The Soft Centre

by James Hadley Chase

A few minutes later, the operator told him Mrs. Burnett was out.

  Replacing the receiver, Terrell shrugged.?‘I’ll leave this to you, Joe.’ he said. ‘I want to talk to her as soon as she gets back to the hotel, but let’s handle it carefully. Don’t let’s make a thing of it.’

  ‘What can Hare have on her… a woman like that?’ Beigler said, scowling. ‘Twenty thousand! What’s she been up to that he’s managed to throw that size hook into her?’

  ‘That’s what I want to find out,’ Terrell said.

  He looked at the papers on his desk.?‘We seem to be getting nowhere fast with the Parnell killing. What are you doing about it. Joe?’

  Exasperated, Beigler began to explain when the telephone bell rang.

  Terrell listened to the excited voice coming over the line and Beigler saw his face harden. ‘We’ll be right over,’ he said. ‘Don’t touch anything,’ and he hung up. He stared at Beigler.

  ‘Spike Calder’s been found in a cellar room in his Club. Been dead some time.’

  Beigler groaned.?‘What’s the matter with this town? Okay, I’m on my way.’?‘Could be Lincoln again,’ Terrell said. ‘He and Calder knew each other. Calder was stabbed. Could be where Jacko and Lincoln have been hiding out.’

  Beigler nodded and ran from the office.?*****

  Joan Parnell sprawled in the big shabby armchair, a black cat on her lap, a glass of gin and water in her hand. She stared glassily at Val who sat on the edge of her chair, a newly bought notebook in her lap, a fountain pen in her hand.

  She had been careful to put on a simple grey dress. She wore no stockings and she had removed the varnish from her nails. As an after thought she had slightly disarranged her usually immaculate hair, but even with these touches, she felt she didn’t really look much like a reporter from the Miami Sun.

  She realised with relief that Joan Parnell was so drunk, she need not have taken any care. The sight of this handsome woman, her face white, her eyes peering as if to focus her properly, her hand unsteady as she held her glass upset Val.

  ‘The Miami Sun?’ Joan said thickly. ‘That’s just a rag. What do you want?’?‘It’s about your sister,’ Val said, speaking slowly and quietly. ‘My Editor thinks you aren’t getting much help from the police. He has taken an interest in the case. The police don’t seem to be getting anywhere and he thought if you could give me some information, we might spotlight the case and get the police to take more interest.’

  ‘Do you imagine I need the help of a rag like the Miami Sun?’ Joan said. ‘I’ll tell you something: I knew the police wouldn’t do a thing. I’ll tell you why: my sister was a whore. The police couldn’t care less about whores. I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve gone to the best detective agency in this rotten town and I have paid them good money to find out who killed my sister. Tell that to your Editor!’

  ‘Would that be Hare’s Investigating Agency?’?‘Who else? I said the best, didn’t I? And when they find the man who killed my sister, that fool Terrell is going to look damned small!’

  Val’s mind moved swiftly. It became obvious to her that Hare was now double-crossing this woman so he could blackmail Val herself. He had found out something that the police knew nothing about and instead of telling this woman, he had come to her with this blackmail proposition.

  ‘Have you heard from the Agency yet?’ Val asked.?‘Not yet. I’m giving them a little time. I’ll hear… they’re smart.’?‘I see.’ Vat pretended to write something in her notebook. ‘But perhaps you have your own idea who killed your sister, Miss Parnell? This, of course, would be off the record.’

  ‘There is one bastard who could have done it,’ Joan said, brushing the cat off her lap and sitting upright. ‘That’s Lee Hardy. He threw her out and is shacked up with a pug faced bitch who calls herself Gina Lang. I’ll tell you something: Sue wouldn’t stand for any man throwing her out. It’s my bet she made trouble for that heel and he’s fixed her. I told that fool Terrell, but he wouldn’t listen. You go and talk to Hardy. You can tell him from me, I think he did it! Now get out of here!’

  ‘Where do I find him?’ Val asked, writing the name in her book.?‘Oh, in the phone book,’ Joan said impatiently and got unsteadily to her feet. ‘You tell your Editor I’m going to find the man who killed my sister! I can do without the help of his rotten rag!’

  As Val got into the waking taxi and told the driver to take her to the nearest drug store, Lee Hardy sat in his office counting the money he had finally raised for Jacko and Moe’s get away stake. He had had considerable difficulty in raising five thousand dollars. His bank account was overdrawn and the manager had flatly refused him further credit. He had had to go around to several of his bookmaker pals and talk them into advancing sums until the sums totalled five thousand dollars.

  He put the money in a brief-case and telling his girl he wouldn’t be back until the following morning, he left the office. It was a few minutes after midday when he reached his apartment. He had been worrying about leaving Gina alone with these two thugs. He didn’t trust them even after the payoff. He had borrowed an automatic from one of his friends and this he now carried in his hip pocket. He felt a lot more sure of himself now he had the gun.

  If Jacko and Moe managed to leave town, they all might escape this rap, he was thinking as he paid off the taxi driver, but the chances of them getting clear wasn’t so good. The police were now alerted. Jacko was as easy to recognise as an elephant.

  Hardy knew he was in serious trouble. If the police caught these two, they would sing. They would implicate him the moment the cuffs were on their wrists. If he was to get out of this jam, he would have to silence them both. As the elevator took him up to his penthouse, he decided he would have to alert the police the moment Jacko and Moe left. He would get Gina to do this. He would kill them both before they reached the Street. He would then fire Jacko’s gun two or three times into his front door to prove to the police these two turned on him and had tried to kill him. Terrell wouldn’t be able to prove otherwise. The fact Gina had called the police should get him out of this jam.

  The elevator came to a sighing stop on the top floor of the apartment block. The doors swung open. As Hardy stepped out into the wide corridor, he saw a tall, slimly built girl move through the open doorway of his penthouse: the door opened by Gina.

  Hardy walked quickly across the corridor, catching Gina’s eye. He was in time to hear the slim girl say, ‘I am Mary Sherrek. I am from the Miami Sun. Could I see Mr. Hardy?’

  Gina, her face tense, said, ‘He’s right behind you. I’m sure he’d love to talk to you.’

  The girl turned. Hardy was struck by her beauty, but immediately became uneasy by the expression in her eyes. The steady, searching look threw him off balance.

  He switched on his charm as he entered the penthouse and closed the door. Gina moved into the lounge.

  ‘The Miami Sun?’ Hardy said, his voice a shade too hearty. ‘Why, sure. I read it every day. What do you want? But come on in.’

  He entered the lounge and looked questioningly at Gina. She gave a slight nod, indicating that Jacko and Moe were in Hardy’s bedroom, He was quick to see the door was ajar.

  Val looked around the lounge. There was a highly charged atmosphere that scared her. Both this girl, wearing lounging pyjamas, and this big man, seemed very much on edge.

  ‘Sit down, sit down, sit down,’ Hardy said waving to a chair. ‘Just what’s on your mind, Miss… what did you say your name is?’

  ‘Sherrek,’ Val said, sitting down, clutching her notebook and trying to control the thumping of her heart.

  ‘Well, Miss Sherrek, I’m pretty busy. Just what is it?’ Hardy said. He put the brief-case containing the five thousand dollars on the settee. ‘How about a drink?’

  ‘No, thank you.’?‘Get me a drink, Pekie,’ Hardy said. ‘I have a thirst that would slay a camel. Now what is it?’ he went on to Val as Gina moved to the cocktail cabinet.

  Val really wasn’t sure how t
o handle this situation. She knew it could be dangerous. She knew there was something going on in the penthouse that these two didn’t want her to know about. She had seen Gina’s nod to a door leading from the lounge. She was sure it was some signal to Hardy.

  ‘I’m covering the Parnell murder,’ she said. ‘I understand you were a friend of Miss Parnell. I wonder if you could tell me about her… give me something of her background and whether you have any ideas who could have murdered her.’

  Hardy sat down. His face became granite hard and his eyes vicious.

  ‘I’m not talking about her,’ he said. ‘She’s dead now. I know nothing about who killed her or why she was killed.’

  Gina came across the room, swinging her neat hips carrying a large glass of whisky and ice. As she offered Hardy the glass, she said spitefully, ‘She was just an old, old flame that flickered out… a nobody… a tart.’

  Val scarcely heard what she was saying. She was staring with rooted concentration, feeling a chill crawling up her spine, at the heavy gold bracelet around Gina’s slim wrist. From the bracelet hung a cluster of five miniature gold elephants.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The police search for Jacko and Moe had been intensified. Every officer that Terrell could spare was now thrown into the hunt. Somewhat late in the day, road blocks were set up.

  Officers Tom Lepski and Bill Williams were told to go to Lee Hardy’s penthouse.

  Beigler said, ‘You won’t find those two hoods there, but they might have been there. Get rough with that pug-faced girl. She might have seen something. Put pressure on Hardy. He could have staked them to get rid of the. Check his bank. See if he has made a big withdrawal yesterday or today.’

  ‘We’ll go to the bank first,’ Lepski said to Williams as they got into their car. ‘I’d like to have a few facts to ram down Hardy’s throat.’

  Williams, a tall, youngish man who spent most of his time in the finger-print department was resentful that he should have been taken from his safe desk and teamed with a crazy man like Lepski. He was sure Lepski could lead him into trouble. The thought of suddenly being confronted by two such vicious thugs as Jacko and Moe scared him. It was all very well for Lepski who had had years of experience handling thugs. He was unmarried and as reckless as a madman. Williams up to now had managed to keep clear of violence. Besides, his wife was expecting their third baby. What would happen to her if he got killed?

  Lepski, wiry, tough, his sun-tanned face lined and his clear blue eyes alert, drove the police car swiftly to the Commercial and South Banking Corporation where he knew Hardy banked.

  ‘What’s the matter with you?’ he demanded, as he weaved the car expertly through the heavy traffic. ‘You look like you swallowed a bee.’

  Williams shifted uneasily.?‘There’s nothing the matter with me,’ he said shortly. He couldn’t admit he was sick with fear. That kind of confession might get back to Terrell.

  Lepski poked his head out of the car window and cursed a driver who was trying to cut in. The driver started to curse back, then seeing the black and white stripe on the car with the word POLICE on the hood, he hurriedly bit back his angry words.

  Lepski sneered at him, then turned his attention once more to Williams.?‘Relax. You can only die once. I’d rather get a slug in the gut than cancer.’

  Williams flinched. He shifted lower in the car seat. His hot, sweating hand moved inside his coat and touched the butt of his .38. The feel of the cold metal gave him no comfort.

  Parking, the two men walked into the bank and after a brief wait, they were shown into the manager’s office.

  The manager, lean and balding, was one of the best .22 rifle shots in Miami. He had shot against Lepski often enough and Lepski was one of the few members of the rifle dub who could match him. He beamed as he shook hands.

  ‘I’ll be at the club tonight,’ he said. ‘I have a pal coming who can shoot nearly as good as I can.Will you be there, Tom?’

  ‘I guess not,’ Lepski said regretfully. ‘I have a murder hunt in my hair. If I can, I will if only to show your pal a trick or two.’

  The manager whose name was Werner, laughed.?‘What’s this murder hunt, Tom?’?‘A couple of hoods. Look, you could help. I don’t expect you to give bank secrets away, but this is important. Has Lee Hardy asked you for money… today or yesterday.’

  ‘Now, Tom, you know that’s not a proper question to ask.’?‘Yeah, but we have reason to believe Hardy could have staked these two for a quick get away. They are his men. So far they have murdered three not-so-important people. If we don’t find them fast, they could murder others… more important.’

  Werner looked shocked. He hesitated, then said, ‘All I can tell you is a certain party came here and wanted five thousand dollars. He was in the red, and I wouldn’t give him credit. He was here around ten o’clock this morning.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Lepski said. ‘Maybe I will be seeing you at the club tonight after all.’

  When they got back to their car, Lepski said, ‘Now we’ll go talk to Hardy.’?‘Think it would be an idea to call the Chief?’ Williams asked without much hope. ‘Maybe he would want to talk to Hardy himself.’

  ‘We go talk to Hardy,’ Lepski repeated and started the car. As he moved the car into the stream of traffic he went on, ‘How are you with a gun, Bill?’

  ‘Not so good,’ Williams said, sweat on his face. ‘I haven’t been to the range for a couple of years. You know, Tom, this is beginning to bother me. Suppose we walk into those two?’

  ‘What two?’ Lepski asked. ‘You mean Jacko and Moe? So what? They either come quietly or they come dead. Even if you are a lousy shot you couldn’t miss a fat slob as big as Jacko. Shoot him in the gut… that’ll let the gas out of him!’

  ‘Those two are pretty handy with a gun themselves,’ Williams said miserably. ‘My wife is expecting a baby.’

  ‘Is that right? Well, so long as you don’t have the baby, why should you worry?’ Lepski said and swinging the car into a parking bay, he switched off the ignition. ‘Come on: let’s go talk to Hardy.’

  The two men walked down the street until they came to Hardy’s apartment block. Nearby, Lepski spotted a patrol officer. He signalled to him. The officer hurried up.

  ‘Look, Jamey, I’m going to talk to Lee Hardy. I don’t expect trouble, but I could walk into it. If you hear guns, get the boys. Understand? Don’t come up and be a hero: get the boys. Then get back here and pop those two if they come out… we’re after Jacko and Moe.’

  That seemed to make sense to the officer and Williams, who was now feeling pretty sick, envied him.

  ‘Okay. There’s a call booth at the end of the road,’ the officer said. ‘hear shooting and I’ll be in there faster than a Sputnik.’

  Lepski sneered at him, then nodding to Williams, he walked into the apartment block.

  The porter, standing behind the big desk, eyed him suspiciously. He recognised him as a cop.

  ‘Seen Mr. Hardy go up?’ Lepski asked.?‘He went up five minutes ago,’ the porter said. ‘If you want him, I’ll call him.’?‘No, you don’t,’ Lepski said, giving the porter a hard stare. ‘Keep your paws off the telephone or I’ll make your future life a misery.’

  Then again nodding to Williams, he went across the lobby and entered the elevator. As they ascended to the top floor, Williams said, ‘So what do we do now?’

  ‘I’m not expecting trouble,’ Lepski said. ‘Hardy wouldn’t be such a mug as to hide those two in his place. I ring on the bell and walk in. You keep out of sight, behind the wall. If trouble starts, then come in shooting, but for God’s sake make sure you don’t shoot me. Get it?’

  Williams said he got it.

  The elevator came to a halt opposite Hardy’s ornate front door. Lepski and Williams moved out into the wide corridor. Lepski showed Williams where he should stand. He winked at him.

  ‘Don’t lay an egg,’ he said. ‘This should be an easy one.’

  Williams watched him step up
to the front door and ring the bell. He had to admire Lepski’s cool courage. He was no more ruffled than if he were calling on a Mormon Bishop.

  There was a pause, then the door opened and Gina stood there. Lepski could see into the lounge. Hardy and a tall, slim girl were staring towards him. He didn’t hesitate. He walked forward, riding Gina out of his way.

  ‘Hey! Who are you?’ Gina said shrilly. ‘What…?’

  But by then Lepski had entered the lounge. He and Hardy looked at each other. Hardy knew Lepski and he lost colour.

  ‘What do you mean busting in like this?’ he blustered. ‘I’m busy. What is it?’

  Lepski was now looking at Val with puzzled, probing eyes. Where had he seen this girl before? he asked himself. Who was she?

  ‘Take it easy,’ he said to Hardy. ‘I don’t know your girl friend. Show some manners. Introduce me.’

  ‘When I want you in my place, I’ll invite you,’ Hardy snarled. ‘You…’?‘I said introduce me, boy.’

  Gina came in.?‘This is Mary Sherrek of the Miami Sun,’ she said.

  Lepski knew Mary Sherrek well. She often bothered him, trying to get information. He looked steadily at Val who faced him, her eyes big, her body tense.

  ‘Is that right? I’m Detective Officer Tom Lepski. Always glad to meet the Press.’ ‘Miss Sherrek is leaving,’ Gina said.?‘Not right now.’ Lepski moved so he could watch the three of them. ‘She could have a nice little story for her paper. I’m great at giving press hand-outs. Stick around, sister. Get your little book ready.’

  Hardy said, ‘Just what do you want?’?‘Jacko and Moe. Where are they?’

  Why ask me? I don’t know.’

  Lepski spotted the brief-case lying on the settee.?‘The Chief thinks otherwise. Those two are wanted for three murders. Now’s the time to flap with your mouth or you can get caught with an accessory rap.’

  Hardy hesitated. He was horribly aware that Jacko and Moe, in the bedroom, were listening.

  ‘I tell you I haven’t seen them for a couple of days,’ he said finally.?‘Too bad… for you,’ Lepski said and moved quickly to the brief-case, picked it up, snapped open the lock and emptied its contents on the settee.