Read Online Which Way to Die? by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online

threat-letter popped into his head. It had been the work of a literate person. Harry Barber was a college graduate, and he would certainly have remembered the officer who had worked on the case. Corrigan found himself rejecting the thought. Harry wasn’t the kind to write anonymous notes. His M.O. was to jump into a situation with both feet and think about it later.
    â€œI haven’t seen Harry, except from the stands, in over a year. Why did he think I might drop around, Pat?”
    â€œWhat did you want to see him about?” the girl asked clearly.
    Corrigan smiled. She was going to defend him like a mother hen.
    â€œAs I said, this isn’t official. But off the record, I’d like to know what he was doing in Ossining yesterday.”
    She screwed up her cute nose. “He thought you spotted him! It isn’t what you think.”
    â€œWhat do I think, Pat?”
    â€œThat he was there because of the release of those two crazy killers. It was pure coincidence, Tim. He just happened to have business in Ossining.”
    â€œLike what?”
    She shrugged like a pussy. “You’ll have to ask Harry. I’m not the prying kind of neighbor.”
    Corrigan leaned far forward and took her hand. “I’m here because I like Harry, Pat. I’d hate to see him get into trouble. Revenge is for clucks. I know how he feels …”
    â€œHarry wouldn’t do a foolish thing like that,” she said quickly. “He was mad as hops when the release was announced, but it was more at the Court of Appeals than at Alstrom and Grant.”
    â€œI doubt he’s forgiven them,” Corrigan said dryly.
    â€œWho said anything about forgiveness? Harry doesn’t pretend to be Jesus Christ. How would you feel about two animals who slaughtered the girl you loved for no other reason than to see if they could get away with it? And for whatever kicks they got out of it?” Pat Chase withdrew her hand; to his surprise she was actually vehement. “He still loves Audrey.”
    Making it hard, if not impossible, for the girl next door to serve as anything more than a bed partner, Corrigan thought. But then the door opened and Harry Barber came in. He was a striking figure of a man, with “superb athlete” written all over him. He towered six inches above Corrigan and was half again as wide. He was hatless and wore a yellow sports shirt which revealed corded arms covered by curly blond hair; his skin was weathered by the sun and wind, not by a gym lamp. There was something open about his face; it would be hard to distrust him. Corrigan, who did not usually go by surfaces, found his caution nodding.
    â€œCaptain Corrigan! Great to see you again.”
    He shook Corrigan’s hand gently, as a strong man should. Corrigan thought: He’d be a very tough guy for a little man to fight, even a little man with OSS and police training.
    â€œHow goes it, Harry?”
    â€œOn the field? We could use a couple of three-hundred-pound linemen.”
    â€œI mean how are you?”
    â€œHungry. How about staying for lunch?” Barber turned to Pat, who was standing silently by waiting. He stooped and kissed her on top of her shining head. “Started anything, Pats?”
    â€œA frank-and-bean casserole in the oven. There’s plenty for a guest.”
    â€œThanks, but I can’t stay,” Corrigan said. “Lunch date. I just stopped by, Harry. I imagine you can guess why.”
    The football player glanced at the girl and she made a face. “He spotted you, Harry.”
    â€œIt was one of those things, Captain,” Barber said. “This trick knee of mine. My old brace was wearing out, and the manufacturer happens to be in Ossining.”
    The caution hardened. Corrigan gave him the fisheye. “No mail service? You skipped practice just for that?”
    â€œThey have to be fitted,” Barber said patiently. “Want to see the brace? And you