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

Burns said defensively. “Don’t look so sore. I thought we were friends.”
    â€œSo did I. It didn’t occur to me that my friends would find me guilty without trial.”
    The stocky Lieutenant looked a little bewildered. “I thought I was putting the best possible construction on it. The way I heard it, there were two witnesses aside from the woman, so something must have happened. Only, knowing you, I figured it must have been just seduction and she decided to yell rape after the fait accompli . I figured it was New Year’s Eve; maybe you brought a little bottle on duty to have a quiet celebration; and when she gave you an invitation, you fell for it.”
    Instead of anger, Saxon felt only a vast weariness. If Vic Burns believed him guilty, no one was going to accept his explanation. Continuing to protest his innocence was like trying to fight a roomful of feathers. He decided to save his efforts for the district attorney.
    Without making any reply, he went on to the squad room and hung up his wraps. When he came out again, he turned through the door leading to the cell block and glanced into the cells. All were empty.
    Back in the waiting room, he said, “When was Coombs released?”
    â€œEarly this morning before I came on. About six. I guess he phoned some friend in Buffalo and the guy drove down to post the bond.”
    â€œWho was it?”
    Burns checked the receipt book. “Somebody named John Simmons.”
    Walking over to the counter, Saxon took a tiny notebook from his pocket and copied down the name and address listed.
    â€œI may as well get everybody while I’m at it,” he said. “I assume the D.A. had Dowling take down the addresses of the witnesses before releasing them last night. Know where they are?”
    â€œSure. Right here in the basket.”
    Burns lifted a sheet of paper from the wire basket on the desk behind the counter and handed it to Saxon. On it were listed the names of Harry Morrison, Edward Coombs, and Grace Emmet, with home addresses behind them. The woman’s was given as Erie County Jail.
    Saxon copied all of them in his notebook. Then he went into his office and closed the door.
    A sheet of paper beneath the glass top of his desk listed the telephone numbers of all police agencies within a hundred-mile radius. Locating the number of the Erie, Pennsylvania city police, he dialed it direct. When the police switchboard operator answered, he asked to speak to someone familiar with the Grace Emmet case.
    After some delay, he was switched to a Detective Everett Cass.
    â€œThis is Acting Chief Saxon of the Iroquois, New York police,” he told the Erie detective. “Last night you turned Grace Emmet over to a Buffalo detective named Sergeant Harry Morrison.”
    â€œYeah. I was the one who picked her up.”
    â€œWere you present when the transfer was made?”
    â€œSure. Had to be. I work days, but I had to come down to brief the Buffalo officer.”
    â€œI see. What time was the transfer made?”
    â€œMorrison showed up about nine P.M . He took off with the prisoner about nine-thirty.”
    Saxon asked, “Did you get any impression that Morrison knew the prisoner personally?”
    There was silence for a moment. Then Cass said, “That’s a kind of funny question. What’s this all about, anyway, Chief?”
    â€œThe sergeant and his prisoner stopped off here en route to Buffalo and there was a little trouble. It’s too long a story to go into over the phone. I’d just like to know if you think he was acquainted with the prisoner before he picked her up.”
    â€œNeither of them gave any indication of it,” Detective Cass said slowly. “What kind of trouble? She escape?”
    â€œNo. Far as I know, she’s now safely jailed in Buffalo. It was just a wild idea I had. Thanks for the information.”
    He hung up and sat musing for a few moments. So much for