The Devil's Own Rag Doll Read Online Free PDF

door, the money on one side of the table made it so that any blame to be passed around was going to fall your way. It never mattered that you hadn’t before that moment played any part in it. Even if you were in on the same side with the money, as long as they had it and you didn’t, you could never make it an even game.
    And money was worth more than that. Hardiman had to be a good bit older than me, but his skin looked young, aside from the alcohol damage. There was a soundness to his teeth and his bones and a clarity to his eyes that brought home to me what might be bought with money. It was easy to imagine that the rich were not different, but I noted Hardiman’s way of talking, how he controlled what was coming out of his mouth, how it sounded so full but gave away nothing. Maybe it was the real advantage of a good education.
    Bobby drew in a deep breath. I could see that he was rattled, and yet there was always a certain shrewdness to him. He began to speak slowly. “It’s a messy business, sir. A tragedy, I would say. But I can say, at least, that the people I’ve called in to take care of it will act with the greatest discretion. And Detective Caudill and I will get to the bottom of it, you can be sure.”
    Hardiman sucked the rest of his whiskey through the ice and set the tumbler down. “Think of what you’ve done so far as the last botched job you’ll be allowed.” He stopped for a moment to judge how his speech was hitting us. “Now, I’ve lost a little girl, and this grieves me deeply. I’ve invested so much in Jane’s upbringing. But there is also a war to be won, and I’m sure you know how crucial Lloyd Motors is to the effort. So it should go without saying that you and your—your pirate friend here must find a way to perfection of effort from this point forward. And I’ll hold you responsible if some sort of justice—”
    A muffled commotion from the foyer cut off the rest of his blather. Raised voices struck the doors like dampened blows, and then the doors opened suddenly. A woman I guessed to be Mrs. Hardiman came in, followed by Louise, the servant, who was flustered now, her lips pressed thin. Bobby and I stood up.
    â€œDear, you must introduce me to our guests.”
    â€œYou should rest,” said Hardiman. “You shouldn’t be walking.” He stepped toward her, his jaw set, his blue eyes glittering. “Louise will help you to your room.”
    She waved him off and flounced into a chair, her eyes bleary. I could see that the doctor had underestimated her constitution.
    â€œFix me something, will you, dear?” she said. She sat like a shaky ballerina at the edge of her chair and regarded Bobby and me. She passed right over Bobby, but when she looked at me, something like a tight school of fish or a flock of pigeons angled in her eyes. She was angry, she was amused, she might have cried—all at once. She said, “The police, are you? I’m Estelle Hardiman.”
    â€œWell, ma’am, I’m Detective Robert Swope, and this is, may I introduce my partner, Detective Caudill.”
    â€œI see. Sit down, please. Please. Good. Louise, just go.” She fluttered her thin fingers at Louise. “Close the door behind you.”
    Hardiman brought her a drink, Scotch on the rocks, watered down a bit.
    She said, “So you’re the gentlemen who found my daughter?”
    Bobby looked at Hardiman.
    â€œMy husband tries to keep things from me,” she said. “One of the many things he does not do well.”
    â€œYou’ll understand that my wife is not herself tonight,” said Hardiman. “She is usually more reserved.”
    Mrs. Hardiman stood up and said, “I carried Jane for nine months. And delivered her breech. You see, she was a difficult child from the moment she was conceived.” She choked down a bitter laugh, kept it locked inside. “You detectives