Goodbye California - Alistair [40]
‘By reputation.’ Jeff sounded severe. ‘A singles bar, full of gays and drug-pushers, not to mention addicts. Hardly your scene, I would have thought.’
‘Why I’m going there. Must say Dunne didn’t sound too happy about it either.’
Jeff hesitated. ‘Going to give Donahure the Raminoff treatment?’
‘It’s a tempting thought, but no. He’d have nothing to tell us. Anyone smart enough to pull off this raid would be smart enough not to establish any direct contact with a clown like Donahure. He would certainly use an intermediary, maybe even two. I would.’
‘Then what would you be looking for?’
‘I wouldn’t know until I have looked.’
Ryder was in disguise – he was wearing a freshly pressed business suit which only his family knew he possessed. Dunne, too, was in disguise: he wore a beret, dark glasses and a pencil moustache, none of which suited him and made him, as he was uncomfortably aware, look slightly ridiculous. But the grey eyes were as intelligent and watchful as ever. He looked in distaste at the oddly attired clientele, mainly teenagers and those in the early twenties, and sniffed the air in nose-wrinkling disgust.
‘Place smells like a damn bordello.’
‘You frequent those places?’
‘Only in the line of duty.’ Dunne smiled. ‘Okay, so no one would look for us here. Certainly I wouldn’t.’ He broke off as a creature in pink pantaloons deposited two drinks on their table and left. Ryder poured both into a convenient potted plant.
‘Can’t do it any harm. Teaspoonful of whisky topped up with water.’ He produced a flask from an inside pocket and poured generous measures. ‘Malt. Always prepared. Your health.’
‘Excellent. And now?’
‘Four things. One, our Chief of Police. For your information only. Donahure and I are not seeing eye to eye.’
‘You surprise me.’
‘Probably not half as surprised as Donahure is right now. I’ve been upsetting him. I’ve been the cause of his losing a van of his this evening – it fell off a cliff into the Pacific. I’ve confiscated some of his personal goods and interviewed a stake-out he set on me.’
‘He’s in hospital?’
‘He’ll need medical care. Right now I’d guess he’s reporting to Donahure on the failure of his mission.’
‘How did you pin him to Donahure?’
‘He told me.’
‘Naturally. Well, can’t say I’m sorry. But I did warn you – Donahure’s dangerous. Rather, his friends are. And you know how cornered rats behave. You have a tie-in between him and San Ruffino?’
‘Things point that way. I’ll look through his house later on tonight, see what I can find.’
‘He might be at home.’
‘What difference does that make? Then I think I’ll go have a word with Judge LeWinter.’
‘You will? He’s a different kettle of fish from Donahure. Spoken of as the next State Supreme Court Chairman.’
‘Still tarred with the same brush. What do you know of him?’
‘We have a file on him.’ Dunne peered at his glass.
‘That means he’s poison?’
‘I’m being non-committal.’
‘Yes. Well, something else for your file. Donahure called tonight with a search warrant on such an obviously trumped-up charge that only a crooked judge would have signed it.’
‘Any prizes for guessing?’
‘No. Number two. I’d appreciate your help in this and the next couple of matters.’ He drew Carlton’s file and the notes he had made on it from a large envelope. ‘Security deputy. One of the seven snatched this afternoon. His curriculum vitae or whatever you call it. Seems above-board.’
‘All the best villains are.’
‘Yes. Army, intelligence, two security jobs before coming to San Ruffino. As he’s always worked for the Army or the AEC his past should be an open book. However, I’d like an answer to those few questions I’ve noted, especially his past contacts. The contacts, no matter how unimportant, are the important things.’
‘You have reason to suspect this man Carlton?’
I’ve no reason not to, which is the same thing to me.’
‘Routine. Number three?’
Ryder produced another paper – Marjory’s transcription of Susan’s shorthand – and explained how he had come by it. Dunne read through