Lipstick and Lies Read Online Free PDF

a hand over his suddenly weary expression. “The inventory of what Renner’s taken out shows nothing critical yet. He’s under surveillance.”
    “Why not arrest him?”
    “Blount’s testimony was key. Without it, to make a conviction stick, we’ll need to catch Renner with the goods. We want the big boys, besides.”
    “Blount? The dead guard? He was your stoolie?”
    “Uh-huh. And early on, Renner’s accomplice.”
    I shook my head. “So what happened? Renner realized Blount was squealing on him? Killed him?”
    “We’ve had a tail on Renner, remember? He was home with his wife. He couldn’t know Blount tipped us off, either. It’s been so hush-hush we’ve let only one senior Ford executive in on the operation.”
    “But his associate’s been murdered. Won’t he get nervous, try to bolt?”
    Dante felt for the cigarette behind his ear, but he had already returned it to its pack. His hand drifted to the pocket containing the smokes and rested there. “We’re going to lay low, wait him out, long as possible. Plant Security will handle the initial soft inquiry. They know to steer clear of his department as long as possible, but they can’t stay away forever. Once the heat moves in, sure, he may try to skip. Won’t get anywhere though. We’ll nab him.”
    I posed the big question. “And my role in all this?”
    “We need someone to befriend the Countess, find out if she’s been holding out about Renner or any additional spies who might be helping him. We’d especially like leads to Renner’s handler.”
    I was excited, but I was also puzzled. “But she’s your agent. Why not just ask her yourself?”
    “Buchanan-Dineen
was
our agent.”
    He went on, disclosing that after the FBI had turned the Countess they wired her apartment and tailed her everywhere. Numerous trysts had been recorded, including her meetings with Dr. Thomas, the U.S.-born gynecologist. Thomas had purportedly furnished her with reports on manufacturing facilities as well as provided the hard-to-get chemicals needed for secret ink. Renner, however, had not been seen with her. Nor was he listed in the book of contacts they’d confiscated from the Countess.
    “But you’ve got her in custody. Why not just ask what she knows about Renner direct?”
    “We’re in…Well, let’s just say, we’re in a delicate position. At the arraignment, if Thomas pleads not guilty, there’ll be a trial. We’ll need her as a witness. Our key witness. So we’ve been doing all we can to keep her happy.” Dante ran a finger under his collar, loosening it. “Trouble is she’s slightly annoyed with us at the moment.”
    “Annoyed?”
    “She didn’t expect to be serving time.”
    “Why? Was she promised a deal?”
    “In her dreams.”
    Surprised by Dante’s biting tone, I glanced over. But we had reached the Federal Building. A broad marble staircase climbing to an expansive columned portico defined its entrance. Dante slowed and turned into a driveway. The Ford’s nose dipped as it dove into an underground garage.
    At a small guard house, a security man examined his credentials then released a metal arm. We traversed the gaping concrete space beyond, the Ford’s tires squealing with each new turn. At a fleet of identical vehicles, occupying a series of numbered slots, we parked.
    “Where were we?” Dante asked, looking over at me.
    I recapped. “Otto Renner, who works at Willow Run, also steals bomber designs and plans for the Nazis. Walter Blount, a Plant protection man and Renner’s helpmate, was the corpse in the factory repair garage. You don’t know who killed Blount or who’s running Renner, but you suspect the spy-turned-counterspy, Countess Grace Buchanan-Dineen, has insider knowledge. If she has re-crossed the line and is, in fact, a triple agent, you want me to somehow get her to disclose whatever she might be holding back.”
    Dante smiled. “Bravo, Lewis. We’ve arranged for you to meet her, later today.”
    I smiled