THE CHIEF SARCASTICALLY grunted, “Has it been fired since?”
“It was fired six times at the date of delivery by the police laboratory for the land-mark records,” I said.
“Let’s not try being funny, Schnell. This is a serious business. Andrews was an eccentric old curmudgeon, but he was also a philanthropist, and the papers will be after our throats if we don’t come up with this super-criminal.”
“He’s going to be damned tough, Chief.”
“Okay, this is your project. Nothing else matters until he’s caught and convicted—of homicide committed during the course of grand robbery, meaning automatic hot seat.”
I nodded slowly.
“Just remember, Schnell—the whole department’s behind you,” Chief Weston assured me.
I continued to nod, but his assurance didn’t reassure me in the least. With about nin
