The Purloined Puzzle

by Parnell Hall

“Her brother was arrested for the murder. Peggy didn’t like that. Lo and behold, evidence shows up exonerating her brother and implicating you. And who is the witness who saw you putting the murder weapon in your car? The guy she’s palling around with.”

  “When you put it like that, it sounds bad.”

  “Would you care to phrase it so it sounds good? When you go to jail, I’d like it to be for something you actually did.”

  “That’s sweet. Too bad you quit drinking. I could offer you something.”

  “And we all know what.”

  “Why, Cora, you naughty wench.”

  “That’s not why I came over here, Melvin.”

  “Sure it is.”

  “In your dreams.”

  Cora felt virtuous as she left the motel.

  If only she didn’t feel like she just had a narrow escape.

  Chapter

  44

  Cora woke up to Buddy barking hysterically and someone banging on the door. She threw on a bathrobe, stumbled through the living room, and flung the door open for Chief Harper.

  “I have very bad news.”

  “For whom?”

  “For Melvin,” Harper said, and pushed his way in.

  “How could things be any worse for Melvin? He’s already been arrested for murder.”

  “I got another corpse.”

  Cora’s face fell. “Don’t tell me.”

  Harper nodded. “That’s right. The chief witness against him was found last night in the mall parking lot with a hunting knife in his back. At least this time we don’t have to play hide-and-seek with the murder weapon. It’s right where it should be.”

  “The victim might not think so.”

  “Too bad Melvin’s out on bail, or he’d have a rock-solid alibi for this one.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Assuming he didn’t do it.”

  “I was being facetious.”

  “I’m surprised you know what it means.”

  “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m sorry the news is bad.”

  “Have you picked Melvin up?”

  “Well, that’s the thing.”

  “You can’t find him?”

  “He’s not at his motel.”

  “Where else have you looked?”

  Harper looked sheepish. “Well—”

  Cora’s eyes widened. “Oh, you miserable cop! You didn’t come to tell me this. You thought he might be here.”

  “I’m sure he isn’t. This needn’t be unpleasant.”

  “Why didn’t you just ask me if he was here?”

  “I figured you’d lie.”

  “No, you didn’t. You were just embarrassed. When you knocked on the door you were praying I’d be dressed.”

  “I figure if Melvin came to you because he was in trouble, you’d protect him.”

  “You’re saying I’d cheerfully become an accessory to murder.”

  “I don’t think you’d necessarily be cheerful.”

  “Chief, Melvin is a conniving son of a bitch who always acts in his own best interests. Committing a murder that will be immediately tied to him in order to cover up a murder that is only slightly tied to him and most likely couldn’t be proved is clearly not in his best interests. Melvin is smart enough to know that, and he wouldn’t do it.”

  “Is Melvin here?”

  “No.”

  “You mind if I verify that?”

  “I do. But I don’t want to wait around while you apply for a warrant. I’d like to get on with my life. So feel free. If you could try not to wake Jennifer up, I’d appreciate it. She had a hot date last night and she’s tired.”

  “A date?”

  “Some kid from class. Quite the lady’s man. Took her to McDonald’s.”

  Aaron Grant wandered in in his pajamas. “What’s going on?”

  “There’s been another stabbing. Harper’s looking for Melvin.”

  “Here?”

  “The chief doubts my virtue.”

  “Who’s the victim?”

  “Jason Tripp.”

  “The witness?”

  “If you want to call him that. He wasn’t a witness to the crime.”

  “The guy who saw Melvin put the knife in his car?”

  “Melvin says he didn’t.”

  “Well, it will be hard to prove now.”

  Harper came back.

  “There’s been another murder?” Aaron said.

  “Yeah.”

  “A heads-up would have been nice.”

  “It’s early.”

  “I bet Rick Reed got one.”

  “I have no control over what Dan Finley does.”

  “You’re his boss.”

  “With regard to the job. I don’t censor his speech.”

  “If Henry Firth wanted you to sit on something, you’d tell Dan to drop it fast enough. So who found it?”

  “A clerk for Stop & Shop. Drove in for the early shift and there he was. Right behind the shopping carts.”

  “What time was that?”

  “Five thirty.”

  “When you say early shift, you’re not kidding around.”

  “Guy called us and set the wheels in motion. It’s been a joyride ever since.”

  “Great,” Cora said. “Now, if I’m not under arrest, I’d like to get dressed.” She cocked her head at Aaron. “I make the chief uncomfortable in my nightgown.”

  Chapter

  45

  Becky wasn’t happy to be called. “Yes?” she snarled. Cora figured she’d had a sleepless night.

  “Wake up. There’s been a murder.”

  “I know. I’m representing the defendant.”

  “Not that murder. There’s been another.”

  “Who?”

  Cora told her. Becky expressed her opinion in terms usually reserved for drill sergeants greeting the new recruits.

  “I concur,” Cora said. “Meet you at your office.”

  Cora finished dressing, hopped in the car, and drove downtown.

  Becky was already there. “I can’t get hold of my client.”

  “Join the club.”

  “Huh?”

  “Chief Harper can’t find him, either. I thought he was handing me a line. He thought I was handing him one. He came to my house looking for Melvin. I was less than pleased.”

  “I take it he wasn’t there?”

  “You want a fat lip?”

  “What for?”

  “Having to ask.”

  “I couched my question in the negative.”

  “Don’t you know me better than that?”

  “Figuring out your moods is never a sure thing.”

  “This is bad, Becky. The key witness against Melvin was killed last night, and he’s disappeared.”

  “Did he sleep in his room?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Anyway, he’s on the run, and it couldn’t come at a worse time.”

  “So how are we going to find him?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Melvin walked in the door. “Hi, kids. Wanna catch some breakfast?”

  “Where the hell have you been?” Cora demanded.

  “Don’t get so huffy. You turned me down, remember?”

  “You were with a girl?”

  “You’re not the only fish in the sea.”

  “Who was she?”

  Melvin grinned. “That would be telling.”

  “No kidding. The police are going to be asking that question, and they’re not going to be too pleased with ‘I’m too much of a gentleman to say.’ If you don’t say, Becky will be hard-pressed to save you, and she’s damn good.”

  Melvin frowned. “What the hell’s going on?”

  “The key witness against you was killed last night,” Becky said. “The police are looking for you. They’re not very happy about it.”

  “What?”

  Cora filled Melvin in on the details of the crime. It wasn’t hard. There weren’t many.

&
nbsp; “This is not good,” Melvin said.

  “I think that’s a brilliant assessment of the situation. Becky, would you concur?”

  “You’re going to have to give up the girl, Melvin.”

  Melvin made a face. “She’s married.”

  “What a surprise,” Cora said.

  “Where was her husband at the time?”

  “On a business trip.”

  “Well, that will help pin it down. Cora, you think you could find what residents are currently away on business?”

  “Wouldn’t it be better not to bring it up at all?” Melvin said.

  “I’d hate to tell you your chances if you don’t.”

  “Maybe I could come up with another alibi.”

  “I will not suborn perjury.”

  “I didn’t say it wouldn’t be true.”

  Becky took a breath. “All of that can wait. What can’t wait is you have to go to the police right now. You’re not on the run, you haven’t taken flight, you’re not avoiding anyone. The minute you heard, you went straight to the police.”

  “What do I tell them?”

  “Nothing. I barge in and tell you not to talk. You find that frustrating. You didn’t do anything, you’re eager to talk, and your stodgy old lawyer won’t let you.”

  “You’re not that old.”

  Cora made a face. “Bad move, Melvin. Becky’s been concerned about her age lately.”

  “I have not!” Becky snapped.

  “See what I mean? I felt the same way when I turned forty.”

  “I am not forty.”

  “I didn’t say you were. I said I felt that way then. See how sensitive she is?”

  “I’m not sensitive. I want to get Melvin out of here before the cops swoop in and arrest him.”

  “You’re sending me to the cops.”

  “Big difference who goes to whom.”

  “The old girl’s right,” Cora said. “Get out of here while the getting’s good.”

  “If there’s going to be a catfight, I’m not leaving.”

  “There’s not going to be a catfight,” Becky said.

  “You say that now, but I know women.”

  “Get out of here.”

  “Come with me.”

  “No, you go alone. When you heard about this you didn’t run to your lawyer, you went straight to the police.”

  “Won’t that look stage-managed?”

  “Sure, but they can’t prove it.”

  “They’ll ask me.”

  “Yes, but you won’t tell them because it’s been carefully stage-managed so your lawyer will show up.”

  “Works for me,” Melvin said. He went out the door.

  “How long you gonna give him?” Cora said.

  “What do you think?”

  Becky and Cora came down the stairs and reached the street just as Melvin was going up the steps to the police station.

  “We should hurry,” Cora said.

  “You don’t think Melvin can be discreet for thirty seconds?”

  “He couldn’t stay faithful to his wedding vows for thirty seconds. The man has no self-control.”

  Becky picked up the pace. They walked into the police station just in time to hear Chief Harper say, “Where were you all night?”

  “Why, Chief,” Becky said. “Were you attempting to interrogate my client outside my presence? I didn’t think you’d stoop to that.”

  “Your client has the right to remain silent. If he chooses not to exercise that right, he doesn’t have to.”

  “Did he choose not to exercise that right?”

  “He walked into the police station.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say so. I hope you’ll remember that in case someone tries to claim he took to flight.”

  “I was just asking him where he was last night. I’m pleased to hear he wasn’t on the lam.”

  “He wasn’t.”

  “So where was he?”

  “Nice try, Chief. When I saw Melvin go into the police station I knew he’d heard of the murder so I hurried to get here before he volunteered any information you aren’t entitled to. It’s lucky I got here in time.”

  “We make our own luck, don’t we?” Chief Harper observed dryly.

  “I don’t know what you mean. Anyway, I can’t let Melvin talk while he has a prosecution pending. If you’d care to dismiss the charge, it would be another matter.”

  “As if that might happen.”

  “That’s what I thought. Sorry, Melvin. I know you’d like to cooperate, but I’m afraid I can’t let you. So if you’d care to come along.”

  “That’s not going to happen, either,” Chief Harper said. “If Melvin’s not going to cooperate, I have to hold him on suspicion of murder.”

  “He’s on bail for that.”

  “Not for this one, he’s not. You’ll have to bail him out again. I’ve even heard tell of suspects on bail who commit a second crime who get that bail revoked.”

  “I’m glad my client hasn’t done that. Of course, it’s hard to commit a second crime if you haven’t committed a first.”

  “I’m glad to see you’re sharpening up your verbal skills,” Chief Harper said. “It looks like you’re going to need ’em. Meanwhile, Melvin’s staying here.”

  Chapter

  46

  Becky stomped off to petition the judge for bail. Cora hung around to harangue Chief Harper. She paced the outer office impatiently while he locked Melvin up. Dan Finley was off chasing down clues, and there was no one to bother.

  Finally, the chief came back out.

  “Took you long enough,” Cora grumbled. “Haven’t you ever processed a prisoner before?”

  “It’s complicated with a serial killer. Much more paperwork. What’d you hang around for? Something you want to tell me?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

  “The answer is no. I don’t know any more than I did when I saw you at your house.”

  “I thought you might be able to concentrate better now that I’m dressed.”

  “You’re not helping your cause.”

  “Wanna tell me what will?”

  “A little frankness and honesty would be refreshing.”

  “When have I not been frank and honest?”

  “I tell you I’m looking for Melvin. Less than an hour later he walks into the police station.”

  “You’re crabbing about that?”

  “About your frankness and honesty claim. You told me you didn’t know where he was.”

  “I didn’t. I can’t help it if you don’t believe me, but it happens to be the truth.”

  “You didn’t know where he was an hour ago, but you do now.”

  “So do you.”

  “What caused that change?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “He just happened to turn up?”

  “That’s right.”

  “How’d that happen?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him.”

  “Yeah, and you’re not going to, either.”

  “That’s not very nice. What did I do to deserve that?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure you did something. Can’t you get that man out of your life? It’s a disaster every time he turns up.”

  “I have no control over Melvin. Never did, never will.”

  “You were married to him.”

  “I rest my case.”

  “You must have some hold on him. He keeps showing up.”

  “I can’t help it if I’m irresistible.”

  “Really, Cora, what’s the deal?”

  Cora glowered at him.

  Chief Harper, suddenly embarrassed, fell all over himself. “I mean, that’s not to say—”

  Cora cut him off. “Let’s talk about the crime.”

  “What about it?”

  “The victim, for one thing.”

  “You know about him. He was the witness against Melvin.”

  “I was hop
ing we could discuss this in terms other than Melvin. I mean the victim himself. What’s his deal?”

  “He was one of the workers from the construction site. He was staying at the motel where—” Chief Harper caught himself just in time. “Where the other victim lived. He was at the same motel, he was on the same crew. Dan’s questioning the construction crew now.”

  “So you don’t know if the two were buddies? Hung out after work?”

  “That’s hard to establish when both parties are dead. You’re talking thirdhand information well after the fact.”

  “Cry me a river. What about the time of death?”

  “Barney’s got the body now.”

  “He give you a preliminary?”

  “He pronounced the guy dead.”

  “Come on, Chief, he’s taken the temperature. What’s the time frame?”

  “Sorry. If Becky wants to be a hard-ass, I can be a hard-ass, too.”

  “This shouldn’t be about horse trading.”

  “Yeah, but it always is. I don’t think you’re gonna change that.”

  “Good. You wanna talk about what you can talk about?”

  “I can’t even follow that.”

  “Sure you can. Aside from the things you feel richly inclined to be a hard-ass about, what can you tell me?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You gonna be a hard-ass about everything?”

  “No, I just don’t have much. What I do’s not for sale.”

  “Can I quote you on that, Chief? At the moment you’re not able to sell any privileged information to the defense.”

  “You’re not helping your cause.”

  “From what you say, that doesn’t matter.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Well, that’s a conversation killer. You’re not going to let me talk to Melvin?”

  “In the lockup? Not a chance.”

  “I’ve done it before.”

  “Was that when you were cooperating with the police?”

  “In what way am I not cooperating with the police?”

  “You lied to me.”

  “Oh, come on. Just because you got it in your head I knew something and didn’t tell you.”

  “Not just didn’t tell me. You told me to my face you didn’t know.”

  “And you decided I did, which settles the case. Luckily in a court of law these things aren’t settled on a whim.”

  “We’re not in a court of law. We’re in my police station, where visiting prisoners in lockup is not a right but a privilege. You haven’t earned that privilege. So you might as well run along.”