Read Online The Last Hand by Eric Wight - Free Book Online

quickly as possible before the press starts playing detective.”
    â€œWhat about this reporter? He’s already got a juicy little story, you say. He could go to press tomorrow.”
    Gregson sucked in his breath, nodding. “I think we bought a little time. The owner of Chapel’s paper is sympathetic, and he’s already
told the staff that nothing must be printed until he says so, until he is sure.”
    â€œChapel, like in ‘church’?”
    â€œGavin Chapel.”
    â€œNew to me. You mean he’s got to find the killer before he can write up the investigation? That’s a new one.”
    â€œNot exactly. No speculating, no fishing, that’s what the owner’s ordered. But sooner or later if the police don’t release the story that the reporter already knows, about this hooker, word will get out, and the other papers will come sniffing around …”
    â€œSo you want someone to take charge who understands the need for what, discretion?”
    â€œSomeone who isn’t out for brownie points.”
    â€œI never understood why that was such a no-no. Everybody’s out for brownie points, except us retired guys, surely? But how long can this reporter be kept chained up?”
    â€œTwo weeks.”
    Orliff considered. He had no reason to like Gregson, who had caused him and his colleagues a lot of trouble in the past, but it was a delicious situation. Orliff’s major talent had always been internal politics, ever since he had been made a sergeant thirty years before, and Gregson’s dilemma seemed eminently manageable. The solution had been forming in his head since the beginning of their conversation. Having Gregson in his debt would be nice. He’d be able to call the lawyer up anytime.
    â€œYou don’t figure to talk to Mackenzie yourself?”
    â€œI already sort of have. I get the feeling if I went back he’d tell me to fuck off.”
    â€œSo would I if I were him. Still. Okay. But what I need from you is some kind of guarantee that this is on the up and up. If there’s a skeleton in Lucas’s closet you know about, that I ought to know about, and I stub my toe on it, I’ll get in touch with that reporter, tell him about this conversation. So is it on the up and up? I don’t conspire to break laws, as they say.”
    â€œOf course it is. What do you think I would be asking you …”
    â€œOkay, okay. Just tell me you want this killer caught, no matter who it is.”

    â€œThat’s what I want.”
    â€œI’ll talk to Mackenzie, then. When I’ve figured out what to say.”
    â€œWhen will you call me?”
    â€œYou want me to report back? To you? You aren’t paying me. This is pro bono publico stuff you want from me, like you’re doing. Do I have the words right? No. You’ll hear soon enough.”
    â€œSorry. Of course. And thanks.”
    â€œDon’t mention it. Ever. You and me, I mean. Not to your cronies, and most of all, not to your local MPP. Take the credit yourself. Just owe me.”
    Gregson looked startled and opened his mouth, but Orliff was rising, waving to someone a few yards away as he nodded to dismiss Gregson. Then he stopped, looking down. “What’s with the boots, Calvin? Sorry, I’m being rude, right? Offensive. Sorry. But I haven’t seen anyone in dress boots since my son left college. You developed weak ankles?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, they aren’t dress boots, Figaro. They are riding shoes.” He pulled up his pant cuff to show Orliff that the boots stopped at the ankle. “The point is, you should never ride in shoes with laces. They might catch in the stirrup if you get thrown.”
    â€œThat right?” Orliff scratched his head to find something to say that wasn’t raucous and offensive. “That would be a real problem, I guess. Depends how you get to work. Comfortable, are they? Around