Read Online The Copper Frame by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online

reduced staff of three who would now go on for the swing trick, plus patrolman Verne Dowling, Saxon’s desk relief. Glancing at the wall clock, Saxon saw it was just one o’clock.
    Naturally, all the officers were curious about the presence of Jenny and the D.A., but Saxon brusquely interrupted their questioning, told the old crew to log out, and the relief to get out on patrol. All of them seemed a little surprised at his brusqueness, but they hurried to comply with his orders. Within five minutes all but Dowling had departed again.
    Verne Dowling didn’t ask any questions either. Though he had no idea of what was going on, he recognized that his usually amiable acting chief was in a towering rage and discreetly made himself inconspicuous. Storing his overcoat and hat in his squad-room locker, he quietly moved behind the desk and seated himself.
    Saxon said coldly, “I’ll take you back to talk to the prisoners now, Arn. You can stand by while we question the woman, Jenny. But we won’t need you, Morrison.”
    Morrison agreeably reseated himself on the bench. Saxon led the others back to the cell block.
    There was no change in either prisoner’s story. When they returned from the cell block. Kettle looked thoughtful, Jenny looked upset, and Saxon was furious. It increased his anger when he saw by the disbelieving expression on Verne Dowling’s face that Sergeant Morrison had informed the desk man of what was going on.
    Morrison stood up and said, “If you’re through with my prisoner, Mr. Kettle, is it all right if I take her on to Buffalo? I’m sure the Erie County D.A. won’t object to her being returned as a witness whenever you’re ready for her.”
    â€œI suppose it’s all right, Sergeant. She isn’t charged with anything here, and it may be weeks or months before we need her as a witness. You’d better scare up something for her to wear, though. There isn’t much left of her clothing.”
    Morrison said, “I’ll bring in her suitcase and let her change.”
    Saxon asked bitterly, “Am I under arrest, Arn?”
    â€œI don’t think you’ll run anywhere,” the district attorney said equably. “We’ll hold off any legal action for the time being. Suppose you meet me here tomorrow morning. Say about eleven?”
    â€œAll right,” Saxon said stiffly. “Jenny, you stick around until Sergeant Morrison gets his prisoner out of here. We don’t want anyone else accused of rape.”
    Stalking into the squad room, he got his coat, hat, and galoshes from his locker, put them on, and strode out again. As he headed for the door, he threw curt goodnights to Kettle, Jenny, and Dowling. He didn’t even look at Sergeant Morrison.
    There were now several inches of snow on the street, and snow was falling so heavily that visibility was cut to a matter of yards. Saxon drove the three blocks to Iroquois General Hospital at ten miles an hour.
    There was no one in the hospital lobby at that time of night. As he passed the desk, the switchboard operator called, “Hi, Chief,” and he gave her a distant nod. He took the elevator to the third floor and walked down the hall to Ward 3-B. He found Emily seated alone in the nurses’ alcove marking charts.
    She looked up with a surprised smile, then simultaneously saw the twin scratches on his cheek and his expression of controlled rage. The smile changed to a look of concern.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” she asked.
    â€œWe may have to postpone our marriage again. I’ll probably be in jail.”
    She paled. “Why? What’s happened?”
    â€œI’m accused of raping a female prisoner in her cell.”
    She stared at him in astonishment. “You? That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard.”
    â€œYou’re prejudiced,” he said bitterly. “The D.A. thinks I’m guilty. Jenny Waite thinks it. By tomorrow