Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness Read Online Free PDF Page B

there all day with no one to talk to. Nothing to do. A husband who comes home around midnight-if I'm lucky. If he comes home at all."
    Ness twisted his neck, trying to work out the kinks. He hated these conversations. Spats. And they seemed to be coming more frequently. "I don't know why you have to be so harsh." He paused, fidgeting with his napkin. "I can't-I can't help but think things would be different if-you know. If we had children."
    "But we don't," Edna said, with a finality that terrified him. "We can't."
    "Honey." He stretched his hand out toward hers, but she did not reciprocate. "We don't know that."
    "I know I can't do it alone."
    The waiter brought their food: a beefsteak with hash brown potatoes for him, and grilled salmon for her. It was good-Mayor Burton's recommendation was dead on target. Perhaps the food would brighten her spirits, Ness mused. But he saw no indication. They ate in silence.
    "I-I could try... to come home earlier," he said, so quietly even he could barely hear it.
    "I'd like that." She looked down at her food. "But I've heard it before."
    "This time will be different."
    "I've heard that before, too."
    "Seriously, Edna, it will be. Good grief-all I'm supposed to do is clean up the city. It's not like they're asking me to bring in Capone."
    She laid down her fork. "I think the only time you're truly happy is when you're working. That's why you do it so much."
    "That's ridiculous."
    "And that's why you'll never change."
    "I will. You'll see. Starting tonight."
    "Tonight?" She arched an eyebrow. "I thought you had homework."
    "Maybe... that could wait." He reached out again with his hand, and this time she let him take hers. "Maybe tonight we could spend a little private time, just you and me."
    "Sounds good."
    "Maybe you could get out that little number you bought for our honeymoon-you remember? The red silk one."
    She lowered her head, smiling and blushing at the same time. "It isn't really silk."
    "I don't care. It feels good, whatever it is. Maybe we could put some music on the radio. Is Rudy Vallee on tonight? You wear that sweet little nothing and-"
    He heard a throat clearing just above them. "Sir?"
    It was Alphonse Carrelli, his new driver.
    "Sorry, but we're not ready to leave yet."
    "No, sir. I just thought you might like to know, given your reputation and what you said earlier today..." He cleared his throat again.
    "What is it, Alphonse?"
    "I was in the car, sir, listening to the radio."
    "More news from Germany?"
    "No, sir. Local news. Seems there's been a robbery. The police think they've got the two felons trapped."
    "Why are you telling me this? Can't you see my wife and I are having a meal?"
    Alphonse cleared his throat again. "Sir-it's just two blocks from here. At the City Savings and Loan Company."
    Ness 's eyes lit up. His back arched. "Two blocks?"
    "That's correct, sir." As he spoke, through the front window of the restaurant, Ness saw and heard a police car racing by. The red light of the siren momentarily flooded the restaurant, then faded into nothingness.
    Ness 's hands twitched on the tabletop.
    "Sir, I've got the car waiting just outside the front door."
    Ness looked into Edna's eyes. She stared back at him, stony and expressionless.
    "No," he said.
    Edna's shoulders rose. The corners of her lips turned upward.
    "No, if it's only two blocks, I'll walk." He pushed himself to his feet, reached into his pocket and tossed a wad of bills onto the tabletop. "You stay here and take Mrs. Ness home. When she's ready."
    Edna did not speak.
    "As you wish, sir. Sorry for the intrusion."
    "You did the right thing." He grabbed his coat. "Edna-see you at home."
    She remained silent. But her eyes said quite a bit.
    "Point me in the right direction, Alphonse." He did. And Eliot Ness went roaring out into the cold Cleveland night, buttoning his topcoat to protect himself from the December wind blowing off Lake Erie.

7
    Peter Merylo had been on the Cleveland police force for more