Sudden Life Part 7 (Conclusion)

Sudden Life Part 7 (Conclusion) 

Booley moved fast.

“McCann, look after Chet,” he said, as he closed in on Eddie.

The sleeve on Chet’s left arm was turning  bloody.

“We need a tourniquet,” I said.

Ruth came over. “We’ll use his belt.”

Between us we guided Chet to one of the chairs, and wrapped his belt around his arm. Alexander had dialled, and was talking to someone about sending an ambulance.

Booley snapped cuffs on Edwin.

“Edwin McGrath, I’m arresting you on a charge of attempted murder of a peace officer. Other charges may follow. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you. You will have access to counsel of your choice.”

 He turned Eddie around and began to march him to the door. 

“How are you doing, Chet?”

 “Fine, chief. It’s just a flesh wound, see. It missed the bone.” He tried to lift his arm.

“Good. Mr Alexander, would you call the station and ask Rose to send Branson over here. Also, have her call Chet’s wife and tell her Chet’s been wounded and will be in the hospital in a few minutes. Kindly wait for Deputy Branson so he can take your statements.”

Millie had gone silent, watching Booley guide Eddie out of the room. Ruth came over to her and sat down.

“I don’t think you want to think too much about Eddie,” she said. Millie turned towards her. She was looking at something that only she could see.

“He said he loved me,” she whispered. “He said we’d go away to Brazil. He said we’d never have to worry about money again.”

“I’m sorry,” Ruth said. “He was no good. I’ve known that ever since we were kids.”

She touched Millie on the arm.

“He wouldn’t share his toys. We had to give him one of ours when we wanted to play with one of his. When we were older he charged us rent. He was always looking for a way to make money. We tried to keep him in line, but I guess we failed.”

Alexander watched and listened. He didn’t like what he saw and heard, but he didn’t contradict his sister.

“I think you might take Millie home with you, “ he said. “Keep her with you for a few days. Will that be okay with you, Miss LaGrange?”

Millie nodded.

“Come along to my office, Millie, you can write up your statement there,” Ruth said.Branson was in his forties. A big man, he looked like what he was, a competent, experienced cop. He read our statements, and asked us each to clarify and fill in gaps. He took our revised signed statements and witnessed our signatures.

“Miss LaGrange, I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me. You’ll be charged with being an accessory to embezzlement.” He gazed at Ruth Doherty with blandly guileless eyes. “Mrs Doherty, perhaps you’d like to accompany Miss LaGrange?”

*****

I typed up my final report and rewrote the invoice, showing both Romero’s and Ruth Doherty’s share. I made out a check for $20.90, the refund owing on her retainer. I figured Booley would let me make copies, so I drove over. Booley waved me to the copy machine.

I was about to leave when he invited me into his office. The spot above my left shoulder still fascinated him. I couldn’t tell if it had changed.

“Eddie McGrath made a full statement. Lloyd Muncaster objected, but Eddie insisted. It’s quite a story.”

He looked at the desk. Whatever he was looking for wasn’t there.

“Said he figured he could skim the takings from the Romero franchise. He didn’t know that Doherty was Romero’s man until the four trouble shooters showed up.”

The invisible spot attracted his attention for a moment or two.

“I didn’t know either, though I did have my suspicions, if that’s any consolation. Which it isn’t. He thought Doherty was dead, like we all did. When Ruth told him Doherty had called her, he hired a hit man. From Philadelphia, he said.”

Booley stared hard at me.

“A lawyer showed up here about an hour ago, said he represented that guy who tried to rob you. Arranged bail for him, and took him away.”

He leaned across the desk and stared even harder.

“Here’s what I think. I think Mr John Brown tried to kill you, courtesy of Eddie McGrath. So why would Romero want him?”

I shrugged. “As far as I know, Romero will make some kind of deal with Philadelphia”, I said. “He said something about money for the widows and orphans.”

“Ah, OK, that makes sense.” Booley leaned back and checked on the invisible spot. It still hadn’t moved.

“I guess you’re done here, then?”

“Yeah, I just have to take my final report over to Mrs Doherty”.

“Well, McCann, thanks for your work. I’ll be in touch if it looks like you might be called to testify.”

He stood up and held out his hand.

Ruth Doherty sighed when I told her of Eddie’s confession. “Eddie always exaggerated when he thought he’d won,” she said. “I suppose he wants to make himself out to be some kind of criminal mastermind.”

She studied the invoice.

“This seems to be in order,” she said. “Are you returning to Orange Grove today?”

“I’ll stay over till tomorrow,” I said.

“Good. I don’t want this.” She handed me the refund check. “Take Rachel out to dinner with it.” She smiled, suddenly pleased with herself.

“Oh don’t look so surprised. I knew about you and Rachel before noon the next day. Just be good to her.”

Rachel and I ate at the Tandoori Gardens. Indian food was a first for me, and so was the feeling whenever I looked at Rachel.

Next morning I asked whether I would make a good son-in-law for her parents. The look in her eyes somehow made me think of Lizzie Bennett.

“Yes,” she said.