The Erection Set

“Yes. It seems the deceased was connected with the European underground. Incidentally, he apparently was in this country illegally. He was a French citizen with quite a lengthy criminal record.”

“Nothing more?”

“His ... killer hasn’t been identified,” he told me. ‘Dog, look, if you’re in some sort of trouble ...”

“I’m not.”

Hunter didn’t sound a bit reassured. “I hope not.”

“Look,” I said, “how about standing in for me when that stockholder’s meeting comes off.”

“I expected to, not that it will do much good. Nothing has changed except the fact that McMillan has picked up a little more support. They can still outvote you. Oh, you’ll have a seat on the board if you want, but he’ll hold the reins. The first thing that happens is that your cousins will be ousted and you’ll be left like the rest, holding a lot of worthless paper.”

“Suppose I could force his hand.”

“Dog. Nobody forces Cross McMillan’s hand. He’s a friend to no one and an enemy to most. You’re in a losing game.”

“You know what’s happening at the plant?”

“All eyewash, Dog. The picture being made there will be of temporary human interest, coupled with the fact that Barrin has a minor resurgence of activity, but after that it will be all over. Sometimes I’m sorry you even bothered to come home.”

“I’m not all the way home yet, Counselor.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say it’s like I’m on third base.”

He grunted and I could picture him shaking his head. “Then let’s say it’s like the bottom of the ninth, a weak hitter is up and there’s already two strikes on him.”

“That leaves only one answer then, friend.”

“Oh?”

“Sure, I steal home with the winning run.”

“Impossible.”

“At least it’s a chance,” I said.

XIX

S. C. Cable moved his company into Linton with all the fanfare my buddy Lee Shay and a top publicity outfit could muster. The caravan was quartered at two motels with offices in the old hotel uptown and the production crews getting the sites ready for filming. Somehow there seemed to be an aura of prosperity hanging over the town and everyone moved a little quicker and a little happier.

McMillan was playing his cards right too, making the front pages of the local paper with photos of himself, Walt Gentry and S. C. Cable, the story recounting his association with Walt in other ventures, and to the casual reader the whole deal looked like his idea to start with. It was going to make a big impression on the stockholders when the meeting took place and if there were any swing votes left, they’d damn well go to his side. Old Cross was a real cutie, all right. Funny thing was, I was beginning to like him. Good enemies were hard to come by. When he wanted something he’d go all out to get it.

The sun was starting to set in the west and I climbed up to the widow’s walk that jutted up from the roof, lay down on the weathered boards and scanned the beach area with my binoculars. A few birds were still charging at the surf, pecking furiously into the wet sand for late tidbits and the tall grass rippled under the pressure of the breeze. A quarter mile away a large stray dog sniffed among the dunes, but outside of that, the beach was empty. A pair of fishing boats cruised by, outriggers up, heading for home. The lone sportsman in the second one was stretched out on the deck enjoying the late sun. He’s lucky, I thought. Not a damn thing to think about except who was going to clean his fish.

I put the glasses back in the case, went downstairs and got into my car. It was getting to be about that time.

The few that were left were older now, wearing their regal armor of corsets and tiaras with a posture two generations old, beat-up old biddies with their aging consorts and subservient relations in strict attendance somehow dominating the ballroom of the hotel.

Rose said, “They belong to you?”

I grinned at her and shook my head. “That’s another end of the Barrin chain. The ones who made sound investments and held onto their dough.”

“Society, huh?”

“High, kiddo. Real high”

“Your cousins are stupid. Look at them kissing hands.”

“They’ll kiss more than that to stay in good with the family. Those old dolls pull a lot of weight.”

“Which one am I supposed to go after?”

“Alfie. The one with the snake face.”

“If what you think is true ...”

“It won’t go that far. I’m just hoping you’re as good an actress as you say you are.”

“When it comes to johns, I’m the best.” She looked at me over her champagne glass, one eyebrow cocked. “And if I pull this off I get a part in the picture?”

“Uh-huh. Guaranteed.”

“You sure Lee knows about this?”

“Up to a point. He’s shaky enough without giving him all the details.”

“Suppose I have to ball him?”

I laughed at her then. “You’re profession sort of calls for that sort of thing, doesn’t it?”

“So I want a bigger part”

“Okay, another page of script.”