The Dead Don't Talk

by Lawrence J Epstein

  “Speak slowly. And softly. There’s a man from the police here.”

  He came in. Since I didn’t know anything, I couldn’t say much, and he had other work to do.

  Ten minutes later the nurse came back in and said, “A Miss D’Amaro from Congressman Miles’ office is here. For some reason, they’re very concerned about you.”

  Janet came in and spent ten minutes describing how lucky I was. The police said someone had tampered with my brake linings. I should be dead now. She gave me a card signed by everyone in the office. There were flowers in the room by the window.

  “You’re supposed to rest, but you’re all right. There are stories all about you on the radio. Everybody knows you’re here, so I bet you get more flowers. Your friend Mr. Eilat is outside. He’s acting like some kind of guard. I had to show him my identification. Is he supposed to do that?”

  “The Congressman wants him to.”

  “Oh.”

  She sat quietly next to me for a few minutes

  Then another woman appeared by the door. Janet nodded to her and walked out.

  Rebecca Roth came and sat down by the bed.

  “Hello, Mr. Ryle. I heard about this. I’m so sorry.”

  “It would help if you called me Danny.”

  She made a puzzled look.

  “How exactly would that help?”

  I didn’t answer her.

  “It was very nice of you to come here. I really appreciate it.”

  Evidently, my mind had decided to consult a dictionary of clichés before speaking to her. I was upset with myself.

  “They said you were a hero.”

  “Sure. I didn’t run over three children. Some hero.”

  “Be careful. By the time you get out of here they will be building a statue of you next to the Bull in Smithtown.”

  “That may take a while.”

  She looked down.

  “I’m sorry again for my father.”

  “Neither one of us is our father. Didn’t we agree on that?”

  Another smile. One more and I’d ask her to marry me.

  “I’ve got to go,” she said. “I’m meeting my fiancé for lunch.”

  Shoot me now.

  “Oh,” I said. “I didn’t notice a ring.”

  “I don’t wear it at work. I’m afraid some thief is going to come in and steal it.”

  “When’s the wedding?”

  “We haven’t set a date. Not for a while. Maybe next Spring. Isn’t that so traditional? A June wedding. A big one with lots of flowers. I like the flowers in your room, by the way.”

  “Thank you. Excuse me, but I’m getting tired. I think I should take a nap.”

  “Of course. It’s good to see you again, Mr...Danny. Stop by the store sometime around noon and we can go to lunch.”

  I couldn’t speak.

  She went out of the room.

  I had more tests. I learned my blood pressure. The hospital seemed particularly interested in sticking me with needles to get blood.

  My nurse was back.

  “If you’re not too tired, Mr. Ryle, Congressman Miles himself is outside. He says he has something important to tell you.”

  “Please send him in,” I said.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The Congressman usually walked around with two or three aides. I was therefore surprised that he came into my hospital room alone. He closed the door behind him.

  “Hey, Danny, you think this counts as a legitimate excuse for missing work?” He was smiling, as though he was in a good mood. But I knew him. He most often joked when he had a task he didn’t want to perform. I couldn’t imagine that he was going to fire me, but I didn’t know what was going to happen.

  The Congressman began to pace.

  That wasn’t good.

  “They tell me I’ll be out of here at the latest by tomorrow,” I said. “I’ll be back at work.”

  “Good,” the Congressman said. “We need you in the office.”

  “What’s the matter?” I asked.

  He finally sat down and then pulled his chair closer to my bed.

  “Danny, I am increasingly concerned about the re-election. I’ve seen a new poll. He shouldn’t be this close. I need you working full-time again on the campaign. We all go around the clock until Election Night is over.”

  He cleared his throat.

  I understood, but I waited.

  “You have to stop this murder investigation. Just let it go. The police couldn’t solve it. Rabbi London will have to accept that fact.”

  I sat still for a few seconds.

  “They tried to kill me, Congressman.”

  “You mean the brake linings?”

  “Yes.”

  “That could have been just inferior linings. Nobody was necessarily trying to kill you. Don’t exaggerate.”

  I stared at him.

  I had a bigger problem than I thought.

  “All right, Congressman. But you have to give me a few days at home to rest. I get very tired.”

  “At home, Danny. If I call, I expect you to be there.”

  “Of course. Although I may be out getting some food. I’ll go crazy with cabin fever if I only stay inside.”

  “You promise you’ll stop the murder investigation?”

  “Of course I promise. You asked me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

  I didn’t even bother crossing my fingers.

  The Congressman saw a shadow at the door.

  It was Gertrude Lucey, Ken Lucey’s mother.

  The Congressman was surprised.

  He said, “Gertrude, you do know that Mr. Ryle is on my side.”

  “I heard on the radio that he was a hero, Jim. I thought heroes deserve a thank you.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Gertrude. I was just leaving. Don’t try to get him over to your son. Mr. Ryle is very loyal.”

  “An admirable trait.”

  The Congressman turned to me.

  “You understand what I’ve said? And we’re all right?”

  “Certainly, Congressman. You can count on me.”

  He walked out and Mrs. Lucey stood there staring at me.

  “Your left eye closes just a bit when you lie, Mr. Ryle. You should work on that.”

  “How do...What can I do for you, Mrs. Lucey?”

  “I won’t ask why you lied to the Congressman or what you lied about. I will warn you that he’s not stupid. Do you need any help? Money, for example.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m doing.”

  “I’m pretty sure I can trust you.”

  I looked into her eyes and said, “There’s a man standing in the hallway. Tall, curly-haired.”

  “He looks as though he can take care of himself in a fight.”

  “That’s the guy, Mrs. Lucey. I want you to hire him.”

  “As what?”

  “I don’t know. Bodyguard I suppose. To watch me. My father pays him now, and I want him separated from having to depend on my father.”

  “All right. Do you want to tell me why I’m doing this?”

  “No. You have to trust me. It’s to make sure I am safe.”

  “That’s the point. Safe from what?”

  “From whatever might make me not safe.”

  “You’re a bit of a puzzle, Mr. Ryle.”

  “And one more thing.”

  “I can’t wait, Mr. Ryle.”

  “If I ask you to, I want you to call the Congressman and get angry. I want you to lie and say I interviewed some of your son’s friends and neighbors and you’re very upset about it.”

  “That, I take it, is to cover for your not being at home resting or in your office working.”

  “You’re one smart person, Mrs. Lucey.”

  “I get by. I’d still like to know what you’re hiding from your boss.”

  “All I can promise you is that it does not have to do with your son or the election in any way. In fact, by my doing what I want I won’t be spending time trying to b
eat Ken.”

  “I’ll get money to you through your friend. I haven’t been this excited in twenty years. Imagine how I’d feel if I knew what we were doing.”

  “Maybe one day.” I paused. “There is one more matter.”

  “I’m not an idiot, Mr. Ryle. You don’t want me to tell my son anything about what we’re doing.”

  “You must have been a sparkplug in your youth, Mrs. Lucey. And not so far from it now.”

  “Keep flattering me. I like it.”

  She came over and shook my hand.

  “Please tell that young man to come here. I’d appreciate it.”

  She nodded and walked out of the room.

  Ari came inside. “That lady just offered me money, much more money than your father, to look after you.”

  “Take her money.”

  He stared at me.

  I filled him in on what had happened.

  “Are we going to stop?”

  “Great White sharks would die because they didn’t have oxygen if they ever stopped swimming.”

  “In Israel, we’re very direct. You ask a question, you get an answer, whether or not you want to hear it. I’m not used to America. The people don’t answer. What is this about sharks?”

  “Not all sharks. Just some. I’m trying to say, Ari, that I have to keep swimming.”

  “You’re going to ignore your boss?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “I like that. In Israel we shrug at orders.”

  “I need to talk to my father to see if he has any ideas. I should be able to have a late lunch with him tomorrow.”

  “You want me for this?”

  “Only in the background. But he’ll spot you. Don’t worry about it.”

  I felt stronger. Somebody was trying to stop me. First the brakes and now getting to the Congressman. Someone very powerful.

  Then I called my father.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  My father didn’t talk about it much, but he had a lot of money hidden away. I told him to spend it or give it to charity, to do whatever he wanted to do except give it or leave it to me. I told him if I inherited it I would donate it all to victims of gun violence.

  Because of his wealth, his choice of favorite restaurant was a little odd. Balzarini’s in Southampton served excellent food, and the service was extraordinary. But the place was, evidently on purpose, old-fashioned. The young, always looking for the new and stylish, wouldn’t come to Balzarini’s regularly.

  My father told me that the restaurant had been bought with a handshake. I didn’t know whether or not this was true, but it fit the character. Old-fashioned. Honest. Steady. There was violin and piano music. I liked the feel of the carpet as I was being led to the table.

  The first time my father had taken me there, he said the owner was from Genoa and used to be a sea captain.

  Maybe that explained why every time we went, my father ordered Spaghetti Genoan with meat sauce. I had it, and had to admit it was remarkable.

  My father was already seated when I arrived. He liked to put on a sports jacket when he came here.

  “Danny,” he nodded as I sat down.

  “First of all, I apologize about the hospital. I was having trouble breathing again.”

  “That’s all right, Dad. I liked the flowers you sent.”

  “They were from the garden. Fresh as the start of a day.”

  We ordered.

  I felt calm. The music, the setting. It was as though I were in a safe place. A warm place that provided comfort. That was a rare feeling for me.

  “I saw the man I hired to protect you outside. Is he doing okay?”

  “Sure. I’m still here, aren’t I?”

  “That you are. But you look troubled, Danny. I’m here to solve problems. What’s on your mind?”

  “The Congressman asked me to stop looking into Rabbi Siegel’s murder.”

  “That’s not so terrible an idea, is it?”

  “The murderer is still around. I landed in the hospital because my brake linings were partially cut. It was only a matter of time before they’d go. The Congressman asked me to stop because someone pressed him. Don’t you see, Dad? I’m getting closer. I don’t want to stop now.”

  “So, you’re getting closer. Who do you think did it?”

  “I don’t really know. I have some good suspects, but I can’t say which one did it.”

  “Do you have any clues to follow?”

  I was struck by the question.

  “Not really.”

  “Let me sum this up, Danny. Somebody, maybe associated with the killer in the Siegel case, maybe a political opponent, maybe somebody with a personal grudge against you cut the brake linings. You don’t know who did it. I take it the cops don’t know who did it.”

  I shook my head.

  “You have a lot of information but absolutely no solid leads in Siegel’s murder. So you have no clues, no leads, and you’re putting your life in danger. For what, exactly? To help an old man find some comfort before he dies. Believe me. I’m an old man. I’d like some comfort. Comfort never comes. Just one day you close your eyes and there’s darkness. You can’t find comfort in the face of that reality. People try by promising angels singing in Heaven. And after the promise a guy dies and he’s sitting on a lawn listening to angels singing. He’d go crazy from boredom in five minutes. There’s no comfort in Heaven either. You just die. An eternal darkness, an endless void. Take your choice. You can suffer in this life. More than you can imagine, Danny, when you get older. Or you can stare into the vast, dark hole of nothingness. Life’s great.”

  He sighed. “Even if you find the killer, this Rabbi who wants the comfort, he won’t find it. Let it all go. The Congressman is trying to help you.”

  “You never taught me to quit.”

  “Good. So blame it on me. Join the crowd. The world isn’t perfect. Justice is for television, not real life. We live with what’s not perfect and we move on.”

  “I’m not sure I can let go. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to.”

  The food came.

  We sat in silence, and we ate. My father loved the food. It took him out of his world in a way that religion or music or children couldn’t.

  The sounds of slurping spaghetti crossed back and forth across the table. He drank from his glass.

  Suddenly I saw Ari come into the restaurant. He headed right for us.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Ryle.”

  He was talking to my father.

  “I heard you’re doing a good job. Keep my boy safe.”

  “Yes, sir. I apologize for disturbing you, but I was in my car listening to the radio, and some news came through.”

  “What’s that, Ari?” I asked.

  “Bret Roth, the suspect who owns the hardware store...”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s dead.”

  That got my father to look up.

  “What happened, Ari?”

  “I don’t know the details, sir. I heard that he got killed with a hammer. Evidently he was hit over and over. It was brutal.”

  “Do they know who did it?” I asked.

  Ari stared at me.

  I was silent, so my father continued.

  “My understanding, Danny, is that they arrested the daughter, Rebecca Roth, for the murder of her father.”

  I jumped out of my seat.

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ve got to leave. Ari and I are going right now.”

  My father just nodded.

  He understood that his son was bound for trouble.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  I called Al Flanagan. He said he had expected to hear from me.

  “The cops have their version of the story.”

  “Which is?”

  “You won’t like it.”

  “I rarely like anything.”

  “Okay. I’m just warning you, Danny. Right now, the theory is that Roth killed Rabbi Siegel for reasons you know, that he was convinced that Siegel was systematically taki
ng money from the congregation. Nobody listened to Roth, so he killed Siegel. It went all right for eighteen months. Nobody came to arrest Roth. He kept on working.

  “And then, Danny, you showed up. Asking questions. Being annoying. As I can attest, being really annoying. Maybe you got to him. Maybe you got to his daughter. The theory of the case anyway is that she became suspicious. She confronted him, and he confessed to killing Siegel. She became so upset that she took a big hammer. They were all over the place in that store. Anyway, she took a hammer and with her father’s back turned she kept hitting him. Then he collapsed and died.”

  “Flanagan, she’s eight inches shorter than he is. How could she hit him on top of the head?”

  “The theory is that he was leaning down on the floor.” He paused. “Danny, when the cops came in, she was leaning down on the floor next to his body. There was blood all over her.”

  “Fingerprints on the murder weapon?”

  “She said she picked it up to get it away from his head.”

  “She’s innocent.”

  “Your emotions wouldn’t be entering into this just a little bit, now would they, Danny? You’re looking at her face rather than the evidence.”

  “You’re a cruel man, Flanagan.”

  “I notice you didn’t say I was wrong.”

  “Does she have a lawyer?”

  “Yes. A good one.”

  “Has this good lawyer gotten her out on bail?”

  “The bail hearing is tomorrow morning. I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Are you her lawyer or part of her family?”

  I didn’t answer him.

  “What can I do, Flanagan?”

  “You think she’s innocent, find the real killer. The same cast is putting pressure here. I heard the Governor called. The Temple board is screaming. I wouldn’t want to be her.”

  “I’m going to find the real killer.”

  Flanagan sighed.

  “Danny, the story the cops have put together makes perfect sense. I told you to keep an eye on this guy. I’m not saying to let it go, but you don’t have the means to conduct a full investigation.”

  “The cops aren’t going to. They think they have the killer. I’m going to start right now. If I catch Roth’s killer, I’ll catch Siegel’s. It’s one case.”