Jack Spade: Dream Detective

Chapter 6

Don’t know; It could have been a woman,” He says as he bends down to pick up a half smoke cigarette butt. “Come on let’s get the hell out of here, as he stuff the butt in his vest pocket

“Why do you think it may have been a woman?” Joe asks.

“Because the butt had lipstick on it,” replies Jack, reaching over to put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. They then get back into their cars.

When Jack gets to his hotel room, it’s about 4 am. He heads straight to his bedroom, where he is surprised to find Jennifer in his bed, sound asleep.

He doesn’t have the heart to wake her so he grabs some extra pillows and sheets and goes to sleep on the sofa. The next morning when he wakes, Jennifer is already up and has fixed breakfast. “Wow, that coffee sure smells good,” he says as he stretches and yawns on the couch.

“Oh, so you are alive!” says Jennifer, smiling. “For a while there, I thought you were dead. You can sleep anywhere.”

“Well, I had no choice, since my bed was taken,” Jack replies. “Which reminds me,” He says, not really caring what the answer would be, “

How did you get in here anyway?”

“I told the man at the front desk I was your little sister, but I don’t think he believed me,” she says with a wink. “

And you know you could have joined me last night, Jack,” she says, with a gleam of playfulness in her eyes. “You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to disturb you and besides, I was dead on my feet,” Replies Jack.

With that said, Jennifer stands up from the table and starts to give him a neck and shoulder massage. “So how you feeling now?” she purrs like a kitten in his ear but in this case, it’s more like a tigress in heat as she moves around to sit on his lap.

“Oh, I’m feeling much better,” he announces then stands up with Jennifer still in his arms and carries her to the bedroom. She is laughing.

“Sir, have you no shame? I’m your sister.”

And Jack replies, “No way, lady. I’m an only child.”

He gently lays her down on the bed and she whispers into his ear, “Make love to me, Jack”…and they make passionate love.

Now, Jack is from the old school of love making, and he wants to make an honest woman out of Jennifer. So, when they are sitting up in bed puffing on a cigarette, he says,

“Okay, baby,” a serious look on his face, “now let’s go find a minister.”

“A minister?” replies Jennifer, with a little panic and excitement in her voice. She quickly jumps out of the bed.

“Jack, you don’t want to marry me.”

“Sure I do, baby, I’m nuts about you. Don’t you know that?” For the first time in his life, Jack is serious about a woman. He knew that the first time he laid eyes on her at the club.

“You are?” says Jennifer, with shyness and disbelief.

“Yes, don’t you believe me?”

Then she glances at the clock and realizes how late it is. “I got to run, Jack, I’m late for rehearsal! We’ll talk about this later.” She then stumbles to get dressed and hurries out the door. Before Jack can stop her, she is gone.

He sits there in bed with a puzzled and disappointed look on his face, wondering why Jennifer was not excited about marrying him. All sorts of things run through his mind. Doesn’t she know what a great catch I am? Then he says out loud, “Maybe she thinks I would not be true to her! But why would she think that?”

Then the phone rings. It’s the police. Sergeant O’Brien tells him that the man who owns the car is Sam Deerfield. “And get this, Jack, he’s a gum shoe, just like you.” The Sergeant gets a big laugh over that. For some reason O’Brien thinks this information is hilarious.

“Okay, thanks, Tim.” Jack gets out of bed and gets dressed then takes another look at the cigarette butt he found in the woods. He hadn’t noticed before but

It’s the brand that Jennifer usually buys, and it’s the kind that Lauren Jefferson was smoking that night at the club. He is wondering if it might have been Lauren he saw.

He puts it back into his vest pocket then goes to his office.

It’s not more than three minutes before Mr. Jefferson comes in asking questions.

Jack pulls out the cigarette butt. “Doesn’t your wife smoke this brand?”

Jefferson takes it. “Why yes she does! Have you found her?” he asks, showing elation and fear.

“Maybe,” replies Jack. “I’m not sure.”

At the Blue Cage, Jennifer is rehearsing her numbers while Moreno is sitting at one of the tables, watching. When she is done, he motions for her to come over to his table. “Sit down, Jennifer.” She does so reluctantly. “What’s the matter, Jenny? You look worried.”

“Nothing, Mr. Moreno. Why do you think something is wrong?”

“Oh, maybe it’s just me but I thought you might be worrying about Lauren?” As he is speaking, he is holding her hand but Jennifer pulls away as she stands up to leave.

“I have to rehearse my next number.”

Moreno lets her go. He has more interest in her than just her being a singer at his club. He wants her to be his, just like a lot of other men who fantasize about her.

********** Meanwhile************

“You’re not sure?” replies Jefferson. “Why not? What are you not telling me, Mr.

Spade?”

“Okay, Jefferson. You’re right. You are paying me for information.

The other night a man followed me up to your cabin; while I was up there, I thought I saw a woman watching me from the woods. When I went to check

It out, the person was gone.”

“And you think it might have been my wife?”

“Yes,” replies Jack as he tries to take in all of Jefferson’s expressions.

Jefferson takes out a handkerchief and wipes away perspiration from his

Brow. “Excellent, Mr. Spade. It looks like I have the right man on the job.” He then turns and leaves.

Jack stays at his office until around 11 pm then he goes to the Blue Cage. He takes a seat at one of the tables up front.

Soon one of Moreno’s men tells him that Moreno wants to see him. “About what?” replies Jack .

“You have to ask him. I’m just a messenger.”

Jack goes into Moreno’s office. “Hello, Spade. Have a seat.” He is being unusually nice and Jack is not sure what to make of it. He motions for Jack to sit but Jack stands tall.

“I’d rather stand,” he says.

“How are things going with the investigation?” Moreno says as he leans over from behind his desk to offer Jack a cigarette.

“As I told you before, Moreno, that’s privileged information.”

“Come now, Spade. Surely you know that I and Tom Jefferson are partners and very good friends.”

Jack pauses for a moment then says, “Yes, I have heard some talk about that.” He looks around for a chair and sits down.

“Look, here Spade,” says Moreno, “I’m only looking out for my friend’s welfare. What can you tell me?” He looks genuinely concerned so Jack decides to tell him what little he has found out.

“Not good,” replies Jack. “I keep running into dead ends.”

“Is that right?” replies Moreno. “You know you sound like a broken record; that’s exactly what you said the last time.”

Now that sounds more like the real Moreno. He takes a sip from his drink.

“Sorry,” replies Jack. “That’s all I have at the moment.” He does not know what to make of Moreno’s concern in all of this… even if he and Jefferson are friends. “You still have not told me your part in all this. Why are you so interested in Lauren Jefferson?

And why don’t you want Jennifer to know?”

“I told you before, that’s not your concern.”

“It is my concern when I’ve got private d***s tailing me day and night.”

“What d**k? I don’t know what you are talking about. I got nobody tailing you.”

“Are you going to tell me what the connection is between Lauren Jefferson

And Jennifer?”

Moreno looks at Jack for a long time then smiles and says, “You are not a very good private d**k, Spade.”

“What do you mean?” replies Jack as he gives Moreno a leering stare.

“They are sisters,” he says, smiling.

“Sisters,” replies Jack, almost whispering. No doubt about it, Jack was affected by this news but he was not going to let on to Moreno that he was. He quickly changed the subject back to the missing Lauren Jefferson. “And what did Lauren have on you?”

“Nothing. I’m just concerned for her, that’s all.”

“And the other thing?”

“What other thing?”

“The d**k tailing me!”

“I told you I didn’t hire anybody to watch over you.” He walks over to where Jack is sitting.

Okay. If you still want to play games.” Jack then gets up, goes to the door and cracks it open. “See that bird over there?” Jack says, pointing to Deerfield. “The one sitting at the end of the bar.”

Moreno walks over to the door to have a look. After a long glare, he says, “I never seen that mug before until today,” trying to give Jack the impression that he didn’t know what he was talking about.

But Jack is persistent. “He’s working for either you or Jefferson.”

“You’re nuts, Spade!”

“So you still say you don’t know him! His name is Deerfield.”

“His name is mud as far as I’m concerned,” replies Moreno as he lights up one of his cameo cigars and takes a puff.

Now,” says Moreno, rather firmly, “I think you should leave.”

“So, you’re not changing your story.”

“Changing what story?” replies Moreno. “I have no story. What do I look like to you? A writer,” he says, smiling. ”Now get out of here, Spade, before I call the boys.”

“All right,” says Jack. “I’ll see you later.” Jack slowly closes the door and then goes over to Deerfield, who is still sitting at the bar.

Now Deerfield, who weighs a little over 200 pounds and

Stands about 6’ 6”, is a pretty big man. Any reasonable person would use a little tact when confronting him, but we all know that Jack does not use tact nor, sometimes, common sense when dealing with an unmovable object such as Deerfield.

Deerfield kind of resembles the actor Mike Mazurki but with thick steel-rim glasses and a small mustache. “Hello, Sam,” says Jack as he takes a seat by him.

“Do I know you, mister?” replies Deerfield, a smug smile on his face.

“Sure you do, you been following me for the last two weeks. I want to know why, and who hired you.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, mister. I don’t know who you are; now get out of my face.”

“You a big man, I see,” replies Jack. “Your mouth is as big as you are?”

The man starts to get up but before he does, Jack grabs his glasses and throws them on the bar then he picks up a bottle of whiskey and hits him over the head.

Deerfield falls flat on his face, out cold.

By this time, Moreno is standing next to Jack. “What happened here?”

“He got out of line.”

“Well, you better get out of here before he wakes up.”

“You might be right about that.” Jack kisses Jennifer and leaves. “I’ll see you later tonight, baby. We got to talk. Meet me at Antonio’s around midnight.”

“Okay, Jack,” she replies. “I’ll try to get off early.”

After Jack leaves, Moreno and his men help Deerfield up off the floor. “What really happened?” Moreno asks one of his men.

“Spade whacked him with a bottle.”

When Deerfield regains consciousness, he slowly and calmly puts on his glasses and asks for a drink, finishes it, and then leaves without paying for it.

He does not attempt to tail Jack. Instead he goes to see Mr. Jefferson at his Hotel.

Jefferson’s place is like an ancient Roman palace. He has statues of Caesar and Mark Anthony all over the place, as well as expensive paintings that must have cost a pretty penny. It looks more like a museum than a place to live in but as stuffy as it is, it is truly a beautiful place in which to hang your hat. There are even shag rugs in every room.

“What you are doing here? I told you to stay with Spade, night and day.”

“No problem, Mr. Jefferson, I can find that guy anytime. I think he’s on to you.”

“On to me? What do you mean?”

“I think he knows you hired me.” (If Jack didn’t know before, he knows now because he had followed Deerfield.)

Is that why you came here? To tell me that!” replies Jefferson.

“No, Mr. Jefferson, that’s not the only reason why I came.”

“Then why?”

“I need some more money,” replies Deerfield in a cold manner, as if he is demanding it.

“Oh, so that’s it.” Jefferson then goes to his safe. Deerfield moves over to the couch, relaxing with one of Jefferson’s expensive cigars in his hand. Jefferson takes out five hundred dollars and gives it to him. As Deerfield is counting the money, Jefferson is thinking that Deerfield may become a problem. He knows too much, and could hurt him later. “Now will you please leave and find that merchandise I hired you to find!” I did says Deerfield.

Jefferson is hysterical. “Well, give it to me. I hate it when you are obtuse.”

Deerfield slowly reaches into his pocket and hands Jefferson a small package.

“You want me to keep tailing Spade?”

“Yes. Now, I’m expecting guests any minute.” Jefferson takes the package and looks inside. His face turns red. “

You i***t! This is not all that I wanted.”

“You shouldn’t call me names, Mr. Jefferson.” With that said, Deerfield stands up as if he is about to separate Jefferson’s head from his shoulders.

Jefferson quickly apologizes. “I know, I’m sorry, Mr. Deerfield. You will keep looking, won’t you?”

“That’s what you’re paying me for,” he says, at the same time looking as if he could ring

Jefferson’s fat little neck. And he could; it wouldn’t be that much of a problem.

I hope you enjoy your party, Mr. Jefferson.” Yes, now will you get out,” as he moves his hands up and down’ as if he was fanning’ Deerfield’s Gigantic Butt..

“Of course,” says Deerfield, moving slowly to the door. “What does ‘obtuse’ mean?”

“It means you are very smart,” replies Jefferson.

His first guest arrives just as Deerfield is leaving. It is Margaret Gibson,

San Francisco’s number one gossip and socialite. If you want to know anything in town about anybody, just ask Margaret Gibson!

“Tommy dear, you look terrible. Are you eating? Are you all right? What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I just have not been sleeping,” he replies sharply.

“Any word on Lauren?” she asks.

“No, nothing yet.”

“Was that your private investigator, Jack Spade?”

“No, just a business acquaintance.” Really! He looks more like a Hooligan’ then a business man! ”Margaret wants to know everything about everybody.

She is a real busybody but she gets nothing out of Jefferson. The party will be a night of fun and prestige, a gathering of the rich and famous of San Francisco. In fact, the mayor is supposed to show up.

Meanwhile Jack is outside, wondering why it is taking Deerfield so long to come out so he decides to go in and confront them both. As he goes into the lobby, he sees all the people and hears some of them talking; he realizes they are going to the same place he is and he then decides not to go up. He then sees Deerfield coming out of the elevator.

Jack ducks behind a wall and tails him back to his apartment.

After about an hour, Jack realizes it’s getting pretty late and

He has to meet with Jennifer, so he leaves. He tries to call Joe to have him continue to watch Deerfield’s place but cannot get a hold of him so, reluctantly, he goes to meet Jennifer.

After Jack leaves, Deerfield leaves too. He knew Jack was tailing him. He goes to

Jack’s office but while he is searching around, Joe surprises him.

He is able to get the jump on Deerfield with his gun. As he holds his gun on him, he goes over to the phone to call Jack, but before he can do this, Deerfield knocks over a night stand and suddenly the room is pitch black. They struggle for control of the gun and it drops to the floor. Deerfield then grabs Joe by the throat, lifts him off the floor, holds him up against the wall and snaps his neck like pretzel. Joe falls to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

Deerfield returns the night stand and light to their up-right position then, for some reason, he goes into the wash room and washes his hands, as if killing Joe has dirtied him. He locks the door and throws the key out the window then, picking up Joe’s lifeless body and hauling it up on his shoulder, ducks out of the window, slowly carrying him down the fire escape unseen. He opens the trunk of his car and throws the body inside.

He drives down to the docks and waits for the ferry to make its last run. There are about fifty people getting off and as they pass by his car, Deerfield sits there calmly, smiling to himself. Once the last couple has gone by, he continues with his task. There is an empty rowboat tied up at the port. He gets in with the body and rows out to sea. About three miles out, he dumps the body. When he gets back to the docks, he gets into his car and drives off again without being seen.