The Cats Pajamas

Chapter 20

Stu went back to the motel, packed his clothes, and headed for Southern California. He didn't drive as cautiously as he had when first heading north; he was more concerned with Jeff and his partner's involvement with Glen Manchester. Especially since he was the reason for the involvement.

No matter how much he wanted to be home as fast as possible, it would take him a minimum of twelve to fourteen hours to get there. And he was going to worry the whole way about why he'd ever thought it was a bright idea to flee to Northern California and leave Jeff holding the bag at the office.

But Jeff had figured out a way to accomplish what he hadn't been able to; worm his way into Manchester's organization and still be there after almost three weeks. Now Stuart wondered just how close his partner had been able to get to the crime lord. At least he knew that Jeff was alright, according to Gil, and that was the important part. If that would last just one more day . . . he'd be home. He'd convinced himself that the best thing to do was turn himself in to the police and fight out the bogus charge in the court system. As long as that would keep Spencer from getting hurt or killed.

Down in Boyle Heights, at that very moment, Jeff was trying to figure out how to get Manchester talking about who really killed Claude Bell. They were almost half-way through the meal when Glen gave him an opening, and Jeff jumped at it. "Didn't you ever have any trouble with the cops, boss?"

"No, not really. Well, there was one . . . that Aiken kid. But Bell took care of him for me."

"Claude Bell?"

"Yeah, Claude Bell." Manchester dug into what remained of his pasta, while Jeff tried to frame the next question.

"What happened to Bell? We didn't hear much down in Florida."

The crime boss shrugged. "I had Weston put three bullets in him." Manchester chuckled, reveling in his brilliance. "And the best part was, we framed that damned private eye, Bailey. Georgie shot Claude with Bailey's gun and Bailey ran. The cops are still lookin' for him. Genius, that was sheer genius."

"Sounds like it, boss." Jeff did his level best not to grin. He'd gotten everything he was after . . . at least he hoped he'd gotten everything he was after. As long as he wasn't too far away from Dolling and the recorder. Just to be safe he accompanied Manchester back to the warehouse.

"You want me to close up, boss?" he asked when it appeared Manchester was ready to call it a night.

"Yeah, would you? And check downstairs to make sure that cat hasn't found a way back in."

"Will do. Night," he offered when it became obvious Glen was leaving first.

"Goodnight," and Manchester headed down the stairs.

Jeff waited almost five minutes before he locked the office and went downstairs into the warehouse. He opened a window in back and stuck his head out. "Dolling, hey Dolling," he called, and he saw the tech exit the van and walk towards the open window. "Could you hear him? Did you get it?"

"It was perfect," Dolling replied, and Jeff blew out a breath.

"You don't know how bad I wanted to . . ." and Jeff quit. Nothing further was needed. "Now what?"

"Now we take the recording back to Gilmore. If he's satisfied, he calls off the manhunt."

"I'm gonna follow you down." Jeff already had the DeSoto keys in his hand.

"What's the matter, you don't want to work for Manchester anymore?"

"Not a second longer than I have to."

XXXXXXXX

Lieutenant Gilmore pushed the button and the recording began to play.

"Didn't you ever have any trouble with the cops, boss?"

"No, not really. Well, there was one . . . that Aiken kid. But Bell took care of him for me."

"Claude Bell?"

"Yeah, Claude Bell."

"What happened to Bell? We didn't hear much down in Florida."

"I had Weston put three bullets in him. And the best part was, we framed that damned private eye, Bailey. Georgie shot Claude with Bailey's gun and Bailey ran. The cops are still lookin' for him. Genius, that was sheer genius."

Gil pushed the stop button and looked up at Jeff. "Perfect, Mr. Spencer. Stay here and let me play it for the DA. If he's okay with it we'll put out an all-points bulletin calling off the search for Stu."

"Then I can call him and tell him to come home," Jeff enthused.

"No, you can't," Gil started to explain.

"And why not?"

"Because he's already on his way." Gil smiled as if it was all his idea.

"How do you know that?"

"Right after I hung up on our phone call, Stu called me. He insisted he was coming home so you wouldn't have to work with Manchester any longer."

Jeff grinned. That sounded exactly like Stu. God, he'd missed his partner. "Then hurry and see what the District Attorney has to say. I don't want some overzealous police officer to 'take down' the wanted murderer."

Dolling removed the tape and the two policemen headed for the DA's office. Jeff sat down and lit a cigarette. Then he pulled Joey Francini's driver's license and badge from his back pocket and laid them on the desk. Spencer blew a ring of smoke out and relaxed for the first time in weeks. He wanted to call Suzanne and tell her he'd done it; he'd actually gotten Glen Manchester to confess, but he knew that she would've already left for the day.

He grew impatient waiting for Gil to return from the DA's office and lit another cigarette. Just about the time he finished that smoke, Gil and Dolling returned. Gilmore did not look happy. "What's wrong, Gil?" Jeff questioned.

"The DA agrees that there's enough evidence in the tape to indict Manchester. But he wants to have a confession here in the precinct before he invalidates the indictment against Stu."

"WHAT?" Jeff was so mad he couldn't see straight. "So he's going to have two men charged at the same time for the same murders?" Jeff could just see Stu being gunned down because he was, after all, a murderer under the law, and a fugitive, and if any officer decided to be a hero . . .

"That's it. I'm going up with another black-and-white to arrest Manchester and bring him back here. I assume you want to go with me?"

"Of course I do. And once we've gotten Manchester to verify he's on the tape, I'm going down to the DA's office and kick his door in."

"Now, Jeff . . . "

"I know, Gil, I know, he's only doing his job. But you know what I'm worried about. If somebody recognizes Stu or tries to stop him, God only knows what could happen."

Gil understood why Jeff was worried, but he didn't believe Bailey would try anything illegal. Which means there shouldn't be a problem. But shouldn't be doesn't always mean won't be. "Let's hurry and get this over with then," he told Jeff as he holstered his gun.

"I'm right behind you," Jeff responded as he followed Gil out the door.

To Be Continued