The Gutter and the Grave by Ed McBain Page B

Laraine Marsh.”
    I pulled up short. I thought about what he’d said for just a few seconds. Then I said, “What kind of an interest?”
    “I’ve been seeing her.”
    “Object matrimony?”
    “Maybe.”
    “In spite of the fact that Dom Archese was playing around with her?”
    “That’s a lie!” Johnny snapped.
    The police guard at the door yelled, “Quiet it down there!”
    I lowered my voice. “You don’t believe Dom was seeing Laraine? You don’t believe they might have been intimate?”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “How does Laraine feel about you?”
    “I…I never asked her.”
    “What was your reaction to Knowles’ report?”
    “What report?” he said.
    “About Dom and Laraine. Johnny, stop snowing me! If you want me to help…”
    “I told you I don’t know any Hennessy Knowles…”
    “
Dennis
Knowles,” I corrected.
    “Dennis, all right, whatever his name is. I don’t know him, I never met him, I never hired him, and I don’tknow what report you’re talking about. The reason I didn’t tell you about Dom and Christine was because I might be in the family some day, who knows?”
    “That didn’t stop you from accusing Dom of being a thief!”
    “I didn’t go to the cops, did I? I came to you.”
    “But first you went to Knowles!”
    “Jesus, Matt,” he said, “what’s the matter with you? I’m telling you the truth! I’m here because I’m suspected of murder! Do you think I’d lie to the one person who might help me?” He seemed almost on the verge of tears. I looked at his face. His eyes were blinking, and there was a slight tic at the corner of his mouth.
    “Okay,” I said. “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t get nervous. They won’t be lighting a fire under you for a while yet. Incidentally, they know I was with you when we found Dom. So you needn’t lie about that anymore. They also know why I was there.”
    “You told them?”
    “Yes.”
    “But you said…”
    “I know. I had to tell them.”
    “You’re handling it,” he said. He smiled wanly. “Be funny if I got the electric chair, wouldn’t it?”
    “Be hilarious,” I said. “I’ll be in touch with you. Stop worrying.”
    “Sure,” he said, and I left.
    Miskler’s tail picked me up downstairs. He was a tall blond guy with shoulders like Primo Carnera. Hewasn’t designed to be missed. Detective Miskler wanted me to know I was being followed. I didn’t really mind too much. The wrestler behind me was undoubtedly carrying a gun, and his gun might come in handy some day. In the meantime, since I had no intention of leaving the city, I made no attempt to dodge the tail.
    I went uptown to Laraine’s apartment, the wrestler with me every inch of the way, keeping a respectable twenty-five feet or so behind me. I was going up the front steps when Laraine and Dave Ryan came out of the hallway. They were both bouncing along as if the world were made of pink cotton candy.
    “What happened?” I said.
    You could have cut Ryan’s grin with a meat cleaver. “Tell the man, honey,” he said to Laraine.
    “We’ve got a big audition,” she said.
    “Tammy’s Tavern,” Ryan cut in, unable to contain himself. “In New Rochelle. Steady work every night of the week, and it’s the jumpinest joint you ever saw! High-class, but solid. Man, there ain’t a band in New York that wouldn’t flip over this gig.”
    “You’re going to New Rochelle now?” I said, disappointed.
    “No, no,” Ryan said. “The audition’s being held at our rehearsal hall. Hey, man, what time is it anyway?”
    I didn’t own a watch, so I didn’t lift my arm. Laraine read the time from her wrist. “Six-thirty,” she said.
    “The audition’s at seven. Tammy himself is coming down. Oh, man, I’m as nervous as a cat.” He crossedhis fingers and then grinned again. “You want to come hear us, Cordell?”
    I decided against it. “No. Will I see you later, Laraine?”
    “I should be home by eight,” she said.
    “I’ll be