Read Online The Case of the Russian Diplomat: A Masao Masuto Mystery (Book Three) by Howard Fast - Free Book Online Page B

The fact that he was murdered in Beverly Hills makes him mine.”
    â€œHow do you know he was an intelligence agent?” Clinton demanded.
    â€œI told him,” Wainwright said.
    â€œWho gave you the right to? The information given to you was classified.”
    â€œMasuto’s the head of Homicide. Beckman works with him. I felt they ought to know.”
    â€œYou felt?”
    â€œThat’s right. I felt. And what are you going to do about it, mister?”
    â€œAll right. I know the kind of people I’m dealing with. But let me tell you this, and these instructions come from the top. Litovsky drowned—an accidental death. That’s what the newspapers will print, and that’s what you will back up. And Mr. Gritchov will stand on the same ground.”
    â€œAll right,” Wainwright agreed. “We cooperate with the federal authorities. Frankly, I don’t give a damn what the newspapers print or what you tell them. But I do give a damn when people come into my city and murder, and as far as I am concerned, Litovsky was murdered and I intend to find out who did it.”
    â€œWe are taking over the investigation. I’ll expect your cooperation.”
    â€œI’m honored,” said Wainwright.
    â€œWe can do without the sarcasm. I’ll see you later, Captain Wainwright.”
    He stalked out of the room, and Wainwright muttered, “That shithead. That miserable shithead.” When Masuto and Beckman started to follow, he snapped, “Where are you two going?”
    â€œTo San Fernando.”
    â€œWhat for? The country air?”
    â€œYou don’t need us, Captain. You have the whole F.B.I. working for you. In fact, you don’t even have a crime. You have an accidental drowning.”
    â€œDon’t get cute with me, Masao. I’ve had just about all I can take today.”
    â€œI think we’re on to something—maybe.”
    â€œYou don’t want to tell me. I might know what’s happening in this department if you did.”
    â€œI don’t know myself. Something about some explosive that was ripped off in San Fernando a few days ago. I don’t even know how it connects. I just have a feeling that it does.”
    â€œWhy don’t you call the San Fernando cops and talk to them?”
    â€œI need the fresh air.”
    â€œThe cutes. Everyone has them today. What about this Binnie Vance? Do you want us to find her and tell her?”
    â€œI’d rather you didn’t. I’d rather tell her myself. I’ll do that tonight.”
    â€œFor Christ’s sake, Masao, her husband’s dead.”
    â€œI imagine she knows that by now.”
    â€œWhere do you think she is, in that new hotel downtown?”
    â€œProbably.”
    â€œWell, we got to inform her. It’s procedure. You know that.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWhen can I expect you back?”
    â€œTwo hours. No more than that.”
    As they walked out to Masuto’s car, Beckman said to him, “I sure as hell admire your control, Masao. Maybe it’s Oriental or something. That second-rate putz!”
    â€œI try not to respond to fools.”
    â€œYou know, Masao, these shmucks who work for the F.B.I., they get maybe double what we do.”
    â€œI suppose I have heard that word a hundred times. Sy, just what is a shmuck?”
    â€œIt’s Yiddish for a flaccid penis.”
    â€œAnd a putz?”
    â€œYiddish for an erect penis.”
    â€œA remarkable language,” Masuto said thoughtfully.

5

    THE
RELIGIOUS
MAN
    People who have spent half their lives in Los Angeles are still unable to solve the jigsawlike relationship between the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the dozens of independent communities that exist both within the city and within the county. Like Beverly Hills, the City of San Fernando is an independent community, but it lies in the San Fernando Valley, entirely surrounded by