“I don’t like this,” Sam said. The drawers and the dressers of the bedroom were open, clothing pulled out. “What was he looking for? He only went through the drawers in the bedroom.”
“What are you thinking? Blackmail? Maybe she was blackmailing someone.” Dugan came to stand next to Sam as he looked over the scene. “I wish I could see what you see half the time. It really drives me nuts.”
“Well, I’m thinking he wanted a souvenir,” Sam said.
“Oh shit,” Dugan said. And that about summed it up. “Panties?”
“Maybe that’s what he was looking for. Started at the dresser over there, when he didn’t find what he was looking for came to the dresser over here and jackpot. Found what he was looking for, discarded the envelope full of cash that she had hidden in with her undergarments and left.”
“Now what?” Dugan asked.
“Now, we talk to the landlord.”
They found Gordon Wright leaning against the wall outside of the apartment. His dark eyes looked at both the detectives and then settled on Sam either because he was smart enough to know he was in charge or smart enough to know he didn’t want to deal with the hulking mass that was Jimmy Dugan.
“Miss Burns has lived here for two years?” Sam asked.
“Yes,” Wright said. “But it is Mrs. Burns.”
“Married?” Dugan asked.
“Divorced. I’m not positive it has gone through yet, though. I assume it has.” Wright said. “She’s already engaged again.”
“Quick work,” Dugan muttered.
“Do you know the husband’s and the fiancé’s names?” Sam asked.
“The husband is Mark Burns. The fiancé is Brian Foley.”
“You know a lot about your tenants, Mr. Wright? Why is that?” Sam asked.
“I run a respectable place here, Officer. I get to know my tenants. I like to know what is going on in my building and who is coming and going.”
“How very old-fashioned of you,” Dugan said.
“Who was in and out of Mrs. Burns’ apartment last night?” Sam asked.
“I didn’t see anyone last night.” Wright said.
“Are you sure?” Dugan asked. “Think real hard.”
“I’m sure,” Wright said.
“How about you?” Sam asked. “When is the last time you were in Mrs. Burns’ apartment?”
“I really have no idea, Officer,” Wright said.
“You can call me Detective Lucas, Mr. Wright. Think back. When was the last time you were in her apartment?”
“I don’t know,” Wright said. “At least a month ago. Probably more.”
“She was a pretty girl. Are you sure it has been more than a month since you’ve been in her apartment?”
“Something like that. I can’t remember exactly.”
“My partner is going to need to take your fingerprints,” Sam said.
“Fingerprints? Why do you need my fingerprints?”
“Nothing to worry about if you haven’t been in that apartment for over a month.” Dugan said. “Come with me, chief.”
“I said probably more than a month, it could have been earlier.” Wright said as Dugan led him away. Sam laughed as the short man wobbled down the hall, panic in his voice.
CHAPTER 7
August 21, 1960
Boris Flick stared through Sam and into another dimension. He had given absolutely no indication that he had even heard a single word. Pictures of the crime scene spread out across the cold metal table that sat between the two men. A creepy toothless smile sat on Flick’s face. There was a knock at the door, and it opened. Jack Ballant entered the room and motioned to Sam.
“Come on,” Ballant said. “You’re wasting your time. Let Dugan have him.”
The creepy smile left the frail man’s face and he turned his head slightly in the direction of Ballant. The captain nodded his head. “Yeah, I think you’ll like Dugan, Mr. Flick. He really, really wants to talk to you.”
Flick’s eyes moved away and stared at the wall in front of him. Sam slammed his fist down on the table and Flick flinched. “If that scared you, you’re in for a big surprise.” Ballant followed Sam out and closed the door gently behind him.
“I just need more time, Jack,” Sam said. “He wants to spill.”
“I’m sure you’re right, Sam. You always are, but you have something else on your plate now. We all have our talents. This is why you and Dugan work so well together. Duke and Pain.” Sam cringed. “I know you hate it, Sam. That’s why I never call you it. Dugan likes being called Pain, which is odd, because if I was part of that duo, I’d rather be called Duke than Pain.”
“Dugan is a strange guy,” Sam said.
Dugan came around the corner. “Did someone say my name?”
“Yeah, Pain,” Ballant said.
“Is it my turn? Goody-goody.” Dugan rubbed his hands together gleefully.
“I can get it,” Sam said.
“Not fast enough,” Ballant said. “I want you working the Burns case. That is your priority now. You got Flick. We have enough on him now to take him to trial.”
“That’s right, we do,” Sam said. “We don’t need a confession.”
“The district attorney always wants a confession,” Dugan said. “And I always deliver. So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to have a little talk with Boris the Prick Flick or maybe just Boris Prick. What do you think, Duke?”
“Try not to kill him,” Sam said and walked away.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” Dugan asked.
“I don’t think he appreciates our methods,” Ballant said. “His conscience gets in the way sometimes.”
“Good thing I don’t have one of those, isn’t it?” Dugan said. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a date with a Prick.”
“No,” Ballant said.
“Don’t fuck with me, Jack,” Dugan said. “Lucas may not like my methods. Hell, I don’t like my methods sometimes either. I enjoy them, maybe too much, but it is the one thing I bring to the table that no one else can.”
“I know that, Dugan,” Ballant said.
“What? No Pain? Was that just for Lucas?”
“He was irritating me,” Ballant said. “But no go on Flick.”
“Prick,” Dugan said. “Get with the program.”
“I want him to stew for a little bit. When I told him that I was giving him to you, I got a reaction. It made him nervous. We let him stew and maybe you won’t have to get too far with him before he spills everything.”
“Well, fuck that,” Dugan said and walked away.
Ballant watched him go and shook his head. It always irritated him that he had to deal with his men like they were a bunch of frat boys. He went looking for Sam. He found him sitting at his desk going through a file.
“Dugan get the confession already?” Sam asked not looking up from the file.
“I told Dugan to let Prick stew for a little bit,” Ballant said.