Undercover Cat: The Lighthearted Story of the Cat who Became An FBI Informant 9997411846, 9789997411846

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UNDERCOVER THE LIGHTHEARTED STORY OF THE CAT WHO BECAME AN FBI INFORMANT

THE GORDONS

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u.c.

$3.95

UNDERCOVER

CAT THE GORDONS Informant X-14 was the key to the FBI's

last

desperate hope of locating

and apprehending two bank robbers before the fugitives could dispose of the teller they'd kidnaped as getaway insurance. But Informant X-14 wasn't

talking

He was purring. Damn Cat, twenty-five pound member

of the

fectionately

come an

Randall household,

known

official

returning

feline

as D.C.,

-FBI informant after

home from one

of his noc-

turnal prowls with the kidnaped er's

af-

had be-

tell-

wristwatch around his neck. Patti

Randall, at twenty-three the oldest of

the Randall sibling triumvirate and head-of-the-house while their parents

Europe, had dutifully called the FBI— who had, in turn, placed D.C.

were

in

under constant surveillance. The theory was that the cat would surely return to a place where he'd been treated

even the FBI had underesti-

well, but

(Continued on back flap)

S

£ fsf

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P., :

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Undercover

'Cat

By The Gordons UNDERCOVER

CAlT

MENACE OPERATION TERROR TIGER ON

MY BACK

-

CAPTIVE

THE BIG FRAME THE CASE OF THE TALKING BUGCASE FILE:

FBI-

CAMPAIGN TRAIN

-

FBI STORY,

MAKE HASTE TO

LIVE-

By Mildred Gordon THE LITTLE

MAN WHO WASNT THERE

Undercover Cat.

THE GORDONS

DOUBLEDAY & COMPANY, GARDEN

CITY,

Placentia

NEW

District

YORK,

INC.

1

963

Library

Placentia, California

M

All of the characters in this book are fictitious,

and any resemblance

tual persons, living or dead,

is

to ac-

purely

coincidental.

Library of Congress Catalog Card

Copyright

©

Number 63-16265

1963 by Mildred Gordon and Gordon Gordon

All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America First Edition

43433

For

Mike Zimring,

with our gratitude, our affection.

Foreword

Because of the highly presented herein,

we

classified

sincerely

nature of the information

hope that our readers

will hold

the facts set forth in the strictest confidence, including the true identity of Informant X-14. state that that

to

As

for the FBI,

we must

remarkable organization has not been asked

approve or authorize

this

account of what took place with

X-14.

The Gordons

Patti Randall was slipping into a half world of drowsiness

when

the telephone aroused her.

the instrument on the Ingrid,

floor,

had been using

half-ring gasp

and

it

where her

By the time she found sixteen-year-old sister,

earlier that evening,

it

gave one

died.

Returning the phone

to the night stand,

she saw by the off the light

and

stretched to her full five feet seven. All evening she

had

alarm that

it

was 12:30 a.m. She switched

been jangly, hearing strange noises

wind busy hustling

leaves in the

stirred

up

outside by a

September night. At times

she would find herself listening intendy, trying to sort out

the sounds and identify them. She blamed Mrs. Macdougall

next door for her uneasiness. Mrs. Macdougall had taken

on

it

herself to look after "those orphans" while the Randall

parents were vacationing in Europe.

anything happens in the night," she had told

"If

"just

scream and

I'll

and old Mrs. Macdougall would

a pin,

Patti,

hear you." Patti could believe that. Drop

She was

hear.

better

than a burglar alarm system. In the same breath Mrs. Macdougall had continued, "Terrible things are happening every

woman whose husband was

night. Like that

away, and her

and her old mother were murdered in cold blood

And

if

She was

Mrs. Macdougall said

when

a stickler

Patti booted

that

fortably that she

work

as a

moon high

had been on

was pushing

came

crime

to

2 123 a.m." it

was.

facts.

Mrs. Macdougall out of mind and tried con-

centrating on the

moon

it

at

was 2:23 a.m., that

it

over the orange tree, a skinny

a diet,

which reminded her uncom-

had gained two pounds the past month. She

size ten as far as she

dared and

still

model. Only today a glinty-eyed old

continue to fool, sitting

right alongside his wife at a lunch table in Bullock's pent-

house restaurant, had figured her hip measurements down

an inch

as she pirouetted before

Perhaps she should wear a dicate advancing age,

admit

and

them

girdle,

in a

Thai

to

silk sheath.

although that would

at twenty-three she wasn't

in-

going to

it.

She shook into sleep

off

when

such an unhappy thought and was slipping

she heard the noise at the back door. She

bolt upright, then smiled inwardly

the enormous pillow,

and

knowing the

their twenty-five-pound black cat,

through the

little

opening for milk

settled

came

back down into

noise indicated that D.C.,

was entering the house bottles in the wall of the

service porch. as

He

would be grunting

like a

he squirmed through. Talk about a

one

who needed

She

stiffened again as footsteps

it,

He was

the

a girdle.

front walk, sharp

pated

Japanese wrestler

girdle.

came

man's on the

over, a

and determined. And though she had

antici-

the harsh buzz of the doorbell sent a thrust of fear

through her. She searched frantically in the closet for a robe,

and

all

the time the

until she could

man

kept his finger pressed on the buzzer

have screamed. She ended up grabbing a thin

negligee which covered her but failed to conceal the long, slender legs beneath the blue baby doll pajamas.

Passing Mike's room, she called softly, "Mike," but her twelve-year-old brother wouldn't hear, not that one, nor Ingrid.

An

assailant could

empty a revolver

into her without

awakening those two. Hurrying too ble.

to

Now she'd

model swim

fast,

she struck the corner of the dining

have a

suits she'd look as if she

had been

ta-

if

she had

in a

barroom

and

big, black blotch there,

brawl.

Turning on the porch inches,

which was

all

light,

she eased the door open three

the safety chain would permit.

Greg

He whom

Baiter stood there, the neighbor from across the street.

was a couple of years older than everyone said would go

far.

she, a brilliant attorney

He

was

tall,

and

all

male, and

had that kind of innocent face loved by women from the Popsicle to the bifocal age. All except her.

him anything but "Oh,

it's

She considered

innocent.

you," she said, anticipating trouble,

which he

variably brought, usually over his dachshund, Blitzy,

was one of the two pets he adored. The other was Thunderbird.

in-

which

a white

"I tried calling you."

His tone was quasi-conciliatory. She

motioned him in and waited. Long ago she had learned the subtle

power of

It invariably

got the

wrong foot.

other side off on the

He

an argument.

silence in

withdrew the

smile.

"Your cat

.

."

.

he began again,

reassembling his forces. Their gaze met and locked in hand-to-

hand combat.

"What about him?" she demanded tightly. "Up to now IVe been pretty patient. He's dug up my flowers,

and

over

left his fingerprints all

into fights in

my

car,

and gotten

my back yard—"

"You come over

"And now

to discuss this at

i

a.m.?"

he's stolen a mallard

duck from

my

service

porch."

"He

He

did what?"

continued, "I saw

dragging

it

him

across the yard."

then he snapped

back as

it

if

leaving with

He

it.

His glance slipped determined not

to

was half her

legs,

be swayed by

to

anything female.

"Now, wait just

He

a minute, Greg. After all—"

interrupted. "I spent

ing rain.

I

I

day in a duck blind in a beat-

couldve caught pneumonia— and

Just one duck.

around.

all

And

thought

sure enough,

I

when

I

got one duck.

your cotton-pickm' old cat comes snooping heard something on the back porch, and I

went

out, the screen door

banged shut,

and the duck was gone."

She was

so furious she could scarcely talk.

"And

I

sup-

pose he reached up, unlatched the screen, opened the door,

and walked in?"

"He opened

the door and walked in

could walk into Fort Knox. Don't ask

all

right.

That

me how he does it."

cat

It

was a moment before she could find words. "Well, that

does

That

it.

unfair,

absolutely does do

She stopped was

it.

Of

all

the preposterous,

monstrous accusations—"

calling.

D.C. padded in

in mid-air as

He

who

to learn

walked very proudly, head high in the

air,

bearing the duck in his mouth.

For a second she was stunned, then she reached a quick,

sweeping motion

wrestled,

to seize the

and then

Patti gave a

of his mouth, shredding the

Holding

it

by one

foot,

she

bird.

hard wrench and tore

duck somewhat in the

swung

it

in

duck. But she was not

D.C. fastened a death hold on the

swift enough.

down

They it

out

process.

over to Greg whose face

was smeared with triumph. "Just serves

a cat to do get

it?

if

you

right," she

you go around leaving

He's a hunter, like you."

"He's a thief," Greg said, staring

"A

plain thief.

And

he's going to get a

have

"What do you expect your game where he can

snapped.

down

in hatred at

D.C.

him on my property once more, pants full of buckshot. Nine times, if I

if I

catch

to."

She trembled

so she could scarcely speak. "Greg Baiter,

if

you dare—"

He

turned abruptly and walked away. As she slammed the

"Damn him, damn him." D.C. muttered low in response. His full name was Damn Cat, a name given him by her father who was always stumdoor, she muttered to herself,

bling over

him

bandied about

in the dark. It

when

their

"No, not you," she

said,

started to fondle him,

only angry one.

It

was not a name, however,

mother was within hearing. dropping

to the floor

by him. She

but he stalked away. She wasn't the

was getting

so that every time

he brought a

good catch into the house, someone took

He

didn't even get a taste.

That was the

it

away from him.

trouble with people.

They wanted it all for themselves. And she needn't try to make up. People always did that. They wanted instant forgiveness after wronging him. Just then the light picked

up something shiny

about his neck. She grabbed him by a hind gled. It

the

way

was a wonder he had any kidneys

leg,

in the fur

and he

left,

strug-

he thought,

they manhandled him.

In amazement, she removed a woman's wrist watch, which

was fastened around examined

it.

Some

his

child

tomorrow, she thought

neck

would probably be missing a

treasure

sleepily.

She grinned. "You sure you, D.C.?"

like a collar. Mystified, she

hit the jack pot tonight, didn't

2

Patti was sipping coffee in the kitchen the next morning

when Inky dragged

in sleepy-eyed in her pink cotton

pajamas, carrying her clothes with her. "Point Patti I

a.m.

me to the coffee, please," she said.

poured her a cup, steaming hot. "Where were you

last

night

when

I

was

set

at

upon and needed your help?"

Inky came awake. "What?"

"Greg was over. D.C. broke into his house and

At mention of

much

as a hello,

his

stole a

duck."

name, D.C. appeared and, without so

jumped up on

a low kitchen stool, leaped to

the drainboard, and from there to the top of the refrigerator.

He

washing an

laboriously set about

ear.

He would

moisten

one side of his paw and brush the wet fur energetically. process

The

would take time but then he had no further plans

for

the day other than to sleep and fortify himself for the night's

rounds.

Inky wriggled into a

"He

slip, "I

bet he was furious."

threatened to murder D.C.

if

he caught him on

his

property again."

Inky grinned. "He wouldn't do

I like

him

saw you night before

last.

that.

He's nice.

lots."

"You

Thunderbird.

like his

I

Traitor."

How

man who took the neighborwith him when he went to the

could you cope with a

hood youngsters market or post

in his car

office?

them, she thought.

Not

It

that

was

he

anything about

really cared

just that

he was hungry

com-

for

panionship. Since his mother's death, he had lived alone in the old family home, cooking for himself, washing dishes,

making

his

own

bed, puttering around the yard, and looking

misanthrope dachshund of

after that horrible

Patti yelled for

started the eggs

running

Mike

to

and bacon. Inky

chatter. "I

was

so

his.

hurry up, that he'd be

mad

set the table,

late,

and

keeping up

a

could've blown the whole

I

guidance department apart. Those people haven't got any brains in their head. tain

home room

listen. I tell

As soon

teacher, the

you,

sis, it

as I

may have been one

you're always saying, but

it

I

wanted

a cer-

of God's days, like

was one of His worst."

"Mike!" Patti shouted again,

who had

mentioned

guy froze up and wouldn't even

this

time above Ricky Nelson,

invaded the kitchen in volume sufficient for the

Hollywood Bowl. 8

Patti turned the

sound down.

and

Ingrid failed to notice. "I'm going in today

Hopkins

room

teacher,

going to cry Patti

me

he's simply, absolutely got to give

and

he doesn't I'm going

if

tell

Mr.

home

another

to try tears.

I'm

my heart out."

was amused. "You're learning, honey. You're learning

fast."

Mike came

scuffing in then, looking

two years older than

the twelve he was. His crew cut was well waxed. "Don't let

anybody drop a match on you today,"

Patti said,

handing him

his plate.

"Very funny."

He ate

as if food

haven't written in two days." self

were going out of

style.

"Do

Mom and Dad have forgotten us?" he asked. "They

you think

had managed one

He

said

it

accusingly.

letter to his parents in a

Ingrid said, "I don't

know how

lovely children behind."

He

him-

month.

they could leave three such

She shot a glance

at

Mike. "Well,

two anyway."

Mike ignored

He was

a

box boy

up

ing the cans

Mayhew

added,

you frown

was a

Patti

and

I tried to kill

said he'd let

be more careful.

I

problem

at

.

.

with

Patti.

was

stack-

.

me

off

and got

at the bottom,

him.

I

almost got

fired.

Mr.

had

to

do about the children.

If

with a warning, that

I

."

"I don't

know what

to

them, their mothers scream at you. Man,

kid, I couldn't .

to discuss

this little monster, I didn't

and he pulled a can out

see him,

eration.

a

after school at Ralph's grocery. "I

in a pyramid,

conked, and yells

He

He had

her.

do anything— but

this

when

younger gen-

."

remembered the watch then, and got

it

from

drawer. "Look at the loot D.C. bagged last night.

a chest I

figure

some youngster put probably going

mad

it

around D.C.'s neck, and

this

morning trying

to find

his mother's

it."

up her schoolbooks, Mike said, "Hey, back when and was halfway out the door Ingrid examined

it

curiously, picked

you know what?"

He

was

ago, that

ple

excited.

bank

"You remember that holdup about a week

Van Nuys two guys knocked

in

hundred grand— and they grabbed

lady, about forty— and nobody's seen

a

over for a cou-

bank teller— an old

any of them

since.

You

remember, don't you, Pat?"

She looked blank. "Well-" "She was wearing a watch

like this one. I

remember, the

paper described everything she had on, and there was a picture with this watch

He

on her wrist."

continued breathlessly. "She put

it

on him, don't you

see? She's being held prisoner right around here,

got into the house, and she put

"Wait a minute," "You've got to

how

old

around

visits

a

his

neck

to get help."

back up."

call the police, Pat.

D.C."— he ran

around and to

it

Patti said, "an'

and D.C.

You've got

to.

You know

hand roughly over the cat— "wanders

people and mooches from them."

He

turned

D.C. "You love people, don't you, you old hound?"

D.C. licked him

He

appreciatively.

boy he had reared through the

was very fond of

difficult pre-teen period,

a youngster lacked the maturity to recognize that a cat's

was a

member of his

definite

tail

body.

Ingrid said, "Sure, he loves the

know any

this

when

human

race.

He

doesn't

better."

"Now

Patti sat quietly.

are a million to

"The paper 10

one

.

.

let's

not get carried away. Chances

."

said to call the

FBI

if

anybody had any news."

Mike, undaunted, was already looking up the number. "Here it is.

Hubbard

watch home.

3-3551.

He

Be sure

to tell

them D.C. brought the

might get a congressional medal or some-

thing."

D.C. couldn't have cared

He

started

work on the other

less.

He was

above such things.

ear. Cleanliness.

That was what

was important.

11

3

Zeke Kelso took the call. had

a soft, pleasant,

"You say your

cat

He was

tall and lanky, and

wind-swept Nevada drawl. brought the watch home?"

"Someone had fastened

it

around

his neck."

"Like a collar?" "Yes,

Mr.

Kelso.

"What do you

And D.C. had-"

call

him?"

"D.C." She hesitated a second.

You see, father—" "Would you spell "It's

just

"It

stands for

that, please?"

what you think it is. D-a-m-n." 12

Damn

Cat.

"

"D-a-m-n." Unconsciously he raised his voice.

A

"Damn

Cat?"

stenographer taking dictation at the next desk glanced

up, and he dropped to a whisper.

The Bureau would

dis-

approve of the use of such a word before the stenos.

He asked, "Are you in a bar somewhere, Miss Randall?" He heard her shout to someone. "Mike, for heaven's sake, turn that radio bar. I'm at

She returned

off."

home— and

his

name

to is

him. "No, I'm not in a

Damn Cat—and

I can't

help it— and you insisted on knowing— and— "Is

someone with you, Miss Randall?"

"Yes,

my

brother, Mike. He's

Our

grid, she's sixteen.

George Randall, works

He

scribbled the

twelve— and

my

My

parents are in Europe.

for

Lockheed.

names

.

sister,

In-

father,

." .

as fast as she spoke

them,

list-

ing them on a yellow, legal-size scratch pad. "Miss Randall,

would you please open the watch and see

if

there's

anything

scratched inside the back cover?"

As he waited, he drummed

He

his fingers quietly

needed another cup of coffee badly.

becoming an

addict.

He

office since six, drafting a

unlawful

flight to

He

had been up since

on the desk.

thought he was five,

and

at the

lengthy report on a case involving

avoid prosecution for murder. Recently,

the work load had been heavy. Seventy-two hours last week. .

.

.

What was taking her so long?

She came back on the

line. "I can't get the

back

off."

"Try a paring knife." "I'm afraid

I'll

ruin the watch."

"That doesn't matter." After another minute, she said, "Looks like a Y followed by some numbers. They're so small I can't make them out."

He came

alive.

There was no question

this

was the *3

vic-

They had

tim's watch.

learned at the outset of the investiga-

from Helen Jenkins' father that she had had her watch

tion

repaired in June i960, at the

House

of Neuwirth, 6081 Sun-

Boulevard, Hollywood, and at that time the repairman

set

had scratched

As

in the identifying

Y mark.

of last night, then, Miss Jenkins

had been

For

alive.

seven days they had searched with growing desperation for trace of her

and her two

The

she was dead.

same: the hold-up

captors.

Zeke himself had concluded

pattern in most of these cases

men

was the

either freed or killed the hostage

within a few hours. Seldom did they want to be burdened with

one in

He

flight.

"Where had he been? I mean, where does your cat usually go— or do you know?" She laughed softly. "I can see you don't know much about Mr. Kelso.

cats,

he's

asked quickly,

one of

us.

He

He likes people. Thinks He waits until dark when

goes everyplace.

And he

likes to visit.

the mockingbirds can't see him, because they give time,

and then goes scratching around on

are nice to him,

worked

he goes back.

I

him

a

bad

doors. If the people

think he's got a regular route

out."

Zeke toyed with

a pencil.

only does the cat think he

is

From

the

way she

talked, not

"one of us," but she thinks

so,

The long-hoped-for break hinged not only on a dame who sounded zany but a cat equally zany. He detested cats;

too.

they were barbarians— the entire breed— devouring birds, fighting to the death with a

bunch

all

vocal stops pulled out, howling like

of banshees as they

around you, clawing and

made

love,

purring one minute

spitting the next,

and then

deliver-

ing that final insult, the turn of the rear on you with the tail

held high.

He

caught his thoughts in mid-air.

how he

to betray

He must

The Bureau would

felt.

be careful not

tolerate

no preju-

The Bureau believed firmly in the brotherhood of man. The Bureau wanted the objective approach. He continued with his questions. "Do you know when your dice.

cat

came

Miss Randall?"

in,

Fd had

"Twelve-thirty exactly.

"Might "Well,

I

ask

who

I didn't get to

bed— I mean,

a

phone

call."

called you?"

the

phone

in time. It

quit ringing, but the party

it'd

house shortly afterwards.

One

was under the

came over

to the

of the neighbors from across

the street."

"What's her name?" "It

wasn't a her." She paused and, in doing

had aroused

suspicion. "It

was a young

so,

knew

Greg

attorney.

she

Baiter.

B-a-1-t-e-r."

"Why did he come over?" She hesitated

again, then

came out with

"D.C. had

it.

broken into his house and stolen a duck."

"He'd stolen what?"

"A duck. "Oh."

A mallard duck."

He

thought about that for a moment. "You say he'd

we

broken in— are

still

Mr. Kelso,

"Yes,

the door

is

talking about your cat,

Miss Randall?"

he's very clever. He'll take a

barely ajar he'll open

it.

paw and

if

Sometimes on a screen

door he can jiggle the latch loose."

"What that

is,

attitude did

Mr. Baiter take about

this?

Was he—

upset?"

"That puts

it

mildly.

Mr. Baiter can get awfully mad aw-

fully fast." "I'll

need a description of the

cat.

We always get one on—" '5

He had That

him

struck

as asinine.

an index, a report sisted

He

on

A

started to say "informants."

description of a cat?

But he did have

a card to

in in-

details.

wrote on a separate sheet: Informant.

Cat Randall. instated

file

and the Bureau

to write eventually,

it.

He

Name: Damn

frowned, crossed out the Randall, then

re-

Address: 1820 Greenbriar, Sherman Oaks, Cali-

fornia. Description:

"How old is he?" "Let me see. We makes him

him when Mike was

got

seven.

That

five."

"Weight?" "Twenty-five pounds."

Zeke put down

his pencil. "Miss Randall, I

laboring under the impression this

is

a

house

have been

cat."

"He is. Plain all-American cat." "And he weighs twenty-five pounds?" "He does have a weight problem. We have

watch

to

his

diet."

Zeke swallowed and turned back "Really,

Mr.

Kelso.

to the form.

.

"Sorry—you'll have to forgive me.

—I should

say

we

don't get any."

tion, hobbies, relatives— I guess

He

"Height?"

." .

He

We

many

don't get

read from a

list.

cats

"Educa-

they don't apply."

reached a conclusion. "Could

sible? I'd like to get the watch."

I see

He

you soon

as pos-

added cautiously and

without conviction, "You could be most helpful

to

us—you

and D.C."

They agreed

to

outside the store, "If

we meet

meet

Westwood,

on the second-level parking

inside,

16

at Bullock's in

one of the

girls will

ask

at 10 a.m.,

lot.

She

who you

are,

said,

and

I

don't

want

to try to

make up

a story, because

I

always get

caught."

As he headed

hummed

he

for the supervisor's office,

softly.

Passing the steno pool, he was conscious of a dozen eyes

He

lowing him. the

was

fair

game, one of the few single

fol-

men

in

office.

The

Newton,

supervisor on the criminal desk, Robert Z.

looked even more harried than usual. His desk was stacked

with reports from the agents, which he would read,

and forward

to

Washington

if

and

the leads

initial,

had been

facts

properly developed and set forth, or return to the respective agents with cryptic notes

On

spotting Zeke,

in this morning.

You

was getting

a

little

kept his belt

at

the

Zeke

said,

Newton

if

they had been careless.

Newton after

my

brightened,

He

job?"

heavy about the

little

got

girth,

up

you beat

to stretch.

me He

but determinedly

same notch.

"We've got

a break finally in the Jenkins case."

stopped quite

still.

For seven days agents had

worked the case without developing

knew

"I see

more than the bare

a

good

lead.

facts: that at

men, somewhere between twenty and

They

still

10:05 a.m. two

thirty years of age,

wearing Halloween masks, had escaped with $202,400 in cash from the

Van Nuys

forty-one,

accompany them

to

Federal bank, forcing Helen Jenkins, at

gun

point.

As happened

frequently, the eye witness accounts varied widely regarding

the height of the men, their build, their clothes, and the

weapons they

carried.

Only on the escape

eral agreement, and, as usual,

found deserted three hours

it

car

had been

later in a

was there genstolen

and was

Studio City parking '7

lot.

The

Thomas

victim's father,

Z. Jenkins, sixty-six,

who was

bedridden, provided the lead about the watch.

Zeke

it's

the darndest setup you ever heard.

.

."

He

you the way

it

came

don't know. to

"But

said, .

Patti Randall,

He

changed

tack. "Here, I'd better give

in. I just

1820 Greenbriar

I it

took a call from one Miss

Street,

Sherman Oaks."

referred to his notes. "She said that at 12:30 a.m. her

named D.C., an abbreviation for Damn Cat, rehome with one mallard duck stolen from the home

black cat,

turned of

Greg

Baiter, attorney, 18 17 Greenbriar,

watch fastened around

his

neck

and a yellow gold

like a collar.

At my request

she opened the watch and the scratch mark on the back cover definitely establishes at the

it

as the

one Miss Jenkins was wearing

time of her abduction."

"Hold on, Zeke.

What

kind of a cock-and-bull yarn you

giving me?" "I didn't believe it

myself until

I

asked her to open the

watch."

"You mean we've got a

cat for a lead?"

"A big one. Twenty-five pounds. And

Newton I've

sat

solid black."

back down in the swivel. "Well,

been in the Bureau fourteen years and

strange informants in

my time.

His mind checked the

honed by those fourteen leads

we can

last night,

work.

which

Zeke broke

18

.

.

.

a lot of

"As

I

with the experience

see

it,

we've got several

We can try to find out where this cat was

will probably prove negative,

in.

be.

had

.

"—We

and—"

can run a surveillance on him

when he leaves the Randall home—" Newton smiled. "What with—another cat?"

night

I'll

." .

possibilities

years.

I've

to-

Zeke continued, "And holding Miss Jenkins "Yeah."

Newton

if

he goes back

to

.

.

appraised that lead, shook his head.

not be easy to follow a black cat in the dark.

you— if he knows "I've got

him

he's being tailed ideas,"

Zeke

And

if

"May

he makes

." .

said.

.

"The

trick is to think of

map it out the same as we would anyone." Newton said with a poker face. "No, I don't think

as a person,

"No," so.

some

wherever they're

."

Might work out

better

if

you thought of yourself

'9

as a cat."

Finished with the dishes,

Helen Jenkins put the

ter in the refrigerator, closed the door,

but-

and leaned against

it.

Dan stared quizzically from the doorway where he stood guard when she was in the kitchen. Each night she moved eating deeper.

Her cardiogram

She feared she might at the last

Shi had reached an tolerate only so

slower, the tension

suffer a heart attack.

check-up had disclosed a

deviatio;

when

she cou

age, her physician said,

much

and exhaustion

stress.

Ten

years of caring for her crip-

pled father had consumed her mentally and physically, even

though she did love him deeply.

20

And now ingly

this horror that

was

in

its

seventh day, that seem-

had no end.

She pushed back her She was badly she was

in,

in

how

hair,

which was beginning

to string.

need of a permanent. Funny, the situation

the condition of her hair disturbed her

so.

Tm going to bed and read," she said. He

blocked her way.

He

was

point of emaciation. Unlike

a

head

and thin

taller,

Sammy, he

ate

to the

and was

little,

always doing something— pacing about, sitting down, getting up. His nervous hands, never quiet, drove her wild. This

second they were adjusting the gun pushed inside his

belt.

Suspicion swept his weary eyes. Usually she read in the

cramped

little

living

"Sure," he said,

room while

and stepped

Sammy and aside.

he played poker.

But not before he had

studied her intently for evidence that she was breaking. if

she did, she thought, what then?

she

lost

Not

What would

And

they do

if

her balance, turned hysterical and screaming? that she would.

last years.

She had stood up under

She had watched her father

rugged man,

deteriorate

full of zest for living, to a

watched her dreams

for love

bed

a lot these

from a

patient.

big,

She had

and children and a home decline

with him, the years that were her

life

slipping by, until

by

now so many had passed that she had run out of hope. As she

up from

crossed the half-dark living room,

his usual position

by a small

Sammy

table radio.

glanced

Hour

after

hour, day after day, he listened to a music station, until she

could scream.

He was

a

paunchy runt with

a beetle look.

Every time he came near, she edged away.

Dan was

another matter. Strangely, and against her will,

she was drawn to him.

He was

and

intelligent,

and

had a boyishness about him that an older woman might

find

quiet

21

attractive.

She had no doubt, though,

that

he would

kill

with-

As long as she minded him, like an obedient child, he would not harm her. Sammy might, and if he tried, she did not know what Dan would do. Probably out compunction

he would

mored

crossed.

if

away and

drift

leave her to

Sammy, whom he hu-

in small matters.

Dan said, "She's going to read in bed." Sammy wiped a thin coat of oil over the barrel of the thirtyeight he was cleaning. "You mad about something, Jenkins?" "I'm tired."

Sammy to shoot

smiled. "Don't get sick on us, Jenkins.

you

Sammy

like

We'd have

an old horse, wouldn't we, Dan?"

looked at the barrel. "You

sit

right over there

where

you always do, Jenkins." "Sit there yourself," she snapped.

Sammy

got to his feet slowly.

to get all heated up,

Sammy to

"I'll

tine

said,

"Too hot a night

Sammy."

turned toward him. "Too hot, huh?

say—but

in that

Dan

it

until midnight,"

Dan

said.

her, while she

to the

bedroom.

shrugged, "Anything you say, Dan. I'm just along

for the ride."

They

to sit

Each night the rou-

from a chair they placed in the doorway

Sammy

you

to seven in the morning."

was the same. They took turns watching

slept,

for

watch tonight, and I'm not going

I got the

doorway from now take

Okay

He chuckled. "And my split."

tensed then,

all

three, as a scratching noise

came

over from the kitchen door, which trembled audibly as some-

one

tried

it.

A

soft

brush of sound followed, so faint they

could not distinguish what

it

was.

In a swift, almost fluid movement,

Sammy

stood

22

where he was,

Dan

slipped to the door.

his thirty-eight

aimed on the

door.

Dan

into a crouch

behind the door, then pulled

out of sight of anyone party a dead target for

Out

manner.

poked

Dan

who might be

head in

his

behind him. She herself

a

few inches in, kid,"

and leaving the had ever

in

an exploratory

and closed the door

the tensions and fears of days

felt

away. She laughed hysterically. God,

slip

open, staying

it

biggest black cat she

"Come on

said,

there,

Sammy.

came the

of the night

He

seen.

hand turned the knob. He dropped

listened as his

was good

it

to see

something from the outside world.

The

cat

walked uncertainly about the kitchen, not quite

Then he

sure of his ground.

sat

down on

his

haunches and

looked up at them, from one to the next, and chose her.

He

up on his hind feet and stuck out a paw. Dan squatted down and shook hands with him. That ritual taken care of,

sat

the cat walked to the refrigerator and scratched on the door.

"He's hungry, poor guy,"

She restrained the refrigerator,

that day. it

as if

to

while she located the calf liver

She placed

it

on

a newspaper,

he hadn't eaten in a week, the

his sleek fur

Dan

Dan said. who wanted

cat,

and

size

she

climb inside the

Dan had bought

and the rascal,

cat

devoured

because from

*

knew he was well fed.

took the perfectly good kitchen towel and dragged

it

along the floor with the cat sinking his claws and teeth into it,

trying to hold

when kids

we

I

was

it.

a kid,"

"I

had an old black

Dan

said.

cat 'bout half his size

"He was some

would play with him by the hour.

did, including the movies.

Me

cat.

He went

We'd sneak him

and the

everywhere

in,

and half

through the show he'd get tired and

start

manager would go up and down the

aisle trying to find

but we'd pass him from row

meowing, and the him,

to row."

23

* •

Afterwards, they settled

down

Dan and Sammy

old routine began.

played poker, and she

Once Sammy

read with the cat curled

up

"Thought you were going

to bed, Jenkins?"

She never read once, she

had

communication

a

in her lap.

said,

and when Dan glanced her way

a word,

remembered

and the

in the living room,

Here

to turn a page.

in her lap she

line to the outside world,

if

she could

how to use it. If she had a piece of paper and a pencil, and a moment to write something. Then she began casting about for a personal article that

only think

.

.

anyone finding might idea

came

associate with her,

.

and eventually the

of attaching the watch. Fortunately,

it

had an

ex-

pansion-type bracelet. Barely moving her fingers, she slipped the watch from her wrist, her heart pounding so hard she

feared

it

would give her away. She wet her

that even such a small act stinct for reading

might

tip off

lips,

Dan.

then realized

He had

an

in-

her thoughts.

Slowly she moved the watch across her lap, inch by slow inch, until she

had

then she hesitated.

it

near the neck of the dozing

He

cat.

And

might resent having the watch put

about him; he might arouse suddenly and attract the attention of the

two men.

If

resist or

meow, and

he jumped down from

her lap in protest, they would see the watch.

She decided on a quick move, one of desperation. She slipped the bracelet around the cat's neck

same

instant, holding the cat firmly.

and

rose almost the

She walked

swiftly to

the back door, which was verhoten to her, a door she must

never touch under threat of death.

The

in her grasp, about to break free,

shouted her

name low and

24

cat struggled violently

and behind her

Sammy

sharp and threateningly, and she

heard Dan's chair being pushed out. She reached the door as

Sammy

grabbed her, but before he could restrain her she

opened

it

and tossed the

She turned swifdy

cat out.

him.

to face

"He had

to

go out," she

said.

He

Tve

struck her across the face.

get a shot in your guts

Dan pulled him

if

told you, Jenkins,

you

you ever touch a door."

"He had

back.

to

go out," she repeated.

He

held her a second before releasing her. "Okay," he said. "Get to bed."

She went through the bedroom, and once room locked the door behind she had.

her.

inside the bath-

This was the only privacy

The bathroom had no window and was so small she The building was ancient,

could scarcely change her clothes.

and

this

apartment

more than a

little

rabbit hutch, with only

the kitchen, living room, the one bedroom, and this inside

They had

bath.

which

left

down

nailed

every

window

in

the place,

only the kitchen and front-room doors as possible

escape avenues.

As she scrubbed her

Sammy,

since they

winding the alarm

had

to

be up

face, she

had

Sammy— it was

their duties divided

clock,

at seven,

heard

which he would

and dressed by

always

between them—

set for seven.

then raised the shades, since someone might think

She

Sammy

seven-thirty. it

odd

if

they were always pulled. She was not allowed in the bed-

room during the day.

She remembered the dawn, afraid

to

first

night

They had never touched her realization

grew

when

she had sat

up

until

go to sleep, afraid they would molest her.

that she

was

in that way, though,

and the

too old to interest them.

25

But

still,

as the

grow

less.

days went by, she feared the age difference might

At midnight Dan room doorway and

Sammy

glanced

was playing

from the

rose

stretched. "Okay, she's all yours."

up

solitaire.

in exasperation

He

to take

up

from the table where he

looked back at the cards, and with

an angry scoop swept them

moved

straight chair in the bed-

He kicked them as he pick em up," he said. "Do

to the floor.

his post. "Let her

her good. She needs to squat some."

Sammy

looked in on her.

The night light was on, and window was blowing gen-

the air conditioner in the nearby tly.

They kept

the conditioner on

radio in the daytime, so that cry

if

all

night, the

same

as the

she did cry out suddenly, the

would be muffled.

He

took a long look. She was lying on her left side, half

curled up. "I'm getting

"So

who

damn

brought her?

"Sure, didn't matter to stop the car,

if

I

tired of her,"

he

said.

kept telling you to

dump

her out."

the cops was about to plug us,

I

was

run around and open the door, and help her

out."

"You panicked, Sammy. You plain

Sammy swung out.

Don't

try

it."

about,

He

fists

lost

your big, fat head."

clenched. "Don't try eatin*

turned away. "I've got the shakes

Wish to hell I had a drink." They had agreed at the start that

me to-

night.

neither

would take any-

thing stronger than a beer. "More guys've been caught that

Dan had said. "One drink too many and we all talk." And now Sammy flared up again. "And while you've got the sledge hammer out, who grabbed her in the first place? way,"

We could've shot our way out easy enough." 26

was

It

open now, what they had been thinking

in the

for

seven days, this one major error they had committed. Some-

one had

set off the

and

stopped,

they

that, as

alarm in the bank, and outside people

few drifted over

a

left,

a

man

to look in.

Dan saw

might jump them, since there was always one crazy

To

thwart such a move,

Dan

seized the

Dan

crowd

fool about.

woman and

forced

move was

her at gun point ahead of them to their car. That brilliant,

quickly

or even a boy in the gathering

thought, but then he had shouted repeatedly

Sammy to slow up so he could push her out. Dan would admit only to himself that it had occurred to him that no matter how fast Sammy was

and angrily

at

Grudgingly, never

driving he could have opened the door

what

if

she had been killed in the

Now Dan let's

take

it

"Not me.

away

we both

huh? We're stuck with

I'd take care of her.

at his hands, slightly.

said softly, "Okay,

easy,

and shoved her

out.

So

fall?

got the shakes. So

her,

Right now."

and

He

that's that."

looked

down

palms up, the fingers wide apart and curling

"She'd never

know what happened. She'd just go know where to put the

in her sleep. You've got to

thumbs."

Dan

stared in disgust.

"I got a

"What about

the body?"

bin spotted in an alley back of Ventura Boulevard.

You know, one

of those big bins the stores toss their

empty

cartons in."

we heat up the neighborhood with cops all over the place— if we don't get caught first dumping her." He paced "So

about. "I'm not about to gamble two

hundred grand and our

necks on a long shot like that."

Sammy a light?"

took out a pack of cigarettes, offered

Dan produced

a match, and

Dan

Sammy 27

one. "Got

continued,

"Look, we've got to do ever."

He

grinned.

huh? Maybe you're

Dan

sometime.

"Maybe

We

can't stay here for-

you're thinking of adopting her,

just crazy for a mother."

took his time lighting the cigarette.

ting rid of a body.

time,

it

Sammy,

28

a

But

little

I'll

time."

"It's

not easy get-

come up with something. Give me

Patti eased the Volkswagen into a space at the farthermost point from Bullock's entrance on the second

approach.

He was

a tall

and eventually saw him

man, and

in need, she thought, of

some home-cooked dinners. rity in his voice

He was

had led her

which had an easy

roll

younger than the matu-

to believe.

She

liked his walk,

and none of the exaggerated

dence affected by so many young

He came

level.

mirror,

She watched the rearview

men

confi-

in business.

alongside her slowly, looking her over, too,

enjoying what he the-daisies look,

saw— a

and yet

girl

and

with an early-morning, dew-on-

reflecting smartness

and a touch of 29

sophistication,

qualities

he

liked in a

woman when com-

bined with naturalness. "Miss Randall?" he asked tentatively, and she nodded.

He showed her his credentials.

"I'm Zeke Kelso."

She barely glanced

at the card.

"Won't you get

in?"

She was conscious of the middle-aged woman who had parked nearby and whose body was

now heading

for the en-

trance although the head was screwed around in the opposite direction so she could stare at them, drives

up and

parks, a

An

in the girl's car.

man

and conjecture.

A

girl

man gets The head

does the same, and the

early-morning rendezvous.

swiveled back into position only

when

the body collided with

that of another shopper.

Zeke was saying, "Thanks offered her a cigarette,

questions, a lot of them. I

"Not

refused. "I've got to ask

hope you don't mind?"

looking her over rather thoroughly, and she said,

always thought what a break a

agent.

He you

at all."

He was "I've

is

for calling us right away."

which she

He

can case a

girl

from head

man

to foot

got being an

FBI

on the grounds he

trying to evaluate her."

He

grinned, the

way he always did when he was

flustered.

me— I really was—" "Studying my character?" She laughed. He got down to business immediately. "Now this cat, what time does he usually leave the house?" He added, "Ex"Forgive

cuse

me

around a "I

I

if

ask some

cat. I don't

can see

that.

silly

questions but I've never been

know their habits."

Well, he usually takes

dark. Daytimes, the mockingbirds give

second he

sticks his

3o

off as

him

a

soon as

it

rough time.

gets

The

nose out, they shout their Indian war

and swoop down on him

cry,

They

him

hit

like a flock of dive

and take

in the back

off before

bombers.

he can spring

Poor old guy. He's got some deep-seated neuroses

for them.

because of them."

"You mean

if

weren't for the birds he might go out

it

sooner?"

She nodded.

them

scare

we

couldn't.

We

set

"We

ran a hand through his hair. a

few

shots."

He

could

thought that over. "No,

The SPCA would be on our

found out we

He

He

off, fire

necks

if

they ever

out deliberately to frighten birds."

reached a decision. "Well, dark's better for us anyway.

want

to follow

him

tonight,

Miss Randall, and

should go back to wherever they're holding her

.

if

he

."

.

She shot him an incredulous, sidewise glance. "You mean you think you can follow

"We've got

a cat?"

to."

She shook her head. "Oh, tions, preferably a

pectedly

I

won't be

"You could use

and

back room, so that

murmured.

if

somebody

calls

unex-

caught in the living or dining rooms."

my

parents' bedroom, except

that wouldn't be so good,

Zeke shook I'll

brother," she

need to use a room in your house as a base of opera-

"I'll

his head,

would

it's

upstairs,

it?"

and she continued,

"How about mine?

move in with my sister."

"I

hate to disturb you."

"We'd

He "You

we can— anything at all." map of her neighborhood. over the phone that the Lillian Nelson home"— he the house— "was the farthermost point you knew

like to

do anything

took from an inside pocket a said

indicated about."

"Yes, she called us one day.

Sounded

like a real swell gal.

3'

She'd gotten the phone number from D.C.'s

we keep

a

metal tag attached to the

little

and she

gets lost,

nights, she'd

said

if

collar.

Not

dog because

that he

on

he's taken

a

would

to get into a

She pointed rection.

knockdown map.

to the

We've had

calls

care too

social call,

at the

dog that

much

few around here, but

well"— she smiled— "when he's out on a

want

he

he didn't come around every few

worry about him. She said he'd scratch

lives across the street.

see,

collar, in case

back door instead of the front, since there's a police

a

You

I

about guess,

he doesn't

fight."

"I

think he always takes this di-

from neighbors here— and here— but

never from anyone east or south of us."

He scribbled down the names of visited. He noted that D.C.

had

from 10 p.m.

Mike out

to 3 a.m. "If

to whistle for

he

known neighbors D.C. home anywhere when we get up, we send

the

returned

isn't in

him."

"Whistle?"

She nodded. he was

'We

taught

him

to

answer

a kitten. I've always thought

through a neighborhood

man

cially to a

cat. It

it

to a whistle

sounded

when

so silly to go

calling, 'Here, kitty, here kitty.' Espe-

must do something

to his ego, don't

you think?"

He was him

taken back momentarily. She confused him, threw

off balance.

He

He knew

eyes were laughing.

chaun

He

in her family

down

took

sneaked a quick look

the

names

then there had been a lepre-

of the immediate neighbors,

more comprehensively than the

"I

his friends?"

wouldn't know." 32

and her

somewhere.

asked numerous questions about them.

"Who're

at her,

others.

he asked.

He covered

and

Greg even

thought perhaps—"

"I

we

"That

anyone— steady,

dates car.

dated?" She shook her head. "I don't think he

He

told

that

He's in love with a dog and a

is.

Inky once he couldn't afford both a wife and a

Thunderbird, and he'd rather have the Thunderbird. But

Mr. Kelso,

really,

I

don't see that this has anything to do with

the case. Mr. Baiter definitely isn't holding anyone in his

house. If he were, Mrs. Macdougall would She's as knowledgeable about

He

what goes on

"What kind

mean, does he have a good

I

it.

as the FBI."

laughed, and then returned to D.C.

temperament's he got?

know about

of a

disposi-

tion?"

That could be an important

factor,

perhaps a deciding one,

in this kind of a case.

She answered him.

.

.

him

tween

life

slept,

so

much

that

if

anything happened to

She remembered the time he developed an

."

tion in his cheek,

morning

"You shouldn't ask me, because I'm

softly,

prejudiced. I love

and

infec-

for days lingered in the hospital be-

and death. They were almost too scared

to call

each

he had died during the night. Mike scarcely

for fear

and Ingrid canceled her dates

so she could visit

him

at

the hospital evenings, even though he was so far gone he didn't recognize her.

She continued,

"I can't

stand people

who become

sentimental over pets, can you? But the truth affectionate

guy who

gets

rub his ears and he purrs That'll be the day,

all

under your

is

sickly

that he's

skin. You'll see.

an

You

over."

Zeke thought.

He

asked next where the

cat slept.

"On my

sister's

bed."

She wanted

to tell

him

that

it

was not

because he liked Ingrid best, because he was careful to show

33

no

favoritism.

D.C. a good

But Mike thrashed about too much

night's rest,

and

permit

to

as for herself, she didn't enjoy

the idea of D.C. awakening at five in the morning, walking

down

the ridge of her long figure, and peering

ask

at

her as

if

to

she were going to sleep the whole day through. She had

if

pretending he was not there, but that attitude only

tried

prompted him

to take a

good-morning swipe across her cheek

with his sandpaper tongue, an act more telling than a dash of cold water. After a few mornings of that, she had

him unceremoniously out

window

of the

into the geraniums.

For days afterwards he pretended she did not

Zeke was "I

dumped

exist.

saying, "I should see the cat right away."

wish you wouldn't

as if— well, as if

he were

She hurried

call

him

cat/

It

bothers me.

It's

just

a cat. His name's D.C."

Why

on. "I'm curious.

do you want to see

him?" "I

need fingerprints— I mean, paw

"What

in the

world for?"

"We might pick up in mud or dust." She but

I

stared in

just

prints."

his trail

amazement.

from

"I've

last

night

if

he stepped

heard the FBI was thorough

wouldn't— I wouldn't believe—"

"Neither would

I,

Miss Randall. But cat or no

got a desperate situation, we're going to

work

it

cat, if

we've

out lead by

lead."

She

said she couldn't leave her job but she

school and arrange for Inky to return

"But don't hold

it

against D.C.

if

home

34

at the

call

noon

the

break.

he seems unfriendly," she

cautioned. "He'll be sound asleep and of being rousted out."

would

may

not like the idea

Returning to the

Zeke hurried past a couple of

office,

taries

who would have

ment

if

asked him to a bowling league tourna-

he had paused.

When

he had

first

arrived in the Los Angeles field division

a year ago, the switchboard operator,

blonde in her

he

late thirties,

month with

"last a girls

had used

like to

who was

a strawberry

had warned him that he wouldn't

those ghouls around."

And

it

was true the

kinds of pretexts for dates, such as would

all

help with plans for the annual picnic? He, in turn,

had invented

illnesses

and urgent business, and had survived

by walking briskly and adopting a desperately busy

Somehow, though, an FBI agent

as

seem in keeping with

his stature

one hour,

it

didn't

fugitive.

found Bob Newton where he had

over his reports. "We're

he

told

attitude.

to bring in a desperate criminal

and the next behave like a

He

secre-

Newton. "She's

all set

left

him, huddled

for the surveillance tonight,"

back bedroom, and

letting us use a

the cat leaves the house about dark, which should be around

seven

thirty-five.

I'm on

my way

now to meet him." down here. I'd like to

out there

Newton said, "I wish I wasn't tied how you go about interviewing a cat." "I'm getting paw prints, a photograph,

see

the usual. I'm figur-

ing on working this the same as any case."

Newton a cat.

I

rose to stretch his big frame. "You're lucky to

draw

get so tired of people."

Zeke grinned and placed the map of the Randall neighborhood before Newton. "As

far as she

knows, the cat has never

ventured more than two miles, to this point here where one Lillian

Nelson

lives.

The

cat

comes around two and three

times a week, Miss Nelson says. She's assistant to an executive

35

out at 20th Century-Fox, Perry Lieber, and will co-operate

with us

He

the way."

all

took a second to study the map. "I thought we'd

Helen Jenkins' photo around within

and drugstores, apartment house man-

clerks in supermarkets

and janitors— really go through the

agers

get busy

making

discreet checks

voters' registration

show

postmen,

this radius, to

lists,

area.

And

then we'll

on everyone who's on the

although that will take time, what

with about four thousand names."

Newton nodded moved

He

approval.

He

ducted his investigations.

liked the

way Zeke

con-

was not only thorough but

fast.

Newton

cautioned him, "Keep

it all

quiet, Zeke.

Remind know

everyone working with you to move discreetly. You

without

me

telling

you that

if

those two guys smell an investi-

gation, the consequences could be tragic. If they panic, the

odds are overwhelming

they'll

After they discussed the

number

equipment they would need "I've got a

problem.

murder the

How'm

I

victim."

of agents

and the kind

for the operation,

going to

file

him

Zeke

of

said,

in the inform-

ants' card index?"

Bob Newton

raised

an eyebrow. "The cat?"

him as cat.' It does something to his down in the reports as D.C. Randall, you know the Bureau. Some guy back there on a desk will tear into us, want to know what the idea is of using initials. And if I put him down as Damn Cat Randall, I hate to think of what will happen. They'll figure I made it up, that I'm "Please. Don't refer to

ego.

Now

if I

being funny. a last

put him

And what

name with 36

a cat?

about using Randall?

Who ever

uses

But you know the Bureau. Full names."

Newton

pulled the phone over. "I think we'd better talk

with Washington."

At an uncluttered, polished desk Justice building, the supervisor

took the

call.

He

Department of

was a husky, big-boned, ex-quarterback who

overwhelmed the "Just a minute,"

He

in the

on the Bank Robbery desk

swivel.

he

said.

"Must be a bad connection."

jiggled the phone, listened again, pressing the receiver

vise-tight against his ear,

"Did you say

A

plain

Cat.

Now Who

cat? C-a-t?

cat?"

He

listened

some more. "Yeah. D-a-m-n.

Damn

look here,

Newton, somebody's pulling your

checked

out?

it

.

.

.

Uh-huh.

.

.

.

I'll

leg.

.

.

.

get back to you in a

few minutes."

He

walked briskly down a long,

errant piece of paper as a criminal,

The forth

spotless corridor

where an

would have been apprehended

as quickly

and turned

decision

would be

into a door marked: director.

came through from the listed in the

top.

Damn

card index and

Cat hence-

all

reports as

Informant X-14. Under the anonymous cloak of X-14, his identity

would be held

secret for all time,

those actually working the case, species other than

and no one, except

would know

that

he was of a

human.

37

Patti thought the day surely had gone into extra innings.

She was

that tired as she strolled into Lingerie model-

ing an Italian knit. She

women

"It is smart, isn't it? It

has that something to

thirty-nine ninety-five in

Young

No

made a complete turn before two when one inquired about it, said,

in their thirties and,

misses?

one shopping

Whom in

Young Misses on

it.

And

it's

only

the upper level."

did Bullock's think

it

was

Young Misses could produce

fooling.

a driver's

license to prove she belonged in that age group.

She turned believe

in a hurry

on hearing the

what she saw. Greg was on the 38

crash,

floor

and couldn't

wresding with a

mannequin

that

he had knocked

quin wearing only a

girdle.

hold so he could replace

He

manne-

off a display table, a

was struggling

to get a firm

it.

In a couple of steps she reached him, and rescued the

mannequin. "The

idea," she said,

As he straightened

"and in public."

his clothes, she

snapped the

girdle. "I

know why women have to wear more harness than a ." dray horse while men with their pot bellies. She took him by the arm and steered him out of Lingerie. don't

.

.

He

recovered his legal dignity quickly. "Imagine running into

you.

I

was trying

to find

Glassware."

"You came through Glassware on your way

He

smiled

guiltily,

and

forget about last night, the horrible things

Her

life.

mad

like trying to

him would be

was tempted

he had

to

said, the

To

heart began pounding.

threat against D.C.'s at

to Lingerie."

in that instant she

stay

hold a grudge against Cary

Grant. Actually, she well.

had

to admit, she did not

know Greg

Their few chance meetings had produced

little

than a passing greeting, or a strong desire on her part gle him, especially

too

more

to stran-

when he complained about D.C.

or per-

mitted his dachshund to continue the slow murder of her apricot tree in the front yard.

Inky and Mike knew him well.

He

girls in

was an older man

Inky, perhaps too

way

the

novels did. Inky pretended that she almost passed out

every time he picked her

had

far better.

to fall in love with, the

insisted

on baking him

he had never tasted

up

a batch of cookies,

better,

Once

she

and he had

said

in the Thunderbird.

when

in truth they

had

all

the

flavor of sawdust.

As

for the

neighborhood women, they behaved ridiculously 39

around him, although they did not approve of his way of

The

disposal

womanhood. And

all

and make up

his

a frontal

the fact that he could cook,

bed every day, which was

window

wife with a

testified to

by the

that looked directly into his bedroom,

on womankind. The consensus was,

assault

he should either get an apartment or marry.

therefore, that "If

life.

a house complete to garbage

and flower gardens, but minus a wife, seemed sub-

versive to

was

man would want

idea that a

hell wait a couple of years," Inky had said, 'Til

make

the

house legitimate."

Now was

he was saying,

just that I

pneumonia. "I

"I

on."

I

worked

stood

all

"I got a little excited last night. It

so hard getting that duck. I almost got

day in a blinding rain—"

remember. You stated

was

tired,

awfully

He ended

it

tired.

so brilliantly last night."

Fd

"Did you mean

it

when you

D.C. next time you caught him "Golly, no. I

I

lost a case I'd

lamely, "So you can see

how

worked months

it

was with me."

said you'd take a pot shot at

in your yard?"

wouldn't hurt anything, you

know

Why,

that.

even carry spiders out of the house on a newspaper." "They're the worst kind.

They usually get hanged."

"Get hanged? What're you talking about?" "Haven't you noticed? Every time somebody's on murder, he

tells

how he wouldn't hurt a

fly

thing smaller than a matchbox, but oh brother,

hands on a cranium

trial

for

or a spider or somelet

him

get his

." .

.

"Honestly, Patti."

She was growing nervous. Customers were glancing

way with

their

that rapt, bless 'em look.

"They're figuring I'm not very far along Patti said.

40

if I

can wear

this,"

"What?" She indicated a

sign,

maternity, then added, "Look, Greg,

I'm supposed to be working."

How

"Sure, sure.

Olvera Street.

I

about dinner tonight?

know

a

Mexican

spot

Maybe down on

where you can get the

best enchiladas."

"From

that

same Killarney factory back in

New

Jersey that

makes the Chinese fortune cookies?" "I

wouldn't wonder."

"I don't

know, Greg. IVe got—"

"I don't

blame you

attorney

and

for being

mad. You ought

to get a

good

sue."

"That's an idea."

Her

eyes crinkled up.

"How

about a con-

ference with one at seven o'clock?"

4'

As Zeke came up the path, Ingrid opened the the next yard, Mrs. Macdougall,

had her all

hung out over

ears

who was

door. In

watering her roses,

the myrtle hedge.

The

neighbors

agreed that her instinct for sensing a development was

flawless.

Ingrid called, "Hello, Mrs. Macdougall. Beautiful day."

Mrs. Macdougall nodded. Her beady litde eyes tracked Zeke like those of

Her

face

an old hound dog that waits

had hardened with the years

that she proudly

and

fiercely

Taking stock of the

42

to flush out a quarry.

into

one expression

maintained.

situation,

Zeke

said nothing, nor did

Ingrid until she closed the door behind him. "Really, that old

snoop," Ingrid said, and then she quit to stare appraisingly

him. Here she had a living, breathing FBI agent on the

at

hoof,

a

Chubby

hero on a par with Ricky Nelson and

Checkers. "I'm Zeke Kelso."

you

My

know.

"I

like

sister called

her an awful

but you can't talk

me.

Isn't

lot? I like sisters.

she the most? Didn't Brothers are

them, about serious things,

to

was chattering, she knew, but when she was

I

all

right

mean." She

flustered she just

did.

"Your

sister

said—"

"She told me. He's back in

whether

to

wake him up

mad when

went out and

tied

He nodded

bedroom.

or not before

get in until five this morning.

but he got

my

I

didn't

you got here.

He came

know

He didn't

in about one, sis said,

she took the duck away from him, and

one on,

absently.

ing room in his mind.

I

think."

By now he had photographed

He

walked

to the

only

the

liv-

window and

looked out past an apricot tree to a low, white, stucco house

was reached from the sidewalk by a curving

across the street. It

flagstone

walk that ran between

tree roses.

To

the right of

the house was a driveway that led to a garage at the rear of the lot.

Zeke turned back "I'm not.

on our backs. living room.

longer with

He

to her. "I'm sorry to get

you out of

school."

That school does everything except put numbers It's

awful." She led the

"But then

me in

I

don't think

way through

it's

the spotless

going to be there

much

the chemistry lab."

shook his head. "Take

it

from an old veteran. They

never blow up or burn down."

43

She laughed; she would. Patti had

him immensely.

liked

said,

Patti

had

said she

"He's awfully nice. So behave yourself

and don't embarrass him." As

she had ever embarrassed a

if

man! Except maybe the geometry teacher who was such

and so

shy.

She and the other

girls

a doll

had gotten together during

the noon break yesterday and decided they'd take turns wink-

him

ing at

that afternoon,

and the poor man had almost

fled

the classroom.

As they passed the Kildare?

television, she said,

think he's a living

I

doll.

My

"Do you

look at Dr.

pulse must be going

when I watch him. I get these crushes on know and never will. Are you married?"

1

50 a minute

I

don't

people

"No." "I didn't

think

so.

You

don't look the type. Rosa

family relationships— and

and

I

were

urge— we're studying

talking yesterday about the biological

we decided—"

"Couldn't you bring the cat out here?"

"No, come on. better

do

They

it

If

you want

to

do anything

to

him, you'd

while he's sleepy."

passed through a dining room with unmatched pieces

of furniture, accumulated at various stages as the Randall

family economy climbed from one plateau to another. She continued,

hope

so.

"Do you

All

really think

morning

woman, alone with and wondering

I've

D.C. can help you? Golly,

been thinking what

those two horrible

this very

minute

if

men

if I

ready to

was

I

that

kill her,

anybody had found the

watch."

Before he could answer, she added, "Will D.C. get a medal?

Mike

says

I've got to

he

will.

Mike's

my

brother. He's only twelve

be a good influence on him. Mother says

44

it

and

means

so

much

man

to a

around him when

She

way

led the

animals,

some

later

he's

on

into a

so big

if

he has the right kind of

and

room

that looked like a zoo. Stuffed

real that

Zeke

eye on them, stared at him from the that ran

around two

woman

growing up."

walls. In the

felt

floor,

he should keep an

the bed, and a shelf

dead center of a

fluffy,

white

bedspread stretched D.C., looking like a long black leopard.

He was

groaning and his legs and paws were twitching. "He's

chasing something in his sleep," Ingrid said.

"Holy Toledo!" Zeke exclaimed. "That

is

a cat?"

He was

the most formidable feline Zeke had ever beheld.

Ingrid crossed to the

window where she

closed the drapes.

"What're you doing?" Zeke asked, forgetting

all

about D.C.

"Giving Mrs. Macdougall something to talk about."

He

smiled then, and he had the nicest smile she had ever,

He stepped over and opened the to think of my reputation," he said, grinning. ever seen.

drapes. "I've got

"Oh." She nodded in complete understanding, "The FBI."

"The FBI." She put

a

hand on D.C.'s stomach and the hand shook

a vibrating machine. "Hey, you old, lazy

FBI man here wants

got an

and you'd

night,

better tell

to

bum, wake up. You

know where you were

him the

truth.

like

Come

on,

come

last

on."

Slowly and grudgingly D.C. eased one eye open, revealing shock and angry in until almost

she would do

moved was.

to

it

Here she knew he hadn't gotten

dawn and needed this.

It

was not

his rest.

like

her at

He was all.

hurt that

His eye then

encompass Zeke, and he wondered who that jerk

He had

again

irritation.

never seen him before, and

would be soon enough.

they went away

if

He

if

he never saw him

closed the eye. Sometimes

he pretended they weren't

there.

45

Man,

what a hang-over. His head was bursting out the fur seams, and a wrench had gotten loose and was flying about as the head plummeted through space. If he could only get hold of the head and anchor

At

it.

a strange sound, almost like hissing,

a painful

start.

Momentarily he thought he was being

upon, then realized position,

muscles,

but

when

of them,

all

D.C. aroused with

it

was the

jerk sneezing.

He

him he

Ingrid reassured

set

rose to flight

stretched his

humped his back about two feet high, and

eventually relaxed and stretched lengthwise to about five feet, to whiskers.

tail tip

Zeke

"Sorry, but I'm allergic to cat fur,"

and

again,

tears

up

welled

in his eyes.

He

said.

He

sneezed

walked away from

D.C. "Always have been." "Like hay fever."

"The same."

He

took out a handkerchief to dry his eyes.

." youve got a Kleenex. She pulled several from the mouth

"If

.

sitting

on her

father

and mother.

frilly

.

of a pink hippopotamus

dressing table alongside a picture of her

As she handed him the tissues, she said, Tve never seen an FBI man before, except in the movies. I saw Glenn Ford in Experiment in Terror. terrific,

thought he was positively, definitely

I

didn't you?"

up Glenn Ford, he thought. The moment between Mr. Ford and himself was

This was no time comparison

at this

to bring

devastating.

"He been

sure was." Blast

Glenn Ford, he thought.

allergic to cat fur,

If

he had

he wouldn't have looked so good

either.

Ingrid cuddled D.C. and rubbed his ears. "I'm sorry

46

I

had

to

wake you up,

terribly sorry,

time for your breakfast.

but

it is

almost one o clock and

feed you real good, and you'll feel

I'll

better then."

D.C. licked her and switched

mum

his high-fidelity purr to maxi-

volume.

we love him for different him because I need something to mother and and Patti loves him because he's an old friend, sort

She turned reasons.

care for,

to Zeke. "Patti says

love

I

of like a comfortable old shoe." Patti

was

wanted

to

She

so perceptive.

a link with a

Mike, D.C. was

said that for

boyhood that was slipping away, and that he

hold

to:

days spent stretched out in the back yard

under the Chinese elm with D.C. scampering about puppy, and Mike throwing a

And

then both dead

tired,

stick,

and D.C.

As

to

retrieving

it.

and sleeping in the shade, with

D.C. knowing that Mike would ward

happened

like a

off

any dragons that

be prowling about.

for their mother,

D.C. was the children's

a child needed while growing up, in the

cat,

something

same category

as the

And for their who stole his easy his damn cat hairs all

right books to read, the right school to attend.

dad, he was

still

Damn

chair every time he got

over everything. But

would have been happened

to

As Ingrid

Cat, a nuisance

up and

Dad

scattered

enjoyed the hoked-up enmity.

them

if

anything

talked, holding the cat half in her lap,

Zeke ap-

as grieved as the rest of

D.C.

proached D.C. warily. D.C. eyed him suspiciously

as

Zeke

placed a sheet of specimen paper under a paw, then ran a ger in between the pads and pushed out

yanked the paw back.

paws

last

He

He knew

dirt.

Outraged, D.C.

he should have washed

night but he was so pooped

fin-

when he

his

got in. Ingrid

47

continued rubbing his ears and that mollified him some, but

he had made up

mind

his

and the sooner he got

definitely.

He

did not like this jerk,

the better.

lost

"What're you doing that for?" Ingrid asked.

Tm

going to send this specimen"— he indicated the dirt—

"to the lab

where they

will

run

it

we

through what

call a

spectrographic examination. That's a process that works on

the principle that every substance— this dirt here, for instance

—gives off

its

own

high temperature.

So we get a

waves when heated

light

And

"We'll also take specimens of

Then

particular area last night. varies.

The

like that a half mile

Zeke sneezed.

from

his

soil in

paw.

from different neighbor-

specimen from D.C.'s paw

may mean D.C. was

As you may know, the your yard

may

soil in

in that

neigh-

not be anything

away."

Ingrid sighed. "I don't get

it

soil

if this

matches any of the others, that

borhoods

an extremely

the lab photographs the light waves.

picture, so to speak, of the dirt

hoods around here.

to

it."

"I don't either

sound good in a confusing

but youVe got to admit

sort of

I

make

way."

He proceeded to set up a flash camera.

"I want to get a good him to show the children around here. He may have been in some of their homes, or they may remember having seen him, and maybe well learn about other neighborhoods

picture of

he has gone into that you don't know about."

When

he was ready, he

said,

"Can you

get

him

to sit

up?

I'd like a straight-on shot."

Ingrid lifted D.C. and shoved his haunches into place, but

when

she

let

go he sank

like a

heap of

coaxing him and rubbing his ears.

hunger.

I'll

get

48

"I

him something to eat."

She

tried again,

guess he's

weak from

jelly.

49438 After she left the room, Zeke tried to prop the cat up.

"Come,

kitty, please,

tone. "Nice

he said in

kitty,"

He recognized a hypocrite when

spat.

here was

and

he saw one, and brother,

one,

"Why you you

"Just

most endearing

his

nice cat." D.C. reared back and hissed

cat,

little

so-and-so,"

Zeke muttered under

his breath.

try that again."

Ingrid returned unexpectedly, bearing a dish of canned cat

She

food.

said coldly, "I heard

you swearing.

I

didn't think

an FBI agent—" "I

was not swearing.

was using some perfectly good king's

I

English to work off a few repressions." "Don't you like cats?" "I love

them."

He sneezed again.

"Honest

them." Allah forgive me, he thought, and

and the Kennedy "I don't

can't stand

think

if

you're a dog

nice— but

dachshund, and apricot tree,

fire

Edgar Hoover,

J.

brothers.

man

Patti will like you.

She

dog men. We've got a neighbor across the street-

he's awfully

mad

to goodness, I love

this

Patti can't stand

him because he has

dachshund comes over

and the

tree is dying,

and

all

Patti,

about anything, says she's going to

call

a

the time to our

who

never gets

the police or the

department or someone."

She asked unexpectedly, "Do you have "No, not now.

I did, a

He had

six that

been

a dog?"

long time ago."

Christmas

when

his father brought

pup home, and Zeke had named him Tom after an gnarled ranch hand. The collie had grown up along with

the collie old,

Zeke. For seven years they roamed the gether,

mind

and went

to a

a dog curled

hills

and canyons

to-

country school where the teacher didn't

up under

a desk.

Then one morning Zeke 49

Fiacencia

District

Placentia,

Library

California

got up to find Tom missing, and went calling him. He found him beyond the clump of dark red oleanders, by the corral,

unknown

shot by an

prowler.

Two of

the ranch hands helped

Zeke bury him under a cottonwood, and Zeke carved Tom's

name with

and put

his pocketknife across a fence board

up

it

The last time he was home, two years ago, he had sauntered down to the cottonwood and propped up the

as a marker.

marker that years of wind and rain had toppled.

Zeke was proud of the D.C.'s picture.

than a

of timing.

It

Under

he worked out

proved, he told Ingrid, that

moot point

a

cat,

strategy

in certain circles. It

himself

up on

tion,

was

all

smarter

a matter

and D.C. pushed

his

haunches

to reach for

He

amount of rumination.

it.

He

did this only

took into considera-

with a glance through narrowed eyes at Zeke, that

might prove a

trick.

But the smell of

figured he could trust his

As he reached

The

flash

fish

strong,

it,

withdrew

it,

Zeke took his

and

it,

in that

telling

Zeke credited D.C. with pulling

the fastest cat-disappearing act in history.

on the bed reaching

this

and he

picture.

momentarily blinded them. Afterwards, in

his fellow agents about

ished.

was

girl.

for the plate, Ingrid

second before D.C. could follow

"I

man was

Zeke's instructions, Ingrid lifted the plate of

cat food to a calculated point in the air,

after a certain

for taking

for the dish,

One

off

second he was

and the next he had van-

Talk about genii. This cat had a built-in one.

shouldve taken his prints

After a brief search they

he dared them to come

after

first,"

Zeke

said regretfully.

found D.C. under the bed where him.

The FBI be hanged.

on her knees, tried to reach him, but he only backed ing hurt.

It

was getting

5o

so

you couldn't

trust

anyone.

Ingrid,

off, look-

"I can't

go

all

the

way

under/' she said, looking

from a position that reversed the head and

and

dirty

room

Patti will

as clean as

She

up

at

Zeke

derriere. 'Til get to

keep

my

on the other

side,

and

murder me. I'm supposed

Mom does while she's gone."

offered a suggestion. "If you get

we both use our arms, one of us can grab him." Zeke took carefully

use

it.

off his coat

on the bed.

He

got

He

down on

caution and prudence a

on a

tiger hunt.

and unholstered

his gun, placing

it

suppressed an overwhelming urge to his

man

hands and knees with should show

The thought sped

when

all

of the

setting forth

swifdy in and out that

if

he

should be injured, say with a slash across the face, he would find

difficult to

it

memo the it

how it happened in the And from D.C.'s expression,

explain exactly

Bureau would

require.

was evident that D.C. intended

to scar

him for life.

D.C. asked no quarter, and had no intention of giving any.

He was

in the

same

elephants closing in.

position that a

The

fact that

man would be

he was small had never

occurred to him, nor that he was outweighed

And

with two

many

times over.

while he was angry to the point of murder with Zeke, he

was furious and hurt that Ingrid would give aid and comfort to the

enemy.

"You ready?" Ingrid shouted, looking under the bed

as

Zeke's eyes found the level of hers. "I

guess so." If a dangerous killer had lain in wait there,

Zeke would have known what

to do.

The FBI Academy in how to handle how to apprehend this

Quantico had coached him thoroughly about such situations. But he had no idea unco-operative informant.

grabbed him, he might

He

lose a

readily perceived that

if

he

hand.

Ingrid's hair fell over her tilted, puckish face. "We'll

5*

have

go for him

to

at the

same

time,

and

fast,

and back him toward

the wall." 'Til

count to three."

On

three, they

both lunged. D.C. was in a weakened con-

dition, of course, since

had

he had had no breakfast. But he

sufficient strength to slash

out with the speed of a

still

Samoan

knife thrower. Zeke stood his prone position with courage,

and while he missed capturing D.C, possibly because of the blood running direction

down

his

where she got

She pulled him out

hand, he forced D.C. in Ingrid's

hammer lock on and took him into a

D.C.'s hind leg.

mumbling

her arms,

soothing words. But D.C. would have none of them.

He

glared

He

unmercifully at her, utterly and forever disowning her.

gave her a swift kick with his hind a

leg, strong as a

maneuver which propelled him halfway She frowned and

prints?

just don't

I

Then

across the room.

"Do you have

asked,

crossbow,

to take his

paw

know—"

she saw the blood, and crossed the narrow hall to the

bathroom. She returned with a wet towel and a tube of antiseptic paste,

nothing

and doctored Zeke over

at all,

which

it

his protests that

it

was

was.

"I've got to get his prints,"

Zeke

said determinedly.

Unlike

the photograph, though, this involved actual physical contact,

and the Bureau would not use knockout

insist

pills or

on good sportsmanship.

chloroform.

D.C.'s attitude changed inexplicably. tle

He dared

He

sat

on

Ingrid's

lit-

gold chair, before the make-up table, and washed himself.

He was

When

following

Paul Gallico's

perceptive

observation:

in doubt, wash.

From

a brief case

Zeke brought forth an ink pad and several

blank fingerprint cards. Each had ten spaces. Through eyes

52

swollen half shut he studied one of the cards, uncertain where to place

D.C.'s

paw

print.

He

decided that

it

should go in the

space set aside for the thumb. Ingrid's glance

hopped from the ink pad

to

her white bed-

spread and white carpet, and she suggested they fingerprint

D.C. in the bathroom. Zeke that Ingrid cated.

He

was very much

a

hesitated,

suddenly conscious

woman—lovely,

sweet, uncompli-

had no idea how they could become

and devious by

She stood

so calculating

twenty-five.

in the doorway, looking quizzically at him, with

D.C. in her arms.

He

thought of the Bureau. Oh, what the

he decided; he'd already broken enough regulations

blazes,

get himself deported to

In the bathroom she

dumped D.C.

into the blue tub before

D.C. could assimilate that he was in evil purpose.

What

to

Wake Island. this

room only

a lousy, dirty trick to put

him

for

an

into some-

thing he couldn't get his claws into.

"Here," she said, "you hold his front paws and Til pin

down

his rear."

They went into position

like a

couple of rehearsed wrestlers.

Zeke sneezed, pressed a paw on the pad, sneezed again, and hesitated a split second. In putting the

should he

roll

the

paw toward him

or

paw down on

the card,

away from him?

Now

with humans, he rolled thumbs toward the subject, fingers away.

"What's the matter?" she asked, standing right behind him

and half leaning twenty-five

into the tub so that her weight

pounds of lurching, heaving,

would anchor

spitting,

snarling

flesh.

He

pressed the

sigh. It

was a good

paw down and withdrew print,

it,

and heaved

one of the best he had ever taken.

53

a

"Okay, IVe got

it,"

he

said, and,

having said

it,

felt

the

teeth sinking in.

He

let

promptly

go of D.C. with an old Iroquois war let

cry,

and D.C.

go of him and scrambled out, leaving his prints

on the tub, the

and the dining room carpet

vinyl,

he

as

streaked for the outdoors, preferring the hell of the mockingbirds to the indignities

he had been

"Have you had tetanus

suffering.

shots?" she asked.

"Yes." "It's all

right then. Don't worry about

the paw-printed tub. "Will they "I

don't know.

You may not

come

it."

She glanced

at

off?"

believe

but

it,

I've

never

fin-

gerprinted anyone in a bathtub before."

As he opened the door she was telling it

him any

and

time, that she did this every day,

and

was nothing, he looked

eyes. Golly,

and was thanking

her,

to leave,

at

he was thinking,

her gently until she averted her I'd like

someday

to

have a daugh-

ter like her.

The If

trouble was, you never

knew how

they would turn out

only they were returnable merchandise.

54

.

.

.

8

Zeke ran a thorough check on Greg Balter, which revealed that Baiter had no criminal record, had a high credit rating,

and held

attorneys

He

a reputation for integrity with his fellow

and the judges

in

whose courts he pleaded

was liked immensely, from the fellows

his cases.

at the ninety-nine-

cent car laundry where he regularly got his Thunderbird

washed

up

to the girls at Bob's

where he

just as regularly

showed

for hamburgers.

Zeke found that Greg shared a

suite of offices

other attorneys on the third floor of a building, one of those

modern

with two

Sherman Oaks

office

structures seemingly supported

55

by nothing more than

Zeke had

a building

steel

size

Around such start the

the street.

Greg looked up curiously when the with the

stilts.

he might sneeze and

a horror

down

building walking

and concrete

nine feet and

D

solidly built secretary

cup showed Zeke

in.

"So I've

got big feet?" she said, noting Zeke's glance.

Zeke stopped, dumfounded. Greg came len, please,

IVe

you not

told

to brag."

to his rescue. "El-

As Ellen disappeared

with a chuckle, Greg offered a firm handshake and indicated lines as the building.

Greg

leaned back in his swivel then, and waited warily.

The

a chair constructed along the

same

chances were that the FBI was calling about one of his cases.

Zeke wasted no time.

"I

thought you could help

me

case I've got out in your neighborhood. I'm sorry that tell

I

in a

can't

you anything about it—"

"You don't have

with me," Greg broke

to

He had had

exhausted and on edge.

He was

in.

a particularly trying after-

noon.

A

fessed

on the witness stand during cross-examination that she

had

lied

client— an elderly, motherly looking soul— had con-

about the facts in an auto accident.

It

was the

first

time he had been deceived by someone he represented.

Zeke continued, It

did to

me when

know

"I

I first

this

may sound

who

bor across the

street,

Miss Randall,

around a good

deal,

and we're trying

abouts for

He

last night.

trailed off.

.

since a

rose slowly,

56

where-

.

Greg had come upright

Puzzled, Zeke said slowly,

Greg

has a cat that roams

to trace the cat's

."

cordiality gone, his lips pulled into a

where he went

ridiculous to you.

heard about it— but you have a neigh-

woman's

"It's

grim

in the swivel, all

line.

important that

life is in

jeopardy.

we know ."

.

.

and Zeke noted with amazement the

clenched

"What'd she

fists.

down at him. "Who? Miss Randall?

I

don't think

"You wouldn't be here casionally

slamming

a

mustve been

a

if

fist

you

understand."

I

He

did."

began pacing,

FBI on me but

to sic the

whale of a good one

for

oc-

know what

into a palm. "I don't

made up

cock-and-bull story she

you?" Greg asked, staring

tell

you guys

to

it

swallow

it."

Zeke

said,

"She didn't

tell

us anything.

It

doesn't have any-

thing to do with her."

Greg her. I'm

raised his voice above Zeke's. "Don't try to cover for

an attorney, same

to divulge the source of

Zeke

Greg

as you. I

know

your information—but

said sharply, "You've got

had

interrupted. "I

this

"Please,

at

Mr.

sat

about twelve-thirty

night— or

all

day in a

A mallard duck." your duck."

"Her

in the swivel. last

know."

duck. I'd spent

Baiter, I'm not interested in

down hard

I

wrong—"

it all

blinding rain. Almost got pneumonia.

Greg

you're not supposed

this

cat stole the

morning

it

duck

would've

been."

Zeke shouted, "I'm "So

and

I

I

went over

sorry about your

to get

my duck

duck but—"

back. I had every right—

caught the cat red-handed." That didn't sound

he corrected himself.

"I

right, so

caught him with the evidence in his

He had committed a felony and I told her so." "Now wait a minute—you've got to listen to me."

mouth.

"I've tried to

be a good neighbor.

ball last Christmas,

selling tickets

death.

when

Oh,

and

and her kid

raising

sure, I said

he's stood all

I

bought Mike a basket-

sister's

around

money. She's about

all

the time

to dollar

me

to

some nasty things but who wouldn't

day in a storm

.

.

.

but

I

went over today 57

noon and apologized although

at I

I

know why

don't

the blazes

did" "If

you'd just

What

initiative.

Zeke shouted, seeking

listen,"

in the world

had gone wrong?

few simple questions, such

in to ask a

to recover the

as

He

had come

he asked a hundred

times a week, and a mallard duck had waddled into the interrogation.

Greg was not

be talked down. "What in hell jurisdiction

to

has the FBI got anyway? Don't

tell

me

the cat crossed a state

line."

Zeke surrendered.

He

brief case. Immediately

rose,

up

his

sorry."

He

hat in hand, and picked

Greg simmered down. "I'm

wiped the nervous sweat from

his forehead. "I've

had a rough

day."

haven't had exactly a normal one myself," Zeke re-

"I

marked.

He

added,

you, Mr. Baiter, our case has

"I assure

nothing whatsoever to do with Miss Randall or your duck.

thought you might

know where

the cat goes nights, that

some neighbor or friend had mentioned by

to

I

maybe

you that he drops

for a visit."

"You're the craziest

FBI agent

here asking where a cat goes, in "Yeah,

I

status has

But

know. Since

when

cat

ever met, coming around

dead seriousness."

all

morning,

my

mental

for myself, too,

Mr.

Baiter.

seven-fifty this

been a cause of concern

regardless, please give

where the

I

it

some thought.

If

you do know

goes— maybe even you've seen him some night

you've walked your dog."

Greg shook

his head.

grinned unexpectedly.

he was giving 58

my

"I

"No, guess

I I

can't help you. Sorry."

should feel hurt.

yard his exclusive attention.

From

I

He

thought the looks

of

it,

I didn't

suppose he had time to do any excavation work

elsewhere."

Greg added,

"If

you pick him up,

let

me know.

help with the prosecution."

59

I

want

to

9

The briefing

session began at 4:30 p.m.

agents, chosen carefully for their

skills,

visor

Newton's

ages,

though the majority were in

wore

dark, conservative suits

neys,

which they were.

crowded

into Super-

They were

of all

their early thirties.

They

small, hospital-like office.

and

Twenty-four

ties,

and looked

like attor-

Zeke stood before a diagram that had been chalked blackboard. for

The

chart showed the Randall

two miles about. Zeke

house

at

said,

approximately seven

and attempt 60

to stay

in

on a

home and an

area

"Our informant

will leave the

forty-five. I will trail

him out

with him until he leaves the yard. Ac-

cording to our information, he will go around the house on the east side,

keeping well under the shrubbery, and will emerge

at this point."

Newton never if

took his eyes from Zeke.

Newton doubted

he could have chosen a better agent to run

orthodox shadow job. Zeke missed no veillance with the

attorney

same diligence

would follow

He charted

a sur-

that a highly skilled criminal

in briefing a court

human

possessed a great

detail.

un-

this highly

The

quality.

And

trial.

yet

he

people in his cases

were people with homes and children and problems. Hell probably be liking the confounded cat before tonights over,

Newton thought

to himself.

Now Zeke stepped to a blown-up photograph of the Randall home. "He

will

remain here several minutes before crossing

the street, where he will enter the back yard of an attorney,

Greg

Baiter."

Newton broke

think you should point out that

in. "I

do not have the co-operation of Mr. asked for

it,

due

"If

he follows

variable nightly routine, the their

haven't

Mr. Baiters hostility toward the informant."

to

Zeke continued,

up on

we

Baiter. In fact,

we

this pattern,

number one

sound cone, which

will

which

is

his in-

agents will pick

be stationed

him

at this cross

street."

The "sound cone" was like a rifle to pick

three

hundred

up

a parabolic

mike that could be aimed

the faintest noise from a distance of

yards,

Zeke continued, "Miss Randall informs will not object to

tached.

He

that the cat

wearing an old collar with a small

used to wear

she didn't replace

me

it.

But

it all

the time, but

she's getting

it

when

it

bell at-

wore out

repaired today.

61

How-

ever,

if

he wants

can't pick

The

he can move

to,

up the sound

so stealthily the

human

parabolic mike

would "hear" the

though, and

bell,

away

"follow" D.C. from a distance sufficiently far

he would not know he was being shadowed. "We're it's

ear

of the bell."

imperative he doesn't

know

so that

told that

we're around," Zeke contin-

ued, "since he might become self-conscious and return home.

"Now,

men have him

the same time that the sound cone

at

under surveillance, other agents

watch the

will attempt to

in-

formant, also at a distance, through an infra-red scope."

The "light

scope was an instrument that used infra-red rays to

up" the dark.

An

person— or cat— almost

"We

will

ter in the

mesh

this

agent could look through

it,

and

see a

as clearly as in daylight.

maneuver through an Operations Cen-

back of a drugstore

which

at this point,

is

Newton

blocks from the Randall home. Supervisor

charge, and will keep in touch by radio with

about two will

all

be in

cars

and

agents on foot, as well as myself in the back bedroom of the

Randall residence."

Newton

interrupted.

"You should know that

are already scouring the area for possible

showing the informant's photograph a lead if

paw

several agents

prints,

to children.

We

and are

may

get

from them before the informant leaves the house, and

we do we

will relay

it

to you."

Zeke continued, "You're probably wondering how we are going to identify the informant once he leaves the house, since a black cat looks like

any other black

cat."

He

to a black cat another black cat doesn't, the to a

Chinese, but to

me

smiled.

same

as a

"Maybe Chinese

they do. We're taking care of that by

applying phosphorescent paint to the hair on the tip of his tail."

62

10

Zeke's lank

frame looked strange in the blue quilted

chintz chair as he huddled over a two-way radio that he had set

up

alongside the extension

the doorway Ingrid

phone

and Mike watched

the equipment, Inky's on the

bedroom. In

in Patti's

avidly, Mike's eyes

Sprawled on the bed was D.C. with his white-tipped curled around so he could reach ter

how

strenuously he washed

it

it,

with his tongue.

he could not

lick

and he was pained deeply. They had ruined him since

Mike was

explain

it

ten

had he been painted.

to his friends.

on

man.

What would

He

for

No it

tail

mat-

clean,

life.

Not

could never

Poker Face,

63

who

lived

in the next block, think? Poker Face wouldn't say anything,

D.C. invited him

of course, since

bowl

for a

Zeke

of milk, a liquid

said into the mike,

The answer came

into the

house occasionally

D.C. loathed. "Car fourteen.

Come in,

immediately. "Car fourteen

,>

fourteen. in.

Were

in position. All set"

Zeke said, "Car

And ishing,

so

went

it

fifteen.

Come in, fifteen."

Zeke checked each

as

thought better of the idea.

run

to

As he was

car.

fin-

he heard the front door slam. Ingrid swung about but

meet

Patti, to

Any

other night she would have

hug her and hear what was

the latest in

the world of fashion and business. Inky could scarcely wait to get a job

modeling, and the fervent hope that she could had

inspired her to give

up

virtually all food, except

an occasional

hot fudge nut sundae.

As

Patti

came down the

hall,

she called, "Inky, what's been

going on in the bathroom?" She was wearing her no-nonsense voice.

She entered the bedroom and stopped

He spoke up quickly.

short

on seeing Zeke.

Tm to blame, Miss Randall. We finger-

printed D.C. in there.

should've cleaned

I

it

up."

He

added,

"We had a litde difficulty." Mike put in,

"It's

a good thing

Ingrid said hurriedly, "It was

Mom isn't here." my

idea, sis."

Zeke, "You're a doll to take the blame but

though

I

admire a

man who protects

a

I

She turned

won't

let

you,

to al-

woman. Not many men

do."

"Horse-radish,"

Mike

said.

Patti tossed her jacket to

rub his

ears.

64

on the bed beside D.C. and stooped

D.C. stretched and purred

loudly.

She was

without doubt the best ear rubber in the business. "Don't worry,

clean

I'll

it

up later."

"Huh!" Mike exclaimed. bathroom

I

have

Zeke said

to

Tm

to Patti,

sorry about taking over your bed-

sweedy. "Would

Patti smiled

as breathe in the

wipe up the moisture."

room. Ill put everything back like

much

much

"If I so

it

was when

I

be upsetting the FBI too

I finish."

get a change of clothes?"

if I

Zeke grinned. "Come and go any time you want

to.

Make

yourself at home."

Mike

asked,

"You wearing your black

lace panties tonight?"

She stood motionless, her hands poised

stiff

over the drawer

they had been about to explore. Ingrid screamed, "Michael

How could you?"

Randall!

Zeke I

said quiedy, "Don't let

had an older sister— and

I said

to her.

He

bother you, Miss Randall.

the same things."

She turned, and the look was

Mike went

it

was

a kiss. as near crying as a

man

of

twelve dared to come. "I was just teasing, Pat. I'm a louse."

She put her hand forget

it,

"So run along and

let's

huh?"

When hard.

to his cheek.

You

age. He'll

he was gone Inky say things

said,

"The maturing

and wonder why.

I

process

was the same

is

at his

grow out of it."

Zeke shook

his

know. Most of us

head

as

he returned

don't. I've

to the radio. "I don't

been saying things

all

my

life I

shouldn't have."

At on

that

its first

moment the phone rang, and Ingrid picked it up note. Her voice dropped, and she carried the phone

over to the far window.

65

"It's

a boy," Patti said. "I can always

tell.

She sounds

like

Sandra Dee."

Zeke sneezed, and the sneeze reminded him. dering about the

She

was won-

"I

cat's dinner."

fished a dress out of the closet

and shut the door behind

her, standing very straight in a patch of evening sun.

promised

him by his name."

to call

Zeke shifted uneasily. his eyes

from

"I did, didn't I?"

hers. Afterwards

He

him

at all tonight?

couldn't take

he thought they were blue,

but he was never sure. "About D.C.'s dinner. didn't feed

"You

What

Wouldn't he go out

you

if

earlier look-

ing for something?" "That's not 1

mean

.

.

what he

looks for," she said without thinking.

.

Zeke grinned.

"I

know what you mean."

In the background Ingrid's voice grew louder.

whether I can't

Okay,

I

can go at

help I'll

it,

let

I

Eddie.

all,

I'll

have

to ask

"I don't

my

know

sister.

never do anything without asking

my

.

.

.

sister.

you know, Eddie. Good-by."

Patti stared in disbelief. "Since

when have you

ever asked

my permission to do anything?" Ingrid returned the didn't

want me

right, I guess, if

but

I

don't

else asks

to tell

phone

to the night table. "Well,

him

the truth, did you? Eddie's

you want

want

to

to

you all

run around with an encyclopedia,

go with him

to the

prom, unless nobody

me."

"And I'm

the villain,

if

you need one?"

Ingrid turned. "You don't mind, do you, sis?" She displayed

her most ingratiating smile. you. You're so sweet to me." "Horse-radish!"

66

"I don't

know what

I'd

do without

As Ingrid

started for the door,

At the "Miss," her eyes

Randall."

Zeke

lighted.

someone who knew and respected her ing.

He was

this

was over and

Zeke

a living doll.

said,

but right

"Why,

At

last,

here was

And he was

smil-

She would write Mr. Hoover when

him.

tell

We're running our own phone

now we have to depend on

of course,

Mr.

Kelso. Ill

in here

this one."

do anything you want

me

Anything."

to.

"And no dates here She shot a

age.

"As a special favor, would you keep your phone

conversations brief? later

called to her, "Miss

tonight, please.

No boy friends."

Patti a glance. "I'm not permitted

Tuesday night due

to certain

date back to medieval times.

She never

finished.

An

pictures

on the wall

make-up

table to clinking.

customs in

The

boy friends on

this family that

thinking in this family—"

explosion shook the room, set the

to trembling

and the cosmetics on the

Zeke tensed

as his thoughts scram-

bled to place and identify the sound. Ingrid did "It's

up

nothing.

Mike

it

for him.

another rocket. He's going to blow

set off

the whole neighborhood someday but

we must make

sacri-

fices for science."

"I

want

to

speak to him," Zeke said sharply. "Call him

in,

will you?"

Ingrid disappeared the same

moment

that the front doorbell

buzzed. "Excuse me," Patti said.

Zeke followed her silendy down the sight as she

versation "It's

opened the front door.

between the two

dead, Miss Randall.

but take

it

out."

He

hall,

relaxed

keeping out of

when

the con-

man.

identified the caller as a tree

No

life in it at all.

Zeke couldn't hear what she

Nothing

to

said but the

67

do

man

answered,

"I don't

know. Might have been. But these

apricots,

they get old like the rest of us and die."

Mike came operation. "I don't

in then, trailed by Ingrid.

Would he mind

want D.C.'s nerves

turning to the bedroom.

Zeke asked

He

shattered,"

Zeke explained,

ranean depths

had

when

tail.

He should have taken

laundry

bit,

went

the rocket

off.

He was

still

to the subter-

But he hadn't.

and washed that long

just sat there calmly

re-

noted that for some inexplicable

reason D.C. did not seem particularly disturbed.

washing away on that

his co-

foregoing rocket research tonight?

tail.

He

This

pursued over an extended period, was beginning

to bother Zeke.

Zeke continued,

important that

"It's

we

don't do anything

to upset his nerves tonight."

"He hasn't got any," Mike countered. Ingrid nodded. "You don't get that kind for two dollars at

SPCA." Mike continued,

the

"I've got

was pleased no end.

He

tongue action from his glance at

to go. He doesn't He roughed up D.C, and D.C.

one more rocket

mind, do you, you old skunk."

never missed a

tail

to his boy.

Mike and grabbed

his

lick, transferring his

He

hand with

shot a mischievous his

two front #paws,

sheathing the claws so he wouldn't hurt him, and then seized a ringer and

gendy tightened

"Oh, so you want

his teeth.

to get rough,

huh?" Mike

fell to

the bed

and began wresding with D.C. "Please,"

Zeke shouted, the sweat breaking out on him.

"You're getting

him

all

upset."

Ingrid yelled, "Michael!" and displeasure.

He

quit,

much

to D.C.'s

crawled along the bed after Mike, shooting

out a paw, trying to pull

68

Mike

him back.

Mike

straightened. "Don't

you

will take

most anybody.

We've

fire.

police

He

guys tonight. He's braver than

wouldn't be scared to walk right into gun-

down

got this police dog

the street, the biggest

dog you ever saw, but he doesn't come up around here

D.C. ran him out

since

you worry, Mr. Kelso, old D.C.

straight to those

Mike added,

"I'll

a year ago."

wait until tomorrow to

fire

the other

rocket."

He

left,

and Ingrid followed. She stopped

as she passed

Zeke, standing quite close to him. "You're so masterful," she said. "I

wish the boys

don't measure up.

When

at school were,

They

but

let's

face

it,

they

absolutely don't."

she was gone he sat

down

again in the robin's-egg-

blue chair, and ran his long, bony fingers along the heavy cording.

D.C. paused

glared back.

"It's

in his ablutions to glare at

mutual, chum.

It's

him, and Zeke

mutual."

Two hours to go. In the kitchen Ingrid mixed

up

He just hates

it

hates me. to I

me.

And

a batch of scrabble.

hurts

so. I

help the FBI with the fingerprinting and

"He

was only trying

all.

But he thinks

enemy, and he's never going to sleep on my bed He went straight to your room after it happened. Acted wasn't on earth. When I tried to make up, he moved

helrfed the

again. like I

away, like

I

wasn't there,

"He'll get over for a

and—"

Patti told her. "He'll stay in

it,"

my room

while to teach you a lesson."

Ingrid nodded. "I

know

just

how he

feels.

He'll forgive

me, but not right away." After tasting the scrabble, she tossed in another sack of peanuts. "Greg picked

me up on

the

way home from 69

school.

me because he wanted who went to him to get a

Said he'd been looking everywhere for

my

advice on

how

to

handle a

girl

divorce/' Patti interrupted. "Let

She added

advice?"

me

get this straight.

since she

was

she's

seventeen— and

a high school

guy

she's

she's

been

known

And do you know what's bugging her?" hastened to answer her own questions before

a kid.

Invariably she

anyone

wants your

"Oh, brother!"

to herself,

my age—well, six months. To

"She's about

married only

He

else could.

"Her husband doesn't open car doors

for

her like he did before they were married, or light cigarettes,

and carry

in the groceries.

So she thinks he

any more, and she wants Greg is

trying to talk her out of

dollars— that's ally

how much he

to get

her a divorce, but Greg

although

it,

doesn't love her

two hundred

he'll lose

charges for a divorce— and he re-

needs the two hundred."

"And

of course he consulted you. Natch. Since you're an

authority on love." "All right!

me. Get

Anyway, he wanted

to try out his

approach on

my reaction, he said."

The doorbell rang and Patti hurried to answer. A neighbor woman handed her a letter from her parents that had been delivered by mistake. Patti let out a yell that brought Ingrid

and Mike, and they

sat

on the arms of the overstuffed chair

while her fingers ripped into the envelope, which bore the postmark, Helvetia. "Helvetia?" asked Mike. 'Where's that?" "Switzerland, you

'Well,

dumb

bunny," Ingrid told him.

why don't they say so?"

Patti took

two notes

out,

one from each of

Their dad wrote about Lucerne, Switzerland.

70

their parents.

He told how the

English had colonized Lucerne, "a former Swiss town," but,

with the usual English diplomacy, permitted the Swiss to

fly

the Swiss flag and, also with typical English courtesy, tolerated a certain

number

American and German

of

travelers to visit

the colony.

Mike

said,

"He's as funny as Art Buchwald."

"Who's he?" Ingrid asked.

Mike emitted battle ignorance

a worldly sigh. "I'm surrounded

by morons.

I

day after day."

"You don't know

"You

either," Ingrid countered.

see a

name

somewhere and you go around acting like you know him." Patti read the note

they had seen in

from their mother,

possible dollar's worth out of the trip. art gallery

who

recounted what

Their mother would squeeze every

Italy.

She would

and museum and take every tour

managed on

visit

every

that could be

a back-breaking, foot-wrecking, fourteen-hour-a-

day schedule. Their dad would go along willingly, although

he would prefer

wander down

to

into out-of-the-way places,

little

and eat

back

sidewalk cafes, and watch the crowds go by. in people alive

old because

it

and on the hoof, not

was

old.

He would

needed was a wrecking crew

streets,

at small inns,

and poke and

sit at

He was interested

in the veneration of the

remark that what the place

to clean

up the

debris of a thou-

sand years, and their mother would be shocked, not knowing that the people living in the area wished the same, that nights

many

of

them looked

rooms and yearned

for

at

magazine pictures of modern bath-

them, but

knew

they would have to

content themselves with the same old drab w.c. to the end of their days.

This time, their mother's

recital

was

she closed, she wrote, 'We're seeing so

briefer than usual.

many wondrous 7'

As

places

Dad and Fve dreamed

that

but sometimes our

lives

I

wonder

with you,

about since

if it's

we were

worth taking

when we have such

little

first

married,

weeks out of

six

time to enjoy

you before you grow up and are gone. Our hearts are with you every day, no matter where we

much, and being away seems precious, until at times

When

go.

make

We

love

the love a

you

all

little

so

more

hurts."

Patti finished, they sat quiet a long

moved. Then died,

it

to

moment, deeply

Patti said briskly, "Let's get dinner.

They haven't

you know."

Mike

cleared his throat.

"The minute they

get back, I'm

going to hit them up for a bicycle, before they forget

much

how

they love me."

Ingrid turned on him. "You're horrible. Absolutely horrible. Isn't

he

horrible, sis?"

72

11

Sammy left at seven to

pick up the morning news-

papers from the large stand at the corner of Ventura and

Nuys. They bought the newspapers

religiously.

Van

They rememwho had

bered a friend, old Al Bricker, a smalltime gangster,

been apprehended because he that an informant

read

it

had tipped

failed to read the night before off the police.

someplace, knowledge

there ever tives do.

was one. We'll play

They

is it

power, and the

way

Dan had

said, "I

that's a truth if

the big shot execu-

read everything they can get their hands on

about their competitors."

To date,

their reading

had provided them with

little

73

knowl-

The police, and hence the newspapers, apparently knew nothing beyond the bare facts concerning the commission of the crime. Knowing this gave the two a sense of se-

edge.

curity

and eased the

tension.

Sammy

This morning, however, when

chewing

gum

his

"That dame up

he

front/*

stopped me, and along. I could

hard, the

know

I

tell

way he

did

returned, he

when he was

"She

said, referring to the landlady.

she'd been waiting for

me

was

shaken.

to

come

Not

cause the door opened real quick-like.

when somebody's going out." "Get to the point," Dan snapped.

like

"Cripes, give

me

good morning, and I

could,

how was

a chance. Well, she stopped

I tried to

your wife. Getting better,

said she'd cooked a chicken

bring

it in. I

asks me.

being on a

tell,

diet. I said she'd

diet.

What

kind of a

diet,

gone into something worse, and

me what, and I said the prethers, and we had careful what we gave her." "What else?" Dan demanded impatiendy. it.

to

be

We got to move fast. We've got to get rid of

the broad before that "I can't

she

she says, of a bronchitis patient

she asked

"That was

She

I told her.

and had some broth and would

was on a

said she

Never heard

me with a me before

hurry by but she asked

dame comes around."

understand

it,"

Dan

said.

"Something must've hap-

pened. She's never shown any interest in us before."

They had canvassed looked as

if

ment on an

this entire area to find a landlady

who

mind her own business, and an apartthey could come and go without passing

she would alley, so

through a foyer.

The day

they rented the place she had been

extremely impersonal, almost curt. She had

would not disturb them 74

if

they

left

let

them know she

her alone. "The rent's

eighty-five a

month furnished

you buy another.

They

I

don't

bank

trouble.

I

you wear out a broom,

want no tenants pestering me."

"My

when shows up

figured

I

Dan

solved

it

by

wife and me, we've been having

moved

in here

we'd broken up for

today and we got everything settled. know you'll want more money, now there's three of us."

good but she I

If

they had a problem.

teller

telling the landlady,

is.

were brothers, and then when they

told her they

seized the

as

"Ninety-five for three."

"That sounds reasonable." her soon as she feels like

and taken

The that

if

to

it.

He

added,

"I

want you

to

meet

She's got a bad spell of bronchitis

bed but she'll be up and about soon."

landlady had offered no comment.

Her

she never met his wife, that would be

attitude

all

was

right with

her.

Now Sammy said, "I got a brain storm in the night." Dan showed no interest. He was pacing about, thinking. Sammy continued, "If we forced forty or fifty sleeping pills down her, it'd look like she conked off on her own." Dan's look stopped him. "What're we going to do, hang around while they pick up her body and find out who she is?" "No,

we'll

"And and

powder

leave a

she'll

out."

trail

pick us out

a mile wide?

when

The

landlady's seen us,

the cops bring their

little

album

around, and then they'll plaster our pictures in the papers,

and we won't be able

to stick

our heads out the rest of our

lives."

Sammy

They both had records, and hence mug They had been caught within hours after together, the heist of a Yuma, Arizona, bank.

squirmed.

photographs on their

first

A clever

job

file.

attorney, though,

had upset the witnesses 75

to

such an

who had been

extent that the bank manager, identification of them,

had become confused.

positive in his

To

their

amaze-

ment, the jury acquitted them.

Dan

continued, "What're you trying to do,

the ten-most-wanted

They

Sammy, make

list?"

quieted at the sound of water running in the bath-

room, and

fell

into their usual places in a couple of easy chairs

with the newspaper divided between them.

A

quarter hour later she emerged with heavy gray circles

under "

lifeless eyes.

'Bout time you were getting out here," said

"What you

ing his watch.

She ing

Sammy, check-

trying to do? Starve us to death?"

He was on his feet like a spring"When I say something, you listen,

started for the kitchen.

tiger,

and grabbed

her.

you hear me, you big fat broad?" "I

heard you.

Dan

said,

I didn't

"Make

it

think an answer was needed."

ham

for

me. I'm hungry enough

to eat

a bear."

Sammy rump in

let

her go. "Go on, you heard him. Get your big

there."

He cuffed her on the rear.

Controlling her anger, she asked calmly,

want me

to

do? Blow up, so you can slap

what you want? "Cut

it,

I've

played

Sammy," Dan

ball,

She continued, addressing

much

longer to

thinks I'm dead

.

live, .

.

phone him and say I'm

Dan

put

down

"Sweetheart, you

76

Is that

haven't I?"

herself to

and

if

all

Dan,

and very

"My sick.

dad's got

He

hasn't

he doesn't hear from me,

what I'm

getting at

is,

could you

if

he

tele-

right?"

the paper while

know

'What do you around?

said.

a birthday today. He's sixty-seven,

got

me

Sammy watched

they've got a tap

for a cue.

on your old dad's

phone, and the minute

I call

me

him, the bulls pick

You

up.

wouldn't want that to happen, would you, because you'd be all

alone with

Sammy."

He

"Hey, Jenkins," put in Sammy, "what about that?" turned to Dan. "No, ing.

I

don't think so. I like 'em hungry-look-

No hips, no—"

"Okay, Sammy. Let her get breakfast." In the kitchen, she got the eggs, bacon, and refrigerator,

beginning,

and began the monotonous

when

ham from

the

daily routine. In the

they had insisted she cook for them, she had

balked, then realized she

would anger them without accom-

was then,

plishing anything. It

that

first

night, that she de-

cided she would never cross them. She would act submissive in the

hope she might catch them off guard.

In studying her

must somehow ment.

The

possibilities for survival,

attract attention

from the outside

physical setup, though,

dows were nailed

fast,

she concluded she

was

and those in the

curtains too heavy to see through.

to the apart-

against her. living

Only ten

The

win-

room hung with feet

beyond was

the brick wall of the next building. Since the apartment

was

on the

rear,

only an occasional person passed by. In the

kitchen

itself

Dan

was

kept the Venetian shades drawn, which

logical since the

As

a result of her

bility carefully. If

sun struck that side until midafternoon.

bank

training, she

she had

examined every

known about

have shorted a wire, blown a

fuse,

electricity,

possi-

she could

and brought someone

the apartment. But she hadn't the faintest idea

how

to

into

induce

a short.

The

next possibility that had occurred was to

She watched

for a

wastebasket but

chance

Dan

to

start a fire.

drop a match into the kitchen

kept her under close observation. Then,

77

three days ago, she reshaped the idea.

She

left

a roast in the

oven, turned the flame to five hundred, and propped the oven

door open slighdy with a knife. As she

the kitchen,

left

she closed the door. She had hoped the roast would burn, the

smoke

fill

the kitchen and seep out the back window, and a

passer-by call the

fire

department. But Dan, always

smelled the smoke before

it

had accumulated

alert,

sufficiently. In-

stead of opening the outside door to air the kitchen, he turned

on the exhaust slowly carried

fan,

it

out.

and they

sat in the

"What you

smoke

until the fan

trying to do, get the

fire

de-

partment in here?" he asked with that uncanny instinct for seeing through a matter. But while he might be suspicious, he

could not be sure. Accidents like that did happen. After that,

however, he checked the burners before they

And

then

last

left

the kitchen.

night this stray cat had offered her another

By now someone had found the watch. The question in her mind was, would they identify the watch? Surely the newspapers had carried her description and what she was chance.

wearing. Surely her father had given them the photograph

taken at a bank picnic only a month ago, and she had had the

watch on her

left wrist at

what the newspapers had out

stories relating to the

her.

Twice when news

the time. She had no idea, though, printed.

Dan and Sammy

clipped

crime before passing the papers to

broadcasts

came over about the holdup,

they switched to other stations.

And

another fear ate into her.

the story

if

Would

the watch were found? If they did, she was dead.

Literally dead. Surely the police

again,

As

maybe the cat's folks would

if

the newspapers carry

would tell

realize this.

But then

the newspapers.

he were reading her mind, Dan asked, "What time you

got, sweetheart?"

78

She went about the chore of turning the bacon with

a steadi-

ness that belied the grab of her heart. "I don't know. I've mis-

my

When

up this morning, it wasn't on the night table. I mustve put it down somewhere." Sammy's voice came over from the living room. "You're get-

placed

watch.

I

got

ting old, Jenkins."

"She's not that old," just lose a

said softly,

and

"You don't

to her,

watch in a three-room apartment."

"I'd lose

my head if it weren't screwed on."

Dan was huh? Right

not to be diverted. "You try real hard to find after breakfast

looking until you find

watch, would we,

Sammy

Dan

it.

you

start looking,

it,

and you keep

We wouldn't want you to lose your

Sammy?"

laughed. "You don't think

we swiped

it,

do you,

Jenkins?"

Dan was to think

smart.

back

She wondered how long

it

would take him

to the cat.

79

12

Patti applied her make-up swiftly and expertly. She

had

told

Greg she would come over

to his

ready for their date. Ingrid, she had friends in

and

him

couldn't have

On

her

might be awkward

it

way

if

house when she was

said,

would be having

he called

for her.

She

accidentally discovering Zeke.

out, she looked in

on Zeke and D.C. Zeke

smiled and rose quickly from the chintz chair.

"He won't

get hurt, will he?" she asked. "I mean,

any shooting?

.

Zeke sobered. 80

.

if there's

."

"I

promise you

I

won't

let

anything happen

we move

him. We'll wait until he's out of the place before

to

in."

He

was

No matter what he thought of

sincere.

question, he

would take every

the party in

possible step to safeguard him.

The Bureau would expect no less. An

agent must never permit

him

in his relationships with

his personal feelings to influence

people,

the

which he guessed included

cats'

point of view that they were people.

She experienced was

as

a

warm

glow. Just talking with Zeke Kelso

He moved

as

if

And

to get there.

of quiet determination

He

falling.

and talked slower,

was in no rush

was

Dropping at

still,

to

go and

he gave an impression

rubbed D.C.'s

to the bed, she

the others forgot, she

girl.

He

remembered

quieter. In times of stress

He

looked

won't be

and Mike

home it.

just as

fond of her.

his dinner.

And

she

rest

body and mind.

until about eleven," she said, "but Inky

will be here,

they'll take care of

hadn't reared her,

he could climb into her lap

and be assured of a haven where he could

He

ears.

her with adoration, and twisted his head about so he

he had Inky and Mike, but he was

When

"I

unlike Greg.

and singleness of purpose that would

could lick her wrist. This was his

was

totally

he had no place

him plodding over any mountain.

carry

as

when

comforting as stepping into the sun on a day

golden aspen leaves were

up

cats since all cat lovers took

and

if

You'll find

there's

anything you want

them very dependable."

thanked her, and watched

as

her trim, sharply deline-

ated figure glided out the door and turned

left.

In the dining room she stopped before the mirror above the chest for one final check. for lunch,

She had had only one

and some unborn

peas,

slice of

meat

which her Uncle Bob would

have said were a great waste of pea potential.

And Si

she swore

they showed in a neat

little

pad on her

right hip.

She remem-

bered then to get two frozen dinners out of the deep freeze

Mike and

for

Ingrid.

Zeke had had dinner,

so

he

said, prior

to arriving.

In the living room she stopped very

still

on discovering

Inky crying, then dropped quickly beside her on the divan, taking her into her arms.

On

the record player in the far cor-

ner "The Unfinished Symphony" was approaching

con-

its

clusion.

"Hon, what "It's

in the world?" Patti asked.

so beautiful,"

Patti stood

up

Inky managed

to say.

quickly, letting Inky drop. "Oh, for heaven's

sake, Ingrid Randall, act your age.

know you're going

Why do you play

it if

you

to cry?"

"I felt like crying. I just felt like

can't help

"So beautiful."

it— and

it's

so beautiful I

it."

Her record collection included BeeBob Newhart, Wagner, Pat Boone, Verdi, Ella Fitz-

Honestly, that kid. thoven,

gerald, Julie

London, Debussy.

Inky continued, dance with Eddie.

His

why

sister said

"I

I

guess I'm going to have to go to the

thought sure

he was but

can't a girl ask a boy?

"It's

man's

last

I

Tommy was going to ask me.

can't wait

Why

must

much it

longer.

Oh,

sis,

always be the boy?"

stand in a changing world. Something like

Custer's."

She was about

to leave

when

tering these crises could be.

she remembered

Turning back, she

how

said,

shat-

"Look,

hon, sometimes a real sensitive guy has a hard time getting

up enough courage casually

if

to invite a girl.

you're going to see

be subtle in a sledge

82

him

Why at the

hammer sort of way."

don't you ask

him

dance? You know,

Ingrid's tears vanished.

Going out the

door, Patti said, "See

you about eleven. Take good care of the FBI agent. I'm not sure he's safe around

"Or you

D.G" As

she closed the door, she added,

either."

She hurried down the path

to the sidewalk, conscious that

No

wonder

They were always going under

for the

Mrs. Macdougall was watering the roses again. they didn't bloom.

and Mrs. Macdougall nod-

third time. Patti called out hello,

ded in a robot kind of manner. She hadn't smiled in a quarter of a century

She

and had no intention of shattering precedent.

said something that Patti didn't hear.

was the

roar of

sound chasing

Passing under the apricot

jets

Overhead there

around.

tree, a

blackened skeleton limned

against the soft evening sky, Patti felt the pull of sadness.

That

tree

trained

main

it

had helped for

to rear

stalk, so it

Inky and Mike. Her mother had

when

was a sapling by snipping its would branch out low from the ground and

mission

its

be a good "climbing

tree."

up

they had shinnied

it

it

Every few years, in successive turns,

to hide in its foliage,

and

sit

very

still,

and watch the world pass by on the sidewalk beneath. They had hissed cadike

at

unsuspecting dogs, and barked at

and surprised hand-in-hand couples by shouting loudly.

That

tree

was a part of her

everything in her past, was going. house, shading its

it

in the

That blasted

and now,

was

cats,

names

like almost

a part, too, of the

in the winter dropping

Without the

tree the

house

a plucked chicken. Blitzy,

The dog watched in his sharp

It

summer, and

leaves to let the sunshine in.

would look like

past,

their

little

she thought.

her cross the street with an

eyes.

He

on top of the divan in Greg's

was squatting in

evil glint

his usual spot

living room, looking out the pic-

83

ture

window.

She snarled

When

she was a few steps away, he snarled.

right back.

Taken by

wards, landed hard on the

floor,

he tumbled back-

surprise,

and yelped

furiously.

returned the bark as she passed by, rather proud that she

wuf As ."

retained such an accomplished "wuf,

had spoken the dog language

She rang the

Greg answered,

What

around the house.

she saw in

the driveway stopped her cold. There stood the white

derbird being washed vigorously

boys

who greeted

wall

Greg.

away

He

And

her gaily.

which was

tire,

as

many

squatting beside a rear whiteas a cleric's collar,

Levi's that should

to rest in their old age,

Thun-

not efficiently by two small

immaculate

wore a pair of

accumulated from

if

accent.

and when no

front doorbell several times, started

still

a youngster she

and without an

fluently

She

and a work

jobs. "Didn't

was

have been put

shirt stiff

with paint

expect to see you," he

mumbled, walking toward her and away from the boys. "I

we had a date."

thought

"Didn't you read the fine type?

Both

It says:

consider this contractual agreement canceled

parties will

if

either en-

gages in practices considered detrimental to the other."

"What in heaven's name are you "I apologized, didn't I? I told

was your

cat

who stole my

duck.

talking about?"

you

I

was

And you

although

sorry,

led

me

it

to believe—"

"GregP "—that everything was okay between us

you had sicced the FBI on

duck back

me— and

all

when

because

I

all

the time

wanted

my

that I'd stood all day in the rain—"

"For heaven's sake, hush up and listen

"Okay, so you've had your fun.

and while they didn't tie me

to a spit

"Greg!" She screamed his

84

name

to

me."

The FBI

questioned me,

and break me—" so loud that

he stopped,

She

startled.

the

said in a steady, controlled voice, "I did not sic

FBI on you.

me

"Answer agent about

this:

"I don't

of

me

Did you

last night, that

"He wanted him-" running

did not—"

I

or did

you not

know where D.C. had been and

to

understand you, Miss Randall. So help

to the

I can't

FBI when

was your

it

cat,

I

me

told

I

I don't,

although for the

imagine what story you told them

down on me. That

FBI

the

tell

your cat came over—"

was threatening your life?

them

to bring

That

I

life

was a

spy and stuffed the duck with messages?"

me

"If you'll give

a chance, Greg, I'm trying to

that I told the agent nothing.

heard you.

"I

The

He

wanted

to

wanted merely

to

tell

know where he

know where D.C. had

and you

He

me

the

been.

One

FBI wants

to

was. Cripes, you don't think I'm so stu-

."

.

.

tell

you

know—"

FBI's got nothing else to do but chase after cats.

big, lousy, stinking fat cat,

pid

He

trailed off as she started

away.

would come and she was damned

if

Any

second the tears

she would

let

him have

that satisfaction. "Patti,"

drunk

an angry

He shook his head like a punchHe was confused. A cat, a duck, the FBI,

he called weakly.

prize fighter.

woman—he

couldn't put the parts together in logical

fashion.

He

returned to the car.

One

'What was

the blast about?"

"Look

he

than the

The "I

at you," car.

yelled. "You've got

more water on you

I'm not paying you to take a bath."

other boy asked, "Is the

wish

of the boys asked hesitantly,

to hell they

D.C?" wouldn't dare. The

FBI going

would. But they

to arrest

85

people wouldn't stand for

wouldn't— because

Congress wouldn't, the President

it,

can do no wrong.

cats

I

know who's

don't

handling their publicity but they've got the best press any-

body ever had

mankind."

in the history of

As she entered the house, she was so angry her bracelets up with surprise from a magazine. "Sis,"

jingled. Ingrid looked

she said tentatively, recognizing the anger she

knew

too

all

"Whatever—"

well.

"He broke

the date."

"Greg did?" "Yes, your big, fine, noble hero thinks I turned

the FBI.

couldn't

I

arm about

Ingrid put her

and we

"He'll say "I'll

tell

we

talk to

"Then you surprise,

ble.

Patti.

tricked him, that

date him. to the

listen to

it's all

be-

"Don't worry,

when

it's all

Me,

I've

we should've

did you

tell

had

Zeke

it."

chair's arm.

Mr. Baiter?" she asked without pream-

"He's furious with me, thinks

that tone.

told him."

back bedroom where she took Zeke by

D.C. came awake with a

knew

thinks

me."

one leg swung up over the

"What

He

in to

him—"

him. He'll

She hurried

the truth.

him

we had last night."

cause of the row

over,

him

tell

start

I

got the

FBI

and prepared

after him." to leap.

He

rose in astonishment. "I don't under-

stand—"

"Me again.

neither. Flinging his old mallard

"Look, Miss Randall,

I

didn't bring the

haven't got the slightest idea act. I

duck up into

my face

Why did you bring the duck into it?"

went

attorney, a

to see

him

man who 86

how

duck

into

it.

I

the duck ever got into the

as routine procedure. He's a reputable

could be trusted, and

I

thought he might

have information about the cat's— 1 mean, D.C/s— whereabouts the night before.

He

me

might have given

a lead that

would have cracked the case wide open. But before to ask

I

had time

any questions, he was talking about some crazy duck,

and how he almost got pneumonia, and he kept talking about it.

was

It

punched

like I'd

She was not

satisfied.

thing about D.C.?

a button that

"Why

blew up a volcano."

did you think he'd

know

any-

Did you think they went out on the town

together every night?"

Miss Randall, the neighbors may hear."

"Please,

She crumpled ting as

bad

D.C. catching

At

me, I'm

into the nearest chair. "Forgive

get-

as that character across the street."

settled

back down.

He

was glad he wasn't the one

it.

least

one neighbor had heard. Mrs. Macdougall, washing

dishes next door, put a small finger in her ear finger vigorously. But,

the words.

removing

it,

She could only hear

she

Patti

still

and

and shook the

couldn't a

man

make out talking in

raised voices.

"That her

girl,"

she said to her husband, "she's got a

bedroom— and her

and

a

little

carryin'

on

like that before a

Her husband, who hadn't stole into his eyes.

"You don't

Mrs. Macdougall did

said a

to

grow up

bish

say.

word

all

evening, emerged

curious,' her

'Nothing

and tommy

to

A

tomcat look

say!"

"No wonder— the whole pack

taking sun baths half-naked.

ble-lookin'.

in

sister

boy."

from behind the sports page. "You don't say?"

em

man

baby

of

We don't want the children

mother saying, and her

be ashamed

of, the

human

so respecta-

body.'

rot!"

87

Rub-

13

As ZERO HOUR APPROACHED, THE TENSION MOUNTED.

A DOZEN

agents spread out fanlike over the area, stopping children of

show them the picture of D.C. Tve lost my cat," an agent would say. "Thought maybe you'd seen him around." all

ages to

Boys especially studied the photograph it

among

a cat that

themselves. size.

He

at length, discussing

Only one, though, remembered seeing

recalled that

he watched the cat paw

at a

door across the street from him, and gain admittance. Agents relayed the lead immediately to Operations Center.

Other agents

skirted thief-like along flower beds

stooping to examine

88

mud

spots created

by yard

and shrubs, sprinklers.

When

they found cat tracks, they would place the photo-

paw

graphic reproduction of D.C.'s parison.

Dogs growled

eyes on them,

They thought he had

A

agents were noncommittal.

lost

"Somebody's going

said,

doin', mis-

up

for

something, which was a

and wanted

to

being drunk or

even

tell

my

The

classified

snoops would drift on.

little

to call the police," said

"I'm not going to

help hunt.

grunt or two usually

an adult as unfriendly, and the

pick us

com-

catching an agent on his knees peering under

rather reasonable conclusion,

they'll

prints alongside for

them, housewives cast suspicious

and boys hounded them. "Whatcha

ter?" they'd ask,

a bush.

at

one agent, "and

nuts, or both."

wife what

I

Another

was doing

today."

Block by block, they scoured the area with typical Bureau thoroughness. If D.C. had stepped into soft earth or crossed a dusty alley, they

would have found

one did they come

his track.

what

across, attesting to

But not a single Patti

had

told

Zeke, that D.C. had a great penchant for cleanliness. Even

when he

smelled a flower— and he was a great nature lover, she

said—he would remain on the grass and project his neck the required distance.

At Operations Center visor

Bob Newton ran

in the back of the drugstore, Supera final check

on twelve radio

cars,

spotted at strategic points on side streets near the Randall

home, on four sound cone

units,

and on

six agents

equipped

with infra-red scopes.

Newton

cautioned them,

"Remember

we're dealing with a

highly sensitive type of informant. Maintain a close surveillance but keep in

mind

at all times that

you must not do any-

thing that will alarm the informant."

In the Randall

home Zeke

cleared everyone out of the bed-

89

room

on the theory that D.C. might sense

at seven-fifteen

something was brewing Patti left,

he checked again the route that D.C. would follow.

remembered then

Patti

they gathered en masse. Before

if

that

D.C,

in heading for Greg's

home,

would keep considerable distance between himself and one specific garage.

When

he was quite young, she

had followed a playful

kitten into this garage.

related,

D.C.

As he nuzzled

the kitten, which had skunks for parents, the most terrible

thing happened. For weeks afterwards scarcely anyone spoke to

him, nor was he permitted in the house, and, in

the dogs gave

him

fact,

even

a wide berth.

Patti said, "He's never

he's a lot smarter'n

we

gone into another garage. Some ways

He

are.

never makes the same mistake

twice."

Now Zeke sat by a

two-way

per. In the hallway the

few

a tight ball, sound asleep.

seemingly had welcomed

A

collar did

which he held

to a whis-

cuckoo clock ticked with a confidence

On

clocks have these days.

neck.

radio,

He it

the bed D.C. was curled into

was wearing

when

his old collar,

Patti fastened

it

and

about his

something for a man, gave him a certain

distinction.

Zeke's eyes were so puffed that the cat was a black blur,

and Zeke wondered how he was going

to

run the surveillance.

Silendy he lectured himself. His attitude toward D.C. was utterly unreasonable.

was

He

had no

basis for his prejudice.

guilty of the worst possible type of discrimination.

must exert every Seven

effort to

He He

change.

forty-five passed,

and Zeke grew more

fearful with

the ticking off of each minute. Almost on the stroke of eight,

though, D.C. aroused, and took his bearings. His gaze passed over Zeke as

po

if

the latter were another piece of furniture.

He

padded

to the

window

and looked

then, pulled aside a drape,

out to take a reckoning of the time and temperature.

Zeke about

Informant

said into the mike, "All units stand by.

to leave house."

On

seeing something outside, D.C. battened his ears

until only his

slit

failed to interest

eyes showed.

him

he quietly returned

long, for

down

Whatever he saw, though, to the de-

pressed spot in the bed and began his nightly ablutions. "All units,"

Zeke

said.

"Informant has changed mind. Will

keep you advised."

Zeke

sat

on the bed, reached

He remembered

his resolution

over,

and pulled D.C.

and smiled down

to him.

at the cat.

His smile was not returned. D.C. wanted no part of him.

Murmuring, "Nice guy— nice guy," Zeke picked him up by the middle to stand

him

up. D.C. promptly collapsed. Just as

promptly Zeke propped him up, which was a

At the end

of his patience,

tactical error.

D.C. sank a claw into Zeke's right

arm, above the wrist. Zeke was caught so by surprise and pain that he used a

few old ranch hand words he had forgotten he

knew. In one quick stroke, as D.C.'s hind legs,

if

he were roping a

calf,

Zeke seized

took a good hold on him, and carted him up-

down through

the hallway, into the kitchen, and to the

service porch door

where he dropped him unceremoniously.

side

He unlatched the

door and

D.C, growling

a

few choice words

himself, looked out.

"Get out there, you big baboon," Zeke before

At

I

said.

"Go

on, go

on

break you—"

a faint footstep behind him,

Patti stood there,

and hated

to

he stopped.

He

sensed that

think what her expression was.

9*

Below him D.C. planted

Now that

his feet firmly.

he had

re-

inforcements, he would stand his ground.

Zeke

"Look

said sofdy,

Go on, live it up." He turned. "Oh, hello. seem

to get

He

him

out,

Didn't

a

it's

warm, beautiful

night.

know you were around. Can't

and it's past eight."

gave a litde laugh.

dy he put

friend,

thought

"I

his foot to D.C.'s rear

I'd

encourage him." Gen-

and pushed him

out.

As

if

by

magic, D.C. was back in the house before Zeke could close the door. Patti said,

want

to.

"You

can't

make him do anything he

He's stubborn, like the

doesn't

rest of the Randalls."

"He's got to go," Zeke said. "We've got thirty

men

waiting

on him."

She took

a piece of

raw beef from the

out of the door, and dangled inside the service porch.

D.C. stared

it.

just

up

at

at

curiously from

it

Did they think he was

Patti, of all people, resorting to a

Patti looked

refrigerator, stepped

low trick

Zeke. "Even

if

that naive?

like that.

we do

get

him

out, he'll

mope around. He had too big a night last night."

Thereupon D.C. turned and headed back toward the bedroom. Patti excused herself to help Mike with his homework,

and Zeke followed D.C, who

dallied

on the way, once

a couple of swipes at last year's Christmas

whose innards had skin.

He

filtered

out and was

gift,

now

to take

a catnip

received Christmas gifts along with the other

bers of the family,

and quite a few

years he played with his gifts

cards.

mouse

only a wrinkled

During

mem-

his formative

by the hour, but now he was

above such nonsense. Oh, he would take a swat or two present, to let his folks

know he was

appreciative.

at a

But with

maturity had come a sense of dignity, of place. Place was very

92

important, and especially difficult to maintain in this family.

Zeke bided

D.C. returned

his time until

and then Zeke resorted

to a scurrilous trick.

to the

He

bedroom,

detested him-

but his desperation was such that he couldn't

self for it

Casually he maneuvered around

D.C, who

resist.

stretched full

length on the bed. D.C. kept his head raised, his gaze trailing

Zeke.

When

he had gained D.C.'s

window

out of the rity

and lowered

and prepared

head

flat

Zeke pretended

his shoes,

He

from behind.

with his body.

FBI Academy,

and

stealthily

remembered,

to

watch

for

as

In

all

He closed his eyes by the window,

approached the cat

he had been taught in the

squeaky boards that would be-

His movements were slow and

tray him.

to stare

lulled into a sense of secu-

for a night's rest. Still standing

Zeke removed

stilled.

D.C. was

until

his

rear,

of his years as an agent he

fluid, his

breathing

had never been more

skillful.

In one swiftly executed and brilliant maneuver, he

dropped

to the bed,

them

and the same instant grabbed D.C.'s

fore-

in his left

hand. Before D.C. could react,

Zeke pulled him up against

his body, so that the cat's rear

legs,

locking

would be too pinned down for effective action. With his right hand Zeke attempted to force a waker-upper pill down the cat's mouth, but D.C. anticipated the move and legs

locked his teeth. "Take take this."

Zeke

A

stifled

moved

the

hind paw

this,"

Zeke muttered. "Doggone you,

tore his shirt

spitting

it

soft flesh.

an outcry but bravely and doggedly held on.

pill

his

He

along the clenched teeth until he discovered an

opening where they met improperly.

and closed

and located

He

hand about D.C.'s mouth

pushed the to

pill in

keep him from

out.

93

"Heaven help me," he mumbled finds out I'm

to himself, "if

Washington

doping cats."

D.C. half choked, and swallowed three times before Zeke Zeke backed away, which was a wise

released him. Quickly

move

since

the savagery of a thousand generations of an-

all

cestors lashed out for the jugular vein, or

artery handy. For a frightened

cat

was going

force

to spring for

any kind of old

moment, Zeke thought the

him. But D.C. recognized superior

He

and stopped where he was.

on

sat

his

haunches a

long time, and then the fury slipped out of his eyes and

umph sneaked in. and then, only fully held

on

First

tri-

he assured himself Zeke was watching,

as a cat can, spat out the piD that

He

his tongue.

spat

it

he had

care-

with a hair-raising sound

He spat it as far as possible, which was well beyond the

effect.

You want

bed. His expression said,

tricks,

man,

Til give

you

tricks.

Zeke sank into the chintz

He

didn't

he was

know

at his

quite

why

wind gone from him. had befallen him. There

chair, the

all

of this

desk this morning, minding his

own

business,

feeling the high spirit of the early hours, the challenge of an-

warmth

other day, the pleasant

thought of a second cup of

someone

call. If

happy

of a rising sun, the

coffee,

and then he had taken the

he might have been assigned a

else had,

nice,

respectable homicide with a perfecdy normal informant.

Along about eleven

Patti drifted in.

you a pair of Dads pajamas? They'll be a

"Want me

to loan

little

big around the

better stay up,

on the chance

middle, and you'll look like a clown."

He that

shook his head.

He had

D.C. would change

"No

use

to,"

night."

94

she

said.

his

mind.

"He's bedded

down but good

for the

She dropped

to the

He groaned happily in

bed beside D.C. and rubbed his neck. his sleep.

had a pinto once," Zeke

"I

She smiled, and

in

said.

growing up, over in Arizona.

remember

excuse

used

I

could count. But

I

handsome guy Fd

fall for."

The

family had

I

moved

a girl friend

Fm

modeling.

that."

I

was

a

I

was

dreamy-eyed kid.

different species of birds I to

meet some

tall,

and she had taken up modeling

found her a

catches

lumber when

had attended the University of

job.

not very ambitious.

Time

me do

Los Angeles when the work grew

to

California at Los Angeles;

"But

guess

in

was always expecting

too rugged for her father; she

when

have

through the Coconino forest on the

to ride

was seeing how many

I

to

no time discovered they had a mutual

She said, "Dad was

love for the outdoors.

I

"Loved

I

don't care about staying in

up with you

too fast. Besides,

you get

so hungry."

By now the world

outside

collected themselves

was

and run

quiet, all of the noises

She continued dreamily,

off.

"Fve got just one burning ambition. like

Mike and two

girls like

Inky.

having

I

want

The

to

have two boys

only trouble

is

that a

man's necessary, since you can't order kids yet out of the Sears

Roebuck

As she macy

catalogue." talked, she

grew increasingly conscious of the

moment—Zeke

of the

inti-

in her bedroom, his long hulk

draped over the chintz chair, his head resting against the back.

A

short time before he

kind

had been

who after a half hour of talk was an old friend.

"Sure you don't want some pajamas?" she asked,

He said no, for

he was the

a stranger, but

hay

fever,

rising.

and sneezed hard. "You wouldn't have anything

would you?" 95

u

The next morning Patti

overslept, and there was more Mike was upset. "I can't tell the rocket come, can I? We've been plannin' it for a month."

hubbub than club not to

usual.

"Listen, Mike," Patti said, plugging in the electric skillet,

"don't give

me trouble."

"D.C. won't mind.

He

likes rockets."

Mike roughed up

D.C., who, refreshed by a good night's sleep, was watching the proceedings from his usual place on the refrigerator, sur-

veying

it all

with that benevolent attitude he graciously be-

stowed on humans after wolfing down a "Cancel

it,"

96

Patti said.

tin of cat food.

"What'll

I tell

W

"That IVe got a migraine." "That'd be lying." Ingrid spoke up. "Can't you get chael Randall,

how

serious this

it

through your

how

is,

skull,

Mi-

everything depends on

our helping Mr. Kelso?"

She turned stand him.

to Patti, "I don't think 111 ever

He would undermine

the

FBI

be able to under-

an old rocket

for

club."

She cracked the eggs and dropped them had prepared. "Pray

"Huh?"

for

me today, will you, sis?"

said Patti, looking up.

"If I don't pass

geometry, after

She shrugged. "Oh,

school."

in the skillet Patti

all I've

done

for that stupid

well, as I always say, flunk

now

and avoid the June rush."

She turned the eggs and continued, "And

simply die

I'll

if

Tommy doesn't ask me, especially if I hint around." "What a drip," Mike said. "You pick your friends and

I'll

pick mine." She hurried on.

"I'm going over to Bethie's after school. Okay?"

Bethie was Beth poise

Ann

Nixon, a

and maturity remarkable

tall,

with a

striking girl

for her age.

Or any

age, for

that matter.

"Okay," Patti

said, appreciating the fact that Ingrid

her posted on her whereabouts.

Not many

kid

sisters

kept

were

that thoughtful.

Zeke emerged then, drawn and haggard. fits

and

starts, to

quote him.

He

He had

dozed in

stared with something akin to

rage at the clear-eyed D.C.

"How do you want insisting

your eggs?" Patti asked.

he would get breakfast on

his

way

He

protested,

to the office.

97

Ingrid pushed

him toward

a chair. Til get your breakfast.

I just love to cook."

"Would you mind repeating that?" asked Mike. "She's a good cook," Patti said.

Zeke seated

Patti,

and then

Ingrid, at the breakfast table,

and Ingrid beamed. Zeke informed them

that another agent

He was He promised he would slip in and out as unobtrusively as possible. He said he realized

would

report at 8 a.m. to take over the day shift.

apologetic about disrupting their

home.

away the presence

that litde things might give

in the house, such as the position of the

the daytime. Patti opened

them on

rising,

low agent would keep them drawn.

It

of

someone

bedroom drapes but he and his

was

in

fel-

possible, too, that

neighbors might hear their movements, although they would

remove

their shoes

and walk about

in their stocking feet.

He

questioned her about the time the postman came, and the

milkman, and

if

woman

any cleaning

or neighbor might

enter.

"You're wasting your time," Patti said. "You couldn't push

D.C. out with a ten-ton

tractor in the daytime.

The mocking-

birds stand guard in shifts at the back door."

"You mean a great big cat

like

him

is

afraid of a mocking-

bird?"

"Not

afraid. Paralyzed."

Blasted cat, he thought. It

draw to

a cat as

draw a

was a

an informant in the

cat that

was a coward.

.

horrible

first .

place,

enough

fate to

and even worse

.

Shortly after breakfast Patti left the house. She had paused to

examine the apricot when Mrs. Macdougall descended on

her, all

two hundred pounds. "You poor, poor 98

child. I

saw the

up

to take

my

came near

to dyin'

one

burning in your bedroom when

light

drops.

My heart's been

night,

and the doctor gave

troublin'

me

me,

I

And I said to Mr. get up—I said, Wil-

these drops.

Macdougall—he always wakes up when bur, somebody's been taken

got

I

ill

I

over at the Randall home!'"

She added by way of explanation,

"I

could hear you and the

doctor talking/'

and detested

Patti reddened,

had acted

guilty

when under

herself for suspicion.

"Not the

was the radio you heard, Mrs. Macdougall. "Oh."

All her

it.

life

she

doctor,

it

I couldn't sleep."

The one word said Patti was a liar.

"Forgive me," Patti continued, "I've got to run. I'm late

al-

ready."

She cut

swiftly

blocked her

ahead

if

around Mrs. Macdougall,

who would have

given half a chance. Patti kept her eyes straight

her as usual

as she passed Greg's. Blitzy threatened

from the safety of the picture window. Some day, so help her, she was going to throw a rock through that window.

She was waiting on the corner brought his car alongside her. away.

He

coming

whistled then and

after you,"

She climbed

he

said,

for the

"Patti,"

he

bus

when Greg

called.

She turned

heads pivoted for a block. "I'm

and

started to leave the car.

in quickly, her blood pressure high

a stroke. "I don't like your tactics,

Mr.

Baiter,

enough

for

but I'm not go-

ing to stand there and have you create a scene."

She grabbed her head

as the car's

sudden propulsion pushed

her body back until her eyes popped.

He said quickly, "I know

how you feel and I don't blame you. I don't know what got into me last night. I know you didn't set the FBI on me, but I'd surely like to know what's behind it. What I'm trying to 99

say

is

and couldn't we

that I'm terribly sorry

strike the night

off the calendar?"

Her blood

pressure leveled

her pulse advanced, and her

off,

anger did an about-face and turned inward. She found herself

wanting

to forgive

him

let

save

swayed by only

him. That old Greg Baiter charm. Well,

He

last night.

way he had

she would be

if

And

it

was

didn't even give her anger time to die

and

after the

it

be hanged

for a jury. She'd

it

stood her up.

be provided a decent burial. But that was because his was a quick to run away, while hers was mature, slow to

child's,

arouse and slow to fade.

"You mean," she asked with a

fall chill in

the

air, "like

bury

the duck?"

He

nodded.

It isn't

think

"I

we

should give him a special funeral.

every duck that gets investigated by the FBI."

She muttered, "Huh!" and he shot her

As

a sidewise glance.

the blocks passed, he talked along easily, as

been no

know about

to

no hot-tempered

last night,

vacuum

new

one.

He was

having trouble with his mother's

and asked

stalled;

was

it

that

if

she would help him choose a

she had such

away and Mike and Ingrid

Then

little

time with her parents

to look after.

he braked

to a

sudden

went through the windshield. "You need

He

didn't hear.

minds me,

I

had

and sought her advice on other

cleaner,

She

there

He wanted

detergents,

household matters. old

if

accusations.

The

jolt

stop,

and she almost

seat belts," she said.

switched his thinking.

saw the FBI man who talked with

"Which

me

re-

yesterday

leaving your house early this morning."

She was momentarily stunned, and then the anger crept back in. "He asked me the same questions he did you. He wanted

to

know where D.C. had been."

"And that was ioo

all?"

"Yes."

He

"Would you

took the casual approach.

stick to that

you were under oath on the witness stand?"

story if

"Are you implying—

"Now, hold

?"

on, Patti-"

"You the same

as said I

was

lying.

You picked me up

be-

cause you wanted to cross-examine me. Well, I'm not one of

your witnesses

to

be grilled

like a

common-"

"Patti, please."

The

had come

car

to a halt at a stop sign,

and she burst

out the door, almost getting run over in her haste.

and hurried wheeled a car in

A

after her, calling to her.

blocking him, and gave

in,

him

He

slid

motorcycle

out

officer

a ticket for deserting

traffic.

As Zeke checked ceptionist, Dinkie,

into the

who

FBI

office that

could scarcely

sit

morning, the

re-

in her tight, plaid

"They're holding a drawing on you back in the

skirt, said,

steno pool."

"A what?" "You know,

The one who wins

like a turkey raffle.

gets to

ask you to the picnic Sunday."

He

moaned, and she hurried on.

"If

you need rescuing, I'm

available." "I don't

know.

I'll

probably be busy. IVe got this cat

Im

running a surveillance on."

She

lifted

an eyebrow. "Really, Zeke,

we

don't refer in the

Bureau to that kind of woman in that kind of way."

"No—no—I mean—well, I mean As he

left,

clearly said,

cat, just cat."

he saw she was bewildered. Her expression

Poor guy, he's got a crack in the old cylinder

block.

101

15

When Greg came Blitzy, Ingrid

was

along at dusk that evening, walking sitting

front porch, her lips

"Hi,"

Greg

Ingrid held

Indian style in pink capris on the

moving

silently.

said, reining the

up her

dachshund

to a sharp stop.

finger for silence, then, after a

few seconds,

smiled and said, "Hello, Greg."