Fletcher Flora - The First Golden Age of Mystery & Crime MEGAPACK™: 26 Stories by Fletcher Flora

The Two-Faced Corpse was originally published in New Detective, April 1952.

As I Lie Dead was originally published in Manhunt, February 1953.

Ill Kill for You was originally published in Giant Manhunt #2 (1953).

A Long Way to K.c. was originally published in Giant Manhunt #3 (1954).

Heels Are for Hating was originally published in Manhunt, February 1954.

Murder of a Mouse was originally published in Verdict Detective Story Magazine #5 1955.

Points South was originally published in Manhunt, June 1954.

Two Little Hands was originally published in Manhunt, December 1954.

Handy Man was originally published in Manhunt, February 1956.

Loose Ends was originally published in Manhunt, August 1958.

The Witness Was a Lady was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, March 1960. Copyright 1960, renewed 1988 by Davis Publications.

She Asked for It was originally published in Manhunt, August 1960.

Tune Me In was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, September 1960. Copyright 1960, renewed 1988 by Davis Publications.

The Spent Days was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, June 1961.

Bonus Boy was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, September 1963. Copyright 1963, renewed 1991 by Davis Publications.

Mrs. Dearlys Special Day was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, July 1963. Copyright 1963, renewed 1991 by Davis Publications.

Six Reasons for Murder was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, March 1964. Copyright 1964 by Fletcher Flora.

How? When? Who? was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, September 1964. Copyright 1964 by Fletcher Flora.

The Satin-Quilted Box was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, December 1964. Copyright 1964 by Fletcher Flora.

My Father Died Young was originally published in Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, July 1965. Copyright 1965 by Fletcher Flora.

Wait and See was originally published in The Saint Mystery Magazine, December 1965. Copyright 1965 by Fletcher Flora.

Obituary was originally published in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Magazine, March 1966. Copyright 1966 by Fletcher Flora.

The Happenstance Snatch was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, May 1966. Copyright 1966 by Fletcher Flora.

Cousin Kelly was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, June 1967. Copyright 1967 by Fletcher Flora.

Refuge was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, October 1968. Copyright 1968 by Fletcher Flora.

Something Priceless was originally published in Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, November 1968. Copyright 1968 by Fletcher Flora.

Fletcher Flora (19141968) was born in Kansas and served in the U.S. Army in the Far East during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He married Betty Ogden in 1940, and in 1945 was appointed Education Adviser to the Department of the Army, a position he held till 1963.

Beginning in the 1950s, he wrote a string of 20 novels mysteries, lesbian novels, suspense, and three pseudonymously as Ellery Queen. He wrote more than 160 short stories for the leading mystery mystery magazines of the day, including Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Magazine, Manhunt, and many more.

Wildside Press purchased his copyrights in early 2015 and has been working to bring his classic material back into print.

Enjoy!

John Betancourt

Publisher, Wildside Press LLC

Originally published in New Detective, April 1952.

Hank Torgens got a place called the Zero Club, Malory told Lonigan. Well go there.

The place was locked up tight. Malory banged and waited. After a minute, he banged and kept on banging. A key rattled suddenly in the lock on the inside, and the door was jerked violently inward away from Malorys persistent knuckles. A Galento-type guy with shirt sleeves rolled back off hairy forearms stood in the opening.

What the hells the idea, trying to knock the door down? You looking for a fat lip, maybe?

Were looking for Hank Torgen, goon. Now tell us hes not here.

Okay. He aint here.

Thats a good boy. Now well just come in and look around.

The fat guy cocked a hairy arm and moved forward. Malory waved a badge under his flat nose, and the cocked arm came down.

Oh. Coppers.

Yeah. You must be new around here, goon.

Thats twice youve called me goon. Lay off.

Sure, goon. Take my advice. Learn to recognize the right faces.

Malory pushed in, Lonigan at his heels. They went down a short hall, past the check stand, into the main room of the club. Later on, at playtime, it would be soft-lighted and crammed with ersatz gaiety. Now it didnt have its makeup on. Glitter washed out in gray light. About as gay as a crutch.

In a back hall that abandoned all pretense of luxury, Malory knuckled a door and pushed in without waiting for an invitation. From behind a desk, a man with a broad, rocky face looked up from under craggy brows. His eyes were the color of slate and looked about as hard. When he saw who his visitors were, he stood up. Five feet eight or nine, vertical. Horizontal, there wouldnt have been much difference. Built to last.

Hello, Malory. You didnt give me time to say come in.

I knew wed be welcome.

Sure. Any time, Malory. Find a chair.

Malory did. Lonigan stayed by the door, standing. Sitting behind his desk again, Hank Torgen reached for a bottle.

Drink?

No, thanks. Ask me some time when Im not official.

I never see you when youre not official.

Yeah. I guess thats right. Its hell to work for a living, isnt it?

A smile brushed Torgens lips. Really just the shadow of one. There wasnt any humor in it.

I know my line. Im supposed to say I wouldnt know. You might be surprised. I might work harder than you think.

Maybe. There are lots of ways to make a living. I guess you could call any of them working. Seen Trixy Vincent lately, Hank?

The slate-colored eyes were suddenly very still. So was the blocky body. Only the lips moved.

Come off, Malory. Trixy took a powder over a year ago. You know that.

Sure. I know. Right after the Cornelius Jewelry Store heist, wasnt it? I always had an idea Trixy might have crossed someone on that job. You sure you havent seen him?

I havent seen him. I havent been looking.

No? Neither have I. But Ive seen him just the same. In an apartment out on Eighteenth. Hed had a job of plastic surgery done. Didnt look like the same old Trixy at all. It was him, though. Right here in town all the time, Hank.

This a joke, copper?

Not to Trixy. Hes dead. Someone gunned him.

A long sigh hissed between Torgens stiff lips. He stirred in his chair, and a little life returned to his eyes.

Tough. Thanks for telling me, Malory. Ill want to send flowers.

I thought you would. You with friends all last night, Hank?

Youre wasting your time. Ive always got friends around.

Sure, Malory said, getting up. A guy as popular as you never has to worry about being lonely. Or guilty. Thanks, Hank. See you around.

He went out, collecting Lonigan at the door. In the car, he took the wheel himself and drove slowly around the block. Not quite all the way. On the side street coming hack, he pulled to the curb and stopped.