Grant shook his head. “I checked with the Bureau and most of our suspects have alibis. Harris said he left the League about the same time as all of you, then dropped by the Brown Derby for a bite to eat before heading home. We checked and the coat check girl remembered getting pinched by him.”
“That definitely sounds like Harris,” said Dora. “But if it was the Brown Derby on Wilshire, he would’ve had time to double back to Bunker Hill and kill your agent. Does anyone know when he actually returned home?”
“His wife’s out of town, so no one can confirm when he got in.”
“What about Finn O’Donnell?” asked David. “If Caroline learned about his drug plans, O’Donnell would have every reason to kill her.”
“That’s assuming the vial is really cocaine,” said Josie.
“The vial’s at the lab,” said Grant. “I’ll know for certain in a few days.”
“I could’ve helped you with that,” said Lawrence, as everyone turned to him. “Oh, please, I spent years in Broadway theaters. Do you really think I don’t know the real thing when I have the tiniest taste of it?”
Dora nodded. “And if it ever comes up again, I’ll help,”
“So, let me get this straight,” said Josie. “Agent Medway might’ve been killed by the Germans because they either thought she was a communist agitator or knew she was an FBI agent. She could’ve been killed by Ralph Harris in a romantic dispute. Or she could’ve been killed by Finn O’Donnell because she knew about his drug dealing. Am I leaving anyone out?”
Grant thought about it. “Random violence is always a possibility in Los Angeles, but I think the other theories are more likely. Whatever the case, her murderer might be at your house party. Are you sure you want to go?”
“Josie and I have to,” said David.
“And Dora and I won’t allow you to go alone,” said Lawrence.
Grant nodded grimly. “While you’re doing that, I’ll see what I can learn about this cocaine network. Even if the Bureau isn’t interested in Nazis, I have to think it wouldn’t be too pleased to hear about a burgeoning drug empire. If it is cocaine, and I’ll bet anything it is, we can set up surveillance to see if they ever get this drug enterprise up and running. I’d personally love to slap the bracelets on Kennedy if he’s involved.”
“I have a feeling that’s easier said than done,” said Josie. “What about Greta’s possible involvement in Agent Medway’s death?”
“We had an agent go to her place and, interestingly enough, she had injuries which would’ve been consistent with jumping out of Caroline’s window, but she claimed she’d been in a car accident.”
“She was in a car accident?” asked Josie.
“Yeah. She even said someone ran her off the road, though she had no idea who would’ve done such a thing.”
“That would be a convenient excuse,” said Josie.
“It would be,” said Grant, “except there’s a car at the bottom of a ravine off Mulholland, just where she said it’d be.”
“She could’ve pushed it off herself,” said Josie.
“You really don’t like her, do you?” asked Grant.
“Not really.”
“If it is true, do you think the same person went after both Caroline and Greta?” asked David. “It seems like too big of a coincidence that two people we know were attacked the same night in unrelated incidents.”
“Ralph Harris wouldn’t have had a reason to go after Greta,” said Dora, sounding disappointed. Then she brightened. “Unless he’s a homicidal maniac. Do you think he might be?”
David reached for one of the sandwiches Lawrence had made. “I suppose Finn is ruled out, as well, since he seems to be in business with the Germans.”
“Not necessarily,” said Lawrence. “The LAPD would think differently about the Nazis if they started bringing cocaine into the country. Maybe Greta was against it and Finn wanted her out of the way. The same could be said for any other German member of the League. We just don’t know all the suspects yet.”
“I have a feeling we’ll spend plenty of time with them this weekend,” said Josie.
“I wish there was a way I could go,” said Grant. “I hate thinking of you all in danger without me.”
David shook his head. “If we want to get to the bottom of this, we can’t take you along. We need the murderer to let his guard down.”
“Or her,” said Josie.
“But maybe my presence would keep anyone else from being killed,” said Grant.
“With all due respect,” said Lawrence with a sly smile. “Four people died on your watch at David’s house party.”
“I wasn’t at that party on official business,” said Grant with a grunt. “At least there will be some law enforcement there. Detective Vernon Carson of the LAPD is going to keep an eye on O’Donnell.”
“Detective Carson was at the League,” said Lawrence. “I spoke to him.”
“What’d you think of him?” asked Grant
“Not too friendly, but my reputation preceded me. Most law enforcement types don’t take kindly to men like me.”
“And what kind of men would that be?” asked Dora. “Handsome, kind and witty?”
Lawrence kissed Dora’s hand. “Thank you for the vote of confidence, love, but I live in the real world, and that means I avoid police officers whenever possible.”
“I’d avoid anyone who’s not at this table,” said Grant.
“Other than Blake,” said Dora.
“I don’t know anything about Carson,” continued Grant. “For all I know he’s a great cop. But I do know that the Chief hates commies and will make a deal with the devil to see them thwarted.”
“And in this case the Nazis are the devil?” asked Lawrence.
“In all cases the Nazis are the devil,” said Josie. “But, yes, Grant, we’ll be careful. The stakes are too high for us to fail.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
In her day, Josie had read about the compound near Malibu which had been built by German nationals who hoped Hitler would make it his west coast base of operations after he’d conquered America. Fortunately, it had never come to pass, but who knew what might happen when history had already changed? It was a sobering thought as they drove toward the compound where they’d spend the next three days.
She was driving Dora’s car with David in the passenger seat, while Dora, Blake and Lawrence were in the car ahead of them. “I can’t believe how undeveloped this is,” said Josie, as they continued along the winding two-lane road in the Santa Monica mountains. There were a few lanes which connected to the road, but there were no houses in sight.
“What’s this like in modern-day LA?”
“Lots of rich people’s homes, but also wildfire country.”
“And Hitler never visited here?”
“No, thank God. Why do you think they invited us out here?”
David thought about it for a moment as they went around another blind curve in the road, with a sheer drop on either side. “Probably to keep an eye on us. Greta is obviously suspicious enough of us to the point where I don’t want you to be alone with her if you can possibly help it.”
“You think she’d try to kill me?”
“It’s a possibility I’d rather not even consider.”
“Do you think she killed Agent Medway?”
“I think she’s someone Agent Medway would’ve opened the door for.”
“Because she’s a woman?”
“You’re not going to tell me I’m being sexist, are you?”
“Not right now, but maybe later.”
“I don’t think she would’ve opened the door to a man unless she knew him very well. But she might’ve underestimated Greta as an opponent, thinking she could get information from her.”
“It’s an interesting theory and I think we’ll have the chance to test it,” said Josie, as she followed Lawrence’s car as he turned off the main road onto a bumpy, graveled path. They slowed down as they traveled fo
r a mile until they reached a gate topped by razor wire and guarded by men in Silver Shirt uniforms holding machine guns. “That’s something I never wanted to see.”
“Do you want to turn around?” asked David, who was looking at a dozen other similarly dressed men standing near the ten-foot high fence which separated the compound from the road.
“No. We can’t leave our gay, Jewish and communist friends to the mercy of those inside.”
“I agree. I just hope it isn’t the last thing we do.”
After speaking to Lawrence, one of the guards waved at the men at the gate, who swung it open. Lawrence drove in and Josie followed closely as she watched the guards close the gate in the rear-view mirror. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“So, do I.”
There was no sign of the compound as the cars traveled another mile through the brush-filled landscape. They began a descent on the dirt road, near freshly-poured concrete steps, leading further and further down. They passed various outbuildings, the style vaguely Bavarian, with sloped wooden roofs and shutters, though the buildings themselves were concrete. Josie suspected the roofs had been reinforced to withstand the elements and any man-made threats which might be headed their way.
“What do you think they keep in all those buildings?” asked Josie.
“Some could contain construction equipment, since it doesn’t look like this place is finished yet. But I suspect most are filled with weapons.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that,” said Josie. “Look at that,” she said, as they got their first glimpse of the main building.
The compound was four stories tall, with a full complement of guards walking the perimeter of a small patch of lush lawn. The flagpole flew the Nazi flag atop the American one.
Josie pulled up behind Lawrence in the circular drive as half a dozen guards with machine guns watched. “I hope it’s easier to get out of this place than it was to get in.”
“Somehow I don’t think that’s the case.”
They got out of the car, then David removed their luggage, which was taken by two men in suits, who at least weren’t carrying machine guns.
The front door opened, and Greta came out with Kurt beside her.
“Willkommen,” said Greta with a smile.
“That’s howdy in German!” said Kurt. “You’re just in time. A storm is coming.”
Even as he said it, there was a loud thunderclap and lightning flashed across the sky.
“Well, that’s an ominous beginning to our weekend,” said Lawrence, as he took his, Dora and Blake’s bags out of the trunk of his car.
“It’s just a bit of that blitz Mr. Remington spoke of,” said Greta, as the first raindrops began to fall. “Come in before you catch…what do you Americans call it? Your death of a cold?”
“Yep! That’s the phrase,” said Kurt, apparently not picking up on any of the foreboding signs which seemed to permeate the compound.
They entered the house and Josie took a moment to take in the grandeur of the foyer, which was like a ski lodge, complete with a stone floor, wood-paneled walls, cathedral ceiling and a large fireplace at the center of the room. Two staircases flanked the room, leading up to the second, third and fourth floors. It was a long drop from the third- and fourth-floor landings and Josie made a mental note to avoid the area when Greta was around and feeling murderous.
“A cozy little place, isn’t it?” said Blake, as he put his arm about Dora’s waist.
Greta smiled. “The Zimmers wanted it to feel like you’re in Bavaria.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Dora.
“You should tell them that, I’m sure they’d be amused,” said Greta. “And here they are now.”
Karl and Kamilla Zimmer seemed to be finishing a quarrel as they entered the foyer and smiled for their guests.
“Welcome,” said Herr Zimmer. “We’re so glad you found the place. It can be a bit tricky.”
“Fortunately, you sprinkled guards with machine guns like bread crumbs, in case anyone got lost,” said Lawrence. “I have to wonder why you need so much security.”
“Germans are not so well liked in some quarters,” said Kamilla Zimmer.
“Well, I’m not sure what the neighbors will think of the barbed wire,” said Lawrence. “Though, I suppose it cuts down on the number of times you have to lend someone a cup of sugar.”
“We haven’t met any neighbors,” said Karl. “We were looking for privacy and a bit of room to spread out.”
“Yes,” said Lawrence. “Spreading out seems to be a German pastime these days.”
“Let us not speak of politics,” said Greta, “when there are refreshments to be enjoyed. The rest of the guests began drinking a while ago. I’m certain you’ll wish to catch up.”
Dora nodded. “And to think I believed we’d never find common ground. Please lead the way.”
Frau Zimmer started for the stairs with brisk efficiency. “If you will follow me, please, I’ll take you to the east wing.”
“You know a house is big when it has wings,” said Dora.
“We might need a compass before too long,” said Blake.
Lawrence reached the second-floor landing and looked at the foyer below. “A Saint Bernard wouldn’t go amiss. We could tie a small cask of brandy to him. What’s Detective Carson doing down there?”
Though no one had noticed him earlier, Carson was standing in the shadows at the far end of the foyer. He met Lawrence’s gaze, then turned to the window to look out into the courtyard.
“He has been assigned to protect Mr. O’Donnell,” said Frau Zimmer, who was keeping to her brisk pace, making the others rush to catch up.
“But who is he protecting Mr. O’Donnell from?” asked David.
“After the other night I have to wonder if any of us are truly safe,” said Frau Zimmer as she glanced at Blake in an accusatory manner. “You must’ve heard about the riot at the League.”
“You think he needs protection from us?” asked Blake.
Frau Zimmer’s only response was to open the double-doors which led into a large sitting room, where the rest of the guests had already congregated.
“I wonder,” said Josie quietly, so only her friends could hear, “if Detective Carson is here to do Finn O’Donnell’s dirty work.”
“What do you mean?” asked Blake.
“I’ve been given an offer I’m not supposed to refuse,” said David. “I can help him create a drug empire or he’ll make my life miserable.”
“Or try to end it?” asked Blake.
“He didn’t go into specifics, but I imagine he and his friends would go to great lengths to get what they want.”
“Who’s in on it with him?”
“I don’t know yet, other than some members of the League.”
“Do you think Greta is one of them?” asked Dora.
“I don’t know,” said David. “If she is, I imagine she’d try to distance herself from it to keep her cover of being just a woman who’s interested in films.”
“Which could explain Carson’s real purpose for being here,” said Josie. “Don’t be alone with him.”
“And I was about to say the same thing to you,” said David.
The room was large, with six wrought-iron chandeliers spread across the ceiling, as well as three separate seating areas with leather club chairs and half a dozen velvet sofas with rounded, scalloped edges. A combination radio and phonograph was playing “Anything Goes.”
Josie wrinkled her nose. “It doesn’t seem right to play Cole Porter in Hitler’s west coast vacation home.”
Lawrence laughed. “Cole would definitely have something to say about it.”
“Do you know him?” asked Josie.
“Quite well,” said Lawrence with a grin.
Finn O’Donnell waved at them from the other side of the room. “It’s about time you got here, Remington,” he said as he sauntered toward them a bit unsteadily. “What are you doing withou
t a drink in your hand?” He snapped his fingers at two servants who were already on their way over with trays of drinks. Finn pulled David away from the others. “I’m surprised you brought your wife. They can provide entertainment at these getaways. All you have to do is say the word. It’s not too late – I’m sure something can be arranged.”
“My wife provides me with all the ‘entertainment’ I desire.”
“I’m sure she does,” said O’Donnell, looking at Josie.
“O’Donnell, I already wanted to knock you on your ass before we got here. You really don’t want to give me even one more reason to do so.”
The threat didn’t seem to register, since O’Donnell reeked of liquor and was also fidgeting, likely the effects of cocaine. “Given any further thought to my business proposal?”
“I didn’t need to give it any further thought. The answer is no.”
Finn tried to whistle but was unsuccessful. “You’re going to regret that. You don’t know what they’re capable of.”
“Who are they, exactly?”
“There you are!” said Kurt, as he joined them. “Greta sent me over to fetch you, David. She said you didn’t look like you were having very much fun.”
“Remington and I were in the middle of a business deal,” said O’Donnell, as he grabbed another drink from a passing waiter.
“No, we weren’t,” said David. “And I’d go easy on those drinks. You’ve obviously had enough.”
“You really are boring, aren’t you?”
“He’s not boring at all,” said Kurt. “You should hear his stories about the Twenty-First…”
“If you’ll excuse me, O’Donnell,” said David, as he pulled Kurt away by the arm. “Your threats have grown tiresome and my friends await.”
Across the room, Dora and Lawrence were talking to Ralph Harris. “I don’t know why you’re so anxious to make deals with the Germans,” said Dora. “You know what they’ve been saying about the Jews, what they’ve been doing to the Jews, as well as others.”
The Tinseltown Murderer Page 14