Trum began to show signs of strain. He stood up.
“A very juicy tale, Bull,” he roared. “But where in hell is this Preston dame now? Where do we pick her up?”
Bull was unmoved. “I’m not given to relaxing unless my story has an appropriate ending. I’ve already phoned MacAndrews to tail our friend Mrs. Preston. At this very minute—”
The phone rang and Trum barked into it. We saw his eyebrows quaver and a small spot of color fill his cheeks followed by a smile and a gasp of honest amazement. He almost threw the phone at Bull.
Bull listened for a while and then said, “Stay where you are, Hank. The Inspector will pick up where you leave off.” He put down the phone and turned to Trum. “Hank is up at Grand Central Station, slowly going insane.”
“Grand Central?” Trum roared. “What’s he doing there?”
“Watching Mrs. Preston, in a manner of speaking.”
“Watching her? Why doesn’t he nab her?”
“Two reasons, Trum. Firstly, he isn’t a cop. And secondly, Mrs. Preston is in the ladies’ room. She’s been in there for the last half hour, waiting it out. She must have seen him tailing her. Hank says if you don’t send down a squad of cops he’s going in there after her and it’ll be on your head.”
Trum struggled into his coat. He picked up a phone and barked a few orders. He grabbed his hat and made for the door.
Bull watched him go. “Trum is quick and he’s thorough, once you give him the scent. He’ll go up and get her out of there with a special battalion of wash room raiders.”
“They’d better be female raiders,” I said, “or he’ll cause a riot up there.”
“They may be female,” said Bull. “But if I know my man Trum, he’ll be there to lead them inside personally. He always likes to be in on the pinch, Trum does.”
About the Author
Lawrence Lariar (1908–1981) was an American novelist, cartoonist and cartoon editor, known for his Best Cartoons of the Year series of cartoon collections. He wrote crime novels, sometimes using the pseudonyms Michael Stark, Adam Knight and Marston la France.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1945, 1973 by Lawrence Lariar
This authorized edition copyright © 2018 by the estate of Lawrence Lariar and The Mysterious Press
Cover design by Ian Koviak
ISBN: 978-1-5040-5641-0
This 2019 edition published by MysteriousPress.com/Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
www.openroadmedia.com
THE HOMER BULL & HANK MacANDREWS MYSTERIES
FROM MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM AND OPEN ROAD MEDIA
MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM
Otto Penzler, owner of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan, founded the Mysterious Press in 1975. Penzler quickly became known for his outstanding selection of mystery, crime, and suspense books, both from his imprint and in his store. The imprint was devoted to printing the best books in these genres, using fine paper and top dust-jacket artists, as well as offering many limited, signed editions.
Now the Mysterious Press has gone digital, publishing ebooks through MysteriousPress.com.
MysteriousPress.com. offers readers essential noir and suspense fiction, hard-boiled crime novels, and the latest thrillers from both debut authors and mystery masters. Discover classics and new voices, all from one legendary source.
FIND OUT MORE AT
WWW.MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM
FOLLOW US:
@emysteries and Facebook.com/MysteriousPressCom
MysteriousPress.com is one of a select group of publishing partners of Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
The Mysterious Bookshop, founded in 1979, is located in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. It is the oldest and largest mystery-specialty bookstore in America.
The shop stocks the finest selection of new mystery hardcovers, paperbacks, and periodicals. It also features a superb collection of signed modern first editions, rare and collectable works, and Sherlock Holmes titles. The bookshop issues a free monthly newsletter highlighting its book clubs, new releases, events, and recently acquired books.
58 Warren Street
[email protected]
(212) 587-1011
Monday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
FIND OUT MORE AT:
www.mysteriousbookshop.com
FOLLOW US:
@TheMysterious and Facebook.com/MysteriousBookshop
SUBSCRIBE:
The Mysterious Newsletter
Find a full list of our authors and titles at www.openroadmedia.com
FOLLOW US
@ OpenRoadMedia
The Girl with the Frightened Eyes Page 20