The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps

9

An hour later, MacBride and Kerr stopped in at the captain’s house. Judith was weeping in her mother’s arms and her mother was shedding tears of happiness.

“Judith just came in,” she said.

MacBride took his daughter and stood her up, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Poor kid — poor kid. Now tell me, Judith, tell me — all you know.”

Ted Kerr stood a little back, ill at ease.

“Oh, daddy, I’ve been a fool — a little fool. When I was walking home from the movies last night that girl drove up in a car, called to me — and then two men jumped for me, gagged me, and they drove off.”

“What girl?”

“Arline Kane. I met her a month ago at a hairdressing parlor in the city. She said she was an actress, and marveled at my hair. She said I ought to go on the stage. She took me to lunch, and then promised to introduce me to some theatrical men. She was going with a man named Devore. I met him several times, and then the other night we went to the Blue River and there was another fellow — for me. Mr. Manola. I... I didn’t like him. He — he drank too much.

“When we drove away from the Blue River, he wanted to park on a dark road. But I didn’t want him to. He was pretty drunk, and he wanted to make love to me. I fought him off, and then he turned to the others and said, ‘I thought you said I’d find a good time.’ And Mr. Devore said, ‘Don’t crab, Joe. Drive on.’ And Mr. Manola said, ‘Nothing doing. I’ve got a mind to make you all walk. Go on, get out, all of you.’ Well, he meant it, and he was pretty angry, too. And Mr. Devore got angry. They began swearing. Then Mr. Manola said, “You will get out, all of you!’ And he drew his gun. But Mr. Devore, who was sitting in the back, jumped on him, and the gun went off, but it was twisted around so that the bullet struck Mr. Manola.

“He screamed, and then he shouted, ‘I’ll wreck all of you!’ He seemed crazy, and threw into gear, and the car started. Then Mr. Devore yelled, ‘Jump! We’ll have to jump!’ And we all did. And the car gathered speed, and Mr. Manola must have fainted, because it swerved to right and left and then hit a tree.

“We fled through the woods, after I’d gone to the wreck to see if he was alive. But he wasn’t. Then Mr. Devore told me to say nothing about what had happened. He threatened that if I did he’d wipe out my whole family. That’s why I wouldn’t tell you, dad. I’ve been terrible — a fool — a fool!”

“Yes, you have,” agreed MacBride. “But did Devore and Manola talk about — well, business?”

Judith thought; then, “No. But I remember, at the Blue River, when Arline and I had come back to the table from the ladies’ room, Mr. Devore was saying to Mr. Manola, ‘And they think hooch is being made there! A good blind!” And then he laughed.’

MacBride stepped back, stroking his jaw. Judith threw Kerr an embarrassed look, but he came to her and took her hand. “It’s all right, Judith. I’m awfully glad you’re safe.”

“I’ve been awful, Ted. And yet you’re so kind.” Feeling his arm about her, she laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ll never — never do it again, Ted — never.”

MacBride clipped suddenly, “Ted, I’ve got a hunch. That brewery. I wonder if something besides beer and hooch is being made there.”

Kerr looked up from Judith. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. Come on.”

Leaving Judith, Kerr flicked her cheek with his lips, and she pressed his hand.

But MacBride was calling him, and he hurried out at the captain’s heels. They strode back to the station, and MacBride hauled out Donnegan and the police car.

“Drive to that old brewery,” he clipped.

He sat back beside Kerr and lit a fresh cigar.

Kerr said, “I thought the orders were to lay off that place?”

“I said I’d lay off if they were busting the Volstead Act. But I’ve got a hunch something else is going on there.”

“What, Cap?”