Read Online The Big Mitt (A Detective Harm Queen Novel Book 1) by Erik Rivenes - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Erik Rivenes
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still need you to show the new detectives the ropes.” Doc patted his hand comfortingly. “You’re our man, only not on paper right now. Perhaps in the next few months we’ll consider it again.”
“Yes, sir.” He rose from his chair, and Doc stood up as well. “You’re welcome to stay, Harm, and offer your advice as we size up our new men. Two hundred pounds average, that’s what we’re looking for. I want no man less than six-feet two-inches for our drill squad. Every man, woman and child on the streets of Minneapolis needs to feel laid up in lavender, as secure as a baby on a teat, and picking prime physical specimens will guarantee this. Apple pie order, I say.”
Six-foot-two? Most of the officers he knew weren’t over five-foot-seven, Queen thought. Ol’ Doc was dreaming up much bigger men than the city could produce. This was typical Doc Ames, though. He always had difficulty living up to his grandiose promises.
“No thank you, sir. I have to go down to the jail to question someone,” the detective replied. He knew what was coming but didn’t care.
“Detective Norbeck filled us in, assuming you’re referring to Emil Dander,” said Colonel Ames. “The courts will take care of him, this I assure you.”
“As you know, I’m not mayor officially until Tuesday.” Doc Ames leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. “I just want to say that I think you and Chris are doing a crack job on that case of the murdered prostitute. Low-browed criminals like him, shooting up girls, are not something we need, to turn citizens against the law-abiding resort owners who properly pay their fees.”
“Frankly, sir, I’m not one hundred percent sure that Emil Dander did the murder.”
“Of course he did, detective. It was his house and he certainly makes the obvious culprit. When she tried to flee, he shot her. Respectable resorts gain a black eye when sordid situations like this reach the public ear.”
“You’re right, sir. The facts and motives so far, without question, point to Emil Dander. It’s just that I think there was a witness to what actually happened.”
“Really?” asked Colonel Ames, staring at Queen over his glasses. “Who?”
“One of the girls who worked for him. Her room would have given her the perfect vantage point to see everything.”
“And where are these prostitutes now? Detective Norbeck never mentioned them.”
“They weren’t with Dander at his arrest. If he knows where they are, I can get it out of him.”
“Why would he tell you where they are?” asked Doc, with a wry look on his face. “From everything I’ve heard about this Dander character, he’s a bit smarter than that. He won’t help put the final nail in his own coffin.”
“A good point, sir. He’s got to be sitting in that cell right now contemplating the possibility of his own execution. And if he doesn’t cooperate with me after I explain to him how this young woman might help clear his name,” Queen held up his hands as if to surrender, “it’s a sure sign he’s responsible for her death. But on the other hand, his eagerness to help find her would point to his innocence.”
“That makes good sense.” The Mayor-elect nodded. “What do you think about this, Fred?”
“I think that you don’t need to concern yourself about this,” the colonel said, “with the inauguration around the corner. Let the detective do his job, brother.” Colonel Ames opened the door, and his secretary came in. “Tom, would you kindly wait until I return before bringing in the next prospect? We haven’t eaten for a while. Perhaps you can send for some steaks from the West Hotel?”
“Very good, Colonel.”
The police superintendant eyed Fred Connor, who stood near the door with a watchful expression and arms crossed. “Can you go in and talk to him, Connor? He’s partial to your company.” The bodyguard nodded and slipped in. He winked at Queen as he passed, and Queen returned with a smile, despite his
“Yes, sir.” He rose from his chair, and Doc stood up as well. “You’re welcome to stay, Harm, and offer your advice as we size up our new men. Two hundred pounds average, that’s what we’re looking for. I want no man less than six-feet two-inches for our drill squad. Every man, woman and child on the streets of Minneapolis needs to feel laid up in lavender, as secure as a baby on a teat, and picking prime physical specimens will guarantee this. Apple pie order, I say.”
Six-foot-two? Most of the officers he knew weren’t over five-foot-seven, Queen thought. Ol’ Doc was dreaming up much bigger men than the city could produce. This was typical Doc Ames, though. He always had difficulty living up to his grandiose promises.
“No thank you, sir. I have to go down to the jail to question someone,” the detective replied. He knew what was coming but didn’t care.
“Detective Norbeck filled us in, assuming you’re referring to Emil Dander,” said Colonel Ames. “The courts will take care of him, this I assure you.”
“As you know, I’m not mayor officially until Tuesday.” Doc Ames leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. “I just want to say that I think you and Chris are doing a crack job on that case of the murdered prostitute. Low-browed criminals like him, shooting up girls, are not something we need, to turn citizens against the law-abiding resort owners who properly pay their fees.”
“Frankly, sir, I’m not one hundred percent sure that Emil Dander did the murder.”
“Of course he did, detective. It was his house and he certainly makes the obvious culprit. When she tried to flee, he shot her. Respectable resorts gain a black eye when sordid situations like this reach the public ear.”
“You’re right, sir. The facts and motives so far, without question, point to Emil Dander. It’s just that I think there was a witness to what actually happened.”
“Really?” asked Colonel Ames, staring at Queen over his glasses. “Who?”
“One of the girls who worked for him. Her room would have given her the perfect vantage point to see everything.”
“And where are these prostitutes now? Detective Norbeck never mentioned them.”
“They weren’t with Dander at his arrest. If he knows where they are, I can get it out of him.”
“Why would he tell you where they are?” asked Doc, with a wry look on his face. “From everything I’ve heard about this Dander character, he’s a bit smarter than that. He won’t help put the final nail in his own coffin.”
“A good point, sir. He’s got to be sitting in that cell right now contemplating the possibility of his own execution. And if he doesn’t cooperate with me after I explain to him how this young woman might help clear his name,” Queen held up his hands as if to surrender, “it’s a sure sign he’s responsible for her death. But on the other hand, his eagerness to help find her would point to his innocence.”
“That makes good sense.” The Mayor-elect nodded. “What do you think about this, Fred?”
“I think that you don’t need to concern yourself about this,” the colonel said, “with the inauguration around the corner. Let the detective do his job, brother.” Colonel Ames opened the door, and his secretary came in. “Tom, would you kindly wait until I return before bringing in the next prospect? We haven’t eaten for a while. Perhaps you can send for some steaks from the West Hotel?”
“Very good, Colonel.”
The police superintendant eyed Fred Connor, who stood near the door with a watchful expression and arms crossed. “Can you go in and talk to him, Connor? He’s partial to your company.” The bodyguard nodded and slipped in. He winked at Queen as he passed, and Queen returned with a smile, despite his
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