Cat of Many Tails
- Автор: Куин (Квин) Эллери
- Серия: Ellery Queen #20
- Год: 1949
- Язык: английский
- Год: Little, Brown & Company
- Жанр: Классические детективы
Электронная книга - «Cat of Many Tails». Краткое содержание книги:
Clues were nonexistent. Ellery had to employ all his canny skill and play every hunch before he could find even a hopeful direction in which to move. Then he opened the throttle, using the police, the mayor, the psychiatrists, even the enamored heirs of two of the CAT’S victims, to speed into a climax as astounding as it is incontrovertible.
The Registrar of Records went out with a bang.
But immediately the door opened and the Registrar stepped back into his office, shut the door with care, and said in a confidential tone, “A doctor who would go back to murder the people he himself brought into the world — why, gentlemen, he’s nothing but a lunatic. How in hell did you let him weasel his way into your investigation?”
And the Registrar stamped out.
“This isn’t,” said the Inspector, “going to be easy.”
“No.”
“There’s no evidence.”
Ellery nibbled a thumbnail on the Registrar’s desk.
“He’ll have to be watched day and night. Twenty-four out of twenty-four. We’ve got to know what he’s doing every minute of every hour of the day.”
Ellery continued to nibble.
“There mustn’t be a tenth,” said the Inspector, as if he were explaining something abstruse, top-secret, and of global importance. Then he laughed. “That cartoonist on the Extra doesn’t know it but he’s run out of tails. Let me get to that phone, Ellery.”
“Dad.”
“What, son?”
“We’ve got to have the run of that apartment for a few hours.” Ellery took out a cigaret.
“Without a warrant?”
“And tip him off?”
The Inspector frowned.
“Getting rid of the maid ought to present no problem. Pick her day off. No, this is Friday and the chances are she won’t be off till the middle of next week. I can’t wait that long. Does she sleep in?”
“I don’t know.”
“I want to get in there over the weekend, if possible. Do they go to church?”
“How should I know? That cigaret won’t draw, Ellery, because you haven’t lit it. Hand me the phone.”
Ellery handed it to him. “Whom are you going to put on him?”
“Hesse. Mac. Goldberg.”
“All right.”
“Police Headquarters.”
“But I’d like to keep this thing,” said Ellery, putting the cigaret back into his pocket, “exclusive and as far away from Centre Street as you can manage it.”
His father stared.
“We really don’t know a thing... Dad.”
“What?”
Ellery uncoiled from the desk. “Come right home, will you?”
“You going home?”
But Ellery was already closing the door.
Inspector Queen called from his foyer, “Son?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s all set—” he stopped.
Celeste and Jimmy were on the sofa.
“Hello,” said the Inspector.
“We were waiting for you, Dad.”
His father looked at him.
“No. I haven’t told them yet.”
“Told us what?” demanded Jimmy.
“We know about the Katz boy,” began Celeste. “But—”
“Or has the Cat walked again?”
“No.” Ellery scrutinized them. “I’m ready,” he said. “How about you?”
“Ready for what?”
“To go to work, Celeste.”
Jimmy got up.
“Sit down, Jimmy.” Jimmy sat down. “This time it’s the McCoy.”
Celeste grew quite pale.
“We’re on the trail of something,” said Ellery. “Exactly what, we’re still not sure. But I think I can say that for the first time since the Cat got going there’s something encouraging to work on.”
“What do I do?” asked Jimmy.
“Ellery,” said the Inspector.
“No, Dad, it’s safer this way. I’ve thought it over very carefully.”
“What do I do?” asked Jimmy again.
“I want you to get me a complete dossier on Edward Cazalis.”
“Cazalis?”
“Dr. Cazalis?” Celeste was bewildered. “You mean—”
Ellery looked at her.
“Sorry!”
“Dossier on Cazalis,” said Jimmy. “And?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, please. As I said, we don’t know where we are... Jimmy, what I want is an intimate sketch of his life. Trivial details solicited. This isn’t just a Who’s Who assignment. I could do that myself. As a working newspaperman you’re in a perfect position to dig up what I want, and without arousing suspicion.”
“Yes,” said Jimmy.
“No hint to anyone about what you’re working on. That goes in spades for your people at the Extra. When can you start?”
“Right away.”
“How long will it take you?”
“I don’t know. Not long.”
“Do you suppose you could have a good swatch of it for me by... say... tomorrow night?” _
“I can try.” Jimmy rose.
“By the way. Don’t go near Cazalis.”
“No.”
“Or anyone connected with him closely enough so that word might get back to him that somebody’s asking questions about him.”
“I understand.” Jimmy lingered.
“Yes?” said Ellery.
“What about Celeste?”
Ellery smiled.
“Got you, got you,” said Jimmy, flushing. “Well, folks...”
“Celeste has nothing to do yet, Jimmy. But I do want you to go home, Celeste, pack a bag or two, and come back here to live.”
“What?” said the Inspector and Jimmy together.
“That is, Dad, if you have no objection.”
“Er, no. None at all. Glad to have you, Miss Phillips. The only thing is,” said the Inspector, “if I’m to get any rest I’d better stake out my bed right now. Ellery, if there’s a call — anything at all — be sure and wake me.” And he retreated to his bedroom rather hurriedly.
“Live here, you said,” said Jimmy.
“Yes.”
“Sounds tasty, but is it kosher?”
“Mr. Queen.” Celeste hesitated.
“On second thought,” said Jimmy, “this is a very delicate situation. It raises all sorts of possible conflicts.”
“I’m going to need you, Celeste — when I do — on a moment’s notice.” Ellery frowned. “I can’t predict when it will be. If it’s late at night and you weren’t at my fingertips—”
“No, sir,” said Jimmy, “I can’t say I’m wild about this development.”
“Will you be quiet and let me think?” cried Celeste.
“I should tell you, too, that it may be quite dangerous.”
“So taking it all in all,” said Jimmy, “I don’t think it’s such a hot idea, darling. Do you?”
Celeste ignored him.
“I’ll say it’s dangerous! It’s also downright immoral! What will people say?”
“Oh, muffle it, Jimmy,” said Ellery. “Celeste, if my plans work out you’re going to be right up there on the razor’s edge. Now’s the time for you to jump off. If you’re going to do any jumping at all.”
Celeste rose. “When do I move in?”
Ellery grinned. “Sunday night will do.”
“I’ll be here.”
“You’ll have my room. I’ll bed down in the study.”
“I hope,” said Jimmy bitterly, “you’ll both be very happy.”
He watched Jimmy boost Celeste rudely into a taxi and then shamble angrily up the street. Ellery began wandering about the living room. He felt exhilarated. Jumpy. Finally, he sat down in the armchair. The hand that cut the cord. Tightened it. The end flows from the beginning.
The circular madness of paranoia.
God in the fingertips.
Was it possible?
Ellery had the feeling that he sat on the brink of a vast peace.
But he had to wait.
From some stronghold he had to summon the reserve to wait.
9
Inspector Queen phoned home a little after noon on Saturday to announce that everything was arranged for the following day.
“How long will we have?”
“Long enough.”