by S G Read
Archie sat by the telephone and made several calls, one to a close friend of his and waited for a reply. There was no point in walking into the sitting room as the caller might well give up before Archie made it back to the phone again.
Drummond was left in a waiting room with one of the young patrolmen while the other one went to find Supen Wodesburg. He found him; or what was left of him, still lying in the road. The crowd which had formed round him stood looking while they waited for the ambulance to arrive. The young patrolman assumed Wodesburg was dead but he waited for confirmation before he drove back to the precinct.
‘What terrible luck.’ The fat woman said without showing anything but sorrow. ‘I'll break the news to little Drummond.’
‘What happens now?’ Sergeant Grogan asked from behind the desk he was beginning to hate. ‘We can't throw him in a cell overnight, can we?’
‘No. That would be so insensitive at a time like this!’ The fat woman replied, milking the part to gain as much credit as she could. ‘I will try to arrange to settle him with family until something can be sorted.’
‘Seems to me he was with a family, a good family.’ Grogan replied.
‘The woman's husband was a book keeper for Luigi Clo! Hardly a recommendation.’ Fromes said indignantly.
‘We have no proof of that or of any wrong doing by Clo until after Doyle was in the hospital and in no position to do anyone any harm!’ Grogan retorted.
The fat woman strutted out of the precinct but walked back ten minutes later.
‘It is all sorted. We go before Judge in an hour and he will decide what is best for the boy.’ She said triumphantly. ‘We can keep him here until then!’
‘I'm glad we are all here to do what is best for the boy.’ Grogan replied phlegmatically and returned to his paper work.
Chapter 8
An hour later the fat woman dragged Drummond into the courtroom. Drummond struggled furiously until she squeezed his arm painfully.
‘Behave or it will go badly for you!’ She warned.
Before they left the room Drummond was held in, she had told Drummond that his father had met with a nasty accident but when Drummond wanted to go back to the retirement home she had told him she was going to adopt him and there was nothing that he could do about it. Drummond stood where he was told, feeling sick.
‘We are here to do what is right for the boy Drummond Wodesburg.’ The judge started. ‘What is this paper all about?’ The last he addressed to the fat woman.
‘The boy has had a hard time and I feel that it would be in his best interest if I looked after him and I have applied to adopt him!’ The fat woman replied.
‘This is very unusual. Are there any other interested parties involved?’ The judge asked.
‘No my lor-’ the fat woman's reply was interrupted by the court room door slamming open to allow a man on a walking frame to enter. Archie was followed by Barbara and Dan.
‘What are they doing here?’ The fat woman asked.
‘Well, according to the papers in front of me they are petitioning to adopt the boy as well.’ The judge replied. ‘I will look at the families concerned and decide on what to do, as that is my reason for being here at this ungodly hour!’
He read through the papers for some time, making notes.
‘Where is your husband at the moment, Mrs. Doyle?’ He asked.
‘He was taken forcibly from the family home two days ago and the police are looking for him. We hope to have news soon.’ Barbara replied.
‘The husband in question being known to work, or have worked in the past for a Chicago hoodlum.’ Fromes said from behind the fat woman.
‘Who said that?’ The Judge asked.
Fromes stepped forwards.
‘Me your honor.’
‘Are you a police officer?’
‘No your honor.’
‘Do you have proof of what you say?’
‘Well no but everyone knows-’
‘I only know what is in front of me and there is no mention of that here.’
The judge turned to face Drummond.
‘Drummond Wodesburg, if you had your choice where would you chose to go?’ He asked.
‘With Mrs. Doyle your honor.’ Drummond replied, a spark of hope daring to glimmer, wherever hope actually glimmers.
The judge sat back in his judicial chair, obviously at a loss as to what to do. Suddenly he leant forwards again.
‘The boy Drummond Wodesburg will reside with the Doyle family for one week. After that all will appear before me and I will make a permanent judgment. Until then I hold Mrs. Barbara Doyle and her father Archie responsible for his wellbeing.’ He banged the gavel down hard. ‘Now I am off to my bed. Court dismissed!’
The fat woman gave Fromes a glare then released Drummond's arm and he ran to Barbara.
‘Does that mean I can stay with you?’ He asked.
‘Yes, until next week. By then we need to resolve all our problems and present ourselves as one big happy family.’
Dan watched the Fat woman walk out and the word family, seemed to drill into his brain. He was silent on the journey home and shut himself in his room to write a letter to his daughter. Not a letter laying blame or trying to move any of the guilt he felt, just a letter to his daughter. It was too late to post it that evening, so he propped it on the hall table with all the other outgoing mail. Mainly payment of well overdue bills.
Michael stood in the doorway of the upper theatre watching his men search. The door opposite him opened and Emil walked in.
‘Michael I want a word with you.’ Emil said calmly.
Michael looked into the room they were still searching and hesitated.
‘I know what is going on and I'm disappointed in you. Shut the theatre up and make sure the way she went in is secured and I'll show you how to flush out game.’
Michael called his men out and after making sure the room was sealed he followed Emil to the office.
‘Why are you doing this Michael?’
Michael smiled a rueful smile.
‘It was to impress you with my ability.’ He said.
‘I think you can rule that out but I understand you have arranged a meeting to recover the money.’
‘Yes. The girl was to stay here and when I telephoned Peter he has orders to blow both the girl and her father away and then bring the bodies out to the farm we have recently purchased to be buried with the rest of their folk.’
‘A good plan. It's a shame you let the girl get away.’
‘I don't know how it happened. We found Sean dead and her long gone.’
‘She's quite something, isn't she? I am coming to this meet, after we get the girl back under our control, that is.’
The end of the search came sooner than Cally thought it would but she was glad to be able to drop to the floor. The doors at the front were bolted, she heard that from her elevated position. With no other way out she wondered what to do. The light that filtered under the door and through the high windows where the curtains were missing made it possible to walk from one side of the room to the other without tripping over more than once. She knew she could climb up the curtains to the upper balconies and kick her way out but was the fire escape on that side of the building still there? She decided it was worth a try as she had no other ideas. She grabbed hold of the curtain nearest the door, on the other side of the room and started to climb. It was a bad choice, before she reached halfway up the curtain, it tore and she crashed to the floor. She lay there stunned for a moment but not being a girl who gives up easily, she grabbed the curtain on the other side of the balcony and swung on it to test its strength. The top tore free from its supports and she fell. Not as far this time but the curtain fell on her. She pulled herself free coughing because of the dust and listened in case anyone had heard her. Nothing stirred. She walked to the next curtain and pulled it gingerly. When it stayed put she tried harder and harder until she felt it was safe to climb up. Half way up she looked
down at the floor below. If she fell now, it could kill her. -If only I'd put those other curtains underneath in case I fell- She thought. At that moment the curtain tore above her. She waited, not moving until the tear stopped. She moved up slowly, hoping that the curtain did not tear any more. As she grew nearer the top, the curtain tore further until the tear had reached halfway across. Should she go on or should she go back? Another couple of meters and she could grab hold of the side of the balcony. She climbed on carefully and slowly until the balcony was nearly in reach, then the tear started moving again. She hurried the last meter and as the curtain fell she grabbed for the balcony and managed to get one hand on it. For a few second she hung there her arms tired beyond reason, then she swung her body and grabbed hold with her second hand. Seconds later she threw herself into the balcony gasping for breath. When she regained her strength she crept from the second balcony to the first balcony using the little passage the patrons would have used. The balcony door was still there! She listened for noises outside but all was quiet. The handle turned but nothing happened. She turned and pulled, then pulled harder. Suddenly she was thrown back as the door came open. She hit top of the balcony and nearly toppled over, just gripping what was left of the curtain on the other side before she fell. It held her weight and she was able to pull herself back in. She walked back to the door and looked out expecting trouble but there was no one there. Outside, just as the other side, there was a door leading to a fire escape. She freed the bolts and lay down, using her feet to kick the door open. Her heart missed a beat when the door swung open, she was on her feet and through the door in a heartbeat but her flight was stopped by a pistol barrel as it caught her by the side of the head. Jacob picked her up and carried her back to the room she had been locked in. She was stripped of her outer clothes then her hands and feet were tied and she was dumped on the bed her gaoler had used to sleep on. Jacob locked the door and walked to the office.
‘She's tied up and locked away boss.’ He said, not aiming it for anyone in particular. When Emil was there Jacob was not sure who to call boss.
‘Thank you.’ Emil replied. ‘Leave her clothes here and stay with her
Jacob to make sure she does not decide to leave us again. Michael you can arrange the changeover now!’
‘Yes Emil.’
It was four in the morning when Michael went up to bed and there was no point in phoning now. When it was light he would phone the home and arrange it for midday. On the way to his room he looked in on Dermot who lay there unmoving but audibly breathing. The tray of food next to him was empty and the smell coming from the prone man was disgusting. He thought about ordering the men to clean him up but the man was history after midday tomorrow, so why bother. Two large glasses of brandy made him forget the whole mess and he was soon asleep.
Morning found him in a better mood. He had the girl back and he would soon have the money. If he lived through the day, his future should be quite bright!
He telephoned the retirement home to arrange the changeover then headed for his car.
Peter and the man minding the desk were to stay but Dill was supposed to go with them.
‘Where's Dill.’ Michael asked.
‘Went out early boss. Said he'd meet you out there.’ The man on the desk said.
Emil came down looking as dapper as usual and they drove off. The doors closed and the man behind the desk, settled down to read the paper. Peter unlocked the door to Cally's room and walked up to where she lay. Her eyes opened and she looked at him balefully. He drew his pistol.
‘Next time I come up and do this, your little brain will be splattered all over the wall behind you. We are about to exchange the money; supposedly for you but instead we are going to kill them and then you. Don't you worry none though we're gonna bury you together, one big happy family.’ He pretended to fire the pistol then walked away laughing, as Cally fought with her bonds. Tears ran down her face as she thought of her mother and Grandfather being killed because of the money! Then the thought that Dan might be there and Drummond. She fought harder to get free, drawing blood from her wrists.
Archie answered the phone and noted the time of the meeting but there was no way he could go on his own. Both Dan and Drummond were nearby. Drummond wanted to make sure nothing happened to Cally, he missed her. Archie made a phone call trying not to let the others hear.
‘I hope that wasn't the police!’ Barbara cautioned from the top of the stairs.
‘Do you think I'd risk Cally's life, or Dermot's for that matter? No when dealing with rats you need a rat exterminator.’
No one understood the answer. They climbed in the truck, followed the directions to the farm and parked some way up the drive. Michael and Emil came out to meet them, unarmed.
‘Do you have the money?’ Michael shouted.
‘Yes. Where is my granddaughter?’ Archie replied at the same volume.
Michael held up his hand and a girl in Cally's dirty clothes was forced in front of a window. Her hair was the same but they never saw her face. Jacob pulled the girl back and on Michael's signal phoned the desk.
‘Tell Peter to go ahead.’ He said quietly.
‘Will do.’ The man behind the desk said and folded up his paper, he would be wanted to carry the bodies out.
‘Bring the money forward.’ Michael called.
‘Where's Dermot?’ Barbara called.
‘Doing what he does best, lying down and he stinks!’ Michael replied. ‘Now bring the money or he gets it first!’
They walked together in a group, carrying the carpet bags with the money in. Archie looked about warily, he was afraid of a double cross.
‘Put the money down and step back. If it's okay we'll let you have the girl.’ Michael ordered.
They did as they were told and waited as Michael counted the money.
‘It's all here Emil.’ He said when he had counted it.
‘Good. Let the girl go.’ Emil shouted.
The girl ran to the group and before she was there Drummond knew it was not Cally.
‘That's not Cally!’ He said insistently.
The others realized he was right, when she grew closer. She was crying and Barbara took her in her arms.
‘It's okay lass we'll look after you.’ Barbara whispered but she had no idea what was going to happen. They had been cheated, who knows what they were capable of next?
‘Okay take them out.’ Michael called but nothing happened. ‘Jacob, Smithy, Duval where are you?’
The door to the farmhouse opened and Alcosio Zicci stepped out into the sunlight.
‘Good day gentlemen.’ He greeted and men appeared from different parts of the farmyard. ‘Your men are unavoidably detained, I will explain why I am here after I have seen my friends off.’
He walked up to Archie. ‘My friend it is better if you go now, there are things ladies and young children should not see.’
They turned to go.
‘Mrs. Doyle you appear to have left some bags on the drive. I am not here for the money, please take it with you but I would like a swinging porch seat to have a plaque on it in memory of Charlie, my brother.’
Barbara picked up the money woodenly.
‘They have my daughter!’ She said hopelessly.
‘And they will tell us where she is!’ Zicci replied. ‘Now go! We have business to attend to.’
They climbed in the truck and headed back to the retirement home but on the way Drummond grabbed the wheel.
‘The nickelodeon!’ He said when Dan had managed to avoid crashing. ‘She'll be at the nickelodeon. Don't you see all their men are out there entertaining Mr. Zicci. What are we waiting for?’
Dan looked at Archie and Archie nodded.
‘My brain must be going.’ Archie complained. ‘I should have thought of that earlier!’ He reached into the glove compartment and pulled out Clo's pistol. ‘Just in case we meet anyone.’
The man behind the desk walked up to the kitchen, where Peter was eating.
‘We got the go ahead.’ He said meaningfully.
Peter finished his sandwich before he moved. Dermot heard him coming and pulled the pistol from under the mattress but it fell to the floor out of reach. He tried to fall on it but Peter saw him and kicked it away.
‘Nice try dad but I'll do her first so you can hear. The next bang you hear will be me redecorating the wall with your daughter brains!’ Peter said and walked out laughing. ‘Keep an eye on him Mark, I'll be right back.’
Peter walked to the room Cally was in, unlocked the door and let it swing open. Cally still lay there but now there was blood on her wrists where she had tried to get free. Peter walked up to her and put the barrel of his pistol to her forehead. He looked her in the eye and deliberately cocked the gun so that she could hear. Cally closed her eyes and waited for the loud bang. One second, two seconds, then bang. Cally waited for the pain but there was none. -At least when you die it doesn't hurt- She thought. The sound of something heavy hitting the floor made her look. The man who was going to kill her lay dead on the floor.
Suddenly someone was untying her hands. She looked up to see Dill standing there. He signalled her to be quiet and she did not say anything. When she was free, Dill walked to the room Dermot was in and shot the other man dead.
‘Now you have to go. I'll give you a hand to get your Pa outside but after that you're on your own.’
They struggled down the stairs with Dermot who surprised them by being able to use his right leg more and more as the went down the stairs. Outside in the sunshine Dill propped Dermot against a wall and gave Cally a ten dollar note.
‘Take a cab and get out of here before the opposition arrive to take over. In about ten minutes things are going to get unhealthy around here.’
Dill closed and locked the doors and hurried upstairs to get the books together for Alcosio's book keeper to look over. Cally, standing there in her under clothes, hailed a cab and it stopped.
‘My pa needs your help to get in the cab.’ Cally cried urgently almost pulling the man out of his cab.