The Assassin (Isaac Bell 8)

Bell turned to Weber & Fields. “Wally and Mack, you look pleased with yourselves.”

“Always, Isaac, always,” said Wally.

“It’s hard not to be,” said Mack, and the two broke into Weber & Fields mode. “A very pretty girl who was promised by refiner Reed Riggs that he . . .”

“. . . and therefore she . . .”

“. . . by extension . . .”

Bell said, “Gents, I’m losing patience with your antics. What did you find?”

“. . . would be rich soon.”

“Riggs was an independent oil man,” said Bell. “They all think they’ll be rich soon.”

“Not like this. He told the girl that a certain party highly placed at Standard Oil was going to, quote, ‘Pungle up big.’ Not only would he get a bunch of money, his refinery would be bought with Standard Oil stock.”

“What certain party?” Bell asked.

“She wouldn’t say.”

“Wouldn’t or couldn’t?”

“Wouldn’t.”

“Why would this party shell out big money?”

“Blackmail. The girl said Riggs had something big on him.”

“Why would he tell a girl? Who was this girl? Where did they meet?”

“Miss Dee’s on North Wichita Street, Wichita, Kansas,” said Mack.

“Arguably the finest ‘female boardinghouse’ in the state,” said Wally.

“Which is saying a lot for a state that’s home to Topeka and Kansas City,” said Mack.

“Not the sort of ‘ten-dollar parlor house’ the likes of me and Mack could afford without Mr. Van Dorn covering our expenses,” said Wally. “But you of the silver spoon could be familiar with it.”

Grady Forrer rumbled deep and dangerously in his barrel chest, “You are reporting that Riggs got drunk and bragged to a pretty girl in a brothel? A girl whose income depends on keeping you two happy?”

Mack Fulton returned a look of ice. “Listen closely, young fellow, and one day you’ll grow up to be a detective, too.” He turned back to Bell. “The lady didn’t think Riggs was bragging. She thought he felt guilty. Like blackmail wasn’t something Riggs would do if he weren’t pressed to the wall. He was having second thoughts when he fell under the train.”

“Are you sure about her?”

“Positive. She did not want to talk.”

“She was kind of sweet on Riggs,” said Mack.

“How’d you get her to talk?”

“We had to spend a full week at Miss Dee’s,” said Mack.

“Never gave up,” said Wally.

Archie Abbott rolled his eyes. Grady Forrer furrowed his brow. Isaac Bell said, “But after a week she still wouldn’t tell you the name at Standard Oil?”

“That would be a job for younger men than we are,” said Mack.