Jack Spade: Dream Detective

Chapter 12

Jefferson bends down and whispers, “I’m sorry.” In his panic he goes through the trooper’s pockets until he finds his wallet. He sees that his name was Anthony Green. For some reason he takes the driver’s license with him. He looks around to see if anyone is coming. There is no one; just the sound of the trooper’s radio cruiser, with an operator asking “Are you okay?” He runs back to his car.

He sits again thinking. He soon realizes he is closer to the city than his cabin, which is still a fair way off. There is only one thing to do. I must go to Tom; yes, Tom will help me. How could he turn me down? He turns on the engine and heads to the city with Deerfield in the back seat. Suddenly he stops. Again he hurries out the front seat and takes the body from the back seat. “Damn, you’re heavy,” he says out loud. He puts the body in the trunk. He wonders to himself how he ever did it with Deerfield being so heavy but he is able to perform his task. By the time he gets to Moreno’s, it’s about 5 am.

Jefferson is tired, exhausted and extremely frightened when he arrives at Moreno’s estate, which is located in Knob Hill.

He rings the doorbell frantically until the butler finally answers.

“I have to see Mr. Moreno. Now!” he shouts.

“Very well, sir.” The butler shows Jefferson into the study room.

About ten minutes later, Moreno

Comes in. Jefferson is pacing up and down. “What is it, Tom? You look as pale as a ghost!”

“I had to kill Deerfield last night!”

“What! Why?” replies Moreno as he turns quickly to shut the study doors and attempts to calm Jefferson down. “Here, drink this!” he says as he hands him a drink.

“He was trying to blackmail me. He was trying to shake me down too.”

“How could he have found out? There is only one way− Lauren.”

“Yes, it must have been Lauren,” says Jefferson nervously as he tries to pour another drink.

“Why did you hire him in the first place?”

“I thought I might need him to do a job for me later.”

“What kind of job?”

Jefferson does not answer. He just looks around nervously. “Please help me, Bill.” He hesitates for a second. “I, I had to kill a policeman too!”

“What!” screams Moreno. “You fool!”

“I couldn’t help it, he stopped me on the way to my cabin. I had no choice, Bill. It was either him or me.”

“What do you want from me?” says Moreno.

“I need you to get rid of Deerfield’s body! It’s in the car.

“Where is the car?” says Moreno.

“Outside,” replies Jefferson.

“All right, I’ll take care of it. Where is the policeman?”

“I left him on the side of the road, Interstate 50.”

“Okay,” says Moreno. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll call you a cab.”

Twenty minutes later, a Red Top cab pulls up. “Go home, get some sleep.” As

Jefferson is leaving, he tries to hold Moreno’s hand, but Moreno pushes it away and says,

“Get some rest, Tom.”

Moreno then gets dressed, gets in Deerfield’s car and drives it into

His garage for the time being. He stays at his home until he leaves for his club, which is around 9 pm. When he is sure no one is watching, he slips out the door, goes back home, drives Deerfield’s car down to the Golden Gate Bridge and leaves it there. Lucky for him his club not too far from the bridge and the fog that night is so thick he can hardly see his hand in front of his face. He walks a few blocks and sneaks back in without anyone seeing him (there is a secret door to his office that no one knows about so it is no problem for him.)

Just as he settles down in his office, the phone rings. It’s Tom Jefferson. “Is everything taken care of?”

“Yes, Tom. I told you not to worry.” Moreno hangs up the phone and wonders if maybe he’d

Have to do something about Tom Jefferson. It’s getting to the point where he can’t trust him anymore. Friend or no friend.

Tom Jefferson had found out from the slain troopers’ driver’s license that his wife’s name was Delores; they had been married for only two years. To ease his guilty conscious, he sent the widow five thousand dollars in an unmarked envelope, with a note saying ‘I’m sorry.’ (When Delores gets the money, she can only look at it and cry. She does not tell anyone about it, not even the police; she is afraid they might take the money from her.) Jefferson smiles to himself as he thinks about it, believing it will help ease his guilty mind.

A few days later, Jack is at Jennifer’s hotel room; they are discussing the picture.

“Where is it?” he says.

“I don’t know, Jack. It could be with some of her old things.”

“Do you have them?”

“No, but I do have a pawn ticket.”

Jack gets a gleam in his eyes. Jennifer goes into her bedroom and comes back with the ticket. “Let’s see that.” He grabs the ticket from her. “Diamond Jim’s Pawn Shop. That’s a few blocks from here, we can walk there. But what I don’t understand is why didn’t you use this ticket?” he says to her. “Because Lauren told me not to. She said for me to just keep it safe.”

“Okay, let’s go.” The pawn shop is a dirty little place located at the corner of fifth and Nobles Street. When Jennifer and Jack arrive, they try very hard not to touch anything. The place really could have used a good fuming out. “Don’t think they have much maid service.”

Jennifer screams and jumps into Jack’s arms when a mouse runs past her feet.

“Sorry about that,” says the owner, as he swats a fly on the counter. “I’ve been meaning to get a cat,” he says, smiling.

Jack hands him the pawn ticket. The man takes it then goes into the back room.

Jennifer tells Jack she is going to sit in the car. “Okay, baby,” replies Jack. “I’ll be out soon.” She scurries out the door.

Soon the clerk returns with a large, black, leather suitcase. Jack takes it and gives the man a twenty dollar bill. The man looks at Jack. “Are you kidding me?”

Jack then gives him twenty more dollars, which seems to satisfy him.

While they are walking back to Jennifer’s, they are stopped by a police car. “Hello, Jack,” yells one of the officers. ”The Lieutenant wants to see you.” “Not now, I’m busy,” yells Jack.

They stop the car and confront him. “He said right now, Mr. Spade.”

Jack gives the suitcase to Jennifer and tells her, “

Don’t open this until I get back, baby.” Then he jumps into the car.

“Say, Jack,

Who’s the dame?” one of the officers asks.

“My sister,” replies Jack with a smile.

“Your sister! I thought you were an only child!”

“I am. My father found her on the streets.”

“Funny man.”

When they get to the station, they take Jack into a room. Lieutenant Kimble and two other cops are already there. “What’s going on, Peter?” “We’ll ask the questions,” says one of the cops.

”Take it easy,” says Kimble. “Have a seat, Jack. You know Sam Deerfield?”

“Yes, what about him?”

“We got an anonymous call last night saying that he’s dead, and that you killed him.”

“What!”

“Well, you did have an argument with him at the Blue Cage club and you think he’s the one who killed your partner.”

“I never said that,” Jack quickly replies. “Don’t you guys know a set up when you see it? And it wasn’t much of an argument; I hit him with a bottle and ran out.”

“Hell, we know all that.”

“You got a body?”

“Yes we do,” says one of the cops lurking in the shadows.

“It was stuffed in the trunk of his car,” replies the Lieutenant. “Somebody left him down by the Frisco Bridge. So where were you around midnight Friday, Jack?”

“I was with my girl,” replies Jack, not taking his eyes from Kimble.

“Well, I’m sorry, old buddy. We got to lock you up until we check out your story. Okay, boys, take him downstairs and lock him up. What’s your girl’s name? And what’s her address?”

“Jennifer Wilson, remember?” says Jack, smiling. “You met her at my office the day you found Joe’s body.”

While the police check out Jack’s alibi, they take him down to his cell. As

Sargent O’Brien slams the cell door shut and locks it, he tells Jack how sorry he is. “It’s a dirty shame, Jack, the Lieutenant treating you like this.”

“It’s okay, Tim. He’s just doing his job. You wouldn’t want people accusing him of playing favorites, would you?”

“No,” he replies, shaking his head in agreement. “I guess you’re right, Jack.”

As O’Brien turns to leave, Jack calls out, “You got any smokes? They took mine.” O’Brien gives him the whole pack. “Thanks. You tell Kimble I said to give you a raise.”

“I’ll do just that,” he says, smiling.

There is something alarming about being locked in a cell; even though there are plenty of cells, all full, you still feel so all alone.

Jack lies down on the lower bunk and pulls out a cigarette. A prisoner in the next cell asks him for a smoke; Jack gets up and hands him one then sits back down on his bunk. About two hours later, O’Brien comes down and lets him out. “Okay, Spade,” says a cop at the desk, “you can go. Your girl backs up your story. But don’t leave town.”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” says Jack. Before he leaves he stops by Kimble’s office.

“Did you really think I would kill a guy in cold blood?”

“No, Jack, I didn’t, but seeing how close you and Joe were…anything’s possible. I had to follow up, you understand. It’s my job.”

“So what you got on the case?”

“Nothing but an abandoned car, with a body in the trunk. And what do you know about Deerfield, Jack?”

“All I know is that Bill Moreno or Jefferson hired him to tail me.”

“Jefferson? Why would Jefferson hire him?”

“I don’t know. I got to ask him. I’ve already asked Moreno and he said he didn’t hire him.”

“And you believe him!”

“I’m not sure. Okay?”

“Jack, we’re going to pick Jefferson up and see what he knows about all this. And Jack, I think these are yours.” He hands him his ID cards.

“Where did you get these?”

“They were in Deerfield’s car,” he says, smiling. “He must have taken them from your room.”

Jack smiles back. “So you didn’t really think I killed him?”

“Of course not, Jack. You wouldn’t kill a guy like that.”

“Are you sure, Peter?” says Jack. “Even for revenge?”

Kimble shakes his head. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“One more thing, Peter. Let me talk to Jefferson first, before you pick him up.”

“Okay, Jack,” replies Kimble.

When the police drop j******f, he goes to Jennifer’s hotel room but

She is not there. He is about to leave when she arrives. “Where have you been?” he asks with a suspicious look on his face.

“At the station,” replies Jennifer.

“The station?” says Jack as if questioning her response.

“Yes. After the police left, I went down to the station to pick you up. But they told me that they just took you home. Looks like I just missed you. I went to your place first, and you were not there so I came back here.”

Jack looks at Jennifer as if he does not believe her. “Say, what’s with the third degree? What’s the matter, Jack? Don’t you believe me?”

Jack smiles. “Sure, baby, I’m sorry. Hurry and open up so we can check that suitcase.”

When they finally open it, they find the usual girly stuff (panties, bras,

Dresses, lipstick, etc.) And a bus station locker key. Jack puts the key in his pocket. There is also a small compartment; they open it up and find the negative of a picture of Moreno and Jefferson in a very compromising position.

“Well,” says Jack, “I can see why Moreno might want this back.” He looks over at Jennifer. “Did you know about this?”

“No, Jack,” she says, wide-eyed. “I swear I didn’t.”

“And Moreno never asked you about it?”

“No.”

“That’s strange,” replies Jack with that puzzled look again.

“Why do you say that, Jack?”

“Because he knew that you and Lauren were sisters!

Well, it doesn’t matter. Listen, baby, you get ready for work; I’m going to see

Jefferson. Can I borrow your car?”

Jennifer quickly replies with a smile. “No, you cannot but yes, you may. Jack looks back at her with rolling eyes. “That’s from my father, the teacher.” “Very cute,” replies Jack.

“But how do I get to the club?”

“No problem, baby. I’ll drop you off first.” He drives Jennifer to the club then heads for Jefferson’s place.

Jefferson is entertaining a friend.

She’s a lady and is quite young and beautiful, around 25 years of age. That seems to be Jefferson’s age range in woman. “I got to go, Tommy. I will see you later,” she says as she kisses him on the forehead. She gives Jack a wink as she goes by. “Bye, cutie,” she says.

“Who was that?”

“Oh, she’s just a friend. Do you have anything on my wife?” he says, turning all his attention to Jack. As Jack walks over to the sofa and sits down. “To answer your question, yes I do.” Well says Jefferson’ what is it?

Jack hesitates for a second. “But first, do you know a man by the name of Sam

Deerfield?”

“Deerfield? No,” replies Jefferson, trying not to show concern or fear that Jack knows his name. “What does he have to do with Lauren?”

“Are you sure?” replies Jack. “Big man, wears steel-rim glasses, small mustache.”

“Again, I don‘t know the man. What does this have to do with my missing wife?”

“I’m getting there. You see, Deerfield has ended up dead, and I think your wife was trying to blackmail Bill Moreno, and I think Moreno hired this Sam Deerfield to find or kill your wife.”

“That’s ridiculous! Look here, Spade. I’m paying you to find my wife, not accuse her of blackmail!”

“There’s more, sir. You see, your wife had this picture of you and Moreno-”

“A picture!” says Jefferson. “So what? I’m a businessman. I take pictures with people all the time.”

“But in this negative, you two are having sex.” Jefferson walks over to his bar to fix a drink. “Would you like to see it?”

“Yes, I would.”

Jack then shows him the negative. “So you can see, this would be a little embarrassing for Moreno!”

“Mr. Spade, this was a long time ago.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me says Jack”

Then Jefferson says, “Do you think Moreno killed my wife?”

“Well, I think he did or had Deerfield do it. And so will the police once I fill them in.”

“You mean you have not told them yet?” “No, I think I need a little more evidence.”

“Then you are really wasting my time.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, sir. I will be on my way then.”

“So you’re not going to the police?”

“No. Like I said, I need a little more proof. And one more thing, did you know your wife was biracial?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Your wife has a black mother and her father was white. You didn’t know?”

Jefferson sits down on his couch

With this hurt but discerned look on his face. “Well,” says Jack, “I guess you didn’t know.” He’s wondering if it was smart of him to tell him.

When Jack leaves, he waits outside. Jefferson leaves a few minutes later and he follows him to Moreno’s club.

When Jefferson arrives, Moreno is extremely perplexed. “What’s the matter this time, Tom?”

“It’s Spade! He knows about us.”

“What do you mean us? There is no us,” Moreno says unequivocally.

“I mean about the past,” replies Jefferson. “He has a negative of us together. And he thinks you are responsible for Lauren’s disappearance!” “That’s ridiculous,” shouts Moreno.

“That’s what I told him but he does have that negative. He also said that Lauren was blackmailing you. Was she?” he asked, not knowing what Bill’s response would be.

He was surprised when he said, “Yes she was. I gave her fifty thousand dollars

For the picture.”

Jefferson starts to tell Moreno something but he stops himself. He just can’t bring himself to believe it. He had always put Lauren on a pedestal. “I just can’t believe that Lauren would do that.”

“Well, she did.”

And you gave her the fifty thousand?”

“Yes!”

“And the picture! What did you do with it?”

“I destroyed it, of course,” replies Moreno. “

What we need to do now is concentrate on Spade and get rid of him. I don’t know why you hired him in the first place.”

“He’s a private investigator, and my wife is missing,” replies Jefferson.

“You should have left it to the cops.” I know it! You’re right, Bill” he replies in his usual submissive way. “Forget it, our big concern now is to get that negative. If there really is one!” “What do you mean? Replies Jefferson nervously.

Moreno takes a sip from his drink. “I wouldn’t put anything past Spade; he could be bluffing.” He’s not bluffing’ shouted Jefferson’ I’ve’ seen it.

Meanwhile, outside, Jack would give anything to know what those two are talking about. He finally decides to go in and confront them but just as he makes up his mind, Jefferson comes out. Jack tails him back to his hotel.