James H. Chase - I Would Rather Stay Poor

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Book:
I Would Rather Stay Poor
Author:
James H Chase
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Genre:
Books / Detective and thriller
Year:
1974
Rating:
4 / 5
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I WOULD RATHER STAY POOR

James Hadley Chase

CHAPTER TWO

Easton, Sheriff Thomson and Travers sat in the sheriff s office. The time was twenty minutes past eight p.m. Easton was sipping a glass of milk. The sheriff and Travers were drinking beer. They had listened to the eight oclock broadcast, giving a des cription of Johnny and of the Lincoln car.

The sudden sound of the telephone bell brought the three men alert.

Here we go, the sheriff said and reached for the telephone. He listened to a mans voice that came over the line.

Okay, Mr. Oakes, he said. Sure, Ive got it. Well be right over if youll wait for us. Yeah say in thirty minutes. He hung up and looked at Easton, Oakes of Triumph Car Mart at Downside. Hes pretty sure he sold the Lincoln to our friend.

Easton finished his milk and stood up.

You stick here, sheriff, in case any more leads come in. Ken and me will go see this guy.

Thirty minutes later, Easton and Travers walked into the brightly lit car mart.

Seeing them come, Fred Oakes, a fat, elderly man, hurried towards them.

After introductions, he sa id, This fella matched the des cription I heard on the radio. He was tall, heavily built and he had black sideboards and a moustache. He wore a belted, fawn-coloured coat.

Just when did you see him, Mr. Oakes? Easton asked.

Ive got the exact date and the time, Oakes said. I have it all right here for you, together with the fellas address. He gave Easton a copy of the sale receipt of the Lincoln, bearing an address.

Easton scratched the side of his neck as he stared at the address.

Johnny Acres, 12477, California Drive, Los Angeles, he intoned. Probably phoney. Anyway, Ill check. He looked at Oakes, Could you identify this man again?

Fred Oakes nodded. Although his feet ached and he was tired, he wa s enjoying being questioned. He knew for sure he would see his name in the papers the following day: maybe, even a photograph.

Id know him anywhere.

Was he alone?

Yes.

How did he pay?

In cash. He gave me sixty ten-dollar bills.

Any chance of examining the bills?

Oakes shook his head.

We do most of our business in cash. The moneys been banked days ago.

Travers asked, Mr. Oakes, how did you react to this man as a man? Did you like him?

Oakes was quick to understand what Travers meant.

I couldnt say I took to him. I didnt pay much attention to him, but I got the impression he wasnt the sort of guy youd pick for a friend. I cant say why. There was something about him then he had this habit of humming under his breath. It irritated me.

Travers became alert.

Humming under his breath?

Thats right. Whenever I was talking to him, he started this low humming sound sort of an unconscious habit I guess.

Easton said impatien tl y, Never mind that stuff, le t s have the details of the car. I want the licence number, the engine number and the make of tyres.

Oakes supplied the information and Easton jotted it down. Then shaking Oakess hand, Easton got back into his car.

Well, heres something for the S.A. to work on, he said as Travers joined him. We should be able to pick up the car pretty fast. Im going back to the office. What do you want to do?

Drop me off at the station, Travers said. Ill take a train back.

As Easton headed for the station, he said, Weve got to find out where this guy kept the Lincoln. He bought it nearly a month ago. He must have kept it somewhere. Ill have the S.A. put out another broadcast.

He could have left it in one of the big parking lots at Down side, Travers said. No one would notice it. The parking lot by the railroad station has cars on it night and day. He could have left it there.

Yeah, I guess thats right.

Youll tell the S.A. about this guys habit of humming under his breath? He might be on record, Travers said. The sideboards and the moustache can be removed, but when you have an unconscious habit like that, you dont lose it.

Ill tell him, Easton said grudgingly, but I dont reckon somehow hes an old-timer.

He pulled up outside the station.

See you tomorrow, Travers said, getting out. Will you be over?

I guess so, Easton returned and with a wave of his hand, he started the car.

Hey! Wait! Travers yelled.

Easton pulled up and peered out of the car window. Travers was staring across at the vast car park. The light was failing, but his sharp eyes had spotted a car that aroused his attention.

Look at that Lincoln, he said, pointing. A red top and a grey body. Could be the one we want. The third car in the second row.

Easton scrambled out of his car and peered into the gloom.

Damned if I can see it, he muttered, then as Travers started towards the parking lot, he joined him. They paused finally beside the Lincoln.

Its the one! Travers said. Look the licence number!

What a break! Easton said excitedly.

Wed better get it towed to headquarters, Travers said. The boys will want to go over it. Ill wait here if youll get a wrecking crew.

Easton hurried over to the telephone booth by the railroad station and called the Downside Police Headquarters.

While Travers waited, he peered through the windows of the looked car, shining his torch onto the empty seats.

Easton returned.

Theyre coming right away, he said. Maybe well get his prints.

I bet we dont, Travers returned. Im beginning to respect Mr. Acres. Hes playing it smart. He leaves a trail a mile wide to the station by talking about the Frisco train, then he leaves his car right here for us to find. I have an idea he could still be in the district.

Easton pushed his hat to the back of his head and wiped his forehead.

You keep sounding off about this guy, he said, but hows about the girl? Theyre in this together, arent they?

For her sake, I hope so.

What does that mean? Easton asked, staring. Dont lets get this thing complicated. Its bad enough the way it is without adding to ou r troubles.

Ten minutes later, the wrecking crew arrived and towed the Lincoln to police headquarters.

Easton and Travers stood under an arc lamp while three detectives began a systematic examination of the car.

It wasnt until they opened the boot that they found Alices body.

It came as no surprise to Travers. He had been sure, when eventually she was found, Alice would be dead.

Calvin didnt get back to the rooming-house until after eight oclock. The auditors had worked late, and he had been obliged to hang around until they finally decided to leave the rest of the work until the following day.

He opened the front door silently. He could hear the familiar sound of the television and guessed that Major Hardy and Miss Pearson had settled down to their evening soporific entertainment.

He had had a snack dinner with the auditors and he was now feeling relaxed. He moved quietly up the stairs to his room. Closing the door, he took off his coat, ripped off his tie and sank into the armchair.

He was pleased that his nerves were so steady. It had been an anxious day, but he had weathered it, and now, he began to wonder what progress Easton had made.

When Easton had called on him, Calvin had quickly realised that this man neednt worry him. He had expected much sterner opposition. The sight of the short, fat, balding agent had done much to calm Calvins jumping nerves and restore his confidence. But he was aware that although Easton appeared inefficient, Ken Travers had to be reckoned with. This young man was smart, alert and ambitious. He would be the one to watch.

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