The Mystery of the Rogues' Reunion - Marc Brandel [37]
“So what are you going to do about it?” the fake Bonehead challenged him.
“We’re going to hand you over to the police,” the security man told him. “We’re going to bring charges against you for fraud and —”
He broke off. Milton Glass was holding up his hand.
“Not so fast,” he said. “Neither the network nor the movie studio wants that kind of publicity. Can you imagine what the newspapers would make out of this?” He flashed his teeth at the security man. “And after all, what harm has been done? We’ll be sending a cheque for twenty thousand to Peggy in San Francisco. And I’m sure she won’t ask any questions about it. And as for this young man …”
He turned his smile on the impostor.
“Well,” he went on, “why don’t we just treat the whole thing like a little prank?” He glanced at Luther Lomax. “Okay with you, Luther?”
The elderly director lowered his tired eyes. He ran his fingers through his thin, white hair.
“Sure,” he said. “It’s okay with me.”
Jupiter stood up. At a sign from him the other two Investigators rose to their feet top.
“You can count on us not to talk to the newspapers,” Jupe said. It looked as though the meeting would be coming to an end any moment now, and he wanted to get out of there first. He wanted to get down to the car park, where Gordon Harker was waiting for him with the limousine. “So if you don’t mind, Mr. Glass, we’ll be going now.”
“Of course.” The publicity man stood up too. “And I must say we’re all very grateful to you, Jupe.” His smile was as cordial as ever, but he didn’t sound in the least grateful. “You did a brilliant job of detection. Without your help a serious injustice would have been done. Peggy would have been cheated out of the prize money she so richly deserves.”
Jupe thanked him and led Bob and Pete to the door. As he turned to close it behind him, he glanced back into the office. Milton Glass was leaning forward in his chair, smiling in a relieved way at the fake Bonehead, who was smiling now too. Luther Lomax, his eyes still lowered, was picking at a grease spot on his shabby grey suit. The security man was frowning at the window.
The lift was filled with people. The Three Investigators were silent as they rode down to street level. It wasn’t until they were out in the lobby that Bob and Pete had a chance to express their feelings.
“You’re going to let them get away with that?” Pete asked angrily. He couldn’t believe it. In all the time they had been friends, he had never known Jupe to walk out on a case and let the crooks go free. And it appeared to Pete that that was what the First Investigator was doing now. It seemed obvious to him that Milton Glass had been a party to the deception from the beginning .Glass had known all along that Bonehead was a fake. That was why he was letting that impostor get away with it.
“Yes,” Bob chimed in. He was as shocked and angry as Pete. “And what about Peggy? You told us you were sure she hadn’t really gone home to San Francisco. You said you thought she was in danger.”
“Yeah,” Pete agreed. He was more puzzled than angry now. “What are you thinking of, Jupe?”
The First Investigator pinched his lip. “I’m thinking of Peggy,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about her ever since I got that threatening phone call this morning.” He had already told the other two Investigators about that.
“That’s why I missed all those questions, lost all those points,” he continued, “so that Peggy would win. And I’m still thinking about her.” He looked at Bob. “Because you’re right. She is in danger. And we’ve got to save her. Come on.”
Without another word he hurried out on to the pavement. Bob and Pete followed him.
Gordon Harker was sitting in the limousine in the car park, reading a magazine. He put in down as Jupe approached the rear door.
“Where to?” he asked cheerfully.
“Nowhere. Nowhere yet, thanks.” Jupe and his two friends got into the back of the car. The First Investigator looked across to where Milton Glass’s fancy yellow Citroen was standing. “Do you think you could back