Brett Halliday - Murder Takes No Holiday

Michael Shayne lifted a quizzical eyebrow at Lucy Hamilton, his pert, brown-haired secretary. They were in the crowded Calypso bar at Miamis International Airport. Lucy was seeing him off on a three-week vacation, and she had worn a new dress for the occasion, with a tight waist and a flaring skirt. From the glances she was getting, Shayne could see that he wasnt alone in thinking that she was the best-looking woman in the place.

Finish your drink, angel, he said, or that damn plane is going off without me.

Lifting her glass, she smiled at him across the little table. Dont pretend youd consider that such a tragedy.

Well, this wasnt my idea, God knows, Shayne said.

Good heavens, Michael! A person would think youd been sentenced to a term on the chain gang. Youre going off for three leisurely weeks on a romantic Caribbean island, with nothing to do but fish and swim and lie on the sand. Anybody but a stubborn mule named Michael Shayne would be looking forward to it.

As his face darkened she said quickly, putting her small hand on his, I know, Michael. I shouldnt tease you. You think you could do all that without leaving Miami. But it wouldnt work out. After the things youve been through, any ordinary man would be glad to relax for a few weeks, and let people take care of their own problems. But I know you. If you stayed in Miami, some cute little blonde would be sure to find you after a day or two, with some trouble which naturally shed be too embarrassed to take to the police. No other private detective could help her. Shed bat her eyes and take a few deep breaths, and youd be back in action again, broken ribs and all-Dont look at me like that. You know what I mean. Dr. Sanborn would never have let you out of the hospital if you hadnt promised to have a real rest, and Im going to see that you keep your promise if it kills both of us.

Shayne was grinning. How do you know there arent any cute blondes with problems where Im going?

They wont know who you are, thank goodness. They can take their problems to somebody who hasnt just got out of a hospital. And youd better not encourage them, either!

That might be easier if you were somewhere on the same island, angel, Shayne said lightly.

She colored and looked away. It seems to me weve been over that, too. But I dont mind saying it again if you didnt hear me any of the other times. I have something to think about, and I think more clearly, for some reason, when youre a few hundred miles away. Well.

She finished her drink and said briskly, We dont want to keep the chain gang waiting, do we?

Shayne laughed. He drank off his cognac, and took a sip of ice-water, after which he stood up. Taking Lucys arm, he steered her toward the door. It burst open and a tall, loose-jointed, untidy man, his hat on the back of his head, pushed in. It was Tim Rourke, a reporter on the Miami News, Michael Shaynes oldest friend in Miami.

Hey, Mike, he said. Theyre calling your plane, did you know that? I didnt think I was going to get here in time. Go ahead-I want to grab a fast shot. Youre looking nice, baby, he added to Lucy. Nice dress.

Thank you, Tim, she said, smiling.

The bar-man served him promptly, and Rourke overtook Lucy and the rangy redhaired private detective in the lobby.

You know what I did, Mike? I forgot to bring you a going-away present. That would never do. The other passengers would think you arent popular.

He veered off abruptly and headed for a news-stand. Shayne and his secretary watched, amused, while the disheveled reporter made a swift series of purchases. He returned in a moment with an armload of paperbound books and a huge box of chocolates.

Tim, you idiot, Lucy said fondly. Michael doesnt like candy.

Then the candys for you, Rourke said, putting the box into her arms. Dont read all these, Mike. Take your pick and leave the rest for the stewardess. Theres quite a cool bunch of chicks on this line-but of course an invalid like you wouldnt be interested.

He faked a punch at the redheads ribs, four of which had been fractured as a result of a fight in a speeding car that was being driven by a heroin wholesaler named Sal Rubio. The car had gone over an embankment. The hoodlum had been killed.

Tim! Lucy cried in alarm.

Dont worry, honey, Rourke told her. It wouldnt give me any satisfaction to beat up on Mike, in his present condition. Hes too puny. Get your strength back, Mike, and Ill carry you for a few fast rounds. Gate Five, he said, looking up. I do believe thats us. Now dont do anything too strenuous, pal. A little brainwork wont hurt you, but no rough-housing. Remember what the doctor told you.

He gave Shayne a large wink. Lucy demanded, Just what do you mean by that, Tim?

Not a thing, Rourke said innocently. But Ive known this character longer than you have. Wherever he goes, for some strange reason things seem to happen. And the big son of a- He caught himself. Excuse me. The big baboon usually comes out with a nice piece of change. What I wanted to say, Mike, he said more seriously, is you scratch my back and Ill scratch yours. When I steer something somebodys way, I expect first crack at it for the News. Do you get my point?

Hell, no, Shayne said easily, and if I didnt know you so well, Id say youd been drinking.

Never touch the stuff.

Lucy studied Tim suspiciously for another moment, and turned to Shayne.

Dont look at me, the detective said. I dont know what the hell hes talking about, if hes talking about anything.

Well, I only hope I dont live to regret this. Coming up on her toes, she gave him a glancing kiss on the cheek. Send me a postcard every day, Michael.

He put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a rough hug, feeling a stab of pain in his rib-cage. Goodbye, Miss Hamilton. This is going to be a long three weeks.

He turned quickly. Passing through the gate with long, purposeful strides, he followed the red carpet to the big bird that was waiting for him on the hardtop. Lucy and Tim Rourke climbed to the observation deck to watch the take-off. The stewardess-and Shayne noted with amusement that she was as trim and attractive as Rourke had predicted-consulted her clipboard. She made a check beside his name and led him down the aisle. Halfway to the end she stopped, puzzled, and looked at her board again. The seat assigned to Michael Shayne was taken.

May I see your reservation, sir? she asked politely.

A rumpled, heavily-built man, holding a dispatch case on his lap, looked up, and Shayne recognized Jack Malloy, the customs agent-in-charge, a former Miami cop.

Malloy heaved himself up. You just about got in under the wire, Mike. I was beginning to think that Tim Rourke was wrong.

What about Tim? Shayne said.

I ran into him this afternoon, and he told me you were taking this plane.

The stewardess cleared her throat unhappily. Im afraid theres been a mistake. I must ask to see your ticket, sir.

Im not going with you, dear, Malloy said, so relax. I cleared it with the boys up front. But for Gods sake dont let them take off with me aboard. Its just the sort of thing that captain of yours would think is funny.

She looked doubtful, but tucked the clipboard under her arm and let him squeeze past.

Come on back here, Mike, Malloy said. Something I want to ask you.

Shayne exchanged a look with the stewardess and shrugged. He tossed the books Rourke had given him onto the vacant seat and followed Malloy back to the narrow galley. The customs agent let him go in first. He remained in the doorway himself, turned sideways so he could watch the passengers.

This isnt the way I like to work, he said. Its pretty public. But it seemed like too good a chance to pass up. Ive been trying to track you down all afternoon.