Phantom Point
by Gary Inbinder
July 1907: Chicago is sweltering, and hard-boiled detective Max Niemand has a hot, new case. A wealthy socialite hires Max to rescue her wayward artist brother from the clutches of a femme fatale and her dubious California artists’ colony. The job is lucrative, with the promise of a large bonus for good results.
Arriving on the West Coast, Max becomes embroiled in a murder case and a fight over oil rights. In the course of his investigation, he encounters hard-nosed cops, gangsters, an Old West marshal, a tycoon, a cagey lawyer, fast cars, faster women and a malevolent gold-toothed hitman. Before long, Max realizes the odds of living long enough to collect his bonus are definitely not in his favor.
Chapter 17. Eve
The brief consultation with Dr. Weiss took place on the landing outside Max’s suite.
“He’s strong as a bull, Miss Sinclair. Banged up all right, but nothing broken and no internal injuries. He’ll have one heck of a shiner and a fat lip. Cold compresses will reduce the swelling and aspirin will help ease the pain.”
“He asked for steak, eggs, potatoes and whiskey. I thought broth and warm milk would be better. What do you advise?”
Dr. Weiss smiled, fidgeted with his pince-nez and then ran his fingers through the few remaining hairs on his freckled crown. “I’d persuade him to avoid meat until the swelling around the jaw goes down. You can compromise by giving him scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes. As for the whiskey, keep him to one glass, at least for the time being.”
“Thank you, Dr. Weiss. I’d like to go in to him, now.”
“Go right ahead, young woman. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you.”
The doctor took his leave. Eve knocked politely and entered.
Max greeted her: “So what’s the verdict? Am I going to live?”
“The doctor says you’re as strong as a bull.” Eve grabbed a small chair, walked to the bedside and sat next to Max.
“What about my dinner?” Max said. “I can’t make a full recovery on chicken broth and milk.”
“You can have scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes. No meat until the swelling goes down.” Eve smiled, leaned over and held Max’s hand. She paused before adding, “And one shot of whiskey.”
“Fair enough. Now we need to have a little talk. For starters, who are you, and why am I here?”
“All right. I’ll answer your questions, but I’ll expect you to be as frank and open with me as I am with you. We’re in the same business, you see.”
“You don’t say. So, you’re a real estate broker, too?”
Eve shook her head. “No, I’m a detective working out of Los Angeles. And you are...?”
“Max Niemand, out of Chicago. But I guess you already knew that.”
“You guessed right.”
“And how did you find out?”
“I have my sources, just as you have yours. In our line, we have to maintain confidentiality to get information. I’m sure you understand.”
“OK, for the moment we’ll let that go. You’re working for John Merwin. Not as a governess or companion for his kid, but as a private investigator. I suppose the companion act is a cover for your investigative work?”
“Right again. I’ve used it more than once.”
“By the way, where are the Merwins?”
“In San Francisco. The girl will be staying with an aunt. Mr. Merwin returns tomorrow.”
“Won’t the help think it’s funny that you’re here with the boss while the kid’s in San Francisco?”
“The help knows what you called ‘the companion act’ is a cover. But they don’t know I’m a detective. They think I’m Mr. Merwin’s mistress.”
“Makes sense. So why did Merwin hire you?”
“He hired me to obtain a document from a Los Angeles detective named Arthur Burgess.”
“I suppose you know Burgess was murdered by someone after the same document.” Max kept a poker face as he watched for any change in her expression.
“Yes, and in a way I feel partly responsible for what happened.”
“Please explain.”
“I set up a meeting with Burgess in Los Angeles. Then I made contact with someone I thought would be helpful with the case. I met that person in his hotel room about an hour before my appointment with Burgess. He...he was very persuasive, and he offered to accompany me. I agreed. He poured a couple of drinks and....” She frowned and looked down.
“He drugged you?”
She nodded in the affirmative without looking up.
“So he kept the appointment with Burgess and killed him. What did you do when you came to?”
“I telephoned Burgess’s office to warn him, but it was too late. So I drove to the First Street Bridge, where we were supposed to meet. When I got there, the police had the area closed off, so I left.”
“Did you report this?”
“No... not yet.”
“I guess you fouled up. But sooner or later you’ll have to talk to the cops. The guy who conned you is a murder suspect.”
“I know I fouled up, the same way you fouled up with Virginia Moore.” She let go of Max’s hand and looked him in the eye.
“What are you talking about?”
“She helped you gain entry to Williams’ office, where Placco was waiting with his sap.”
“How do you know that?”
“I had you tailed. You were so occupied with Placco’s shadow, you never noticed mine.”
“So you think Virginia tipped off Placco?” Max was caught off guard, but he didn’t show it.
“No, I think she informed her boss, and he passed the information on to Placco.”
“Williams is in San Francisco.”
“Is that what she told you?”
“Yes, she said he was going there on business for a couple of days.”
“And you believed her. Did you see him leave?”
“No.”
“I guess we both got played for suckers.” Eve smiled sadly and shook her head.
“Maybe we did. What do you suggest we do about it?”
“Let’s work together, Max.” Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. She took his hand, again. “There’s a lot of money in this case, more than enough for both of us.”
“You want me to partner with you and work for John Merwin?”
“That’s right. You’ll meet him tomorrow. He’ll explain what’s going on with Phantom Point.”
Max paused a moment before saying, “How much did you pay Roxy?”
“Two grand.”
“That’s a lot of dough. I assume it was Merwin’s money?”
“Of course, but don’t worry. He’ll pay a lot more to get what he wants.”
“What he wants being the document that would clear his title to the Phantom Point oil rights.”
“Will you work with me?”
“I’ll consider it, Eve. But on one condition. Tomorrow, you telephone Lieutenant Hamlin in Los Angeles and give him a statement and a description of the suspect in the Burgess murder case. You can also tell him you’re working with me. And if you can’t get hold of Hamlin, ask for Sergeant Burke. The sooner they have that information, the better.”
She smiled, leaned over and planted a kiss on an unbruised portion of his right cheek. “I agree. This could square things for both of us, not to mention the money,” she whispered. Then she let go of his hand, got up and started for the door. She stopped and looked back at Max. “I’ll fetch your dinner and a drink. Do you like Scotch?”
“It’s not my usual, but I’ve acquired a taste for the stuff.”
“Good. I’ll bring you a double shot of Mr. Merwin’s best.” She exited the room.
What a fouled-up case, he thought. And we didn’t even talk about Placco and Doyle, not to mention Hamlin and Rivers, Mrs. Merwin and Hugo. At least I’m alive and in one piece, more or less.
Copyright © 2022 by Gary Inbinder
