101 Mystery Stories

3 Town Wanted Fredric Brown

On my way in I looked into the back room. The boys were there. Alderman Higgings had a pile of blue chips in front of him and was trying to keep his greasy little mug from looking sap-happy.

Lieutenant Grange was there too. He was half tight. He had beer spots on the front of his blue uniform shirt. His hands shook when he picked up the stein.

The alderman looked up and said, “Hi, Jimmy. How’s tricks?”

I gave him a grin and went on upstairs. I pushed into the boss’s office without knocking.

He looked at me sort of queerly. “Everything go okay?”

“They’ll find him when the lake dries up,” I told him. “We won’t be around then.”

“You covered all the angles, Jimmy?”

“All what angles?” I asked him. “Nobody’s going to investigate. A guy won’t pay his protection and Annie Doesn’t Live Here Any More. Now the rest of them will lay it on the line.”

The boss took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his bald spot. You could see the guy was squeamish. That’s no way to handle things. It would be different, I figured, when I took over.

I eased down and lit a cigarette. “Listen,” I said. “This town is worth twice the take we’re getting. Who do we move in on next?”

“We’re letting it ride a while, Jimmy. Things are hot.”

I got up and started for the door.

He said softly, “Sit down, Jimmy.”

I didn’t, but I went back and stood in front of him.

“Well?” I asked.

“About the boys you’ve lined up to buck me, Jimmy. When do you think you’re going to take over?”

I guess I’d underestimated him. You can’t run the rackets and not be hep.

I sat down. “I don’t get you, boss,” I stalled. “What’s on your mind?”

“Let’s settle this, Jimmy,” he said. There were beads of sweat on his bald spot again and he wiped it off. I kept my yap shut and looked at him. It was his move.

“You’re a good guy, Jimmy,” he went on. “You’ve been a big help to me.”

There wasn’t any malarkey in that. But he was just winding up and I sat back and waited to see what he was going to pitch.

“But six months ago I saw it couldn’t last, Jimmy. You got big ideas. This burg isn’t big enough for you to stay in second spot. Right?”

I still waited for him to go on.

“You think you’ve bought four of the boys. You’ve only got two. The other two leveled with me. They’re set to gum your works.”

That was bad listening. He did know; four was right. And I didn’t know which two ratted. All right. I thought, this is the showdown.

“Go on,” I said. “I’m listening.”

“You’re too ambitious for me, Jimmy. I was satisfied to run the slot machines and the joints. Maybe just a little on the protection societies. You want to run the town. You want to collect the taxes. And your trigger finger’s too jittery for me, Jimmy. I don’t like killing, except when I have to.”

“Lay off the character reading,” I told him. “You’ve called the shots. Add it up.”

“You could kill me now, maybe. But you wouldn’t get away with it. And you’re too smart, Jimmy, to stick you neck out unless it’s going to get you something. I’m counting on that. I’m ready for you. You wouldn’t get out of here alive. If you did, you’d have to blow. And if you blow, what’s it get you?”

I walked over to the window and looked out. He wouldn’t draw on me, I knew. Hell, why should he? He held the cards; I could see that now. He’d wised up a little too soon for me.

“You’ve been a big help, Jimmy.” he went on. “I want to break fair with you. In the last year I’ve made more dough than I’d have made without you. I want you to leave. But I’ll give you a stake. Pick a town of your own and work it. Leave me this one.”

I kept looking out the window. I knew why he wouldn’t bump me. There’d been too many killings; the cops were beginning to take it on the chin. The boss wanted to pull in his horns.

And from his point of view I could see it all right. He could even drop the protectives. The slots, the joints, the semi-legit stuff paid enough to suit him. He’d rather play safe for a small take. I’m not that way.

I turned and faced him. After all, why not another town? I could do it, if I picked one that was ripe.

“How much?” I asked him.

“Ten grand,” he said.

We settled for twenty.

You can see now why I’m in Miami. I figured I could use a vacation before I picked out a spot. A swell suite, overlooking the sea. Women, parties, roulette and all that. You can make a big splash here if you’re willing to spend a few grand.

But I’m getting restless. I’d rather see it coming in.

I know how I’ll start, when I’ve picked my town. I’ll take a tavern for a front. Then I find out which politicians are on the auction block. I’ll see that the others go — money can swing that. Then I bring in torpedoes and start work.

Coin machines are the quickest dough. You pyramid that into bookie joints, sporting houses, and the rest; and when you’re strong enough, the protective societies — where the merchants pay you to let them alone. That’s the big dough racket, if you’re not squeamish. It’s big dough because you don’t have to put in anything for what you take out.

If you know the angles and work it so you don’t have to start liquidating the opposition until you’ve got control, it’s a cinch. And I know the angles.

Plenty of towns would do, but some are easier than others. If you pick one that’s ripe it goes quicker, and if you can buy enough of the boys in office you won’t have to force the others out.

I’m looking them over. I’m tired of loafing.

How’s your town? I can tell if you answer me a question. Last time there was an election, did you really read up both sides of things, with the idea of keeping things on the up and up? Or did you go for the guy with the biggest posters?

Huh? You say you didn’t even get to the polls at all?

Pal, that’s just the town I’m looking for.

I’ll be seeing you.