and how pleased little Sandra was
going to be. How do you suppose I know all these things,
Mr. Pinchot?”
Miss Burke's room number which you don't want to share with me is very probably 1502. It's a suite facing the park.
And your bashful policeman didn't leave right away, either. He would have come back one more time, perhaps to thank you again, or to ask for a match, or to tell you when he'd re
turn for his autograph, and how pleased little Sandra was
going to be. How do you suppose I know all these things,
Mr. Pinchot?”
“I'm sure I have no idea . . .” A flush was rising from Wilton's collar and his lips clamped into a thin line.
“You're beginning to get it, aren't you, Mr. Pinchot? In
all that great bloody rank of numbers behind you, only six
are lit up at this hour of the morning. Only one of those is
among your suites facing front, and I'm guessing that it be
longs to Miss Tanner Burke and the lad she's
sheltering this
night. But the policeman didn't have to guess, did he, Mr.
Pinchot? And that's because there were only five little lights
burning when he walked away but there were six when he
came back to say good night.”
all that great bloody rank of numbers behind you, only six
are lit up at this hour of the morning. Only one of those is
among your suites facing front, and I'm guessing that it be
longs to Miss Tanner Burke and the lad she's
sheltering this
night. But the policeman didn't have to guess, did he, Mr.
Pinchot? And that's because there were only five little lights
burning when he walked away but there were six when he
came back to say good night.”
Harrigan waited while it penetrated. The night man's
eyes darted about the lobby, bouncing several times off his
telephone before coming to rest on it. Harrigan followed his
line of sight.
eyes darted about the lobby, bouncing several times off his
telephone before coming to rest on it. Harrigan followed his
line of sight.
“And now you're going to make it worse, aren't you, lad!”
”I don't... What shall I.. .'* Perspiration showed across Pinchot's waxen forehead.
“It's possible, mind you, that the policeman was indeed innocent enough. If he was, there the matter will rest and
there's no need for your employer to know of your lapse.
What I'm going to do, Mr. Pinchot, is take a ride up to the
fifteenth floor and find a quiet place to puff awhile upon my pipe. I'm going to do that until I hear wake-up calls jingling
in the rooms around me and until I hear showers running. By
the time I hear those sounds, the occasion for any possible
mischief will have passed. I too will then pass from your
life, Mr. Pinchot, may it be long and happy. Do you approve of that course, Mr. Pinchot?”
there's no need for your employer to know of your lapse.
What I'm going to do, Mr. Pinchot, is take a ride up to the
fifteenth floor and find a quiet place to puff awhile upon my pipe. I'm going to do that until I hear wake-up calls jingling
in the rooms around me and until I hear showers running. By
the time I hear those sounds, the occasion for any possible
mischief will have passed. I too will then pass from your
life, Mr. Pinchot, may it be long and happy. Do you approve of that course, Mr. Pinchot?”
“Yes .. . certainly. As long as you don't.. ”
Harrigan pursed his lips.
“Thank you, Mr. Fenton. That will be fine.”
In Dayton, Ohio, Howard Twilley's phone call came two
hours after closing. He listened, smiled broadly, and re
placed the receiver without speaking. A short time later, showered, shaved, and dressed in a dark business suit, the
owner of the Riverview Grill locked its front door for the
last time.
hours after closing. He listened, smiled broadly, and re
placed the receiver without speaking. A short time later, showered, shaved, and dressed in a dark business suit, the
owner of the Riverview Grill locked its front door for the
last time.
In the trunk of his car, he stacked a large duffel, a brief
case, and a leather two-suiter. This last had been packed for
a year. The car and the duffel, which contained his fishing
and camping gear, would be abandoned in the long-term
parking lot of the Greater Cincinnati Airport. It would be a
week before his absence seemed unusual, weeks more be
fore the car would be found.
case, and a leather two-suiter. This last had been packed for
a year. The car and the duffel, which contained his fishing
and camping gear, would be abandoned in the long-term
parking lot of the Greater Cincinnati Airport. It would be a
week before his absence seemed unusual, weeks more be
fore the car would be found.
The airport would be his first stop, and there Howard
Twilley would cease to exist. His next stop would be Den
ver. There, he would acquire a suitable weapon before going
on. He would be Ben Coffey again.
Twilley would cease to exist. His next stop would be Den
ver. There, he would acquire a suitable weapon before going
on. He would be Ben Coffey again.
Marcus Sonnenberg eased the telephone onto its cradle, a look of tired satisfaction on his face. Pushing himself erect,
he limped to his bookcase, where he plucked a new Monte
Cristo from his
Oxford Book of English Verse.
He lit it cere
monially, watching the fine smoke as it sought out his
draperies. The faint morning light made it shine like a silver
mist.
he limped to his bookcase, where he plucked a new Monte
Cristo from his
Oxford Book of English Verse.
He lit it cere
monially, watching the fine smoke as it sought out his
draperies. The faint morning light made it shine like a silver
mist.
On any other day he would have smoked by an open win
dow, lest the lingering scent betray him to Mrs. Kreskie. But
she would not be back for many hours. Perhaps not at all. In
any case, he thought, perhaps she would understand his in
dulgence on this occasion. Yes, she would certainly under
stand.
dow, lest the lingering scent betray him to Mrs. Kreskie. But
she would not be back for many hours. Perhaps not at all. In
any case, he thought, perhaps she would understand his in
dulgence on this occasion. Yes, she would certainly under
stand.
His thoughts turned to Jared Baker.
“Understanding,” he said aloud but softly. ‘There indeed
is the rub. How much do you understand, Jared, and how
well do I understand you?”
is the rub. How much do you understand, Jared, and how
well do I understand you?”
He thought of the several weeks that had passed during
which Baker had failed to acknowledge his messages, say
ing only that he needed time to think.
which Baker had failed to acknowledge his messages, say
ing only that he needed time to think.
“What has your period of insubordinate meditation
taught you, Jared? To be shortsighted? To be selfish? Is it
possible you've chosen to reject a gift for which half of
humankind would trade all that they possess?
taught you, Jared? To be shortsighted? To be selfish? Is it
possible you've chosen to reject a gift for which half of
humankind would trade all that they possess?
“You're about to tell me, aren't you, Jared. Oh, I know
that you're in the city. A little bird told me. The little bird
also told me that you were out hunting tonight and that
you're now ensconced with some tramp and that soon you
will come to see me.
that you're in the city. A little bird told me. The little bird
also told me that you were out hunting tonight and that
you're now ensconced with some tramp and that soon you
will come to see me.
“Those two in the park, Baker. How did you find them?
Our friend Mr. Tortora will want to know that too. He also has a little bird. And the words whispered by his little bird
have left him ill at ease. You have now twice struck down a
firstborn within the reaches of his brotherhood.
Our friend Mr. Tortora will want to know that too. He also has a little bird. And the words whispered by his little bird
have left him ill at ease. You have now twice struck down a
firstborn within the reaches of his brotherhood.
“The first of these he more or less regarded as your due.
In compensation for your dead wife, that is. Oh, you were to
be assaulted if possible. You were to be punished in the
name of fraternal duty. Not the strongest stimulus for a prag
matist like Tortora but an obligation nonetheless. One in his
position must keep up appearances. And from my point of view, of course, such attacks upon your person constituted excellent field training.”
In compensation for your dead wife, that is. Oh, you were to
be assaulted if possible. You were to be punished in the
name of fraternal duty. Not the strongest stimulus for a prag
matist like Tortora but an obligation nonetheless. One in his
position must keep up appearances. And from my point of view, of course, such attacks upon your person constituted excellent field training.”
Sonnerberg sat back and rubbed his eyes, taking a few moments to organize his thoughts.
“Be that as it may, my brooding friend,” he continued,
“we now have what is called a situation. I leap to the con
clusion that you have come East to resign your office* to
scoop up your daughter who will doubtless cast off her
crutches at the sight of you, and then fade with her into the
setting sun to live happily ever after.
“we now have what is called a situation. I leap to the con
clusion that you have come East to resign your office* to
scoop up your daughter who will doubtless cast off her
crutches at the sight of you, and then fade with her into the
setting sun to live happily ever after.
“You arrive in New York and your presence is immedi
ately known. You become aware that it's known by a brace
or two of thugs who are, you must have assumed, in the employ of Domenic Tortora. It ought to have struck you
that, assuming they are indeed Tortora's people, his atten
tion to you now shows a vigor that was not evident before.
You would then assume that he intends you immediate
harm.
ately known. You become aware that it's known by a brace
or two of thugs who are, you must have assumed, in the employ of Domenic Tortora. It ought to have struck you
that, assuming they are indeed Tortora's people, his atten
tion to you now shows a vigor that was not evident before.
You would then assume that he intends you immediate
harm.
“In the meanwhile, you are also being observed by an
agent or agents from the federal bureaucracy. Agents whose
activities seem to transcend the usual constraints of a gov
ernment discipline. Your Mr. Harrigan is a man of consider
able reputation in the investigative arts. His attention, in
turn, suggests that he has become aware of at least some of your capabilities and now seeks to learn how you intend to apply them. And why. Meaning, ergo, that his ultimate in
terest is in me. But on whose behalf is he interested? Does a
man like Connor Harrigan really forge blindly ahead on the
word of an inveterate manipulator like Duncan Peck? I think
not.
agent or agents from the federal bureaucracy. Agents whose
activities seem to transcend the usual constraints of a gov
ernment discipline. Your Mr. Harrigan is a man of consider
able reputation in the investigative arts. His attention, in
turn, suggests that he has become aware of at least some of your capabilities and now seeks to learn how you intend to apply them. And why. Meaning, ergo, that his ultimate in
terest is in me. But on whose behalf is he interested? Does a
man like Connor Harrigan really forge blindly ahead on the
word of an inveterate manipulator like Duncan Peck? I think
not.
“And what of old Duncan? How long has it been since we eavesdropped on Duncan's recruitment jog with Mr. Harri
gan? More than a year? At that time, Duncan, Connor Har
rigan gave every clue that he would not be fully controllable,
didn't he. I'll wager that he's been less than meticulous in
reporting to you. No doubt, therefore, you'd be able to sym
pathize with my own frustrations concerning Jared Baker.
And now you're about to purge yourself of these frustra
tions, aren't you? The same little bird told me that too.
You’re about to do
something untidy.
gan? More than a year? At that time, Duncan, Connor Har
rigan gave every clue that he would not be fully controllable,
didn't he. I'll wager that he's been less than meticulous in
reporting to you. No doubt, therefore, you'd be able to sym
pathize with my own frustrations concerning Jared Baker.
And now you're about to purge yourself of these frustra
tions, aren't you? The same little bird told me that too.
You’re about to do
something untidy.
“
But we were wondering about Mr. Harrigan, speaking of
untidiness. I've been forced to conclude, Duncan, that Mr.
Harrigan's interest is not all on your behalf. On whose,
then? His own? The notion cannot be dismissed.”
But we were wondering about Mr. Harrigan, speaking of
untidiness. I've been forced to conclude, Duncan, that Mr.
Harrigan's interest is not all on your behalf. On whose,
then? His own? The notion cannot be dismissed.”
Sonnenberg paused to relight his cigar, which had gone out. But he'd lost his taste for it. He considered saving what remained or casting it out among the rhododendrons. No
need, he thought. They are amply fertilized by the likes of Roger Hershey the First, and the game is too far afoot to
worry about Mrs. Kreskie's displeasure. He left the butt on
the edge of his table lamp.
need, he thought. They are amply fertilized by the likes of Roger Hershey the First, and the game is too far afoot to
worry about Mrs. Kreskie's displeasure. He left the butt on
the edge of his table lamp.
“So let us summarize. Back to you, Jared Baker. If your
intent is to make off with your daughter under the delusion
that your union will make you whole and happy again, I
have every confidence that your immediate pursuers will be
hard-pressed to stop you. I rather expect that your plan is to
stop them, isn't it, Jared. Thrice now you've been recog
nized in other cities by hoodlums who made the mistake of taking you at face value. Hoodlums who'd obviously been
equipped with a Wanted poster of some sort in the event
you passed through their fiefdoms. Hoodlums intent on
bashing you about rather than ending your life. You may
correctly assume that this bashing was prescribed by Mr.
Tortora partly as an appeasement to the friends of the late
rent-a-judge. It had another purpose, but I'm not going to
tell you that yet. In any case, the ease with which you chas
tised those Tortora chain-wielders in Dayton and elsewhere has apparently caused you to move up in class.
Voilà,
Stan
ley Levy. And you, being a person who dislikes such nag
ging annoyances, you likely intended to remove these
annoyances at their source. Meaning Tortora. Oh, Jared,
won't that be something to see! And oh, what a surprise
I
have for you!
intent is to make off with your daughter under the delusion
that your union will make you whole and happy again, I
have every confidence that your immediate pursuers will be
hard-pressed to stop you. I rather expect that your plan is to
stop them, isn't it, Jared. Thrice now you've been recog
nized in other cities by hoodlums who made the mistake of taking you at face value. Hoodlums who'd obviously been
equipped with a Wanted poster of some sort in the event
you passed through their fiefdoms. Hoodlums intent on
bashing you about rather than ending your life. You may
correctly assume that this bashing was prescribed by Mr.
Tortora partly as an appeasement to the friends of the late
rent-a-judge. It had another purpose, but I'm not going to
tell you that yet. In any case, the ease with which you chas
tised those Tortora chain-wielders in Dayton and elsewhere has apparently caused you to move up in class.
Voilà,
Stan
ley Levy. And you, being a person who dislikes such nag
ging annoyances, you likely intended to remove these
annoyances at their source. Meaning Tortora. Oh, Jared,
won't that be something to see! And oh, what a surprise
I
have for you!
“Be that as it may . . . You, Jared, are also an intelligent
and perceptive man. I say this to remind myself that I should not underestimate you no matter how naive your plan seems at this moment. I rest assured that you have prepared an es
cape route and a safe harbor someplace where you'll not be
easily found. After all, I blush to point out, look who taught
you.
and perceptive man. I say this to remind myself that I should not underestimate you no matter how naive your plan seems at this moment. I rest assured that you have prepared an es
cape route and a safe harbor someplace where you'll not be
easily found. After all, I blush to point out, look who taught
you.
“Unlike any other fugitive in the world, you needn't even
live with paranoia. You needn't worry about constantly look
ing over your shoulder. You have Charley. If anyone should
become curious, Charley will know it, and you will take
whatever action you think necessary.
live with paranoia. You needn't worry about constantly look
ing over your shoulder. You have Charley. If anyone should
become curious, Charley will know it, and you will take
whatever action you think necessary.
“But alas, Baker, where there is Charley there is also
Abel. You can try and keep Abel locked away, but he'll al
ways be there waiting. Someone, sometime, will push you
too far. Another bully in some redneck bar. Another mugger.
A short-tempered truck driver. A robber with a weapon. A
pack of teenage toughs abusing someone you care for. Will
you really keep Abel in check, Baker? I think not. But if you
insist that you will, what makes you think that Abel won't
find a way out on his own. Abel, after all, is not some evil
spirit, some demon that can be exorcised. He's not the in
sane and homicidal twin whom the frightened family keeps
chained in a basement room. He's you, Baker. He's the pri
mate within you. The hunter. The predator. He's the rage you
controlled all your life.
Abel. You can try and keep Abel locked away, but he'll al
ways be there waiting. Someone, sometime, will push you
too far. Another bully in some redneck bar. Another mugger.
A short-tempered truck driver. A robber with a weapon. A
pack of teenage toughs abusing someone you care for. Will
you really keep Abel in check, Baker? I think not. But if you
insist that you will, what makes you think that Abel won't
find a way out on his own. Abel, after all, is not some evil
spirit, some demon that can be exorcised. He's not the in
sane and homicidal twin whom the frightened family keeps
chained in a basement room. He's you, Baker. He's the pri
mate within you. The hunter. The predator. He's the rage you
controlled all your life.
“He won't let you keep him down, Baker. Don't you see
what he's done? That was Tortora's son in the park, Baker.
Do you even realize that yet? Abel knew it. I have yet to
learn how, but of this much I'm certain. Abel knew. And he
hopes now that they'll come, Baker. This time they'll come
killing. They'll all come killing.
what he's done? That was Tortora's son in the park, Baker.
Do you even realize that yet? Abel knew it. I have yet to
learn how, but of this much I'm certain. Abel knew. And he
hopes now that they'll come, Baker. This time they'll come
killing. They'll all come killing.
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