The Big Mitt (A Detective Harm Queen Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

prescribed to alleviate the maddening itch. The doctor had claimed that drinking made it worse, but Queen wasn’t sure if Norbeck was so wracked with fear to cut that important part of his life out cold.
    Queen pointed at the top of the fence. “She must have climbed up something on the other side, to escape from what we both know this house is known for.”
    “And she almost made it.” Norbeck flashed his insufferable grin.
    “Almost.”
    “So do we go in and arrest him?
    “Arrest him? Who?”
    Norbeck pulled out a revolver from a holster under his coat and pointed at the house. “Emil Dander. Who else coulda’ done it?”
    “Put that away. I thought your goddamn hands were cold.”
    “Danger has warmed them.”
    “Well, tell danger to unwarm them and shuck that gun.”
    “Come on, Harm. I ain’t Catholic, but I’m pretty damn sure Dander ain’t no saint. He did it, and we both know it.”
    “So he just shoots his own girl? She’s worth more alive than dead.”
    “Maybe he was drunk.”
    “Maybe you are.”
    “Maybe I am,” Norbeck laughed.
    “Let’s see if Dander is home. Perhaps we’ll catch him at breakfast.”
    “He leaves a girl dead by his back fence and acts like nothing happened? I’ll bet you a dollar he’s flown the coop.”
    “Well, let’s go see.”
    “He’s got a few bad fellows working for him. Maybe we should send for more officers.”
    “I thought you just said you didn’t think he was there.”
    “I don’t, but we should still watch our step.”
    Queen looked disapprovingly at Norbeck. “Stay pat if you want, and watch the girl. It’s a good place for you. I’ll go alone.”
    Norbeck rocked on his heels and scratched at his face. “I ain’t afraid. But somebody should wait until the coroner comes.”
    “Kid, where are you?” Queen shouted. The boy crawled out of a broken box, and walked over to the men.
    “I thought you told me to go ‘way,” he said with defiant, puckered lips.
    “Yeah, but you obviously didn’t. Here’s a nickel. Make sure no one goes near her until more police arrive. Can you do that?”
    “Hell if I can’t. But my ma says you’re nothin’ but a stupid bull and I shouldn’t even be talkin’ to you.”
    “Watch that language,” Norbeck snapped, “or I’ll slap that filth right out of your mouth. Bulls are what riff-raff say. We’re detectives.”
    Norbeck trailed behind Queen and they went back down the alley to Eighth Street, turning back onto Third Avenue to the face of the house. It was certainly a misfit on this block. Two storied and brick, it stood out like a whore’s pimple against the moldering shanties that surrounded it. The front fence was far shorter, and made from iron. A decorative gate barred the entrance to the front yard.
    “Usually there’s someone on the other side to let people in,” Norbeck said. “A kid named Ollie last time I was here. Don’t look so cozy, does it?” He chuckled to himself and withdrew a hand from his pocket to shake the gate. “Locked up tight. Anyone there?” he shouted. No one answered. The window curtains were drawn, and the house appeared dark and dead.
    “Look at the footprints leading out of here,” Queen said, pointing to the ground. “Big boots and women’s shoes. I’d say three men and two women.” He followed the prints to the street, where they disappeared in a wagon’s track. He walked back to the gate and kicked it hard, but it made no movement. “I guess we’ll just have to go over, then.”
    Norbeck groaned. Queen was the older of the two, but capably climbed to the top, put his leg over, and jumped. He landed on the other side standing up. It hurt a little in his knees.
    “Can you unlock it from that side?” Norbeck asked with a wink. Queen ignored him and trotted up the path to the front porch. He climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. “This is Detective Harmon Queen of the Minneapolis Police,” he announced through the thick wood, knowing already