A Handy Death Read Online Free PDF Page B

you—and Father Swiaki was on the bench, which is also a poor place for proper observation. And the prisoners in the bleachers, of course, would have been in on the plan. Correct?”
    â€œYou’re doing fine, Counselor.”
    â€œNow,” Ross continued, “if I also understand you correctly, what you saw at the ball game clearly indicated that Billy Dupaul threw four balls purposely for the purpose of giving an excuse for the riot that followed, and in which three men, including a guard, died. This testimony, in your opinion, would be very detrimental to Billy Dupaul’s chances in his pending murder trial. Am I still correct?”
    â€œRight on,” Coughlin said, and nodded his head, as one would to encourage a bright child in a recitation.
    â€œAll right,” Ross said. “You are also willing, I gather—for a price to be determined—to go on the witness stand in court and, according to your statement here today, perjure yourself and state that William Dupaul pitched both honestly and well, but that Dupaul was the victim of poor umpiring. I assume as a sports reporter you could qualify as an expert. Therefore, Dupaul would be innocent of any part in the escape attempt, and therefore of any culpability in the death of the prison guard. Is that substantially it?”
    â€œMr. Ross!” Coughlin looked shocked, but the pose was transparent. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. “If you should really have a tape recorder going—”
    â€œI don’t.”
    â€œâ€”I would simply like to go on record as saying I suggested no such thing! I would never perjure myself on the witness stand. Or anywhere else, for that matter. I’m really not stupid.”
    He paused with the significance he had exhibited earlier, and said, “In any event, the entire question will probably be academic. I probably won’t even be around at the time of the trial. And without my testimony, Mr. Ross, a good lawyer like you could make mincemeat of any evidence given by people who only saw the affair from the field itself. Or from other equally poor places to see things.”
    â€œYou flatter my ability,” Ross said modestly. “I’m sorry you might not be around to testify. Where will you be?”
    â€œI’ve been thinking of traveling.”
    â€œOh?” Ross asked politely. “Do you know where?”
    â€œI was thinking of Europe—”
    Coughlin was openly grinning now. Ross thought that for a man who considered the possibility of tape recorders, Coughlin should also have considered a hidden motion-picture camera to catch that grimace. Unfortunately, he thought, neither one or the other was focused on the thin man.
    â€œâ€”or possibly South America,” Coughlin went on airily. “I hear Europe gets cold this time of the year.”
    â€œAnd you prefer hot places, but not too hot.”
    Coughlin laughed. “That’s right.”
    â€œWhen are you thinking of going?”
    â€œThat’s sort of a problem.” Coughlin’s face fell. “That depends on finances, to a large degree. Things have been a bit tight, lately. I might have to borrow some money for the trip.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œYes,” Coughlin said sadly, his eyes glinting with laughter. “Money is the very devil. Still, fifteen thousand dollars should be able to swing the trip. Fifteen thousand—my credit ought to be good for that amount at least, don’t you think, Mr. Ross?”
    â€œFifteen thousand? That’s a pretty expensive trip you’re planning, isn’t it?”
    â€œFirst class,” Coughlin said. “I like to travel first class. All the way.” He came to his feet slowly and looked down at Ross. Ross looked back contemplatively. Coughlin smiled at him. “I’ll drop you a postcard from Venice, Ross; or maybe Rio …”
    He walked to the door, opened it, and looked back over